New, Different, and Correct.

Introduction

We missed you

We are hopping back into our Acts Sermon Series, so if you haven’t already, your homework for next week is to read Acts Chapter 1-11. We will continue through Acts up till March, when we will begin our annual Easter Sermon Series.

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Peter began to explain to them step by step, 5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 “ ‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’ 10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house. 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?”

18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”

Context

This week, we are re-entering our sermon series through the book of Acts. As you may remember, and as your bible might even say; these are the acts of the Apostles, meaning that this is a sort of historical accounting/retelling of what the Apostles did after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven, 40 days after his resurrection. This book was written by Luke, who also authored the Gospel of Luke.

As we continue through the book of Acts, I want to remind you of the most critical themes to watch for through the entire book. That is, The Gospel of Jesus Christ was spreading out. It began with it being centralized with just the Jews in Jerusalem, Then it went out to the countries of Judea and Samaria (this is the phase we are still in, in today’s text but we are transitioning out of it), and in coming weeks we will see it go out “to the ends of the world.” So we see this theme, of the Word of God spreading and going to new places during this early transitional time in the early church.

In today’s text, Peter just returned from a missionary trip to Judea, to the city of Cessaria back to Jerusalem, to meet with a Roman Centurian named Cornelious who Jesus had instructed Peter to go and share The Gospel with. So Peter did this, and saw a great thing; Salvation to those people, salvation coming to the gentiles (meaning people of non-Jewish heritage); which was new and by the old order of things, not available to them.

As I mentioned earlier, this was a time of transitional happenings in the early church (with the events we are reading happening around the year 39-40AD); specifically with how and who salvation was available to. However, transition and change wasn’t something that only happened to the early church. Transition and change has been a common theme through the ages and will continue to be until Christ returns. What we have to know though, what We have to understand is that in our faith lives there are timeless truths that will never ever change but the means/methods/modes/ways we share them are temporary, they will change. So, let’s jump in and From the text, I want you to see and apply these timeless truths as you observe something new, different, and correct.

Message

The first timeless truth to see and apply is: Receive the Word and Truth of God (1-3)

The apostles and the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Peter and company left Caesarea after spending some time with Cornelious (a Roman Centurian, an army officer) and his household to ensure that they were properly discipled (meaning taught how to walk and progress in their new faith lives as followers of the Lord Jesus; essentially he remained to teach them to set them up for success). After awhile, he returned back to Jerusalem, but it’s clear that the word had gotten out and spread throughout the land, that there are now believers who were gentiles. The Word of God, the truth of God, the salvation of God was received by these people we would have thought it was impossible for them to. When Peter returned, well, lets just say that not everyone was…. Happy about this.

Look what says in verse 2 and 3, 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Peter was accused by the circumcision party of wrong doing, by going to uncircumcised (meaning none Jews) and worse yet, you ate with them, disgraceful! This circumcision party, would have been believers and followers of Jesus, but they would have been believers that were wrong about this critical matter, they still in their hearts because of their heritage wanted to hold onto the old idea (that was now out because of Jesus decree) that Salvation is from and to the Jews only.

This circumcision party’s mistake may seem especially wrong and heinous, but believer I would urge you, not to be too quickly to judge or condemn them without looking at yourself….. Yes, this is a mistake that believers are known for making, myself and yourself included. The mistake being, that you don’t truly understand or know or accept or want to accept that Jesus is for everyone, that no matter how or who or what a person is or what they have done, their gap between themselves and God is no wider or deeper than your own, and only the cross of Christ can provide the bridge strong and wide enough to pass the gap.

What we all have to do, and what each person in this room is personally responsible for, is seeing where you are holding onto prejudices, preferences, hatred, and wrong understanding of any kind and removing that from your life. Yes I know that is hard, it might even seem impossible; but nothing is impossible for the believer who is set out for kingdom purposes and asks God to help them and guide them. Instead of holding on to that wrong thing, and keeping it close, Receive the Word and truth of God in the situation. Replace the wrong with the right. Replace what you want with what Jesus would want. This isn’t just a one time in your life kind of thing, here me, this is an all throughout your life kind of thing, as you work to become more perfectly conformed into the image of Christ, through this process of personal sanctification, all through your life believer, you should be receiving the Word and truth of God.

The next timeless truth to see and apply is: Change what God has shown was wrong. (4-9)

4 Peter began to explain to them step by step, 5 “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. 6 When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’

8 “ ‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’

Peter begins by retelling what had happened to him while in Joppa, staying at Simon the tanner’s house; retelling what we had gone through in Chapter 10 of Acts. Here, Peter is praying and then he sees a vision. In this vision came down were all the types of animals that Jewish law had forbidden the people to eat on a sheet. These animals were unclean. This was part of the old covenant of works, and in Deut 14 under this covenant God had called and made them so, animals you were not to eat. With these animals coming down, Peter heard God’s voice say, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ What then was Peter’s response to God’s command? NO WAY GOD! I have not eaten anything unclean in my entire life. Then, hear God’s response, “What I have made clean, you must not call impure/unclean.”

Wow, it’s clear here from that rebuke from God to Peter, that Peter had something critically wrong in His understanding of God, His understanding of the Gospel, and his understanding of His Lord Jesus. You see, Peter was still caught up in this whole idea that his people and culture had engrained into him, the thought that salvation was only for the Jews, only for those certain people. At the same time, he forgot what Jesus had clearly told him and all the apostles time and time again, that he had come for everyone in the whole world. He forgot Jesus’ words to them just before he ascended to heaven found in Acts 1:5 that, “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Meaning that I am going to empower you (and for that matter all believers throughout all time) to be witnesses to everyone, meaning that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be saved. So, that old way is out. Holding onto it now is sin and rebellion against my (Jesus) will.

Believer, one thing to know about that same Holy Spirit, that same gift, is that He (the Holy Spirit) doesn’t just empower you for witnessing. He empowers you for anything that is for the purpose of and benefit to ANYTHING that is for the Kingdom of God. Meaning what, that He empowers you to become stronger in your faith walk, in your love of God; so as personal sin and rebellion against God weakens your faith, weakens your love of God, He (The Holy Spirit) is delighted and anxious to empower you to overcome your sins (both seen and unseen). So believer, what is your sin? We all have it, we all, every person in this room; the preacher included, has something that they are holding out on God on, that God is calling you to put away and step towards Him instead. Just as Peter was being called on here, so you are as well, resolve and work to put that away forever and ask the Holy Spirit to help you and show you and empower you to do so, and he will to God’s glory and credit. So, why not start today, why not Change what God has shown you was wrong?

The third timeless truth to see and apply is: Do what God has called you to. (10-14)

10 “Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house. 13 He reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 14 He will speak a message to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’

This vision happened three times, meaning that from this reputation God was showing Peter that understanding and applying this was very very important. Think of it as God saying, “Listen up.” As this was drawing to a close, the men that Cornlious had sent to find Peter and bring him back to him arrived to the house Peter was staying at and they called for him. Peter, at first being fearful for these soldiers asking for Him, was also spoken to by the Spirit who told Him to go with them and have no doubts and fears. So, Peter and several of the men with him went along to Cornlious’ house. When they arrived, the Centurion Cornlious told Peter what had happened to him, that he was visited by an angel (a messenger of God) who told him to send for Simon Peter; because he has message for us by which I and my household will be saved.

Peter set out and did exactly what God had called Him to do, to Go; and clearly apply what he had just learned about who is clean and unclean, who can receive the Gospel of Jesus and become saved. I want to be clear here though, this would not have been a situation to go into for the faint of heart. Think about it, you are essentially a wanted man and the authorities come looking for you and say that our officer wants to see you at his house. This sounds like a situation that you would run from, not to right? But God, called Peter to run to, and not from this situation. So, we see Peter doing just that.

Brothers and sisters, I cannot tell you the exact details that God has called you to in your life. That is between you and God and a journey that you will understand more through and in your personal devotional life. Everyone, every person’s journey, skills, and lessons are unique and beautiful in their uniqueness. However, I can tell you what God has called everyone to do, and the particular instances come from this. God calls you and every person to: “Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples.” He calls all believers, all followers of the Lord Jesus into a deeper, and stronger love of Him that is always searching for the next level. He calls you to love others, just like He loves you. He calls you to make disciples (both brand new believers and raising them in the faith). He calls you to do this. In fact, He created you for the purpose of bringing Him glory and honor. How then can you bring God glory and honor, well by doing what God has called you to do. Love God, Love people, Make disciples.

Another timeless truth to see and apply is: Testify what God has done in you. (15-18)

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came down on them, just as on us at the beginning. 16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If, then, God gave them the same gift that he also gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I possibly hinder God?”

18 When they heard this they became silent. And they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”

Once they heard and received this message, to see a highlight of that sermon revisit chapter 10 verses 34-43, that Jesus is messiah and holds power over the devil, over sin, over death, then God the Holy Spirit came upon them just as He did to us (the believer/the church) on the day of Pentecost. The day the Christian Church officially began. As I (Peter) saw this happening, I remembered The Lord’s words, about Baptism and the Holy Spirit. As I saw that the Holy Spirit (God) had come and lived in and with these people, I understood that these were true believers who God had chosen, so in response to their salvation I baptized them as Is right. If I were to not do this, baptize these believers, hold it back from them, I would be opposing what God has clearly done and put in order. This is my testimony about what God has done. With God and these others that were with me as my witnesses; who can stand opposed to me comeing to and staying with these gentiles, now brothers and sisters in Christ?

To this, the accusers, were shocked and silent. Everything they had thought they had knew, was turned upside down. Change had happened, whether they liked it or wanted it or not. No longer was salvation just for and to a particular group of favored people by God, now God has shown favor to all the people, just has he said He would from the beginning. This testimony was airtight and true, and no one could deny it. So, instead of holding on and saying to Peter, “Hey Peter you are wrong!” What did they do? They showed a change of heart and mind (as Peter had to earlier) instead of holding out and against God for the sake of their own comforts, they glorified God because he has brought repentance that brings in new life even to the gentiles! Repentance that leads to life to anyone who would take it.

Believer, you, me, we all must do just that (Testify what God has done in you) and remove our wants, wills, and preferences and instead go and share the wonderful and glorious truths of Jesus to those people. Including the person you would have previously hated or avoided or thought less of. Perhaps even especially to that person or group of people. Because, as you have received the Word and truth of God (just as those new gentile believers did), you are then responsible to share your testimony with others yourself and grow in the understanding and love of it as well.

Conclusion

Beloved, This change that had happened, was not to the timeless truths. It was to the old order, how things were done and thought about. Essentially, they had to come to grips with that the old ways we used to do things and approach faith matters (not that they were bad for their time, in fact if they worked they should be honored and remembered), are no longer means/methods/modes/ways that they are done any more to communicate the Timeless truths of Jesus. Each of us as individuals and as a church must be sure that the truths we are sharing are timeless and always true but that the ways we share them are continually evolving. This is so that we can reach a new people, a new group, a new generation with that timeless truth, that Jesus saves. Now yes, this will make you uncomfortable, in fact it is supposed to. But a key mark of a mature and maturing believer is that you put aside what makes you comfortable, because you recognize that reaching the lost and glorifying God is infinitely more important and worthwhile than our own personal wants and comforts. So, it’s a new year. 2024. Are you ready to embrace the New, Different, and Correct?

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.