Breaking Barriers: Embracing Unlikely Friendships in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Heart Is Wider Than Our Comfort Zone

God’s heart reaches beyond our comfort zones, inviting us to love and welcome those we might otherwise overlook or avoid. The story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10 shows how God breaks down cultural and personal barriers, calling us to see others as He sees them. We are challenged to examine our own biases and step out in faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us to embrace people from every background, even those we might consider outsiders. When we allow God to nudge us beyond what feels safe or familiar, we participate in His expansive, inclusive love that draws all people into His family. [25:55]

Acts 10:9-16 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Who in your life do you tend to keep at arm’s length because of discomfort or difference, and how might you invite the Holy Spirit to help you take one step toward them this week?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit Breaks Down Barriers

The Holy Spirit does not recognize the boundaries, biases, or cultural assumptions that we often carry; instead, He works to break them down so we can see others with the eyes of Jesus. Just as Peter needed to hear the message three times to understand that God’s love and acceptance are for all, we too may need repeated reminders to let go of our prejudices. The Spirit helps us move beyond confirmation bias and negative assumptions, opening our hearts to the people God places in our path, regardless of their background or story. [32:09]

Acts 10:28, 34-35 (ESV)
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.”
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.”

Reflection: What is one assumption or bias you hold about a group or individual that you can ask God to help you see differently today?

Day 3: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Inclusion

God uses ordinary, imperfect people to do extraordinary things, welcoming all into His kingdom through simple acts of obedience and openness. Peter, a fisherman with a history of mistakes, and Cornelius, a centurion considered an outsider, both responded to God’s prompting and became part of a pivotal moment in the spread of the gospel. Their story reminds us that God’s plan is to include everyone, and He often works through our everyday actions and willingness to show up, even when we don’t have all the answers. [44:48]

Acts 10:44-48 (ESV)
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,
47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Reflection: Where do you feel ordinary or inadequate, and how might you trust God to use you to include someone who feels like an outsider?

Day 4: Everyone Matters to God

Every person, regardless of background, status, or past, matters deeply to God, and He is always at work in people’s lives—even when we cannot see it. Cornelius’s story shows that God notices the prayers and generosity of those on the margins, and He orchestrates divine appointments to draw them into His family. We are called to trust that God’s grace is at work in unseen ways and to share our own stories of how God has shown up for us, believing that even small acts of openness can have a lasting impact. [37:48]

Luke 15:4-7 (ESV)
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who may feel unseen or overlooked, and how can you show them today that they matter to God and to you?

Day 5: Make Room at the Table

God invites us to make room at our tables and in our lives for those who are different from us, extending the same welcome and grace we have received. Just as Peter and Cornelius each took steps of trust and hospitality, we are called to open our hearts and homes, creating space for new relationships and unexpected friendships. When we do, we become part of God’s ongoing story of inclusion, allowing His love to flow through us and draw others into the joy of His family. [49:19]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: Who is someone you can intentionally invite into your life or community this week, making space for them as Christ has made space for you?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the radical, boundary-breaking work of the Holy Spirit as seen in Acts 10, where God orchestrates an unlikely friendship between Peter, a Jewish apostle, and Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This story is a pivotal moment in the early church, demonstrating that God’s heart and vision are far wider than our own comfort zones or cultural boundaries. Cornelius, though an outsider by religious standards, is described as devout and God-fearing, and God honors his prayers and generosity, showing that no one is beyond the reach of His grace.

Peter, meanwhile, is challenged by a vision that upends his deeply held assumptions about purity and inclusion. The vision of the sheet filled with unclean animals is not just about food, but about people—God is declaring clean those whom Peter’s culture had called unclean. This is a direct challenge to the boundaries and biases that we all carry, often unconsciously. The Holy Spirit is at work to break down these walls, inviting us to see others through the eyes of Jesus, not through the lens of our own prejudices or past experiences.

The story unfolds with both Peter and Cornelius responding in obedience and openness, even though neither fully understands what God is doing. Peter’s willingness to go to Cornelius’ house, and Cornelius’ trust in inviting Peter, create space for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully. The result is the outpouring of the Spirit on Cornelius and his household, just as it had happened to the Jewish believers at Pentecost. This signals that the good news of Jesus is for everyone, regardless of background, culture, or past.

God’s plan has always been to include those on the margins, to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things, and to expand His family through simple acts of obedience and hospitality. The challenge is to ask: Who are the “outsiders” in our own lives? Where is the Spirit nudging us beyond our comfort zones? The invitation is to trust God’s wider perspective, to make room at our tables, and to let our lives reflect the inclusive love of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Heart Is Wider Than Our Comfort Zone God continually calls us beyond what feels safe or familiar, challenging us to love and welcome those we might otherwise overlook or avoid. The Holy Spirit’s nudges are often uncomfortable, but they are invitations to participate in God’s expansive grace. If our faith never stretches us, we may not be listening closely enough to the Spirit’s leading. [25:55]
2. The Holy Spirit Breaks Down Our Boundaries and Biases We all carry cultural, personal, and even religious biases that shape how we see others. The Spirit’s work is to expose and dismantle these walls, so we can see people as God sees them—worthy of love, inclusion, and grace. This doesn’t mean ignoring brokenness, but it does mean refusing to let our assumptions limit God’s welcome. [32:09]
3. Obedience and Openness Create Space for God’s Surprises Neither Peter nor Cornelius knew exactly what God was up to, but their willingness to obey and be open to the unexpected allowed the Spirit to move in transformative ways. Often, God’s greatest works in and through us begin with simple acts of trust and hospitality, even when we don’t have all the answers. [44:12]
4. The Gospel Is Radically Inclusive—But Only Through Jesus God’s invitation is for everyone, no matter how messy or broken, but the way in is through Christ alone. The table is open to all, but it is Jesus who makes us clean and brings us into God’s family. This radical inclusion is both a comfort and a challenge: to receive grace ourselves, and to extend it to others without reservation. [45:30]
5. Small Acts of Welcome Can Change Lives and Multiply the Kingdom A single invitation, a simple act of making room for someone, can have ripple effects far beyond what we imagine. God uses ordinary people and everyday moments to draw others into His family. Reflect on who made room for you, and consider who God is calling you to welcome next. [49:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:23] - Series Vision: For the One
[21:36] - Unlikely Friendships in Life and Scripture
[22:49] - Cornelius and Peter: An Unlikely Connection
[24:38] - Who Are Our Outsiders?
[25:55] - God’s Heart Beyond Our Comfort Zone
[27:12] - Peter’s Vision: Challenging Purity Laws
[29:03] - Do Not Call Unclean What God Has Made Clean
[30:51] - God Uses Ordinary People
[32:09] - Breaking Down Biases and Boundaries
[34:05] - Cornelius’ Openness and God’s Favor
[39:43] - Divine Timing and Trust
[42:16] - The Gospel Goes Global
[44:12] - The Holy Spirit Fills the Gap
[45:30] - Radical Inclusion Through Jesus
[46:12] - The Spirit Poured Out on All
[49:19] - Making Room for Others
[51:07] - Weekly Challenge: Praying for the One
[55:41] - Communion and Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 10:1-48 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, or focus on these key sections: verses 1-23, 24-35, and 44-48.)

Observation Questions

What do we learn about Cornelius’ character and spiritual life from the way he is described at the beginning of Acts 10?
How does Peter initially respond to the vision of the sheet with unclean animals, and what does this reveal about his assumptions?
What specific actions do both Peter and Cornelius take in response to God’s leading, even though they don’t fully understand what’s happening?
According to the sermon, what was so radical about Peter inviting Cornelius’ men into the house and later entering Cornelius’ home? [[40:21]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to use a vision about food to challenge Peter’s beliefs about people? What does this say about how God addresses our biases?
The sermon says, “God’s heart is wider than our comfort zone.” In what ways did both Peter and Cornelius have to step outside their comfort zones? [[25:55]]
The Holy Spirit is described as breaking down boundaries and biases. What are some examples from the story where the Spirit does this, and why is it significant for the early church? [[32:09]]
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius’ household is described as a “pivot point” in the book of Acts. Why is this moment so important for the spread of the gospel? [[42:16]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to consider who the “outsiders” are in our own lives. Who comes to mind for you, and what might it look like to make room for them? [[24:38]]
Have you ever felt nudged by the Holy Spirit to step outside your comfort zone? What happened, and how did you respond? If not, what might be holding you back? [[25:55]]
The story shows that simple acts of obedience and hospitality can have a big impact. Can you think of a time when someone made room for you? How did it affect your faith or sense of belonging? [[49:19]]
The sermon says, “If we are comfortable all the time in our faith, we might not be listening to what the Holy Spirit is inviting us to do.” What is one area where you sense God might be stretching you right now? [[25:55]]
Peter and Cornelius both acted without knowing the full plan. Is there a situation in your life where you feel God is asking you to trust Him without all the answers? What would it look like to take a step of faith? [[44:12]]
The gospel is described as radically inclusive, but only through Jesus. How does this challenge the way you think about sharing your faith or welcoming others into your life? [[45:30]]
This week, the challenge was to pray for people who are different from you and to ask God to help you see them through His eyes. Who is one person or group you can intentionally pray for and reach out to this week? [[51:07]]

Sermon Clips

See, we all carry experiences and just cultural biases that the Holy Spirit wants to get at because in the father's kingdom there are people of every background, of every culture, of every vocation. There are people from everywhere in the world. And so God wants us to live that way here and now. [00:25:29]

God's heart is wider than our comfort zone. You ever been nudged outside of your comfort zone by the Holy Spirit? No, only me. It it is uncomfortable. And if we are comfortable all the time in our faith, we might not be listening to what Holy Spirit is inviting us to do. [00:25:50]

The voice spoke to him a second time. Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Uh, the text reads a little funky here. It It's really like, do not call anything unclean that I have made clean. And man, that's a powerful phrase because how many things in our life are unclean like by God's standard and yet God says to us, "You, you are mine. You are clean." [00:29:14]

Jesus was always like getting in trouble for touching people or engaging with people who are ceremonially unclean in that world. And and they were always afraid that it would make him unclean. And the exact opposite happened. Everyone he touched and engaged with, they became whole. [00:29:44]

In fact, there is absolutely nothing special about Peter or any of the disciples. They are ordinary in every single way. In in in some cases, they're like subpar by cultural standards. And God says, "I'm going to do extraordinary things in and through you." [00:30:51]

You see, the good news about this story is that the Holy Spirit does not recognize our boundaries, biases, and cultural assumptions. We all carry them. Every single one of us. You ever heard of confirmation bias? Confirmation bias is you end up seeing something because you're looking for it. Or negative attribution bias. We can go through all the biases. We all carry them. [00:31:55]

What God wants to do is break those down in our lives so that we would see with the eyes of Jesus. And that's what the Holy Spirit does. Helps us see the people in front of us. That doesn't mean we deny the brokenness of the world. That doesn't mean we shut our eyes to it or pretend it doesn't exist or even say that something that is not good is good. [00:32:14]

But what we are being invited to is to see with Jesus eyes that the boundaries that we put up might not be what he wants for us or for people especially when it comes to the cultural assumptions. See another point here is not only is God's comfort zone wider than us, God's perspective is wider than ours. He sees the full picture. [00:32:41]

See, I believe that um everyone matters to God and that the Holy Spirit is at work even when we don't see it. See, he had no idea exactly what he was sending those guys to do other than to get this guy Peter. He didn't know his whole life was about to be changed. He didn't have the whole story. But what he did know is that God had favor on him, that God cared about him, and that God had a message for him. [00:37:04]

But yet even when the worst case scenario happens, God shows himself to be present. That's what I mean. That's what Sam was getting at after we sang that song earlier that the biggest message of the Bible is not that the the world isn't rough. That's not what the Bible's telling us. The world is rough. Absolutely. that God is good and kind and with us and then wants us to be with each other, that everyone matters to God. [00:37:48]

That God's plan, this has been his plan from the beginning. That one leads to everyone. The change in Peter's life is now leading to a whole group of people being rescued. Peter, ordinary guy, like I said, no reason to look at him and think he's special. And yet, God uses him to transform many lives. And this family is going to be one of them. [00:38:47]

Peter invites them in. He invited the men into the house to be his guests. Big deal because they're not Jewish. Um, more interestingly, he invites them into someone else's house. You know, can you imagine your guest? By the way, I invited a few friends over and they're a little rough around the edges. They might get you in trouble. [00:40:40]

The gospel is radically inclusive. Are you a mess? Are you broken in the world? Are you human? There's space for you at the table. But it's a radically exclusive message. There's no way but through the sun. Jesus says, "I'm the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. Now go get everyone." [00:45:24]

See, God's power is for everyone because he loves humanity. And then this is what happens at the end. At the end of the story, it says while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [00:45:57]

So one act of openness, one conversation, one simple invitation, though they feel small to us, can actually be the thing that expands the kingdom. And he's going to use you in your ordinary everyday self, in your imperfection, in your failing to to bring people into the orbit of his grace. [00:47:48]

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