No Favorites, Only Forgiven

Today, we stand at the crossroads of history and eternity, where the timeless truths of God's Word intersect with our daily lives. I want to start with a story that might surprise you.

Imagine a world where your nationality, your background, or your social status determines your access to God's love. Sounds unjust, doesn't it? Yet, this was the reality for many in the early church, where Jewish believers struggled to grasp that God's grace was not just for them, but for everyone. This is the backdrop of our scripture today, Acts 10:34-43.

Here, we meet Peter, a man with deeply ingrained prejudices, who God takes on a journey of transformation. Through a vision, Peter learns a revolutionary truth: in God's eyes, there are no favorites, only forgiven sinners. This truth wasn't just a game-changer for Peter; it's a life-changer for us.

As we delve into this passage, I invite you to open your hearts. Maybe you feel like you're on the outside looking in, questioning if God's grace extends to you. Or maybe you're comfortable in your faith, yet unaware of the biases that limit your reach to others. Wherever you find yourself, know this: God is about to break down barriers, both within us and around us.

Today, let's journey together through these powerful verses, discovering how God's program is for us to reach out to the world, how peace comes through Jesus Christ, and how our job is to boldly proclaim this truth. Are you ready to see the world through God's eyes? Let's dive in.

Peter’s message to Cornelius and his family and friends is There’s no favorites in God’s family, only forgiven sinners.

Read vv. 34-43

Verses 34-35 show us a new realization for Peter. God’s New Covenant program.

God’s Program is Reaching Out to the World Through the Church (34-35)

A. God Shows No Favoritism (34)

Let's think about Peter's big moment of realization. Peter, a key leader in the early church, was like many of us – he grew up with certain ideas about who was 'in' and who was 'out' when it came to God's family. He thought God's love was mainly for people like him, the Jews. But in Acts 10:34-35, something incredible happens. Peter says, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right."

“Favoritism” appears only here in the NT. But synonyms appear elsewhere.

This is a huge lightbulb moment! It's like Peter's eyes are suddenly opened, and he sees that God's love isn't just for a select group. It's for everyone, no matter where they come from or what they look like. This truth is a game-changer, not just for Peter, but for all of us.

So, how does this break down barriers? Think about it. In the early church, there were big divisions – Jews and Gentiles, insiders and outsiders. When Peter shares this new understanding, it's like he's tearing down a huge wall. This message tells everyone that they're welcome in God's family. It's not about your background or your past; it's about your heart and your actions.

Fast forward to today, and it's still relevant. We live in a world full of divisions – race, culture, social status. But God's message through Peter reminds us that these divisions don't matter to Him. In God's eyes, we're all equal, and His love is available to everyone. This truth challenges us to look beyond our differences and to welcome and love people just as God does.

B. The Universal Call (35)

The message of the gospel is for all people.

This verse is a clarification of an Old Testament mystery (Eph. 3:4-6) that Peter comes to appreciate.

Verse 35 is not a basis for salvation, but a clarification of what Peter stated in verse 34. Peter is not stating a prescription, but a clarification of who God will accept. Read v. 35 in NLT. Old Testament parallel is Micah 6:8.

Imagine the gospel as a massive, open invitation from God to everyone, everywhere. It's like God is throwing the biggest party ever and everyone's invited, no matter who they are or where they come from. This is what we mean when we say the gospel is universal. It's not just for a certain group of people who look a certain way or come from a specific place. It's for everyone – the rich, the poor, the young, the old, every race, every background. Think about how radical this is! Back in the days of the early church, people thought you had to be a Jew to be part of God's family. But the gospel blows this idea out of the water. It says, 'Hey, this good news about Jesus – his life, his death, his resurrection – it's for you, no matter who you are.' This is a powerful, life-changing message that turns the world's way of thinking upside down.

Application: Our responsibility to reach beyond our comfort zones.

Knowing that the gospel is for everyone, it challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. It's easy to share our faith with people who are like us, but what about those who are different? This is where the rubber meets the road. As followers of Jesus, we're called to reach out to everyone, not just the people it's easy to talk to. This might mean talking to that neighbor who comes from a different background. Maybe they just see the world differently.

It's about showing love, being kind, and sharing the good news about Jesus in ways that make sense to them. When we do this, we're not just following orders; we're joining in on what God is doing in the world – reaching out to everyone, everywhere.

This is God’s program. But what’s the message?

There is Peace Through the Person of Jesus Christ (36-41)

A. Jesus: The Lord of All

At the very heart of everything we're talking about here is Jesus Christ. He's not just a side character in God's story; He's the main focus. In Acts 10:36-41, Peter makes it clear that Jesus is at the center of God's plan for everyone. It's like if God's plan was a movie, Jesus would be the star. Everything from the Old Testament leading up to Jesus' time on earth was setting the stage for Him. He's the key to understanding God's love and the way to connect with God. Jesus' life, His teachings, His death, and His resurrection are what make it possible for us to have a relationship with God. It's through Jesus that we can experience true peace - not just a feel-good kind of peace, but deep, lasting peace that changes us from the inside out.

Here Peter summarizes the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter made it clear that Israel was God’s instrument for accomplishing His work (36), but that Jesus is “Lord of All,” and not just Lord of Israel.

The word Messiah means “Anointed One”; so when Peter said, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth he was saying, “God declared Him the Messiah.”

Cornelius and his household would have understood that Jesus is not just Lord of Israel, but that Jesus is Lord of All, including Gentiles. What a thrill!

So, what does it mean for us when we say Jesus is Lord? It's more than just a title; it's a life-changing truth. Acknowledging Jesus as Lord means we're putting Him in charge of our lives. It's like handing over the steering wheel and saying, "You drive, I'll ride along." This has practical implications for how we live. It affects our choices, our attitudes, and how we treat others. For example, if Jesus is our Lord, we'll love others because He taught us to love. We'll forgive because He forgave us. We'll serve others because He came to serve. Living with Jesus as our Lord also gives us a sense of purpose and direction. We're no longer aimlessly wandering through life; we're following the lead of the One who knows us best and loves us most. In a world where it's easy to get lost in the chaos, having Jesus as our Lord is like having a constant guide, showing us the way to live in peace and purpose.

B. The Witnesses of Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection

Let's talk about something really important: the historical reality of Jesus' life. This isn't just a fairy tale or a story made up long ago. Jesus was a real person who walked on this earth. History books and scholars, not just the Bible, talk about Him. He was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, and spent His adult life teaching, healing, and showing love in ways no one had ever seen before. His life wasn't just ordinary; it was extraordinary. But what's even more amazing is how His life ended and what came after. Jesus was crucified, which means He was put to death on a cross, a common punishment back then. But His death wasn't the end. Three days later, He came back to life – He was resurrected. This event is like the cornerstone of Christianity. It's the proof that Jesus is who He said He is – the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Now, let's get personal. Think about the power of Jesus' resurrection. It's not just a cool fact; it changes everything. When Jesus rose from the dead, He showed us that there's life beyond this one, that there's hope even in the darkest situations. Maybe you've heard people share how believing in Jesus' resurrection has transformed their lives. They talk about finding a new sense of purpose, experiencing real love and forgiveness, and having a peace that doesn't make sense given their circumstances. It's like they were walking around in the dark and suddenly the light turned on. This isn't just something that happened to people back in the Bible times. It's happening today. When someone accepts that Jesus died and rose again for them, they start a new life. Their priorities change. They find strength they didn't know they had. They forgive when it seems impossible. All this is possible because the resurrection isn't just a past event; it's a present reality. It's the power of Jesus alive and at work in us today.

God’s program is to reach out to the world through the church. The message is that there is peace through the person of Jesus Christ. So, what’s our job?

Our Job is to Proclaim Jesus to the World (42-43)

A. We Are Commissioned to Proclaim and Testify

Here's something super important for us as followers of Jesus: we've got a job to do. It's not just any job; it's a mission given directly by Jesus Himself. In the Bible, especially in the last part of the Gospels, Jesus tells His apostles, and by extension, all of us, to go and tell the world about Him. This is like Jesus passing the baton to us, saying, "Okay, your turn. Tell people about what you've seen me do and what you've learned from me." It's like He's entrusting us with the most important message ever: the good news about His life, death, and resurrection. This isn't just for pastors or missionaries; it's for every single one of us who calls ourselves a Christian. Whether we're at school, at work, hanging out with friends, or even online, we have countless opportunities to share about Jesus. It's about living in a way that shows others what Jesus is like and talking about our faith when we get the chance.

This word for preach is the word that means “to proclaim as a herald.”

Peter made it clear that Christ’s ministry results in either judgment (42) or salvation (43). The key phrase is whoever believes in Him.

The key element in salvation is faith, belief in Christ.

Now, you might be wondering, what does living out this commission look like in real life? It can take many forms. Think about a friend who always seems to have the right words of encouragement, pointing you back to God's promises when times are tough. Or a coworker who isn't afraid to share how their faith helps them handle stress or make tough decisions. Or it might be someone who goes on a mission trip to help those in need while sharing about Jesus. These are all ways people live out Jesus' commission to proclaim and testify. It's about using what we've been given – our time, our talents, our words – to tell others about the incredible love and hope we've found in Jesus. You don't have to be perfect or have all the answers; it's about being willing to share your story and let God do the rest.

B. The Promise of Forgiveness

One of the most amazing things about following Jesus is the assurance of forgiveness. Think about it: no matter what we've done, no matter how big our mistakes, Jesus offers us a fresh start. When Jesus died on the cross, He took all of our wrongs upon Himself. It's like He wiped our slate clean. This isn't just a nice thought; it's a solid promise from God. It means that we are forgiven. It's that simple, yet that powerful. This forgiveness isn't something we earn by being good enough; it's a gift, thanks to what Jesus did for us. This promise of forgiveness is like a key that unlocks a new life – a life free from the weight of guilt and shame. It opens the door to a relationship with God, where we can start fresh every day, no matter our past.

Now, here's where it gets even better: this promise of forgiveness isn't just for us to keep to ourselves; it's meant to be shared. Imagine you've found the best news ever – wouldn't you want to tell everyone about it? That's how it is with God's forgiveness. We're encouraged to not only embrace this promise for ourselves but to share it with others. It's like passing on a gift that keeps on giving. When we tell others about Jesus' forgiveness, we're offering them the same fresh start we've received. And it doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sharing our own story – how we found forgiveness and a new beginning through Jesus. This act of sharing can bring hope to someone who feels stuck in their mistakes, thinking there's no way out. By telling them about Jesus' forgiveness, we're showing them that there's a way to be free and start anew. It's an encouragement for us to not just enjoy this gift, but to be generous with it, spreading the hope and freedom we've found in Jesus.

We need to understand that There’s no favorites in God’s family, only forgiven sinners.

Let’s embrace God’s grace and share the peace that is only found in Jesus.