The Playing Level of the Church

Introduction

In our town, there are churches of all shapes and sizes. Some meet in school auditoriums, some in large buildings, some in warehouses, and some in homes. Some do more structure and some don’t even have bulletins. Nevertheless, all these churches have one thing in common: they all worship the same God that gave us the same Son that died for the same sins and has given us the same salvation through Jesus Christ. Despite all these differences, the playing level of the church is the same. God loves us all the same and the way we approach Him is the same, through Jesus Christ.

Our text today shows how real this is! Acts 10 has 48 verses. The Scripture writing plan will have you write out 38 of them. We are only going to read a few select verses today, but I would encourage you to read all of these verses.

Acts 10:1–8 NIV84

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

When Sara and I were talking about this service, she asked me what kind of music do we need to have for today? I said we need some beach music because we are on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps some Drifters would be appropriate. Under the boardwalk…down by the sea…I digress.

I take you there visually because it is important to notice the places.

The Places

There two towns mentioned in our text along the coast. They are about 38 miles apart.

Caesarea

The first we see is Caesarea. This town was established by Herod the Great in honor of the Roman emperor Caesar, thus the name Caesarea. It was the center of government for the Roman administration of Judea. Even today, there are remnants of Roman buildings including this Roman aquaduct that we saw. The Romans built this 15 kilometer system to bring in fresh water. It is a beautiful place and I can see why many would have longed to live there.

Caesarea is mentioned in this scripture because it would have been an area deprived of Jewish tradition. It would have been an area that many other faiths would have been practiced. It became an extravagant, breathtaking place where ships came and ships went. A temple was built, large statutes of Roman rulers were erected, a hippodrome was built for chariot races, an amphitheater was constructed, and so much more. This was a very impressive place in its time.

Caesarea will become a central place of ministry as we continue to study Acts.

This passage also mentions Joppa.

Joppa

Present day Joppa isn’t a bunch of ruins like Caesarea. It is a southern section of the metro Tel Aviv area. Place-name meaning “beautiful.” Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Joppa is located some 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Excavations show that it is a city over 9100 years old! Biblical references have Joppa being the port of entry that the logs from Lebanon were brought in so that they could be carried to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 2:16 NIV84

16 and we will cut all the logs from Lebanon that you need and will float them in rafts by sea down to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem.”

By the way, Google maps tells us that the walking distance between these two cities would have been about 12 1/2 hours.

Boone

There is one other place I want to mention this morning, not from our scripture text, but to make it relevant to us today. That is where we are, here in Boone, North Carolina. Also a multicultural center with a university of over 20,000 students. Some of us were born and raised here. Some of us moved here and have made it home many years ago. The places of this text matter because God described in detail what was necessary for all people to be reconciled to Him. It is important for us to include where we are now to help us realize that all that live here need the love of Jesus. We are here to share that love!

One thing we can be assured about with our Lord, even from the days of old, is that He is with us wherever we go! This is one of the Lord’s most ancient promises! When Jacob had his dream at Bethel, the Lord assured him of this great truth:

Genesis 28:15 NIV84

15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

This promise was true in Bethel, in Caesarea, in Joppa and in Boone today! God has a plan for His people.

The People

Let’s look specifically at the people in this text.

Cornelius

First we see Cornelius. It is a common name that was given many slaves that had been granted freedom by P. Cornelius Sulla in 82 B.C. But the Cornelius in this passage is described in great detail. He was a centurion in the Roman army which would be like the rank of captain in our US Army. The Bible says that he was part of the Italian Regiment, recruited from Italy which means he was not a native of Caesarea. He and his family were devout, which means godly and dutiful. He and his family were already worshippers of God. Yet Acts 11:3 will tell us that he was uncircumcised, meaning that he was not Jewish. It is most likely that he became a God-feared before he moved to Caesarea. He was a man known to pray, give to the poor and knew the things of God. Yet, Cornelius was a man subject to the authority of Roman law.

Peter

Next we see Peter. Remember, Peter was a fisherman that Jesus had called as one of His disciples. It was Peter that denied the Lord three times. It was Peter that was asked three times by Jesus, “Do you love me?” Peter is commissioned in a different area called Caesarea Philippi. As we have seen previously, he ministers all over the country and ends up in Joppa. Acts 9:43

Acts 9:43 NIV84

43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Notice how the story shifts after the description of Cornelius to Peter who was 38 miles away.

Acts 10:9–16 NIV84

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Did you catch the timeline here? Cornelius has a vision about three in the afternoon. The next day Peter has a vision about noon.

Notice verse 17,

Acts 10:17 NIV84

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.

God’s timing is absolutely perfect. He had perfectly timed the vision of Peter so he would be conscious of the visitors who just arrived.

You and Me

What does this have to do with you and me? Everything. First and foremost, we are called to be obedient to what God tells us to do. Both Cornelius and Peter are examples of being obedient. We know from Peter’s story that he was not always like that, but he recognized the need to be so! We are uniquely placed where we are to fulfill the plan of God. God has uniquely gifted us to help those in our immediate world learn about the love of Jesus. The question is are we being obedient to what the Lord has called us to do? When God calls we should be ready to respond. How do we respond? Notice the example of the presentation that is given.

The Presentation

We see in this presentation the directives, the decision, the delivery and the determination.

The Directives

The directives were given so that Peter would have a clear understanding that God does not show favoritism.

Acts 10:34–35 NIV84

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

The Decision

The decision that was made was as old as Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV84

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

The Delivery

The delivery was simply the Gospel.

Acts 10:36 NIV84

36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Peter shared this with Cornelius and the family and friends he had gathered. We should always be willing to share the Good News in the settings the Lord provides for us!

The Determination

The determination is found in the obedience. Acts 10:42

Acts 10:42 NIV84

42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

In other words, each of us will be held accountable for our belief or our unbelief.

The Power

It comes from the power of God. We might not have visions like Cornelius and Peter, but we do see have God is always at work and He invites us to join Him in that work. We also so the power in the Word of God.

Acts 10:43 NIV84

43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Jesus Revealed

Jesus revealed through the testimony and written word of the prophets.

Isaiah 53:4–6 NIV84

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Restores

But thanks be to God that Jesus restores us!

Isaiah 33:24 NIV84

24 No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.

Jesus gives us eternal life where there will be no more sickness and indeed no more sin!

Jesus Renews

And until that day comes, Jesus renews us!

Isaiah 53:11 (NIV84)

11 After the suffering of his soul,

he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by his knowledge my righteous

servant will justify many,

and he will bear their iniquities.

Punchline? If God welcomed the Gentiles, then the church should welcome them too!

So let’s send the light from this corner into the world!