Becoming a Barrier Breaker
Notes
Transcript
Let me encourage you to finish reading chapter 9. I want to skip down to chapter 10 and look at a story that is very important to all of us Gentiles.
As we study the gospel message of Jesus Christ, it is important that we understand that this message is for all people. The story of Cornelius is a very important story for all Gentiles. This is the moment that the Jews began to understand that the story of Jesus is for all people. It is not just for the Jews. Jesus came to die for all people. It doesn’t matter their race, their status, or their family. Jesus died for everyone.
In chapter 10 we have the story of Cornelius. Who is Cornelius?
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.
We know that he was a righteous man. We also know that he was a generous man. Also, Cornelius was a man with great means because he was a centurion. A high ranking member of the Italian regiment. In verse 3 we read that Cornelius has a vision from God.
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.
The neat thing about this story is that God is already at work before anything took place. It is so important that we be sensitive to what God is speaking to us. You will never know the impact that you will make on a person when you listen and obey what God is telling you to do.
While the angel is speaking to Cornelius, a voice is speaking to Peter.
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 and birds.
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.
Peter struggled with this because he was a Jew. He had been taught these animals were unclean because of the law that was given to Moses. However, God was now showing Peter that everything was made clean because was giving it to Him.
This was to show Peter that Jesus was for everyone. This should help us to understand that we are to reach out to everyone. Anyone that you come in contact with, they need Jesus. Preach Jesus.
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.
18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
When they arrive, Peter is still processing what God has revealed to him. These men come to his house and even though it is against Jewish custom to associate with Gentiles, Peter invites them in.
We can look throughout history and see barriers that divide people. There are racial barriers. There are cultural barriers. There are economic barriers. The Gospel message challenges us to cross those barriers. You need to decide that you are going to be a barrier breaker.
We must find it inside ourselves to reach out to those who are “different” from us. We must learn to trust God and know that His love is inclusive for everyone. You don’t have to agree with someone to love them.
24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
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.
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
They are in such awe at the sight of Peter that Cornelius bows down and Peter stops him and says, “I am just a man.” But then Peter proceeds to tell him the story about Jesus who was more than a man.
You have the greatest story at your fingertips. The power of the gospel to transcend cultural boundaries and reach the hearts of People from all walks of life.
Our message is not just for people who look or think like us. We need to be bold in sharing it with everyone.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
And then as all this is happening the Holy Spirit confirms that the Gospel message is for everyone. The Holy Spirit falls on all who hear.
The Spirit confirms God’s acceptance bringing unity among diverse believers.
When people who are different than you accept Jesus as their savior, welcome them into the family of God, because God has already accepted them.
This chapter reveals to us God’s heart for all people and it challenges us to overcome any prejudices that we may have.
Each of us need to become barrier breakers.
Are you willing to reach across cultural, racial and social barriers to share the Gospel?
We need to let God break down the barriers that may exist in this church and we need to show the love of Jesus to everyone.