A New Thing

Acts 10:1-8

HOOK- New Scents

Giant companies that study us in hopes of unearthing insights that can help them sell more potato chips, laundry detergent, and lipstick have reached a conclusion that economists and pollsters have also found. We are unhappy—squeezed by inflation, troubled by global conflicts, and worried about an acrimonious election season. The companies are calibrating their pitches to entice us to open our wallets as a way of improving our collective mood.

Clorox thinks it can help with a new toilet bomb, a tablet of cleaner that foams and fizzes in the toilet bowl and releases a pleasant scent. “People are looking for a spark of fun and joy,” said Clorox’s general manager of cleaning. “We all know the world can get messy, but we understand the link between a clean environment and one’s physical and emotional well-being.”

As part of what Clorox calls a “consumer-obsessed” approach, staffers started using artificial-intelligence tools to scan digital media for new ideas. The Foaming Toilet Bomb is its first product from this initiative.

Procter & Gamble combs societal trends to select a scent of the year. So, P&G declared “Romance & Desire” its scent of the year, and bequeathed it to anxious Americans in the form of new Febreze air fresheners with a fragrance of pink rose petals and champagne spritz. The product line is intended to offer a sensory reminder of the importance of human connection, the company said.

I love new scents and smells just as much as the next person

I’ve even been known to make my own fragrance here and there

But newness is more than scents and new smells

When God does new things, he chooses incomplete, yet capable participants, who will certainly have beliefs and desires to overcome, but are obedient enough to submit to his process

Big Idea: When God does a new thing, he orchestrates and requires change for all participants

Trans

Cornelius: The Outsider (vv.1-8)

Things to know about Cornelius

He is a Gentile, working and living in a Roman outpost, Caesarea of Palestine, which was invested in by Herod, but a port city primarily inhabited by Gentiles

He was a centurion in charge of 100 soldiers; the Italian Cohort would have consisted of 600 soldiers

However, the Bible also calls him “devout”, which means someone who stands out for their moral or religious living

He was a God-fearing man and was influential and trusted enough by his own family that they followed him in his convictions

Scholars note that this language used by Luke likely refers to a special category of believer—they expressed faith in the GOD of Israel, but were not considered full proselytes, as they had not been circumcised nor were they likely to travel to Jerusalem for the standard feasts of Passover, Tabernacles or Pentecost

If we are honest, it looks as if he is on the fringes of faith—on the outside looking in, but there are positives and negatives to his position...

Positively, somehow he has heard the message of the God of Israel and has responded—Cornelius has heard about how YHWH triumphed over the gods of Pharoah and Egypt and redeemed his people to put them on a journey towards the Promised Land

He has heard or read the stories about David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lions Den and these have left him impressed with God and convicted of his supreme authority , BUT he has not gotten bogged down by the minutia of legal practices and competing Rabbinic schools of thought—he ha simply heard God’s truth and has responded

There is something refreshing about his position as a God-fearer—many of us wish we could unlearn some things from early years in the faith—we wish we were able to start fresh, and recover lost time, perhaps to be able to avoid fruitless discussions about fundamentalism, denomination-alism, or liberalism—perhaps to avoid the diminishing returns of conversations about whose tradition is better, and those that elevated ancillary issues instead of majoring on understanding the Truth

For over 100 years Michelin has not only produced high-quality auto tires but also the premiere guide to fine dining. Achieving or losing even one star in Michelin's restaurant rating can have a dramatic effect on the success of a restaurant. One famous French chef claimed, "Michelin is the only guide that counts." That's why the restaurant world was shocked when SÉbastien Bras, one of France's most celebrated chefs, declared that he wanted to be dropped from Michelin's rankings. For over 20 years Bras had been honored with three stars (the highest rating). Michelin's restaurant judges called his food "spellbinding."

But in September 2017, Bras said the pressure to perform was too much. Bras announced, "Today, I want to give a new meaning to my life … and redefine what is essential." He said his job had given him a lot of satisfaction but there was also huge pressure that was inevitably linked to the three Michelin stars first given to the restaurant in 1999. He asked to be allowed to continue his work with a free spirit and in serenity away from the world of rankings, without tension.

Bras said, "Maybe I will be less famous but I accept that," adding that he would continue to cook excellent local produce "without wondering whether my creations will appeal to Michelin's inspectors."

In this, we ENVY Cornelius!

On the other hand, there is a Negative to his position as a God-Fearer —in that Cornelius has never worshiped at the temple (Synagogue, yes)

Because of his uncircumcision, he would never be allowed on temple grounds, which means there is a celebratory aspect of his faith that he does not get to experience

He knows nothing of the faithful saying, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord”

He has not had the opportunity to experience the processional to the temple or the singing of hymns as one enters the temple courts

He knows not the back and forth of antiphony, or better known as call and response

I know some of you thought that historically, call and response originated with particular traditions in church history, but it began in Israel, as an integral part of their worship

While I’m here (I’m good for at least one teaching moment)

Let’s not get so caught up in worship style—I know we all have our preferences, but they are just that—preferences

The question to ask in worship is are the people of God able and led to exalt the name of our Triune God and speak of the great things he has done

But let me go further—let’s not get caught up in teaching or preaching styles either. The litmus test will always be 2 Tim 4:2, Preach the Word—in season and out of season

I know you have your preferred communicators—but what I want us to be known for is not just those who appreciate style and delivery, but a church that boasts in its ability to KNOW the Truth whenever it is proclaimed

Regardless of the package, regardless of the pitch or container—the question to ask is, Did you hear the Lord speak?

BACK TO OUR LESSON

There’s a reason (multiple actually) why the Lord tells us to come together—to assemble regularly—it’s because there is an atmosphere of worship that is possible here together, that’s not possible when we are unassembled

As Hebrews 10:25 warns—“not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.”

Cornelius is destitute in this respect—and God’s plan is to invite people like this into his family without reservation!

A few more things about Cornelius

He is a person of charity—he spent a good portion of his time giving to those in need

He wasn’t stingy

He wasn’t selfish

He understood that giving is not about whether or not one has a resource problem, as much as it is truly about a heart posture

But he’s also a praying man

He understands the importance of communication with God

And that even though he is a man of authority, he recognizes ultimate authority

As a matter of note, for those of you who are in positions of authority, like Cornelius, you need to pray even more so, because you have more people depending on you

In James chapter 5, we learn that prayer is the believer’s lifeline to God. Imagine a child who is learning to swim. At first, they cling to the edge of the pool, terrified to let go. But as they learn to trust their instructor, they begin to swim confidently. Similarly, prayer is our way of letting go of our fears and fully depending on God’s guidance. Through earnest prayer, we dive deeper into our relationship with Him, recognizing that our faith is not based on our own ability, but on God’s unwavering support.

His charity and prayers gain the attention of heaven (vv.3-4)

Let’s make note of this: that two sure-fire ways to know that you have God’s attention is through prayer AND giving to others

It’s mentioned in a way that describes an OT offering that God accepts as pleasing (it’s the only time this term is used in the NT), hapax legomena

It pictures God responding to one in Infancy, providing additional illumination so that the relationship can be deepened

So when we consider how God grows us, from Babes to Adults in Christ

We participate in Christian activity and do Christian things

God sees us, recognizes us and offers additional responsibility

When we respond in obedience, our faith is deepened and matured

This what Paul has in mind in Phil 3, after giving his own testimony, he says I press (pursue/ dioko) towards the mark

However, when we choose not to obey, we remain on the fringes of faith and our relationship with God—choosing to stay outside on the porch after having been invited to come inside the house (Gen Z, you all may have to research what a porch is)

The danger here is what the book of Hebrews as stunted growth

Lets take a look at Hebrews 5:11–14 “On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish (lazy) in hearing. For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature (telos), whose perceptions are trained (gymnazo) by practice (habit) to discern both good and evil.”

I love what gymnazo communicates because it says, I remove all unnecessary garments (obstructions) and go through meaningful repetitions in times when things aren’t that difficult so that when trying times do come—I’ve gotten some prior reps in and muscle memory begins to kick in

Can I ask you a question, How effective is your spiritual muscle memory?

So Who does Cornelius represent?

He represents someone who has authority

He has the career that others might be seeking

He has people working for him

He has all the things that people say you ought to have, in this world

But he also represents the person who knows those things aren’t enough—one who is seeking something more—something beyond the temporal

TOOK- St. Augustine

Reminds us in his Confessions, that God has created us for himself, and regardless of what we p[possess, our souls are restless until they find rest in Him