On the Move: Week 7 - "NEXT MOVE"

INTRODUCTION

If you’ve got your Bibles I invite you to open them to Acts 10. For several weeks now we’ve been walking through the book of Acts seeing the growth of the church and the movement of the gospel. We’ve seen the gospel move from Jews in Jerusalem, to Samaritans, to an Ethiopian eunuch, to a zealous persecutor of the church named Saul who we met last week.

Many of you probably already are aware that he will play an instrumental role in the movement of the gospel going forward, particularly to the Gentile people.

But today we learn that it’s Peter that held the key that would unlock that door to advance the gospel to all people.

Before we get to that though, how many of you recognize these two characters? [Show picture of Copper and Tod from “The Fox and the Hound”]

Copper is The hounddog and Tod is the Fox from the Disney movie “The Fox and the Hound.” Copper, the dog was to be a hunter of Tod the fox. They were supposed to be on opposite teams if you will. But as young lads they didn’t know any better and became… “The Best of Friends”...(and no I won’t sing the song.)

But as Copper got older he began to learn his place as a hunting dog. He began to realize that he and Tod were different. He began to understand that he was to be the hunter, and Tod was to be the hunted. They didn’t play for the same team. They weren’t on the same side. And throughout the movie Copper is faced with this difficult tension of a realization that Tod is not like him.

TENSION

In Jesus’ day there was a similar tension between Jews and Gentiles. Jews were clean. Gentiles were impure and unclean. Jews were the chosen, Gentiles were the rejected. Jews were circumcised. Gentiles were not. Jews observed dietary laws. Gentiles did not. Jews were from the line of Abraham. Gentiles were not. Gentiles were known as the dogs…They were aliens and strangers as far as the Jewish covenants and promises were concerned.

So when Jesus gave the disciples the commission to go and make disciples of ALL nations…the disciples are thinking… surley he didn’t mean to… “Those people.” ALL really means the people like us. They had no problem with Jesus saving Jews. They didn't even squirm too much when Jesus started saving Samaritans… At least they were half-Jew.

But to think that Jesus would extend salvation and entrance into God’s Kingdom to the Gentiles too was unthinkable. It was unfathomable.

The rich, long-standing, generational Jewish prejudice toward the gentile people ran so deep that they never even considered the possibility of the inclusion of… those people.

Now then…It’s really hard for us 2000 years removed to fully grasp the tension and the prejudice of the Jewish people toward the Gentiles.

But can we have a moment of honesty? Deep within our soul is a very palpable realization that there are people not like us today. And when we get completely honest we recognize that within each of us lies some sense of prejudice toward some other people or group.

Now, for us today it’s not a prejudice of Jew vs Gentile.

But for us today it’s…

Rich vs poor

The haves vs the have nots

Educated vs uneducated

White vs Black vs hispanic vs latino.

Republican vs Democrat

Young vs Old

Cats vs Cards

Here’s the deal…Every single heart harbors prejudice of one kind or another. The question is not whether you struggle with it or not. The question is how do you deal with it.

Prejudice can be defined as making judgements about someone in advance or forming opinions strictly on the basis of preconceived notions, ideas and assumptions.

Again, we won’t fully ever comprehend the prejudice between the Jews and Gentiles. But we can identify the root of their prejudice and ours…Two things.

Pride. Pride thrives on comparison… and that’s exactly what was happening with the Jews. We delight to find someone a little less-than because it elevates us.. We jump to find a scapegoat rather than take responsibility. We thrive at seeing ourselves as superior - all the while disparaging another as inferior. Prejudice grows out of pride.

Tradition. Prejudice is also deeply rooted in our tradition. We think the way we think because that’s the way it’s always been. It’s all we’ve ever known or been taught. Our culture, our upbringing can sometimes make our prejudices very difficult to weed out of our lives.

And here’s the danger. if we are not aware and intentionally proactive of what’s happening in our hearts, what will happen is that our prejudices will begin to stunt the effectiveness and the movement of the gospel in us and through us to particular people. We may say that we believe the gospel is for all people…but our actions and our attitudes often speak much louder.

EXAMPLE: I heard a story of a pastor that invited a man to his church. He was reluctant. The man didn’t grow up in church. He worked in an auto shop. He was typically dirty, grease between his fingernails, his uniform stained with oil. One day the man decided he would take the pastor up on his offer. The pastor anxiously waited in the lobby but the man never came. The pastor went to the auto shop and was like, “Man, I missed you this morning. I waited for you in the lobby. Hope you can come next week. The man looked at the pastor and said, “Oh, I came to your church this morning. I was wearing my work clothes because I had to work a shift afterward. But the man with the suit that greeted me at the door said, ‘Son, you’ll need to go home and change your clothes. Because around here we give God our Sunday best.’ And so I left.”

In Acts 10, we’re going to see the Lord confront Peter’s prejudices and begin revealing to him a God-sized picture and plan for God’s kingdom. Up to this point God has given us glimpses of his heart for the nations, but with today’s passage, we’ll see God’s love for the nations on full display for Peter and the church to see. In today’s passage, we’ll see a double conversion… One man, Cornelieus comes to faith in Christ…while another man, Peter, comes to understand the fullness of God’s salvation plan for the nations. God's saving grace would be for every tribe, tongue, nation, and people that would trust in Jesus.

Even Peter had to be convinced that the gospel is for everyone, including those completely outside the Jewish nation.

SCRIPTURE

1-7 - There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. 3 About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.” 4 Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. 8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Scene 1: Cornelius’s Call

We learn a few things about this man named Cornelius. First, he resided in Caesarea. Caesarea is a port city on the Mediterranean. This would have been like the Roman headquarters in Israel. If you arrived there, it would have very much resembled something you would see in Rome. You would have seen a hippodrome for chariot races, a coliseum style theater that you can still see today. You would have also seen two jetties built by Herod the Great so that all cargo would have to pass through and pay a hefty tax.

Cornelius was a centurion which means he was a military man. He would have been in charge of about 100 men.

We learn another thing about Cornelius. He was a God-fearing man. Now here’s what that meant. The term ‘God-fearer’ describes a Gentile who would have abandoned his pagan religion and was, without becoming a full-fledged Jew, would have attempted to worship the God of Israel.

And so because of this, he was engaged in generosity toward the Jewish people. He gave money to them. He prayed Jewish prayers at Jewish times. He did all the religious stuff.

Cornelius is seeking the one true God; however he is in need of someone to share with him the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here’s a principle here that’s important… You can be very religious and not know Jesus.

In every way, Cornelius was a model of religious respectability - and yet he was not a saved man.

Society says, “Oh, it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe something and act good.” “All roads lead to the same place.”

But that’s just not the case. If that were so, the story of Cornelius would have ended in verse 2. He was a good religious person that prayed, gave some money, and did some really good stuff. The end.

But the story continues. He had a vision, he saw an angel. And the angel says this… Cornelius, I can see that you are in search of the one true God. Your prayers and your offerings haven’t gone unnoticed. The angel gave him instructions, and Cornelius didn’t waste any time to do exactly what was asked of him. He called his servants and sent them to Joppa in search of a man named Simon Peter.

9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.” 15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” 16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

Scene 2 - Peter’s Wall

Here we find Peter praying, he’s hungry, and he fell into a trance. And it gets a little weird. He sees this large sheet coming down from heaven, with all kinds of animals in it that were unclean and forbidden to Jews. He heard a voice that said, “Rise, Kill, Eat.” And all the hunters said “Amen.” Go eat that bacon wrapped pork chop.

Peter’s response in verse 14… “No, Lord.” The message came a second time… “No, Lord. I’ve been a faithful Jew my entire life and I’ve always obeyed the Jewish food laws and I’m not going to start breaking them now.”... It happened a third time, and then the objects disappeared. Three times…God’s message came to Peter… Interesting, isn’t it.

Peter wasn’t just hungry, he was hesitant.

Now, here’s an important principle… Peter’s response was a contradictory statement. He didn’t just say ‘No’. He said No, Lord. You see when your response is ‘No, Lord’ then Jesus is really not your Lord. If He is Lord, your response is ‘Yes, Lord, whatever you say I’ll do.’ You’re in charge. You calls the shots. We simply obey.

When Peter woke up, he began thinking ‘What in the world did all of that mean?”

Here’s the deal… God was not simply interested in simply changing Peter’s diet; His desire was changing Peter’s heart.

This phrase What God has made clean, do not call impure had so much more implication to Peter than simply what he put in his mouth.

17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”

21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”

And the men recounted exactly what had transpired with Cornelius and explained to Peter the instructions they were given.

Look at verse 22…

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.”

With three Gentiles now standing at the gate of the house, Peter had a decision to make. Whose vision of the Kingdom would he pursue? The Lord’s? Or his own?

Man, that’s a challenge to us isn’t it? Who’s vision of the kingdom do we pursue?

23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.

The fact that Peter invited these men into the house to stay (even though it seems he didn’t even ask the owner of the house) is indication that Peter’s walls of prejudice are slowly starting to come down.

The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea.

He hosted the Gentiles and now he’s going with the Gentiles, to the Gentiles.

Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.”

We’re on equal ground here. I’m nobody special. We’re just two people.

27 While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people. 28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner,

In other words, “You know I really shouldn’t be here right now, don’t you. You know this goes against everything I’ve ever been taught, or believe, or observed. I shouldn’t be hanging with people like you right now.

But… God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for.

Scene 3 - Peter Saw

I love what Peter said, “God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean.” Peter finally is seeing God’s heart for all people. Peter finally understood the inclusivity of the gospel that it is for everybody.

Here’s a really important principle… We must see people as God sees people.

For years, Peter saw a divide…a distinction… The Jews were clean and the Gentile unclean. The Jew was chosen…The Gentile rejected. But now Peter sees both Jew and Gentile stood “unclean” before a holy and a righteous God and in need of a Savior.

Galatians 3:28 - 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

When it comes to the gospel of Jesus, you’re all invited to the table. Everyone is invited to come!

I love what John Pohill says - The gospel is the great equalizer. In the gospel there are no “half-breeds,” no physical rejects, no place for any human prejudices. There is acceptance for all, joy for all, “great joy for all the people”.

34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.

Scene 4 - Christ for ALL

And over the next several verses, Peter points Cornelius to Jesus.

He concludes his teaching with this powerful verse

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

This echoes Paul’s later words…

Romans 3:22-23 - 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

Romans 10:11-13 - Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.,

Do you hear this inclusive language?Peter gets it now. He sees the God-sized gospel picture. It’s an invitation for all to come. Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection are the hope for all of humanity.

And in this moment, something amazing happens…

Scene 5 - Holy Spirit Falls

It’s a scene much like what we saw at Pentecost… only this time the same Spirit that was poured out on the Jews is now being poured out on even the Gentiles. And the Jews standing there are just dumbfounded. They can’t believe what they’re witnessing. Because in this moment, God is bringing together Jews and Gentiles into the family of God. They are now united in Christ. The Spirit is opening a new chapter in the spread of salvation to the ends of the earth!

Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

The massive gulf between Jew and Gentile was suddenly bridged by the cross of Jesus.

APPLICATION

Four applications for you and me.

Confront Your own Prejudices

Do a heart examination on yourself. Ask God to search your heart.

Peter had to face his own cultural and religious bias before entering Cornelius’s house.

Here’s a great question…“Who are the people I’ve labeled as ‘outsiders’ in my mind or heart?”

The gospel calls us to love beyond our comfort and cultural zones. We must show no hesitation in befriending and ministering to people unlike us.

Combat your own feelings when God is leading.

If you know you should do something because God says it’s right, if you’re nudged and God is saying ‘go’ don’t wait for your feelings to catch up and give you the go-ahead. Sometimes your feelings and your faith are going to collide. Which one wins out? What you do is much more important than how you feel.

Cooperate where God is already at work.

We saw this with Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch as well. So many times when God calls us to go, he’s already at work on the other side. And all God needs us to do is to be available and obedient. And here’s the thing… This takes all the pressure off of me because I trust and believe that God is already moving and working where God sends me to go.

Carry the message of the gospel to everyone.

The mission of the church is global and inclusive — The gospel invitation is universal - we are called to share Christ with all nations, not just those like us. Jesus offers salvation for all people… from any tribe, nation, tongue, race, or background.

Tony Evans Says this… “As followers of Christ, we do not primarily represent our race, our nationality, our political party… We represent God’s Kingdom. We live, work, and worship together under his banner, and not our own.”

So therefore our responsibility is to carry the banner of the gospel to everyone!

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

LANDING

The account of Cornelius and Peter certainly represents sacred space in the narrative of the movement of the gospel story. Social and ethnic barriers have been shattered.

“The gospel is for everyone. It is not limited by race, nation, or culture. The love of God knows no bounds.” - Billy Graham

Pray

And this morning, maybe God is extending an invitation to you. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done or what you come from. God desires to save you.

Maybe this morning you’re a follower of Christ, and God is calling you, like Peter, to see the world through a different lens. Maybe God’s calling you and leading you to go…and Make Jesus Known.