Who is too dirty
Who Is Too Dirty?
Acts 9-16; 19-20; 28; 39-45; Mark 7:18-20
The Aviator, PG-13, Ch.13 Start: 0:55:45 End: 0:57:23
Big Idea: Are some people too dirty to touch?
Setup: In his day, Howard Hughes was the world's richest young billionaire. Though brilliant, he descended into mental illness. In this scene, after shaking hands with many people in a nightclub, the germ-phobic Howard Hughes heads to the washroom.
Scene: Hughes washes his hands obsessively & then refuses to help someone because he was irrationally afraid of contamination.
Application: Sometimes in the church we’re so focused on our own wellbeing that we refuse to have any contact with those who might threaten it. But Jesus didn’t consider anyone too dirty to love.
1. Scripture, Acts 10:9b-16, 19-20, 28, 39-45, Mark 7:18-20
Ø As we mentioned last week, it took 10 years till the church reached out to the gentiles. We also noted that it’s hard to overcome our natural inclination to just talk to our own folks. The idea was it was natural to stick with our own.
Ø If last week was about the need to leave our own and go, this week is about being willing to go to those we would rather avoid.
2. Unlawful
Ø Eating certain foods was unlawful for Jews under the Mosaic covenant.
Ø Peter is still living as one under the law it appears. But even before the vision, Jesus has taught about the ceremonially law in Mark 7.
Ø Peter understands what’s now lawful, but more importantly he learns how his misunderstanding of cuts people off from God and his people under both the old and new covenants.
Ø Does Scripture forbid Jews to visit with Gentiles?
Ø Why do we create extra-Biblical laws? What were some in 1st century? (Sabbath rules) Even Adam “not even touch it”)
Ø What about us? Do you subscribe to “no R movies” rule? Why or why not? Alcohol? Sex? Gambling?
Ø We have to think clearly, Spiritually, and Biblically about who we reach and how.
Ø This is not license to compromise, but to decriminalize what God never codified in the first place. Still, a clear call to holiness reminds us that possible is not the same as profitable.
Ø Many of us have seen how God’s instructions have been abused and so we threw off that legalism, but when we did we also threw out God’s instructions!
Ø Within t/bounds of t/possible, do all that’s profitable to reach those to whom God has called us.
3. Unclean
Ø With the explanation of salvation came the experience of salvation.
Ø The Jews could not believe God would give His Spirit to Gentiles.
Ø The Cornelius was not only not one of them, he was one of them! He was a gentile and a Roman.
Ø No One Should Be Considered Unclean
Ø Do you find Satanists, Muslims, addicts, rich people, homeless, Republicans, Democrats, homosexuals, etc. unclean and beyond the reach of your witness of Jesus?
Ø “you know that Republicans like me don’t associate with Dems like you.”
Ø “you know that straight guys like me don’t frequent gay bars with people like you.”
Ø “you know that goody-two-shoes like me don’t associate with losers like you.”
4. Unreachable
Ø Sometimes people become undesirable in our eyes because we see them as so different or so sinful that they are unreachable. Let me explain.
Ø If I believe in truth, and I believe someone stands in the way of that truth, it is easier to hate them. They make me and my world less secure and controllable.
Ø I must resist that tendency to hate, but I must also realize that no one really stands in the way of the Almighty. All are reachable.
Ø Who in the Bible seemed beyond reaching, and yet was reached? Consider Rahab, the Ninevites, Paul, & the Samaritans.
Ø What about me, whom no one wanted to reach?
Ø How would it change the way we react and respond to unreachables if we treated them as someone to whom we should demonstrate the fulness of Christ?
5. Unthinkable
Ø Who is unclean, who is unreachable, can CCC effectively reach all those who are reachable?
Ø Some of knew the truth. Those who knew were commanded to witness that he will judge and that he will forgive everyone who believes in him (from all nations).
Ø God could send angels to preach, but he almost never does. Even here when he needed angelic intervention, he only used it to get the ball rolling.
Ø God has given us this ministry of reconciliation. We can’t just love the comfortable.
Ø Paul did focus on a different group than the apostles. It is important to note, but the issue is call not comfort.
Ø Discomfort does not determine calling.
Ø For all his “God-fearing” Cornelius still needed to hear the Gospel.
Ø If you are not yet a God-fearer, it would not disappoint me terribly if that was the result today in your heart. However, that is not the same as salvation.
Ø Salvation is not repentance alone, but also faith. This is trust in Christ alone for life now and into eternity.