Breaking Barriers: The Call to Inclusivity in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Acts chapter 10, a pivotal chapter that marks a significant shift in the early church's mission. This chapter recounts the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Despite being miles apart, both men were simultaneously moved by the Holy Spirit to act in ways that would forever change the course of Christian history. Cornelius, a devout man who feared God, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter, while praying, received a vision that challenged his understanding of what is clean and unclean, preparing him to accept Gentiles into the faith.
This chapter is monumental because it signifies the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed, Jesus Christ. If Acts 10 had not happened, the gospel might have remained confined to the Jewish people. This chapter underscores the importance of being attentive to God's call and being willing to act, even when it disrupts our preconceived notions and comfort zones.
We also reflected on why the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the book of Acts, are not as prevalent today. The answer lies in our spiritual disciplines. Both Cornelius and Peter were in positions to hear from God because they were praying and seeking Him earnestly. The challenge for us is to position ourselves similarly, through prayer and devotion, to experience the Holy Spirit's power in our lives.
The sermon concluded with a call to action: to position ourselves to hear from God, to be open to His interruptions, and to be obedient to His call. Whether it's sharing the gospel with someone at work, in our neighborhood, or even within our own families, we are the missionaries to our communities. The Holy Spirit is ready to move through us if we are willing to be used by Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Timing and Coordination: God works in mysterious ways, often coordinating events and people unbeknownst to each other to fulfill His divine plan. Cornelius and Peter were miles apart, yet the Holy Spirit worked in both their lives simultaneously to bring about a monumental shift in the early church. This teaches us to trust God's timing and be open to His leading, even when we don't see the full picture. [34:21]
2. The Importance of Spiritual Disciplines: Both Cornelius and Peter were in positions to hear from God because they were actively engaged in prayer and seeking Him. This highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual disciplines in our lives. If we want to experience the Holy Spirit's power, we must be diligent in our prayer life and devotion. [53:16]
3. God's Inclusive Plan: Acts 10 is a testament to God's inclusive plan for salvation. The vision Peter received challenged his understanding of clean and unclean, preparing him to accept Gentiles into the faith. This reminds us that God's love and salvation are for all people, and we should be willing to break down barriers and share the gospel with everyone. [51:45]
4. Obedience Opens Doors: Peter's obedience to God's call, despite his initial hesitation, opened the door for the Gentiles to receive the gospel. Our obedience to God's leading can have far-reaching impacts that we may not immediately see. When we step out in faith and follow God's instructions, we become instruments in His grand plan. [01:18:14]
5. The Need for Revival: The early church experienced daily, radical transformations because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and actively sharing the gospel. Today, we need a revival of that same spirit. By positioning ourselves to hear from God and being obedient to His call, we can experience a revival in our own lives and communities. [01:01:19]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:44] - Introduction and Greetings
[33:38] - Setting the Scene: Acts 10
[34:21] - God's Simultaneous Work in Cornelius and Peter
[35:52] - The Significance of Acts 10
[37:24] - The Holy Spirit's Role in the Early Church
[39:54] - The Radical Transformation of the Early Church
[41:38] - Cornelius' Vision
[43:21] - Peter's Vision
[45:39] - The Importance of Being Positioned to Hear from God
[47:48] - The Futility of Earthly Possessions
[51:45] - Breaking Down Barriers: Clean and Unclean
[53:16] - The Power of Prayer
[01:00:41] - The Call for Revival
[01:18:14] - Obedience Opens Doors
[01:22:29] - We Are the Missionaries to Our Communities
[01:35:14] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 10:1-8 - The story of Cornelius' vision and his obedience to send for Peter.
2. Acts 10:9-23 - Peter's vision and his initial hesitation to accept the Gentiles.
3. Acts 10:34-48 - Peter preaches to Cornelius' household, and the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear the message.
### Observation Questions
1. What was Cornelius doing when he received his vision from God? ([42:28])
2. Describe Peter's vision and his initial reaction to it. ([48:35])
3. How did Peter's obedience to God's call impact the Gentiles? ([51:45])
4. What was the reaction of Cornelius and his household to Peter's message? ([01:14:25])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose Cornelius, a Roman centurion, to receive this vision? What does this say about God's inclusive plan for salvation? ([35:52])
2. How did Peter's vision challenge his understanding of clean and unclean, and what broader lesson was God teaching him? ([49:21])
3. What role did spiritual disciplines like prayer play in positioning Cornelius and Peter to hear from God? ([53:16])
4. How does Peter's obedience to God's call demonstrate the importance of being open to divine interruptions in our lives? ([01:18:14])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was trying to get your attention. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([34:21])
2. Cornelius and Peter were both in prayer when they received their visions. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to better position yourself to hear from God? ([53:16])
3. Peter had to overcome his preconceived notions about Gentiles to follow God's command. Are there any biases or barriers in your life that might be hindering you from sharing the gospel with others? ([51:45])
4. The sermon mentioned the need for revival and the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church. What steps can you take to seek a personal revival in your spiritual life? ([01:01:19])
5. Peter's obedience opened the door for the Gentiles to receive the gospel. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you act on that call this week? ([01:18:14])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of being missionaries to our communities. Identify one person in your community who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share God's love with them this week? ([01:22:29])
7. The early church experienced radical transformations because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. What specific changes can you make in your life to be more open to the Holy Spirit's work? ([39:04])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Timing and Coordination
Description: God works in mysterious ways, often coordinating events and people unbeknownst to each other to fulfill His divine plan. In Acts 10, Cornelius and Peter were miles apart, yet the Holy Spirit worked in both their lives simultaneously to bring about a monumental shift in the early church. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, Peter, while praying, received a vision that challenged his understanding of what is clean and unclean, preparing him to accept Gentiles into the faith. This divine coordination led to the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed, Jesus Christ. This teaches us to trust God's timing and be open to His leading, even when we don't see the full picture. [34:21]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are struggling to see God's plan. How can you trust His timing and coordination, even when the outcome is uncertain?
Day 2: The Importance of Spiritual Disciplines
Description: Both Cornelius and Peter were in positions to hear from God because they were actively engaged in prayer and seeking Him. Cornelius, a devout man who feared God, was praying when he received his vision. Peter, while praying, received a vision that challenged his understanding and prepared him to accept Gentiles into the faith. This highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual disciplines in our lives. If we want to experience the Holy Spirit's power, we must be diligent in our prayer life and devotion. The miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the book of Acts, are not as prevalent today because we often neglect these spiritual disciplines. [53:16]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and devotion to position yourself to hear from God?
Day 3: God's Inclusive Plan
Description: Acts 10 is a testament to God's inclusive plan for salvation. The vision Peter received challenged his understanding of clean and unclean, preparing him to accept Gentiles into the faith. This monumental shift signified the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed, Jesus Christ. This reminds us that God's love and salvation are for all people, and we should be willing to break down barriers and share the gospel with everyone. We are called to be inclusive in our faith, reaching out to those who may be different from us and sharing the message of Jesus Christ. [51:45]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is different from you and may not know Christ. How can you break down barriers and share the gospel with them this week?
Day 4: Obedience Opens Doors
Description: Peter's obedience to God's call, despite his initial hesitation, opened the door for the Gentiles to receive the gospel. When Peter received the vision challenging his understanding of clean and unclean, he was initially perplexed. However, he chose to obey God's call and went to Cornelius' house, where he witnessed the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles. This act of obedience had far-reaching impacts, leading to the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church. Our obedience to God's leading can have similar far-reaching impacts that we may not immediately see. When we step out in faith and follow God's instructions, we become instruments in His grand plan. [01:18:14]
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV): "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act, but you are hesitant? What steps can you take to obey His call today?
Day 5: The Need for Revival
Description: The early church experienced daily, radical transformations because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and actively sharing the gospel. Acts 10 is a prime example of this, as the Holy Spirit orchestrated the meeting between Cornelius and Peter, leading to the inclusion of Gentiles in the faith. Today, we need a revival of that same spirit. By positioning ourselves to hear from God and being obedient to His call, we can experience a revival in our own lives and communities. The challenge for us is to position ourselves similarly, through prayer and devotion, to experience the Holy Spirit's power in our lives and to be the missionaries to our communities. [01:01:19]
Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV): "O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."
Reflection: Reflect on your community and the need for spiritual revival. How can you position yourself to be an instrument of God's revival in your community? What specific actions can you take this week to share the gospel and be a light to those around you?
Quotes
1. "What does God have to do to get your attention and get you to act out for him? What's God got to do? Because that's what this whole chapter is really about. What's God got to do? God has to do in two men's lives, by the way, simultaneously, unknown to each other. God is going to work in the life of Cornelius and God's going to work in the life of Simon Peter. They're miles away from each other, but the same Holy Spirit at the same moment is working on both of these men to bring about the incredible events." [34:21] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If Acts 10 doesn't happen, you and I don't get saved. We don't get saved. If Acts 10 doesn't happen, we don't get the gospel. If Acts 10 doesn't happen, the church stays in the Middle East among the Jewish people and those who are around the Jewish people, and us Gentiles are out. But I'm grateful God made a promise to Abraham back in Genesis. He said, I'm going to bless the nations. The nations. That means more than one nation, by the way." [35:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Why aren't the things that happened in the book of Acts, happening today? And I'm not talking about, don't, you know, you're going to meet and go, oh, that raising the dead and healing this. Yeah, I've seen the sick get healed. By the way, if you get over anything, God did it. I mean, God can use medicine. He can use aspirin. He can, there's people that get a headache and never get over a headache. And you and I just take it for granted. We just pop an ibuprofen and think, wow, no big deal. God's still in the healing business today." [38:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Why isn't the Holy Spirit working through us today? Why isn't the Holy Spirit doing incredible things through our lives today? See, I don't think that's an indictment on the Holy Spirit. I think that's an indictment on the American church. I think that's an indictment on our church. Why? Why? Why? Why aren't people getting saved almost weekly here? Why aren't lives being changed? And people, oh yeah, there's some. There are, but nothing like the book of Acts. It was daily, house to house. Listen, for years." [39:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What's God got to do to get your attention? We've seen that a couple of times in this book already. And by the way, listen, folks, I happen to believe that pretty much everything that's happening in Acts chapter, in the book of Acts, ought to be happening today in the church. And you and I ought to be stopping and asking ourselves, Andrew said it a while ago without any prompting from me, you and I ought to be asking, why aren't the things that happened in the book of Acts, happening today?" [37:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "What you do for God is the only thing that lasts in this life. The clothes you're wearing, somebody else is going to be wearing those clothes. That bed. You sleep in that car. Somebody else is going to have all that stuff. What's God got to do to interrupt our lives to get us focused on him? He interrupted the apostles there when Jesus ascended. He interrupted the Jewish nation on the day of Pentecost. He has interrupted life after life after life all the way to Acts chapter 10. And now he's about to interrupt the whole world through the Gentile nations of what he's about to do." [47:48] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You can be a rough, tough guy and have a heart for God. You can be a man's man and have a heart for God. You don't have to be a pushover. You don't have to be a pushover. Ladies are men, are teenagers, and have a heart for God. This guy had a heart for God. He was praying. He was giving. He was serving. He was moved in that direction so that God could speak into his life. And so here we see the gospel influence of what's happening all around Jerusalem has reached out to Caesarea and gets hold of this guy's heart so that he can do something in him." [44:59] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you're not praying, don't expect Holy Spirit power to be on your life. Don't expect God to directly lead and guide your life. I think it's because Peter's praying and Cornelius is praying. That's how God uses. They have positions. They position themselves to be used by God. What are you doing to position yourself? You say you want God to work in your life. You say you want the Holy Spirit to work in your life. It's more than just saying words at church on Sunday morning. What are you going to do this afternoon? What are you going to do tonight? What are you going to do in the morning to keep yourself positioned where God could use you?" [54:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If just five or 10 or 20 people in this church would catch fire with God, if you'd begin to practice, if you'd begin to practice your walk with God, if you'd begin to practice, those disciplines of faith, if you would put yourself in a position for God to speak to you, I think you'll be amazed what God will do in your life and then it'll begin to happen in this church. It doesn't take but a few. Everybody in the church doesn't have to do it. That would be great if we did. It would be awesome this morning if everybody said, hey, I'm ready to humble myself and seek God with all my heart because I want to put myself in a position for God to work through me." [01:00:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Obedience is what opens the door to the gospel. It would have been real easy that day outside a little town called Itchmule. I had no idea what Itchmule was. They drove us through there. It's a small town. Got a big Catholic church. There's, I don't know how many people live there. I know there's about 300 in San Francisco. Maybe 500 to 1,000 people in Itchmule. They've got a little school there. I didn't really know. I was just standing on the side of a highway looking at a jungle going, what is this? It would have been real easy. Look at me because it'd be just like you. It would have been real easy that day to say, $5,000? Buying property in Mexico? What are you thinking? Are you an idiot? You've got to go back to the church and explain what you're doing. You've got to go back and tell the church, guess what? I just put you all on the hook for five grand to buy some property in Mexico." [01:16:02] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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