The Cost of Comfort
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Opening
Opening
Honor:
Merinda
Pastor Tom & Rhoda
Grandparents
Marco Island Trip
Slept on a big king size fluffy bed
Woke up in the morning bent all out of shape
Today’s Message: The Cost of Comfort
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jesus Makes Me Uncomfortable
Jesus Makes Me Uncomfortable
When Jesus came to the earth he disrupted the flow that everyone was in.
He told some fishermen to follow him and start fishing for men - leave your job and come do something that makes no sense
He broke the Law, healing people on the Sabbath, not fasting on the Sabbath
Places He would go, riots would break out
He was telling people their sins were forgiven
He walked into the temple and began flipping tables, made a whip with resources on-site and started rebuking everyone in sight
If we are honest with ourselves, the presence (the appearance in our life) of Jesus makes me uncomfortable.
Where We Find Comfort
Where We Find Comfort
It is not Jesus’ duty to comfort us, it’s the Holy Spirit’s.
Jesus actually says that it’s our advantage that He went away, so that we could receive comfort...
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7
Jesus = Challenge // Holy Spirit = Comfort
A Quick Response to Discomfort
A Quick Response to Discomfort
Our natural response to discomfort to find comfort as quickly as we can
Shocking Discomfort
Shocking Discomfort
Normally we stand for the reading of the Word, today is a longer passage, so I will let you remain seated.
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:1-
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Setting the Scene
Setting the Scene
Caesarea
the capital of the Roman province of Judea
major port city and trade-hub
about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem
Set up: Jesus prophesied that the gospel would start in Jerusalem and then spread throughout Judea. What easier way to make that happen, then by taking the gospel to the capital and largest trade-hub in the region.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Cornelius
a centurion - a man of great merit that oversaw 100 men.
Centurions were chosen not necessarily for their courage, but rather for their deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind
the first gentile convert
the Bible calls him a “devout man” who believed in the God of Israel
Cornelius’ Vision
Cornelius’ Vision
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”
When God calls you out of comfort, he calls you by name
And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
The Angel delivers a message that Cornelius’ actions have
Memorial Offering:
memorial offering was a portion of the grain offering (lit. “gift”) that was burned on the altar to Heaven and God was receive it as a pleasing aroma
God is literally saying to Cornelius, your gifts of kindness have been noticed and is a pleasing aroma to Me.
God is literally saying to Cornelius, your gifts of kindness have been noticed and is a pleasing aroma to Me.
The Angel gives him specific instructions to send for Peter who is lodging in Joppa (20 miles south, about 1 day’s journey)
When God calls you out of comfort, he will deliver direction
Cornelius then sends two servants and a soldier to go find Peter
Apparently, the faith of Cornelius was contagious and there were those of his household and under his command who also honored the God of Israel.
Peter’s Vision
Peter’s Vision
The soldier could have easily
The next day, we find Peter praying mid-day (similar setting)
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance
Comfort Food
Peter is hungry and it’s taking a while for the food so he decides to head upstairs and pray - probably for the food to be done so quickly - then he falls into a trance
Has anyone ever been so hungry you fall into a trance?
Some of us find comfort in food - when things get uncomfortable we run to our favorite snack.
> Instagram Post: Eating a bowl of ice cream, my wife is pregnant.
He has a vision of a sheet descending from the Heavens with all types of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds of the air.
God tells Peter to get up and eat
Peter argues
Answering Discomfort
Answering Discomfort
Peter = Not so, Lord!
Cornelius = What is it, Lord?
When God calls you out of comfort, don’t argue
By seeking your own comfort, you put God into a box of limitations.
God repeats this vision three times to Peter.
God knows there’s purpose in the discomfort, he won’t let you pass on the opportunity with just one “no”
"Obstacles and Opportunities look almost the same; it just depends on who is on your side" -Pastor Michael Todd
Taking Action
Taking Action
And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
"Obstacles and Opportunities look almost the same; it just depends on who is on your side"
Acts 10:19
Peter continues to struggle to understand what God meant by the vision
Sometimes we tend to over-think what God is telling us to do. We focus on the details in order that we can say yes. What God is looking for is someone that will say, "Here I am Lord, send me." ()
The Spirit speaks to Peter this time very bluntly... And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
The Spirit speaks to Peter this time very bluntly...
And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
“And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Peter had to be shocked at the fact that 3 Roman men were at the door to see him. You have to imagine there were all sorts of thoughts he was filtering because the Spirit told him not to question why they were there.
Peter Gets Uncomfortable
Peter Gets Uncomfortable
So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:
Literally this is saying he welcomed them in as guests and "entertained" them.
Side note: this wasn't even Peter's house
Customs would've had Peter sending the men down the road to an Inn for the night.
By welcoming them into the home to dine at the same table with Gentiles was forbidden in Jewish customs.
Crowded Discomfort
Crowded Discomfort
The next morning Peter sets out from Joppa with the Romans and takes some Jewish brothers with him.
Comfort Friends
Some of us find comfort in those that surround us. When things get tough we turn to “our people”.
We express our concerns and they become our advocates and “yes men”.
If we are not careful, we will sink into the comfort of our friends, and miss out on the bigger picture God is painting.
When God calls you out of comfort, He intends for you to bring friends along to grow through the process.
Significance of Joppa
Joppa means “beauty”
Joppa was located on the sea, just like Caesarea
It is a modern-day suburb of Tel Aviv
The port of Joppa was the same port that Jonah boarded a ship to “escape the presence of God”
The port of Joppa was the same port that Jonah boarded a ship to “escape the presence of God”
Sometimes, God will call you out of a place of “beauty” to carry out the His plan.
Some will respond like Peter, and some will respond like Jonah.
Finding Comfort
Finding Comfort
Upon arrival, Cornelius has gathers relatives and close friends in anticipation of Peter’s arrival.
When God calls you out of comfort, He intends for you to bring (not run to) friends along to grow through the process.
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Acts 10:
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
The Enemy will Distort
Don’t be mistaken that the enemy will take your moments of discomfort and use them for His own plans.
"What the enemy can't destroy, he distracts" - Pastor Michael Todd
"What the enemy can't destroy, he distracts" - Pastor Michael Todd
This was a moment where pride could have snuck into Peter and he could have lost the fullness of God’s plan.
Peter enters the room and find several people gathered in anticipation.
Arriving at Les Cayes in Haiti, Summer of 2017.
They had waited for our arrival for 3 hours, sitting in the non air conditioned building.
Never had met us, didn't know if we were anointed, but knew that God had a word for them.
What if we operated with this kind of anticipation? Well, I’ll tell you what will happen...
The Gospel & Holy Spirit
The Gospel & Holy Spirit
The Gospel is preached to gentiles!
In your season of discomfort, the Gospel of Jesus Christ should make itself evident. After all, it is Him that calls us into our discomfort.
The Holy Spirit falls in the middle of Peter’s teaching
Obedience in the discomfort allows for The Comforter to step in and do what He does best!
The Gentiles are baptized in the Holy Spirit and then baptized in water.
Obedience in the discomfort will lead to comfort and community. Our theme this year is Spiritual Renewal; My Life, My Family, My Community.
Temporary Discomfort for Extended Comfort
Temporary Discomfort for Extended Comfort
Cornelius' and Peter's discomfort only lasted for a few days.
If you can handle your discomfort for a short time, the comfort received at the end will be well worth it.
Peter stayed with them longer in comfort than they were in discomfort.
God is Calling us to Discomfort
God is Calling us to Discomfort
It’s time to break some comfort habits:
Comfort Food
Comfort Friends
Comfort Media
Comfort Traditions
Jesus didn’t come to Earth to be comfortable, He came to experience the most discomfort any human being has experienced. All so that He could have relationship with us in comfort for eternity.