Untitled Sermon (15)
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
This morning we are picking back up in our study of the book of Acts.
If you’re new to our church, it would be good for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called Expository Preaching.
What that means is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible, and then breaking them down chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to understand what they mean in our lives today.
With that said, we are currently doing that through the NT book of Acts. A book written by a 1st Century disciple named Luke, who wrote it for two primary reasons:
First, to give us a history of the church. How it started, who was involved, and the circumstances that surrounded it.
Second, to give us a template for how Jesus intends for us to accomplish the mission of taking the Gospel to the entire world.
So, if you haven’t been with us, I would encourage you to go online to mcf.life where you can listen to all of the messages leading up to today.
Today however, we are coming back to as we continue the story of a man named Cornelius. A story involving the conversion of a pagan Roman officer to faith in Jesus through the evangelistic ministry of the Apostle Peter.
And when we say evangelistic, we’re referring to evangelism.
And when I say evangelism, I’m talking about the responsibility of every Christian to share the Gospel with people who haven’t heard or don’t know Jesus. And as we’ve learned, evangelism is a process.
So, what does the process involve? Well, it’s a three step process.
It begins with you and I understanding what it takes for a person to come to faith in Jesus.
So, what does it take? Well, first and foremost, it takes a desire for them to seek, know, and be right with God.
Because the fact is, until a person reaches that point, it will be impossible for them to put their faith in Jesus.
Why? Because before a person can come to faith in Jesus, they have to be willing to accept their need for Him. In other words, that they are a sinner in need of saving.
And unfortunately, that’s not something we can decide for them. It’s something they have to come to terms with and be willing to acknowledge on their own. To acknowledge that because of their sin, they are separated from a good and righteous God, and that they need a savior.
And so until they are willing to face that spiritual reality, they can’t be saved.
This is where Cornelius is at in . He’s at a place where he wants to know and be right with God. Which leads us to the second step in this process, which we called a Supernatural Moment.
A moment that is orchestrated by God.
A moment when God responds to a persons desire to know Him and be right with Him.
A moment that leads them to the truth and an opportunity to know and be right with Him.
In other words, when a person desires to know and be right with God, it’s through that desire that God orchestrates a supernatural moment. A moment when He will lead them to the truth. A moment when their desire to know God will intersect with what it takes to know Him.
We saw this with Cornelius as Cornelius cried out to God, and God responded by giving Cornelius instructions on where he could find the answers he needed.
Which led us to the third step in this process. Because along with a desire to seek, know, and be right with God. Along with a supernatural moment. It takes an obedient messenger of the Gospel. And that’s where the Apostle Peter comes into the story. And that’s where we come in as well.
Because as we learned last week, as Christ followers, we have the privilege of being the conduit in which God speaks through. The conduit of hope that brings the message of the Gospel to those God has called us to reach.
But as we learned last week, being an obedient messenger is a process as well. Because if we want to lead people to faith in Jesus, then we have to be willing to do what it takes to be a part of that process.
So, what does it take to be an obedient messenger?
It starts as we put ourselves in a place where we can become a part of God’s plan. A place where God can lead and direct us. A place God can speak to us. A place called prayer.
We saw this last week with the Apostle Peter. Remember how it all came together?
Triangle Graph
Triangle Graph:
It started at Monday at 3pm as Cornelius cried out to God, and God instructed him to send men to Joppa to find a man named Peter.
It continued into the next day as Peter spent time with the Lord in prayer and God revealed to him that men were on their way to find him, men that God had sent to bring him to a man named Cornelius.
And the fact of the matter is, had Peter not prayed, had he not spent time allowing the Lord to speak to Him, he would have missed out on the opportunity to be a part of God’s plan.
And the same is true for us. If we want to be faithful witnesses for Jesus, then we have to be ready and prepared. And to do that, we have to be committed to a consistent prayer life. A prayer life that allows the Lord to speak to us, guide us, and lead us to the people He’s called us to reach.
But it doesn’t stop there. Because knowing who to talk too is one thing, knowing what to say is another.
Which led us to the second step in this process, because if we want to be obedient messengers of the gospel, then we have to have a right understanding of what the gospel is and what it isn’t. Otherwise we could risk leading people down the wrong path.
This was a lesson Peter needed to learn before he met Cornelius. And to help Peter learn this lesson, God used a strange vision. We read about it last week. Because Luke says as Peter was praying:
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.”
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.”
Acts 10:11-
Luke says as Peter prayed, he saw what looked like a bed sheet coming out of the sky, and in the middle of the sheet were all kinds of animals. And with the sheet came a voice that commanded and encouraged Peter to basically go hunting and have a BBQ.
So, how did Peter respond? Luke writes:
“But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord...’”
14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Luke says after taking a look at the menu, Peter declines the invitation. He says, “No thanks God, I’m good.”
So, what’s Peter’s problem? Why was he unwilling to eat from the menu God had provided him?”
Luke tells us. Because Peter goes on to give his reason. Luke writes:
14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
“…for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Luke says the reason Peter won’t eat is because he doesn’t like what’s on the menu. In fact, he calls what God offers Him “unclean”.
So, what’s that all about?
Well, as we learned last week, the terms “clean” and “unclean” are OT terms that are connected to the OT covenant.
A covenant God had given the Israelites as they journeyed towards the Promise Land. A covenant that set religious, moral, and ethical boundaries for the people of Israel. And included in that covenant was a list of animals they could and couldn’t eat. Those they could eat were deemed clean. Those they couldn’t eat from were deemed unclean. For example, here’s a little chart I put together that gives us an idea of what animals were clean and which were unclean;
Animal Chart:
So, a great question would be, “Why was some food clean and other food unclean?”
Well, as we learned last week, for the most part it was symbolic. It was one of the ways the people of Israel were to be different than other nations. To set themselves apart from the impurities of the world. And so by avoiding the foods God had asked them to avoid, they were demonstrating their desire to be pure and right before God.
But as we learned last week, eating or not eating certain food isn’t what makes us pure or right before God. Yes, it may demonstrate our desire to be right with God, but unfortunately eating certain foods doesn’t take care of the deeper issue. And the deeper issue is our sin problem.
So why not that fruit or tree? Was it bad fruit?
Honestly, the tree probably didn’t look any different than any of the other trees in the garden.
It was simply that God didn’t want them to eat from that tree, and He told them if they did, they would die.
So, what did Adam and Eve do? They ate from the tree God asked them not to, and the result was sin and death.
Meaning, it wasn’t an issue of bad fruit, but of a lack of obedience. And it was that lack of obedience that brought sin and death into the world.
It’s the same with the unclean and clean food Peter is referring to. Peter says no because he doesn’t want to eat
But as we learned last week, eating or not eating certain foods doesn’t make a person clean or unclean. Because the issue isn’t about what goes in, but what comes out.
This is what Jesus was talking about in . Because when challenged by the religious leaders about clean and unclean, Jesus said this:
20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Jesus says what defiles a person, what makes them unclean, is what is already on the inside of all of us. Our sin.
And for Peter, that’s part of what this vision is meant to remind him of. To remind him that it’s not religion or rituals that make us right with God. Yes, they may serve as great reminders. Yes, they may steer us in the right direction, but they don’t take care of the sin problem.
So, what does? Well, it’s not a what, it’s a who. Paul writes:
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
Paul says, it’s not the rules and rituals that take care of the sin problem. What takes care of the sin problem is Jesus. His sacrifice and His death is what makes it possible for us to be truly made right with God.
And the reason God is reminding Peter of this is because apparently Peter is still holding on to some OT thinking. For Peter, it’s Jesus + being Jewish. Jesus + observing certain rituals. Jesus + avoiding certain foods.
And what God wants to remind Peter of is that the New Covenant, the gospel, now has the power to do what the law couldn’t. So now it’s Jesus + nothing.
And the reason it’s so important for Peter to understand this, is if he’s not careful, he could end up leading Cornelius to what Paul calls a false gospel in Galatians 1. A gospel that isn’t the gospel.
And as we learned last week, we could make the same mistake as well. Because unfortunately, it’s easy to attach other things to Jesus.
For some, it’s Jesus + their denomination = salvation. For others, it’s Jesus + their rituals = salvation.
But that’s not the gospel. The gospel is Jesus + nothing = salvation. And that’s part of what the vision is meant to show not only Peter, but us as well.
Because if you’re going to be an obedient messenger of the gospel, you have to present a pure gospel. A Biblical gospel. A gospel that is attached to Jesus and Jesus alone. Paul puts it like this:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
This now leads us to one final step in becoming an obedient messenger of the gospel. And to be frank with you, this next step is imperative if you want to be an obedient messenger of the gospel.
And so in order to introduce us to this final step, I want to begin by asking you an uncomfortable question. And it’s uncomfortable for a couple of reasons:
#1 - It’s uncomfortable because it’s a question that most of us would probably answer no to, but if we are honest, the answer is probably yes.
#2 - It’s uncomfortable because if you are honest and answer yes, then it automatically disqualifies you from being an obedient messenger of the gospel.
So, what’s the question. The question is this:
Question - Do you consider yourself to be a PREJUDICE person?
Do you see why that’s an uncomfortable question? Because unless I miss my guess, when asked that question, most of us would probably respond by saying, “Of course not Pastor. I’m not prejudice!”
And while I hope that’s true, I have my doubts. Because I would say most of us are prejudice in one way or another.
So, to help us determine if I’m right, I’d like to walk you through two tests for prejudice, the first being a definition of what it means to be prejudice, and the second some examples of what being prejudice looks like.
You all good with that?
And after
And so to get us started let’s start with a technical definition of prejudice. And to do that, we’ll go to the dictionary first:
Definition: A prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
In other words, it’s when a person makes a judgment about someone or something based on superficial data. Simply put, it’s a judgment in advance.
So, to help us get our arms around this definition, let me give you some obvious examples of prejudice.
For example, a racial prejudice would be a negative attitude towards a group of people based on race — and not on direct knowledge or experience with that race.
Another example of racial prejudice would be a negative attitude towards a group of people based on skin color - versus direct knowledge or experience.
Or you could have a gender prejudice. Meaning you have a negative attitude towards a group of people based on their gender - versus direct knowledge or experience.
Or you could have a religious prejudice, meaning you have a negative attitude towards a group of people based on their religious association - versus direct knowledge or experience.
So, those would be some of the most obvious prejudices we are probably most familiar with. And I think for the most part, we all get those kind of prejudices. And my hope would be that nobody in the room today would carry such prejudices.
But even if you don’t, that doesn’t mean your not prejudice.
Because there are some prejudices we may not even know we have or that we may not see as prejudices, but they are prejudices, and as result, they make us prejudice.
Probably the greatest examples of this comes from Mark Driscoll in his book “Radical Reformission”.
In the book, and using himself as an example, Driscoll talks about different kinds of prejudices he once had. Here are a few that he lists:
I used to not like Canada, because it is filled with Canadians, and Canadians are hockey fans, and hockey is dumb because it claims to be a sport but does not even have a ball or pitcher.
I used to dislike minivans, because they are the product of a vast feminist conspiracy to inflict a dignity vasectomy upon men.
I used to dislike minivans, because they are the product of a vast feminist conspiracy to inflict a dignity vasectomy upon men.
I used to dislike men who wear pastel colors, because its impossible to be masculine wearing turquoise, sea-foam green, lemon yellow, or peach, and these colors are often worn by boy bands, and I despise boy bands because they are happy, they dance, and they encourage teenage girls to gather in groups and scream.
I used to dislike men who wear pastel colors, because its impossible to be masculine wearing turquoise, sea-foam green, lemon yellow, or peach, and these colors are often worn by boy bands, and I despise boy bands because they are happy, they dance, and they encourage teenage girls to gather in groups and scream.
I used to not like people who wear a mullet (a haircut prevalent at state fairs, Nascar races, and wrestling matches that is long in the back and short in the front. It is also referred to as the Soccer Rocker, Camaro Cut, Tennessee Mudflap, Kentucky Waterfall, Ape Drape, Achey Breaky Bad Mistakey, Beaver Paddle, Canadian Passport, and Hockey Hair), because they look like one of the guys in the middle of the evolutionary chart and remind me of my photo in my late-1980s high-school yearbook.
I used to not like people who wear a mullet (a haircut prevalent at state fairs, NASCAR races, and wrestling matches that is long in the back and short in the front. It is also referred to as the Soccer Rocker, Camaro Cut, Tennessee Mudflap, Kentucky Waterfall, Ape Drape, Achey Breaky Bad Mistakey, Beaver Paddle, Canadian Passport, and Hockey Hair), because they look like one of the guys in the middle of the evolutionary chart and remind me of my photo in my late-1980s high-school yearbook.
What Driscoll illustrates here is that sometimes prejudice isn’t just about skin color, nationality, or gender. Sometimes its about the clothes people wear, the style of their hair, the sports they like, and maybe even the vehicles they drive.
And the truth is, we all have prejudices like that.
For example, maybe you’re a person that doesn’t like tattoos because you believe the Bible says their wrong and the only people that get them are probably people who have spent time in jail or prison.
As a result, anytime you see somebody with a tattoo, you automatically make the judgment call that their probably not a Christian and must have spent time in jail or prison at some point.
What that means then is your prejudice against people with tattoos.
Or maybe you’re a person who doesn’t think men should wear skinny jeans because you believe real men don’t wear clothes designed for women.
And to be honest, when we think of somebody that’s prejudice,
had classified certain foods as clean and unclean, and had instructed the Israelites to avoid the unclean food.
And so the reason Peter says, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”, is because within the sheet there are unclean animals.
As a result, when you see a man wearing skinny jeans, you automatically make the judgment call that they must not be a real man, because real men don’t wear skinny jeans.
So, that raises a couple of questions. One question would be, “What animals were classified as unclean?”
What that means then is, your prejudice against guys who wear skinny jeans.
Well, there were several. But just to give you an idea of what types
Or maybe your a Chiefs fan, and you believe anybody who isn’t a Chiefs fan is obviously not the sharpest tack in the box.
As a result, when you see somebody wearing a Broncos Jersey, you make the judgment call they that stupid is as stupid does.
So, what that mean is, your prejudice against Bronco fans.
And the list goes on, because the truth is, we all have prejudices.
Let me tell you one I struggle with.
I’m what you might call a fast walker. Meaning, when I go somewhere, I get there. And the reason I’m a fast walker is because I believe it models a sense of urgency and purpose. So for me, a trip to Walmart is a mission. And if my mission is to get a gallon of milk, then I’m going to get to the milk as quickly as possible, and then get out. Mission accomplished.
And so because I’m a fast walker, nothing will irritate me more than a slow walker or a slow driver. And as a result, if I’m trying to get to the milk at Walmart, and there’s a slow walker in front of me, my automatic judgment is that I’m behind a person that has no sense of urgency or purpose in their life. Because people who have purpose don’t go 20 in a 65.
I know, it’s weird and terrible. And it’s terrible because it’s a prejudice. It’s me having a negative attitude towards a group of people based on how fast they walk- versus direct knowledge or experience.
So, based on all that, let me ask you the question again, and this time let’s all be honest.
Question - Do you consider yourself to be a prejudice person?
And the answer is?? Yes Pastor, I have some prejudices.
Now, at this point, you might be thinking, “Ok Pastor, that’s great, you proved me wrong. I probably do have some prejudices. But don’t we all pastor. So, what’s the big deal if I don’t like tattoos, skinny Jeans, Bronco fans, and slow walkers. Why does that even matter?”
It matters because having prejudices, regardless of what thy are, is going to limit or maybe even derail your ability to be an obedient messenger of the gospel and reach the people God has called you to reach.
How do I know? I know because as we come back to the story of Cornelius today, it will be a prejudice that nearly keeps Peter from sharing the gospel with the man God had called him to reach.
Because believe it or not, Peter is no different than you or me. Peter had prejudices. Peter had a negative attitude towards a certain group of people, and if not dealt with, would keep him from being an obedient messenger of the gospel.
And so as we come back to the passage today, I have two goals:
Goal #1 - To identify what Peter’s prejudice was and who it was against.
Goals #2 - To discover why we can’t be prejudice and how being prejudice works against being an obedient messenger of the gospel.
And so, with that as our basis, let’s pick back up where we left off last week, as Peter makes his way towards the city of Caesarea to share his faith with Cornelius.
Beginning in verse 23, Luke writes:
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. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 10:23-24
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.
I want to stop here for a moment to highlight some more time reference details that Luke has once again given us.
Acts 10:
Notice first he says, “The next day...” This is important because it tells us how quickly Peter responded to the men Cornelius had sent.
Notice first that Luke says, “The next day”.
Because if you recall, from the time Cornelius received his vision and sent men to find Peter, less than 24 hours had passed.
Which means, if Cornelius has his vision let’s say on a Monday at 3pm., and the men he sends show up and find Peter on Tuesday at Noon, then when Luke says, “The next day...”, we’re now at Wednesday. Meaning, Peter doesn’t waste anytime. He leaves early the next morning.
Second, notice Luke says, “And on the following day they entered Caesarea.”
What this tells us is Peter left the day after meeting the men Cornelius sent, which was Wednesday, and he arrives on the following day in Caesarea, which would have been Thursday.
All that to say, this all started on Monday afternoon and we are now standing at Thursday as Peter walks into Caesarea to meet Cornelius.
So, now that we have the full time frame, we know it all started on Monday with Cornelius’s prayer, and 4 days later Peter is
So, a great question would be, “Why’s this time reference important?” Two reasons:
Two reasons:
First, it’s important because once again it highlights the supernatural plan and timing of God, and the importance of our part in that plan.
Second, it highlights that when God directs us to do something or reach somebody, time is of the essence and there should be no delay in our response. That we should make it a matter of urgency and great importance. Because listen to what Luke tells us about Cornelius as Peter arrives in the city. Luke writes:
“Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” (ESV)
Luke says Cornelius is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Peter. And he’s so excited about Peter’s arrival that he’s invited friends and relatives to come wait with him.
And this is why we can’t be hesitant too God’s leading. Because people are waiting to hear from God, and you and I are the messengers he has sent. And the window of opportunity is small. And so we can’t waste anytime in getting to the people God has called us to reach.
You know what that makes me wonder? How many times you or I have missed the window of opportunity. Where we knew we needed to talk to somebody about Jesus, but we kept putting it off. We let other things get in the way. And in doing so, we missed the window. The window when there heart was open. The window when they would have been most receptive.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss that window. Like Peter, I want to be quickly obedient to the Lord’s leading.
So, what happens next? Let’s keep reading. Luke writes:
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
Acts 10:25
Luke says as Peter arrived at Cornelius’s home, Cornelius met him at the door, and fell down at his feet and started to worship him.
So, what’s up with that? More than likely it was meant to be an act of reverence. In other words, because the angel told him to send for Peter, in Cornelius’s mind, Peter was divinely special and above him. Some kind of super saint. And so he bows and pays him reverence.
So, how did Peter respond? Luke writes:
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Luke says Peter responded by telling Cornelius to stand up because he’s just a man as well.
So, why is that detail important? We’ll get to that in a moment, but first, let’s let Luke give us a little more detail. Luke continues:
Acts 10:27-29
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 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. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
Luke says after telling Cornelius to get up, he walked into the house and saw all those that had gathered with Cornelius.
Acts 10:28
And while Luke doesn’t tell us, I would have to think this probably caught Peter off guard. Because Peter thought he was just coming to meet with Cornelius. But now he has a room full of people who have gathered to hear what he has to say.
And this brings us to our first goal this morning, because it’s at this point that Peter’s prejudice is revealed. Because listen to what Peter says next:
And it’s at this point that Peter’s prejudice is revealed. Because listen to what Peter says next:
“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone of another nation...” (ESV)
What I want you to understand about this statement, is that this is a prejudice statement. Because what Peter is referring to here is the established stance among the Jewish people that Jews don’t mingle with Gentiles or anybody that’s not Jewish. Because to do so would make you unclean. So the stance was, “We don’t associate with your kind.”
Just to put it in a modern context and help us get the depth of this prejudice, this would be no different than a sign on a bathroom door that says, “Whites only”. Or a sign on a bus that says, “Blacks sit in the back”. That’s how detestable this statement is.
Because Peter’s statement isn’t just prejudice, it’s racist. This isn’t good.
But here’s the good news about this statement and the redeeming factor for Peter. Because in this instance, Peter isn’t upholding the stance, he’s simply referencing the stance. Because what Peter says next reveals that God had been working on Peter when it came to his prejudice. Because Peter goes on to say:
“…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.” (ESV)
What Luke indicates here is that while Peter had once held this prejudice view, his view has changed? Why has it changed? Peter says it’s because God had shown him not to call any person common or unclean.
28 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.
Well that’s good, but the question then is, “When did God tell Peter that and at what caused Peter to change his view?”
Peter gives us a clue. Peter says his view changed around the time Cornelius’s men showed up to find him, because that’s why he went with them.
Which puts us back at Tuesday at noon when Peter apparently changed his view. So, what was happening around noon on Tuesday?
What was happening was Peter’s vision. Remember, the vision about the animals in the sheet. The vision where God told Peter to kill and eat, but Peter refused. That’s where God showed Peter his prejudice. Because the vision wasn’t just about letting go of religion and rituals, it was also about letting go of prejudice. Because listen again to what God says to Peter:
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.
Acts
You see what Peter now realizes after having the vision and meeting Cornelius, is that God was preparing him to share the Gospel with a group of people he would typically never have anything to do with.
And what God wanted Peter to understand is it’s not his place to determine who is clean and unclean. Who is worthy of the gospel and who is not. And that if he wants to be an obedient messenger, then he needs to get rid of his prejudice.
And that’s why when Cornelius greeted Peter at the door and bowed down to him, Peter said, “Stand up; I too am a man.”
Because Peter now understands he’s not better than a Gentile. He now understands his Jewishness doesn’t make him superior. So he says, “Cornelius, stand up, like you, I’m just a man.”
You see, Peter has set his prejudice aside. And now Peter is ready to be used as an obedient messenger of the gospel.
So, a great question would be, “How does this apply to us?” And as usual, it applies in the same way. Because if we’re going to be obedient messengers of the gospel, then we have to get rid of our prejudices.
The question then is, “How do you do that?” Because as we’ve learned this morning, we all have them.
And the answer is you do it by coming to terms with a couple of spiritual realities.
You do it by changing As we close this morning, I would like to offer
So, as we close this morning, I’d like to offer you two spiritual realities concerning your prejudice. The first reality will show us why we can’t be prejudice, and the second will show us how being prejudice will keep you from being an obedient messenger of the gospel.
So, concerning why we can’t be prejudice, here’s the first reality:
Reality #1 - It’s not ok to be prejudice because God isn’t prejudice.
Listen to what Peter goes on to say as he talks with the group in Cornelius’s home. Luke writes:
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Acts 10:34-
Luke says as Peter declares that he no longer carries his prejudice, he tells us what has helped him come to this conclusion. And he says, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality...”
The idea here is that God doesn’t show favoritism. That God doesn’t love some more than others. That God doesn’t consider some people better than others. The idea is that God looks down at mankind and he sees us all the same.
Meaning he doesn’t group us like we group people.
He doesn’t see black, white, brown, or yellow.
He doesn’t see straight or gay.
He doesn’t see American or non American.
He doesn’t see upper class or lower class.
He doesn’t see tattoos or no tattoos.
He doesn’t see smoker or non smoker.
He doesn’t see college degree no college degree.
He doesn’t see white collar or blue collar.
He doesn’t see Chevy or Ford.
He doesn’t see Republicans or Democrats.
He doesn’t see ugly and beautiful.
He doesn’t see urban or rural.
He doesn’t see Mac or PC.
He doesn’t see skinny jeans or wranglers.
He doesn’t see fast walker or slow walker.
He doesn’t see Broncos or Chiefs fan.
Instead, he sees us all the same. As human begins who desperately need a savior. As human begins who share the same consequence that sin has brought into the world. As human beings that he created, loves, and sent his Son to die for.
In God eyes nobody is better than anybody else. God shows no partiality. God doesn’t have any prejudice.
The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
Romans
And if God doesn’t, than neither should we.
11 For God shows no partiality.
Because as Peter said, “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)...”
And not for one second does God stand back and say, “This group, or this race, or this gender, or this class, or this
And that’s good news, because what that means is despite our differences, whether it be race, skin color, hairstyle, clothes preference, or whatever other differences there may be, God sees and loves us all the same and desires to have a relationship with us despite all that.
First, because that means despite our differences, whether it be race, skin color, hairstyle, clothes preference, or whatever other differences there may be, God sees and loves us all the same and desires to have a relationship with us despite all that.
Because Jesus came for all, not just for some. He is Lord of all.
Here’s what that means for you and me, if we want to be more like Jesus, then we have to get rid of our prejudices. We have to stop classifying people has lovely or unlovely, as clean or unclean. And we have to come to terms with the fact that in God’s eyes we are all unlovely and unclean, and that’s why He sent His son. Because Jesus is the only one that can make us lovely and clean.
And the reason this is so important, is because until you can do that, you can’t be an obedient messenger of the gospel. Because here’s the second reality of your prejudice:
2. Being prejudice leads to self righteousness and sinful behavior.
The fact is, we are all prone to secretly believing that we are somehow better than others because of things we do or don’t do.
For example, a non smoker probably thinks there better than a smoker.
A business man probably thinks there better than a restaurant worker.
Somebody who doesn’t have tattoos probably thinks their better or more righteous than the person who does.
And the list goes on.
But the reality is, the Bible says that no one is inherently righteous.
Paul writes:
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
So, what makes us righteous? Paul goes on to write in Titus 3:
But
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Paul says our righteousness is a gift that comes from Jesus. And anyone who fails to embrace this reality commits the grievous sin of self-righteousness.
And the fact of the matter is, a self-righteous person can never reach anybody for Jesus. Because in our unrepentant self-righteousness we view ourselves as clean and others as dirty, which then causes us to avoid others in an effort to remain clean.
It causes us to stand back and judge, stand back and form negative opinions without even knowing the person or giving them a chance.
And not only that, it keeps them from seeing Jesus because in our self-righteous state we make ourselves the standard to look up to, when in fact Jesus is the one they need to be looking at. But our self-righteousness is blocking their view as we stand above them in arrogance and pride.
And
And that’s why a lot of people don’t like Christians. That’s why a lot of people view Christians as hypocrites. Because they set themselves up as the standard, a standard that is flawed and full of holes. Because the fact is, even though you may know Jesus, you’re in process. You still have junk in your life as well that needs to go. You’re no better than the person you’re looking down upon. And until you come to that spiritual reality, you’ll never reach anybody for Jesus.
So, how do you overcome self-righteousness? How do you stop obstrucing their view?
It’s easy. You stop viewing yourself as better, and you join them at the foot of the cross. Because at the foot of the cross, it’s level ground. At the foot of the cross, there is no partiality. At the foot of the cross we are all sinners in need of a savior.
Let me demonstrate it like this:
Have somebody come up:
Illustration of reaching people on level ground:
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Altar Call
Let’s pray
Why being prejudice prevents you from being an obedient messenger.