Breaking Religious Rutts

Introduction:

We are getting into the crazy days of Christmas. For me it feels like everything speeds up. God has been at work this past week for sure.

Torin and Cameron had their baby Shepherd early Monday morning. Momma and baby are doing fine.

We had a new birth in Woman to Woman as one of the ladies was born again and another confirmed their salvation. Which means we have baptisms on Christmas Eve again this year.

We had a great men’s meeting at the Forge on Tuesday as well with some honest conversation. I asked the guys in The Forge to think about what their Spiritual resolution might be for the coming year and without my prompting it was to have more relational evangelism. I have a picture from August 1, 2017 of an exercise I did to define our churches uniqueness in our community. This exercise was to bring our focus down to one word. I got it down to a two word phrase: “Relational Reconciliation.”

The gospel would be applied through the relationships that we build to aid in reconciling people to God. “Relational Reconciliation.”

For this coming year we have decided to focus our efforts on a specific peace of that process called Relational Evangelism. Sharing our faith has become a lost art in our society and it’s time that we begin to take it back. But what happens when the culture around your or worse your own religious practices cause you not to share your faith.

When our faith and culture cause people to miss out on the gospel work of Jesus, God will shake you up and change your religion.

Today we are going to look at Acts 10. In Acts 10 we find two major figures that needed a shake up of their religion. Cornelius, the centurion and Peter the Apostle. I’ll bet we can all find ourselves in this passage somewhere.

Point 1: God will modify your religion when it is too shallow (Acts 10:1-8)

Cornelius was devout in what he understood about God. (Acts 10:1-2):

Acts 10:1–2 ESV

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

Cornelius would be a coveted church member today.

Despite his religious practices, there was a need for a deeper connection with God.

“When Brianna was 23, she found herself exploring the idea of God and thought it might be good to try out church. She went online and found a pretty casual congregation that seemed friendly and happy enough. So, she determined to attend the following Sunday. When she arrived, the people and the atmosphere were warm and inviting. The message encouraged and challenged her to be a better person to those in her sphere of influence.

Brianna made a few acquaintances and thought she might give this “church thing” a shot. The more she attended, the more she enjoyed it. Brianna found purpose and meaning like never before through some community service projects. The church also offered a small group with people her age, and she began to attend and found her community. As the church presented projects and opportunities, Brianna would give as she felt led in her heart. When people asked Brianna about the church, she would say, “My church is awesome, and I love it. You should join me next Sunday.”

Most churches in the U.S. would consider Brianna a faithful member of their church. They might even assume that she is a follower of Jesus, as she does everything the Church asked her to do. But, although Brianna found community and belonging, she has not yet entered into a personal relationship with Jesus. No doubt, an evangelical church hopes that the Briannas of the world will, at some point, believe in Jesus, but finding Jesus is not essential for the process to be successful or reproduce itself.” (Bill Sizemore, “The Potter’s Clay”)

Cornelius needed a Divine Intervention (Acts 10:3-6):

When your stuck in a rut, God shows up!

Acts 10:3–6 ESV

3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

God takes the initiative to deepen Cornelius' understanding of faith.

This intervention signifies God's desire for a deeper relationship with His followers.

Cornelius had an immediate response to the Lord (Acts 10:7-8):

Acts 10:7–8 ESV

7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

The willingness to go beyond religious routines is crucial for spiritual growth.

This marks the beginning of a transformative journey for both Cornelius and Peter.

Point 2: God will modify your religion when it prohibits the gospel (Acts 10:9-33)

Peter's Narrow Vision (Acts 10:9-16):

Acts 10:9–16 ESV

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

The Scope of God’s vision was broader than Peter’s religion.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Peter’s divine intervention prepared him for the mission.

Don’t call unclean what God calls clean

Don’t let your religion keep you from the people Jesus wants to save.

Luke 5:30–31 ESV

30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

People are not unclean but broken. And God loves to mend the broken heart.

Peter’s New Opportunity. (Acts 10:17-23):

Acts 10:17–23 ESV

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

When you expand your vision God brings new opportunities.

God has people prepared for you to share your faith.

Acts 10:24–27 ESV

24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.

Peter's recognition of his limiting religion (Acts 10:28-33):

Acts 10:28 ESV

28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

He realizes the limitations of his previous beliefs and opens himself to God's transformative work.

This recognition prepares the way for the proclamation of the gospel to Cornelius and the gentiles.

Point 3: God will modify your religion when it needs the power of the Spirit (Acts 10:34-43)

Peter's Revelation (Acts 10:34-35):

Acts 10:34–35 ESV

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Peter grasps the universal nature of God's acceptance, realizing that God shows no partiality.

This revelation is foundational for the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

God's modification includes breaking down barriers and fostering a spirit of inclusivity.

Peter’s Message of Salvation (Acts 10:36-39):

Acts 10:36–39 ESV

36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

The power of the Spirit is intertwined with the proclamation of salvation.

Jesus conquered sin and death through the resurrection.

Acts 10:40–43 ESV

40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48):

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

The outpouring of the Spirit was a promise to all people.

Acts 2:17–18 ESV

17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

The baptism in Jesus was opened to all people.

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the narrative of Acts 10 teaches us that God is willing to modify our religion when it becomes shallow, inhibits the gospel, or lacks the power of the Spirit. Our faith journey is a dynamic, transformative process guided by the wisdom of our Heavenly Father. May the Lord bless you as you reflect on these questions and seek His guidance in breaking free from any religious rutts that may hinder your walk with Him.

R-Group Questions:

1. How deep is our relationship with God? Are we actively seeking a profound and meaningful connection with Jesus?

2. Are there aspects of our religious beliefs that unintentionally hinder us from sharing the gospel? How can we ensure that our faith is inclusive and reflects God's love for all?

3. Are we relying on the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and religious practices? How can we invite the Spirit to empower and guide us in our faith journey?

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