Divine Interruptions

Introduction

I hate being interrupted. We all do. In fact, I don’t know of a single person that enjoys interruptions.

If you have kids or if you work with children, you probably suffer interruptions quite often. I teach High School Spanish at INCA, and often, I will have students raise their hands in the middle of class or in the middle of explaining a concept, only to be called on and ask the most random questions.

I mean, really, we could be talking about Direct Object Pronouns, and a student’s hand goes up. I, thinking they have a relevant question or thinking they need clarification on something, call on that student, only for them to ask if I think dragons are cooler than unicorns.

They were polite about it, they raised their hand, but they totally interrupted the teaching of that concept. Things like that throw the whole learning environment off, and sometimes, it is hard to recover from it.

But sometimes, though they can throw us off what we are doing or even off our train of thought, interruptions can be very beneficial.

The year was 1950, and on March the first, a series of divine interruptions and delays saved the lives of 15 people. In the town of Beatrice, Nebraska, the choir of West Side Baptist Church was set to practice at 7:20pm. The choir was known to be very punctual in its practices and rehearsals, but that day, not a single person would show up on time.

One choir member, a teenager, did not arrive on time because she was having trouble with a particular geometry problem.

Two other teens stayed at home a few extra minutes to finish listening to a radio program.

One woman overslept after eating dinner.

Another couple did not arrive on time because their car would not start.

One mother was interrupted by her daughter who needed a dress to be ironed, and a father from a different family lost track of time as he played with his children.

One member simply did not feel like going and stayed in his warm house a little longer than usual before departing into the cold.

Under normal circumstances, at 7:20pm, everyone of these people would have been in their places and the choir director would have been starting with the first song, but at 7:24pm, not a single person was in the church building. And though there were several of the members who were frustrated at their losing track of time, when they began to arrive at the church building, they immediately felt relief at their collective tardiness, because at precisely 7:25pm, West Side Baptist Church exploded.

Investigators later concluded that there had been a gas leak that had filled the building and was ignited by a furnace that the pastor had lit earlier that evening in preparation for the choir to arrive.

The event would come to be known as the “Beatrice Church Explosion Miracle.”

These delays and interruptions on these choir member’s lives that day are nothing short of true examples of divine interruptions that altered the lives of 15 people, for had they proceeded as planned, those 15 people would have died that day.

A few weeks ago, during the sermon on the transfiguration, we saw how Peter was interrupted by God.

Peter’s First Interruption

I mentioned then that that would be the first of three divine interruptions that are recorded in Peter’s life.

I will not re-preach the sermon, but I do want us to go to this passage in Matthew 17 this morning as we briefly review what happened.

Matthew 17:1–5 KJV 1900

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. [So there on this mountain, Jesus is transfigured, he takes on His glorified state. John would later write of this experience in John 1 - “And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” So the three disciples are there, listening to Jesus and Moses and Elijah speaking. And they’re speaking about all the things that Jesus is going to accomplish once He gets to Jerusalem again - and of course, they are speaking of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven. We find in the book of Luke chapter 9 that once the conversation dies down, Moses and Elijah begin to depart. Peter, not wanting this event to come to an end just yet, has something to say.] 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. [Now remember, these tabernacles are not shrines or altars. We need to go back into the context of the culture. When you were traveling, as Jesus and the disciples consistently were, you took with you materials to build these temporary shelters, and even the word shelters is a bit much. They would take branches of trees and bushes and twist them together to form a half tent structure that they would cover with pieces of fabric or their own outer robes. These tabernacles served the purpose of keeping individuals out of the harsh sun during the hot afternoons. It provided a little bit of comfort for a short amount of time. This is what Peter is suggesting that they build. In his mind, Moses and Elijah would stay longer if they were more comfortable. Peter does not want to see them leave; he wants to continue to listen to them. And as he is making this suggestion, Peter gets interrupted this first time, and it is God the Father’s voice that does it.] 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

God, as Jesus has so often shown, speaks directly to the heart of the matter. He interrupts Peter and says, “This is my beloved Son, hear Him.” God’s indictment against Peter is not that he has a desire to worship Elijah or Moses, Peter has a desire to listen to Moses and Elijah, on the same level as Jesus, so God interrupts and, “The only person you need to be worried about listening to is my Son, Jesus. Hear Him.”

In that interruption, we saw that more than anyone else’s words, we should hang on Jesus’ the most.

As we progressed through the life of Christ, we saw that as the disciples come down from the mountain with Jesus, there is a father who has asked the other nine disciples who did not go up the mountain with Jesus to cast a demon out of his son, yet they are powerless to do so, despite the fact that in the past, they have been able to cast out evil spirits from people. When Jesus arrives on the scene, the man asks Jesus, “If you can, have mercy on my son.”

It is a request not born out of faith, but desperation. A request that Jesus addresses as not being born of faith. The man then asks Jesus to help his unbelief. Jesus heals the boy, and from there, the disciples and Jesus head back to region of Galilee, to the town of Capernaum.

Peter’s Second Interruption

Have you ever been confronted with a question about somebody else’s actions or intentions and given a very confident answer, only to start questioning whether the answer you gave was accurate or not? Maybe you run into someone and they ask something about your spouse. “Hey, we’re having dinner together in a couple of nights, I just wanted to make sure that you and your wife both are OK with seafood.” And you say, “Oh yeah, we both love seafood. That will be great.”

And as you walk away, you begin to think. Well, I know that I love all kinds of seafood. And I know that my wife likes fish, but they didn’t ask if we like fish; they said seafood. So, I don’t know if she likes shrimp or mussels or other types of seafood.

So what do you do? Now days, you have the option to send a quick text - Hey, you like seafood right? Not just fish, but seafood in general? But often, what happens is that you mull it over, you try to think is she’s said anything specific about seafood. You try to remember of all the things that she has ordered at Red Lobster or at least at Long John Silvers...

And when you get home, you go in the door and say, “Hey, I ran into so-and-so this morning, and he asked if we both liked seafood, because that is what they are planning to have in a few nights when we go over to eat with them. I told them yes, but then I realized that the only seafood I have seen you eat is fish sticks and an occasional McDonald’s Fillet o’ Fish. So… do you like seafood?”

Well, this is a very similar situation that Peter finds himself in in Matthew 17. This is an event that is only recorded by Matthew, and in it, Jesus performs a miracle and does so solely for the benefit of Peter. As far as we know, nobody else is around, and Jesus only directs Himself to Peter. He teaches Peter a lesson and provides for a need with a miracle.

But the lesson is taught with an interruption, and this is Peter’s second divine interruption. The first time, he was interrupted by God the Father. Now he will be interrupted by Jesus, God the Son. Let’s read about it. Matthew 17:24-25a

Matthew 17:24–25 KJV 1900

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes…

We’ll continue reading verse 25 in just a little, but let’s discuss what this question is that Peter is being asked.

The tribute money was not the tribute money of Caesar. These are not Roman taxes that are being collected, it is a Temple tax that is being collected. This tax was collected annually. This tax was typically collected in March, but payment of this tax was so irregular, that when they were collecting this Temple tax, there were often two chest to deposit money in — one for the current year’s tax and another for the previous year’s tax. The tribute to the Temple was the amount of a Jewish half-shekel or 2 Roman drachmas, and it was to be paid yearly by every Jewish male.

When Jesus and His disciples arrive back at Capernaum, it is the autumn before Jesus’ death. Those that collected the tax were unable to do so from Jesus and the disciples, probably because of their constant wandering. So when they see Peter, they ask if his master, Jesus, pays tribute or not.

And Peter, in his usual impulsive presumption, quickly answers, “Yes.” Now, it is very possible that Jesus had paid the tribute before in front of the disciples, or that he had told Judas to do so for the whole group, as he was the treasurer of the group, so Peter’s answer is not to be looked down upon.

But look what happens next.

Matthew 17:25 KJV 1900

25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Look at the phrase, “Jesus prevented him.” That doesn’t mean that Jesus prevented Peter from coming into the house. The word literally means “anticipated.” Jesus anticipated Peter’s words. Remember what we have seen Jesus do over and over — He speaks to the heart of people. And as Peter came home with a question of whether or not they were going to pay the temple tax or not, Jesus gets the jump on him and interrupts Peter’s thoughts before they can ever form words.

And what Jesus does with this interruption is to ask Peter a question — “Who get taxed by the kings of this earth? The kings’ own children or strangers, people outside of the royal family?”

Matthew 17:26 KJV 1900

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

The argument Jesus is giving here is that if the sons of kings are free from paying taxes, then Jesus, the Son of God, is free from paying the Temple tax, as the Temple was the dwelling place of God among men. The half-shekel that was given for this tribute was viewed as given to God directly, since it was for the upkeep of the Temple. So since it was for His own Father’s house, then Jesus was free from paying that tax.

Jesus here corrects Peter’s answer to the temple tax collectors. But that is not where He ends things.

Matthew 17:27 KJV 1900

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

“Lest we should offend them”— Jesus did not have to pay the tax on account that He is the Son of God, however, this temple tax was instituted by God, and so that people wouldn’t think that Jesus was teaching others to not pay the tax, Jesus provides Peter with the exact amount of money to cover both His and Peter’s temple tax.

And He tells Peter how to find that shekel that will cover the amount — in the mouth of a fish. And why does Jesus do this? Because in providing the money miraculously, Jesus once again proves that He is the Son of the Great King. But notice that Jesus does not just provide for His own tribute, but for Peter’s also.

This shows to Peter that those that have part with Jesus, have, as we saw in John 1:12 toward the beginning of this series, the power, the authority to be called the sons of God.

Peter’s first divine interruption reminded Peter of the Identity of Jesus Christ — He is the beloved Son of the Father, in whom the Father is well pleased, and we should hang on His every word.

Peter’s second divine interruption taught Peter what his identity was in Christ, and what our identity is in Christ — we are sons of the Father. Every person that has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, believing in Him and calling out to Him for salvation, is an adopted child of God. We are free.

But this interruption also teaches us not to be stumbling blocks. Jesus could have exercised His freedom to not pay that tribute, but people would have taken it the wrong way and misunderstood. Knowing this, Jesus teaches Peter and us to not use our freedom as an occasion to be a stumbling block to the world or to weaker Christians.

But there is a third divine interruption that Peter suffers.

Peter’s Third Interruption

Peter has been interrupted by both God the Father and God the Son - Jesus Christ. His next interruption will be by the Holy Spirit, and we find this interruption in the book of Acts.

Of course, the events of Acts take place after Jesus has resurrected from the dead and ascended into heaven. Now, the church is growing. God sent the Holy Spirit to fully empower the Disciples on the day of Pentecost, and they began to preach, and after Peter preached, 3,000 people got saved, baptized, and joined the church. Thousands more would get saved as the weeks and months went by. These were Jewish people getting saved there in Jerusalem.

The church begins to be persecuted there, and some Christians flee to different places. One of those places is Damascus, where Saul, pursuer and executer of Christians, would go to drag Christian Jews back to Jerusalem, intending for them to stand trial to be imprisoned and executed. However, we know that on the road to Damascus, Saul encounter Jesus Christ in a blinding vision and converts, trusting in Jesus himself. You can read about that in Acts chapter 9.

During this time, the Apostle Peter was in a town called Lydda, as he traveled all over the region visiting Christians throughout Palestine. There in Lydda, Peter healed a man that had been stuck in bed sick, for eight years. About 9 miles away, in a town called Joppa, another faithful disciple of Jesus named Tabitha, had died. When those Christian heard that Peter was nearby, they called for him. When Peter arrived, the community of believers there showed him different things that Tabitha had made to be a blessing to the widows. And Peter prayed, and after he prayed, he turned to where Tabitha’s body was, and commanded her to arise, and Tabitha rose from the dead. Because of this, many people living in that Jewish town came to believe in Jesus, and Peter paused his travels to stay there for a while in the house of a tanner who shared his name, Simon.

While Peter is staying in Joppa, something is happening in Caesarea, a city of mainly Greek inhabitants, some thirty miles north of Joppa.

Let’s get to Acts 10:1-2

Acts 10:1–2 KJV 1900

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

The first thing we note about this man is that he is not a Jew. He is a centurion of the Italian band. But then we read that he is a devout man. A man that fears God and has taught his family and probably his servants to fear God as well. This was not just a nominal belief in God, Cornelius gave alms to people in need and had a regular prayer life.

At first glance, we might think that this man is not in need of conversion. He already loves God and talks to Him regularly, but the man is in need of salvation. He prays and gives alms to others, not because he is self-righteous, but he truly is seeking for God. And by the way that God addresses him, we can deduce that Cornelius knew that though he feared God and believed in Him, though he prayed regularly and gave to the poor, though he taught his household to believe and fear God, something was missing. And God, true to His character, reaches out to a seeking Cornelius.

Acts 10:3–6 KJV 1900

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

God tells Cornelius, “I am going to answer your prayers and show you what you have been seeking. Send people to Joppa and have them call for a man named Simon Peter, he’s staying at Simon the tanner’s house. He will tell you what to do to be saved.”

Acts 10:7–8 KJV 1900

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

So Cornelius briefs two of his servants and a soldier and tells them to go find this Peter at Simon the tanner’s house.

Acts 10:9–16 KJV 1900

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Peter, because he’s so hungry, falls into this trance-like state and sees a vision. It’s sheet containing all sorts of animals that Jews are not supposed to eat because they would become ceremonially unclean. Now, if you will remember, Jesus had declared that nothing that goes into the body defiles a person, but that which comes out of the heart of man is what defiles a person. He had declared that there was nothing unclean to eat, and now, after his death, burial, and resurrection, Peter should have realized this.

And the voice of God tells Peter, “Peter, kill something from this selection, and eat it.” But Peter, finds it kind hard to do so. He has never eaten anything unclean in his life, and does not want to break tradition now, so he says no, and he calls what is being offered to him “common and unclean.”

So the voice answers back, “God has cleaned it, I have made it acceptable, and in fact I am ordering you to eat it, so do not call it unclean or common.”

This happens 3 times, and the result is the same each time with Peter refusing to eat and the voice telling Peter to not refuse what God has cleaned.

So Peter starts to question what he has seen and as he is pondering these things, Cornelius’s men arrive and ask for him.

Acts 10:17–20 KJV 1900

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

This is the Holy Spirit’s first interruption, interrupting Peter’s thoughts, and dashing aside common ideologies held by the Jews, and even by Jewish Christians.

See, it was considered a sin in Judaism to even go into the house of a Gentile, and though Peter had gone into Gentile houses while he followed Jesus, Peter still held onto this idea of us (Jews) and them (Gentiles). We know this by events that we are about to see.

So the Holy Spirit says, “There are 3 men looking for you, and you are to go with them, doubting nothing, not doubting a thing. Don’t refuse because they are Gentiles, just go, because I have sent them to you.”

So Peter goes and meets these men who tell them of Cornelius and his vision. So Peter agrees to go with them, taking some other Jewish Christians from Joppa with him.

Acts 10:23–29 KJV 1900

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Notice how Peter still holds to the notion that Jews do not belong in Gentile houses. He has only agreed to be there because of the vision, and he is learning to not think of Gentiles as unclean or common or beneath Jews.

He asks why he has been sent for, so Cornelius tells him of his vision.

Acts 10:30–33 KJV 1900

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Notice how Peter responds

Acts 10:34–35 KJV 1900

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

He says this, but even though he perceives this truth, it hasn’t quite sunk in all the way. However, because he is beginning to comprehend this, Peter begins to tell them about the Gospel.

Acts 10:36–43 KJV 1900

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

And this is where we get to Peter truly being interrupted by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:44–48 KJV 1900

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Peter’s first interruption by God the Father showed Peter what God thought of Jesus.

Peter’s second interruption by Jesus showed Peter what God thought of not only of Jesus, but how he too was a child of God.

And now, with these two interruptions by the Holy Spirit, Peter is shown what God thinks of everyone in the world. And what does He think? He holds them as precious as He does the Jews. He is no respecter of persons. He desires and calls all men to repentance. And we should not be surprised by anyone that God saves.

And here, Peter learned this lesson. Where just days before, he would have never even considered staying with a Gentile, regardless if they claimed to believe in God, now he is willing not only to go in their house, but to stay many days with them.

And God used this not just to teach Peter, but all the Christians and the rest of the disciples back in Jerusalem that God was not out to just save the Jews, but the whole world. Peter and the rest of Christianity up to that time got their whole world rocked by this revelation. Their idea of church was about just certain people. But God completely rearranged their thinking.

But Peter was not the only one to get interrupted.

Cornelius’s Interruption

We read about it already. Cornelius was fasting and praying, and God came and interrupted him. “Look someone that will tell you what to do to be saved.”

You may be here thinking you are a good person, and that your goodness might be enough to save you. Let me tell you right now, this message should serve as a divine interruption.

Cornelius interrupted (in his devotion to God to see that devotion did not mean salvation)

You need Jesus for salvation.

Invitation

Bow your heads and close your eyes.

Salvation?

Saved— What idea are you holding onto about church? In your mind is it just for some people? It is just for some days? Maybe in your mind your holding to the idea that church is just something you add onto your regular life and you fit yourself around it as long as it doesn’t inconvenience or bother you or make you change plans.

But today I hope that you will allow the messages over the past 2 or 3 months take hold, and that you will see these as divine interruptions into your thoughts and ideologies. Church is not an addon to life. We should not think about fitting church into our schedule.

Jesus died for the church. His word commands us to be an active part of both the body of believers throughout the world, and the local body assembled here as Good News Baptist Church.

When will we say like Peter, “Now I perceive, now I get it. Church is so much more than the box I’ve been trying to fit it into.”