28. Lord of All

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Boys & Girls Night

In Titus 2:1-15, Paul instructs older women to teach young women, and men to do likewise. It's been my desire for a while now to see that happen tangibly. Starting with twice a year, we are going to have a Boys and Girls night activity where we split our high schoolers into a guys' group and a girls' group for focused time of discipleship.

Friday, May 22nd, 6-9:30

Guys - With me

Girls - With Shaylyn

Random Question

If you could have a lifetime supply of something, what would it be?

Vs. 17-21

God’s been at work peeling away that layer of religious formalities Peter had in his heart towards food laws and the Gentiles, do you remember what he saw? (Cloth pulled down from heaven with all kinds of animals)

And what did we find out that dream means? (unclean food is clean, we must not call any man unclean)

Peter was having a hard time accepting this truth, this is a huge deal for him, and he’s a bit hard headed, so God shows him the vision two more times!

Does God give Peter much time to think about the meaning of all this in vs. 17? (“Now while Peter wondered”)

Picture the scene

- Thinking on the flat roof top

- Cornelius’ servants arrive and stand before the gate

Acts 10:18 NKJV

18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

- Peter’s listening to all this… “Hey! Uhh, is Simon here? People call him Peter, is he here?”

Could you imagine being one of the guys showing up at the door? “I know we’ve never met, but crazy story, my master, who lives in Caesarea had this vision of an angel telling us to come to you. Crazy right?!”

As all of this is taking place, Peter is up top, trying to focus on the vision he just saw when the Spirit gets his attention, “Peter, these are your men, these are the guys you’re going to go with.

So, He says in vs. 20

Acts 10:20 NKJV

20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

Do you think Peter could have been a little apprehensive still? Why?

Stubborn

Contemplating, haven’t fully grasped the meaning

But is God taking no for an answer?

How do we know that’s the case in vs. 20? (“doubting nothing”)

I just love the display of God’s sovereignty in this story. Two important guys get a radical dream that leads them to eachother. And now, as Peter was thinking about that vision, here are his people. God’s involvement in our lives should blow our minds, He is orchestrating every step that we make.

What was Peter’s next move (21)? (I’m your guy!)

He was obedient DESPITE the fact that every grain in his being wanted to say no.

When God calls us to serve Him like Peter, He doesn’t take no for an answer, He just needs us to follow orders.

Vs. 21-23

Once Peter enters the scene, he asks them why they came.

Can _______ tell us what they said by reading vs. 22?

Acts 10:22 NKJV

22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

“Our master Cornelius is a good guy, you’d love him, all the Jews love him back home. God sent us here to you! So, we’re hoping that you’d come with us...”

What did Peter do in vs. 23? (Invited them in)

Is anyone’s spidey senses tingling a bit? What’s wrong with this? (Jews were forbidden to dine with Gentiles or even receive them in their homes)

But Peter receives them anyway. What do we see happening in Peter’s heart? (Stepping closer to welcoming the Gentiles in, he’s starting to accept God’s will here)

Vs. 24-27

So, they arrive the next day, and what Peter sees next is awesome.

Get in the house...

- All the family was there, grandma and grandpa, inlaws, aunties & uncles

- Even close friends were there

You know the feeling when you’re so excited you just can’t do anything?

- Swipe the phone

- Walk in circles

- Pick up a book and flip through pages

This is how I picture Cornelius, he can’t wait to hear God’s Word! Imagine having people like that waiting to hear from you? How awesome is that!

So, Peter gets there, and what does Cornelius immediately do? (Falls down and worships)

Why would he do that? (Excitement/expectation, respect/reverence, Roman; might not know any better)

This is crazy stuff, a Roman centurion bowing down to the feet of a Jewish fisherman.

Mayor of SJ bowing down at the feet of a garbage man...

What attitude is Cornelius showing as he’s bowing down? (Humility)

Peter watches this happen...

- “Wait, woah woah woah don’t go down, I’m just a man!!!”

Vs. 27 they walk in the room together and find all the family and friends waiting eagerly for Peter..

Listen to what’s the first thing Peter says...

Acts 10:28 NKJV

28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Kind of a different way of starting things off… “As a Jew, I’m breaking so many rules being with you Gentiles right now. But God is teaching me not to call anyone common.”

Why would he say that?

I think this statement actually gives more weight to the message, how could saying something like this help his situation?

This meeting was wrong on so many levels in regular circumstances...

But are these regular circumstances? (Absolutely not, God is doing a new work in which the Gentiles are being involved into the church.)

I shouldn’t be here right now, but God sent me to you.

After sharing this, Peter asks why Cornelius sent for him at the end of vs. 29...

Vision of an angel when I was fasting and praying

“God hears your prayers”

Send servants to Simon in Joppa, Peter will speak to you.

So in vs. 33,

Acts 10:33 NKJV

33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Man, what an opportunity this is! “We want to hear what God has to say through you.”

Vs. 34-36

Acts 10:36 NKJV

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

What does he mean by “partiality”? (God doesn’t have favorites, He does not discriminate people)

Acts 10:35 NKJV

35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

God accepts those who are righteous and fear him.

What does it sound like Peter is saying? (Salvation by works)

Now, is Cornelius and his family saved at this point? (No)

So, what do we do with this? Is Peter really saying that Cornelius is saved because he’s a good guy?

In vs. 43, Peter clearly says God will give remission of sins for those who believe on Christ.

So, what’s he saying here in vs. 35? (God is merciful to those who approach him in humility and in the right heart attitude)

Take a look at vs. 36, this is key to the whole message...

Acts 10:36 NKJV

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

God sent the message of peace to the children of Israel, sounds pretty closed off so far.

But what comes after? (He is Lord of all)

If Christ is Lord of all, are some food regulations going to get in the way of the world knowing Him by faith? (No! There are certain non-essentials we can’t let get in the way of Gospel witness)

Here’s the core, Peter was allowing non-essentials—food regulations—to stop him from doing what God had called him to do. Jesus Christ is greater than these small issues you and I bring up amongst each other.

Senior getting upset over someone wearing a hat (NOT IN SJ!)

Remember what James says about being partial?

Man comes to church with gold jewelry, fine clothes

Other man comes in with filthy clothes

Who gets helped first? (Rich guy)

Why do we want to help the rich guy first? (Because we chose favorites based on what we see)

Our eyes tell us all that we think we need to know about that person.

But what can’t our eyes see? (The person’s heart!)

So, here’s the point, don’t trust your eyes! Don’t look at someone and make a judgment on their souls based on the optics.

“Oh, they’re from this culture, they won’t get it.” “I don’t talk to these kinds of people.”

If Christ is Lord of ALL, is there any room for this attitude? (Absolutely not. Not back then, not now)

Vs. 38-43

After that introduction on God’s work, Peter goes on to share the Gospel to all these people.

Baptism (37)

Ministry (38)

“who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil”

Death (39)

We’re witnesses of these things in the land of the Jews, “whom they killed by hanging on a tree.”

Do you think Cornelius might’ve seen a crucifixion or two in his time as Roman centurion?

Crucifixion was publicly feared, nobody even spoke the word “Crux”...

Resurrection (40-41)

“Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,”

Great comission (42)

“He commanded us to preach”

Christ is judge (42)

“that it is He who was ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”

Forgiveness of sins (43)

“whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

This is the first time this offer is shared to the Gentiles!!!

Was this a long Gospel presentation?

Didn’t sit down for 30 min and go over a bunch of verses, he just summarises the Gospel...

Vs. 44-48

I can just picture the scene...

- Peter notices the faces as he preaches

- Maybe a tear or two

- Serious looks of interest

Then the incredible happens in vs. 44

Acts 10:44 NKJV

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

It finally clicked!! They believe on Christ as they’re listening, and the Holy Spirit comes down on them.

All this happened mid message. Usually, us preachers don’t love interruptions. But man, I guarantee any preacher would take one like this.

- Peter and his Jewish friends looking at all this

- Cornelius and family speaking in tongues

- Peter wipes his eyes...

Why were Peter and the Jews astonished in vs. 45? (The Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles also)

It’s like a second Pentecost! They’re speaking in tongues, and they magnify God’s name.

What does Peter say in vs. 47? (What’s stopping them from being baptized?)

Why is he confident of that? (They received the Holy Spirit, JUST AS WE HAVE)

God shows up again, and shows the fact He really is Lord of all! Gentiles are welcome into His kingdom!

They get baptized in vs. 48 and stay with the Gentiles for a few days. What a happy way to end things off!

Application

What can we learn from this passage?

If Christ is Lord, we’ve got no business to stop when He says go

If Christ is Lord of ALL, no person, race, ethnicity, nation is excluded from hearing the Gospel.

If Christ is Lord of all, we show no favoritism!