God Holds No Partialities

Introduction

Covering a large section today all of chapter ten we only read the focus passage for today’s sermon the rest try and read on your own. There is no way I can cover it all today.

Acts 10:1–16 CSB

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.” Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.” Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

Pray

This is such a pivotal passage we need to first start with where we have been Prior to this passage. We have seen”

We have seen Peter become the Leader of The Disciples

We have seen the believers in Christ Grow among the Jewish People

We have seen other Jews resist the Words of Jesus to the point of arresting and killing Believers

We have seen Jesus Ministry to those who are considered outcast continue

We have seen the unclean believe like Simon the Tanner who Peter in now staying with and the Ethiopian Eunuch who according to earlier Jewish customs wouldn’t even be able to enter into the temple

And now as we are at the house of an traditionally unclean person because he handles dead carcasses. We are ready to make a major shift in our understanding of the call of God to God. Before now we have been dealing with Jews, Hebrew Jews and Greek Jews But Jews non the least

Cornelius

Map taken from Faithlife, LLC. “Biblical World — The Early Church.” Logos Bible Software, Computer software. Logos Bible Software Atlas. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, LLC, September 7, 2021. https://ref.ly/logos4/Atlas?IsLegendExpanded=false&IsMediaCollectionExpanded=false&MapId=BIBLICALWORLDTHEEARLYCHURCH-EN&MapStyleKind=Terrain.

Now We get to meet a man name Cornelius. Lives in Caesarea.

Caesarea is About sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. In The New Testament era it was the Roman capital of the province of Judea. It was the Roman seat of Power that controlled the Land of Israel.

He is a Roman Soldier who has worked his way up the ranks and is in control of a group of soldiers within a Roman legion. Think Roughly a Captain. He was in charge of roughly sixty people. Verse 2 describes him as a devout man. He was a deeply religious man. Who realized that the “pagan” religion was empty and sought to worship the monotheistic God of the Jews.

As this man seeks to worship the God of a people that he is not really wanted or accepted. An Angel of God appeared and told him to send for Simon Peter who is still in Joppa

Peter is also a man of prayer. He is also a Jew and was not yet ready to minister directly to Gentiles. Some of that hang up Jesus is for Jews attitude is lingering though slowly fading. A special revelation was necessary for God’s plan was for all his creation to be told of the Saving grace of Jesus the Messiah.

Peter’s vision

Is one of a sheet with all kinds of unclean animals on it And he is told to take and eat. Three times this happens But he knows he is not suppose to according to God’s law. But God is making a point. Don’t call anything unclean that God has made Clean. Peter will probably continue to eat according to Jewish custom. But the point was made. Peter will Go to Cornelius house and speak the words of Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:34–35 CSB

Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

And the house hold was saved, starting the mission to the gentiles.

I love this God shows Cornelius that the Religion of the Romans is empty. Jupiter and Venus can no longer meet his needs and God brings him Close.

God brings Peter Close as he calls the disciples to witness to unclean people. Even now staying with one. Getting Peter ready for this moment. And Bam in divine intervention and plan God brings these two together To begin the witness to the Gentiles

Because God doesn’t show Partiality. God will make clean who he wills and no race, color, creed, culture is going to stand between that. We are the ones that put the partiality into the word of God not Him

Mark 16:15 LEB

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Look at Jesus words And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15 ESV)

It was the disciples that assumed he meant all just the Jews all over creation. It’s our bias’ that says we shouldn’t witness to some types of people.

When the truth is All People need Christ. Not just those that are like us and Not just those who Like us

One thing I have heard several people say and have encountered myself in this area. Is the idea that all church member are just a bunch of Hypocrites – Take a minute to deal with this. Christians are sinners. In order to become a Christian you have to come into the realization that I am a sinner. Can’t ask for forgiveness if don’t believe there is anything to forgive.

The issue isn’t that you are a sinner the issue is how you behave when you sin. Hypocrite is a person who does one thing and says another

So a Christian who is a hypocrite is someone who says don’t do X and then Do X (use sinful anger – anger that spurns from pride and self)

A Christian who is not a hypocrite is someone who says It is wrong to do X and then might mess up and do X

The difference is the response. Hypocrite no remorse except maybe for getting caught Christian sinner I made a mistake please forgive me and repents meaning to turn from. Those who call you a hypocrite first thing have to ask are they right. The place you may need to start is with an apology, But they still Need Jesus

A survey went out and it found that if Christianity had a better reputation they might consider going. It isn’t Theology, or Apologetics, or knowing more its acting like Christ

Next Steps

We put biases in our theology, and in our hearts. Do you have a type of person that you are afraid to witness too. Might be people who look like they could kill you. I have trouble witnessing to people carrying weapons. Best to get them by themselves away from the group mentality

Might be people who have the tattoos or piercings. Maybe people that are just outside the family That was the Jews Problem. They weren’t part of the “family”.

Maybe it is people outside your political party.

What are your bias?

Pray

Invitation

Need to accept Jesus as your savior

You been reluctant because you felt that someone was bias to you

Convicted of a bias need to deal with

Join the church