Room at the Party

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an honor to share the Word of God with the saints of Durbin Memorial Baptist Church. Our church exists by grace, for glory, in love.

I grew up in a dark time in the history of television. Around the year 2005, there was a show captivating the attention of all my cohorts called “My Super Sweet 16.” If you happened to miss out on the cultural phenomenon, I highly recommend that you DO NOT go back and watch it. You really dodged a bullet because it was about as vapid as a TV show could be. But the basic premise of the show was wealthy kids planning extravagant 16th birthday parties and being big brats about it all. Like I said, if you didn’t see it, you weren’t missing anything.

But these kids would take their parties very seriously. And one of the most dramatic pieces of it all was their guest list. Sometimes they would invite their entire school. Other times it would be more exclusive. And very often, even when hundreds of people were invited, there would be specific people intentionally not invited. Every now and then an uninvited person would show up. And most of the time, the person wasn’t doing anything other hanging out, enjoying time with their friends. But the Prima donna princess would catch wind of the person, approach them, make a scene and kick the person out. It was horrible television, but it was like watching an accident that you couldn’t take your eyes off of.

Now once again, do not feel you need to go watch this show, it’s really not worth it. But I bring this up because sometimes, often times, and even historically, people in the church have treated admittance to the church, or even invitation to the church, like a prima donna princess. Picking and choosing who we think are worthy to come to the party, and being upset when someone we didn’t want to be here, shows up. When you watched that show I mentioned, you see just how awful and entitled it makes the person look, but at least it’s their party! They have some right to choose who they want to be there. But in the church, y’all, this ain’t our party! This is God’s party. He gets all the glory, and He uses us as an ambassadors to invite folks from every walk of life, even those that we don’t particularly like for whatever reason.

The modern term for this is gatekeeping. That is trying to control who has access to something. It’s keeping something for yourself or only those you deem worthy so that only you and yours can appreciate it’s benefits. We do this when we either implicitly or explicitly choose not to share the gospel with someone.

With this in mind, open your Bibles to Acts 10. Today we will walking through the working through its entirety. I’ve broken the text into four sections. We will pause between each section to find application and see how it sets the stage for the big idea of the text which is: God’s grace is for all people, and He calls us to step beyond our comfort zones to reach others.

God’s grace is for all people, and He calls us to step beyond our comfort zones to reach others.

If you weren’t with us last week, we looked at Peter, seeing him step outside of Jerusalem and begin breaking cultural boundaries. For him and many in the early church, the idea of God’s grace being extended beyond the Hebrews, the Israelites, would have been hard to swallow. Those other folks weren’t the ones they would want invited to the party. However, this morning we will see Peter’s big “aha” moment in understanding that the gospel is for all people from all backgrounds and how we can perpetuate that today.

II. A Pious Pagan and a Puzzled Preacher

Acts 10:1–16 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. 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.” 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. 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.

Allow me to point out two main concepts and a primary application from our section of Scripture.

First, in the initial eight verses we see the Character of Cornelius. Cornelius is a captain of the Roman army. It is important to note that the Romans are the rulers in the area. The one’s whom the Hebrews we’re hoping their Messiah would over throw. That’s what they were looking forward to in Jesus’ celebrated, triumphal entry. But God’s plans were different than what the Hebrews expected. While Christ is King and is His spiritual Kingdom is expanding, the Romans still ruled the temporal kingdom. A hard pill for the Hebrews to swallow. So Cornelius is a cog in the Roman Empire machine. As a centurion, he would have be in command of a group of 100 soldiers and paid 5 times more than a regular solider. He was a wealthy and influential man, and yet a type of man whom many of the Hebrews would have typically resented. This is particularly interesting when we read in verse 1 that Cornelius was a God fearing man. This term, “God fearer”, was typically used to describe a Gentile who adhered to Judaism by having faith in God and following the 10 commandments while neglecting to submit to circumcision or a kosher diet. This brought Cornelius some respect from the Jewish people, we’ll see in verse 22 that they spoke highly of Cornelius, but the Jewish people would still keep a lot of distance. So Cornelius was a wealthy, influential, respected, and religious man. But it’s also important to note was Cornelius was not, that regenerate, saved. We see many examples in Scripture of religious or pious figures that know of God but do not know the Son of God as their Savior, from the Pharisee Nicodemus who needed to be born again to the rich young ruler who would not leave his belongings to follow Jesus and many other examples. Cornelius would fall into that category. When these events are recapped in chapter 11, we’ll see that Cornelius was told not only where to find Peter, but when Peter gets there Cornelius and his family will be told how to be saved. So he’s not yet come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, God steps in and begins to show Cornelius what true faith is to be centered upon. Cornelius’ worldview was being challenged and expanded by divine intervention.

The second concept we see in this section is related: Peter’s preconceptions about purity are challenged in his own vision. Peter, still lodging with Simon the tanner in Joppa, takes a moment to pray around noon and while he was hungry he has a dream about food. The Jewish man sees all kinds of animals, clean and unclean, allowed to eat under the Law and restricted under the Law. He hears the voice of Christ encouraging him to take and eat any and all of these animals. Peter, who has a track record of being zealous if not a bit self-righteous, denies this command in his vision. Saying he’s never eaten anything unclean. But the Lord corrects him and says what God has made clean, do not call common. In essence saying do not reject what God has allowed. This same vision repeats three times. Now, we should note that Peter also has a track record with things taking three times to stick. Sometimes it takes repetition to get through thicker skulls!

In a moment we’ll see the deeper meaning of Peter’s vision, but at this point I want to point out the direct application of this passage. That is—God challenges our perspectives, are we open to it? We see this in both Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius was a well respected and put together man who would find true salvation and deeper purpose. Peter was a righteous church leader who would be exposed to the hole in holiness. The point is that for each us, there is room to grow! If you aren’t sure about who Jesus is or why you need Him, you have a joyous truth to discover in the Christ dying to pay for your sins and rising to defeat death and assure your eternal life should you believe in Him. If you have been in the church all your life and graduated from every program, every Sunday School class, every training imaginable, there is still more room to grow in service and knowledge of the Lord! God is constantly challenging our perspectives because He is so much bigger than we could ever comprehend. As we press on in life, we will find holes in our holiness. While we mourn falling short, we should also praise God that He is constantly at work in our lives, allowing us to grow! If put socially put together centurions can find their need for a Savior, then so can you! If church leading apostles can progress in their sanctification, then so can you! Are you open to God challenging and growing your preconceived perceptions? I sure hope so, because growing in the knowledge of the Lord is for your good and His glory!

It’s not easy, nor always comfortable but it is good and glorious. Let’s see the challenge of expanding perceptions in our next section. Read with me verses 17-33.

III. A Providential Meeting and a Prepared Message

Acts 10:17–33 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. 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. 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. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Let’s make three notes and two applications.

First, verses 17-23 paint the picture of God’s Sovereignty in orchestrating the meeting of Peter and Cornelius. Peter is still contemplating the meaning of what he had seen when Cornelius’ men make it to Simon the Tanner’s house. The Holy Spirit commands Peter to go with them, with no hesitation. God has sent them for Peter. God was working on both sides of the situation. Peter invites them in to rest before the journey back to Caesarea. This may not seem like much to us, but it is already showing how God is breaking through Peter’s bias against gentiles. Remember that Hebrews typically kept distance from gentiles. Overnight lodging like this would have been few and far between.

Then, in verses 24-27 we see Cornelius respond with deep humility. The Roman Centurion actually bows to the Jewish Fishermen! Though this was misguided and corrected, we see just how willing Cornelius was to learn and grow in the Lord. He even gathered his entire roster of friends and family to hear from this man sent to them by the Lord.

And third, in verses 28-33, we see Peter finally connect the dots. While there is some debate on whether or not Peter’s vision in the previous section is teaching Jewish believers that they no longer have to follow dietary restrictions, there is virtually no disagreement that the primary meaning of Peter’s vision was to open Peter’s eyes that the gospel is for all people. God’s salvation is to be offered beyond Israel. Peter shares this himself in verse 28 when he declares, “God has shown me that I should not call ANY PERSON common or unclean.” Just as Christ taught through parables, Peter’s vision about food had a deeper meaning in regards to people. Cornelius is excited to hear this and gives Peter the platform to share more.

There are two applications drawn from this section.

First, there is great love shown on all sides of this interaction. If we desire to display love as Christ has loved us, then we can do so by showing no hesitation in befriending people who are not like us, as is commanded in verse 20. We can show hospitality, inviting people into our homes and lives as is displayed in verse 23 and we can show humility to all people, regardless of background, respecting others as beings made in the image of God as Cornelius displays throughout this passage. While these displays of love sound simple, I fully recognize they take work and do not always come naturally to us. It took Peter years to have this epiphany. But church, good and glorious things happen when we actually live out the love we have received from our Lord.

The second application is that we must be willing to follow the Lord by stepping out of our comfort zone, into unfamiliar situations for the sake of the gospel. It may not always be as well received as Cornelius receives Peter. But we take heart in knowing that God has called us to share the gospel, not control how well it is received. I’ve been blessed to share the gospel with folks who immediately repent and believe. I’ve also, more often even, shared with someone and been met with a tepid apathy, sometimes even an angry dismissal. That’s okay! I’m not in charge of that! God didn’t call me to make folks believe, He called me to share the gospel! It’s not always comfortable, but it is God honoring! Church, are you willing to sit in the living room with your unbelieving neighbor and share the gospel?

If you are, if you think you might be, what should you say? Look to verses 34-43:

IV. A Powerful Preaching and a Personal Profession

Acts 10:34–43 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. 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, 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.”

In front of Cornelius and all his friends and family, Peter shares the simple and profound gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s break this down:

In verses 34-35 Peter frames the gospel by boldly proclaiming it’s salvation is for all peoples from all backgrounds. Jew and Gentile alike. Red and yellow, black and white, every tribe, every tongue, every nation, from the hills to hollers. The good news is available for all peoples. And what is that Good news?

The Good News begins with the Person of Jesus Christ explained in verses 36-41. Jesus, the Lord of all, lived. His earthly ministry was validated by the Holy Spirit and God the Father at Jesus’ baptism. His righteousness and power on full display. Jesus’ perfectly righteous life was witnessed by Peter himself. Then Jesus was put to death on the cross, raised on the third day, also directly witnessed by Peter. This is not just a story but a fact of reality and why does it matter?

Verses 42-43 explain that the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ serve to prove that He is the Christ, He is the judge of everyone and that Jesus is the Messiah promised throughout all of Scripture that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His name. Jesus matters because we need forgiveness and that forgiveness is available because of Jesus!

What is our application of this? Well, church, do we know this simple but profound gospel well enough to share it? Do we proclaim Christ’s message? and do we share Christ’s message without partiality? Peter met his audience where they were at and pointed them to Christ. Being at least Jewish adjacent, “God fearing” like Cornelius, they would have been familiar with the promised messiah and the sin that exists in man since the fall in the garden. So Peter starts with that base and jumps with how Jesus is that Messiah and the only treatment for sin. In our context people likely have some idea of who Jesus is or what He did, but they may or not know about sin, about their own sin, about how God in His righteousness cannot accept sin. We may have to explain that reality then show how Jesus is more than the little baby in the manger or the guy people sing about before our easter egg hunts. But if we have a grasp on the simple and profound gospel we will be equipped to meet people wherever they are at and point them to our Savior! Do we know the gospel well enough to share it? If not, let’s dwell upon it until we do. And if we do, let’s start sharing!

Let’s see how that message was received by Cornelius and his crew Look to verses 44-48.

V. A Pentecostal Outpouring and a Public Proclamation

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 response to the proclamation is incredible. This is essentially the Gentile Pentecost. It’s God’s big exclamation point that yes, even the gentiles can be saved! One pastor said, “The Spirit is opening a new chapter in the spread of salvation to the ends of the earth! The Gentiles too are children of Abraham—not through circumcision, but by grace alone , through faith in Christ alone.” It’s a joyous day! If heaven rejoices over one sinner repenting, it must have been a full on part as all who heard, internalized, repented, and believed in Christ were saved and sealed for glory! And the invitation was given to Gentiles! Peter and the other Hebrews who came with him were amazed! The new gentile believers speak in various languages, praising God! This was the proof necessary for the Hebrew believers to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is God’s will and plan, the gospel will go forward! The new believers make it known by Peter’s urging them to be baptized, a public statement that they were dead in their sin and now made alive in Christ! They are fully embraced into the family of faith. While there will be speed bumps along the way, the cultural boundaries have been broken down. There was room at the party for Hebrews and Samaritans and Romans and people from all backgrounds.

For our personal application we must ask, are we willing to accept and affirm those whom God has already accepted? Are we willing to share the house of faith with people who come from different backgrounds than us, who look different than us, who speak differently than us? The glorious reality is the Christ’s Kingdom extends beyond cultural boundaries and thus we must be willing to extend our reach beyond the boundaries we have grown up in. I’ve said this consistently: You have more in common with another believer in Christ than you do anyone who shares your same job, hobbies, or interests.

VI. Conclusion: A Call to Courageous Christianity

I’ll end with this: Imagine a grand banquet—a feast like no other. The host is God Himself, and the invitation has gone out. The Israelites were the first to receive the invitation. They knew the host, they understood the traditions, and they expected to be at the table.

But then, something unexpected happens. The host starts inviting people from everywhere—people who don’t dress the same, eat the same food, or follow the same customs. Some of the longtime guests hesitate. “Are they really supposed to be here?” they wonder. “This party was always our gathering.” They act like the prima donna princess.

But the host smiles and says, “This was always the plan. My table is big enough for everyone who will come.”

That’s what happens in Acts 10. For centuries, the Jewish people had been God’s chosen nation, but now God was making it clear—His salvation was for all people. Peter, at first hesitant, realizes that God’s invitation is bigger than he ever imagined. Cornelius and his household, once seen as outsiders, are welcomed in with joy.

Call to Response

God’s party is still open today. The invitations are still going out! Have you received yours?

🔹 To the unbeliever: You don’t have to meet a list of requirements or have the “right upbringing.” God is calling you. Come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Come as you are and watch how Christ transforms your life as you grow in knowing, serving, and obeying Him.

🔹 To the believer: Are you giving out the invitation? Or are you, like Peter at first, hesitant about who belongs? God’s table has room for all who believe—let’s make sure we are faithful to share the invitation as Party host has called us to do.

The banquet is ready, the doors are open, and the host is calling. Who will you invite?

Prayer: Asking God to open our eyes and hearts to share His gospel with all people.