Embracing Diversity: God's Call to Relationship and Obedience
Summary
What a joy it is to see God at work in our church family, especially through the lives of our children and the relationships being built at such a young age. This week, we celebrated the seeds planted during VBS and the stories of children beginning their journey with Christ. Our church is blessed with diversity—not just in culture or background, but in the many different stories and walks of life represented here. This diversity is a gift, but it also challenges us to examine our hearts and ask God to reveal any barriers or hesitations we may have about reaching out to those who are different from us.
Reflecting on Acts 10 and 11, we see how God orchestrates opportunities for us to step into the lives of others. Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, was already being prepared by God before Peter ever arrived. God is always the initiator, working in hearts long before we show up. Our role is to be attentive and obedient, looking for where God is already moving and being willing to cross boundaries that may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
Peter’s vision challenged deep-seated traditions and prejudices, reminding us that what seems like a small issue on the surface often points to something much deeper within us. God called Peter to move beyond his comfort zone, to enter Cornelius’s home, and to share the gospel with those he once considered outsiders. The lesson is clear: God’s mission is bigger than our preferences, and His Spirit is poured out on all who are open to Him.
We are called not just to celebrate diversity, but to actively build relationships across lines of difference. It’s not enough to be a church where anyone can walk through the doors; we must be a people who engage, invite, and invest in one another’s lives. When God opens a door, we are not to hesitate. Openness and relevance are values we hold dear, striving to meet people where they are and to be part of the movement God is stirring in our community.
As we continue to grow, let’s ask God to search our hearts, to remove any obstacles, and to give us the courage to step into new opportunities for ministry. May we be a church that not only welcomes diversity but also embodies the unity and love of Christ in every relationship we build.
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Key Takeaways
- God Always Initiates and Prepares Hearts
Before we ever step into someone’s life, God is already at work. Our calling is to discern where He is moving and to join Him there, trusting that He has prepared both us and those we are sent to serve. This perspective shifts our focus from our own efforts to God’s sovereign orchestration, reminding us that every encounter is part of His greater plan. [39:30]
- Surface Issues Often Reveal Deeper Barriers
What may seem like a minor discomfort or tradition—such as Peter’s dietary restrictions—can actually point to deeper prejudices or fears within us. God uses these moments to expose and heal what lies beneath, inviting us to surrender our hidden reservations so that we can fully participate in His mission. [44:28]
- Obedience Means Not Hesitating When God Opens Doors
When God prompts us to act, hesitation can lead to missed opportunities. Peter’s willingness to go without delay, even when it meant crossing cultural and religious boundaries, models the kind of immediate obedience God desires. We are called to trust God’s leading, even when the path is unfamiliar or uncomfortable. [49:31]
- True Diversity Is Embraced Through Relationship, Not Just Proximity
It’s not enough to simply be a diverse congregation in appearance; God calls us to build genuine relationships across lines of difference. This means moving beyond comfort zones, engaging with those who are unlike us, and allowing God to use our openness to display the unity of the gospel. [53:09]
- God Confirms His Work, But Rarely Calls Us to Comfort
Seeking confirmation is wise, but waiting for comfort or certainty can keep us from stepping out in faith. God often calls us into situations that stretch us, requiring us to rely on His Spirit rather than our own preferences or traditions. The fruit of obedience is seen when we trust God enough to move forward, even when it feels risky. [01:03:30]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Children’s Worship & VBS Reflections
[03:10] - Upcoming Events and Guest Welcome
[05:30] - Personal Story: High School Faith and Barriers
[10:00] - The Challenge of Diversity in Community
[13:00] - Prayer for God to Search Our Hearts
[15:00] - Acts 10: God’s Initiative with Cornelius
[18:00] - Peter’s Vision and Breaking Traditions
[22:00] - Spirit-Led Readiness and Immediate Obedience
[25:00] - Openness and Relevance in Ministry
[28:00] - Redefining Diversity: Beyond Culture
[31:00] - Hospitality, Open Doors, and Gospel Opportunities
[34:00] - The Holy Spirit Poured Out on All
[37:00] - Confronting Deep-Seated Traditions
[40:00] - Building Relationships and Ministry Involvement
[43:00] - Invitation, Prayer, and Closing Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Acts 10:1–23, 34–48; Acts 11:1–18 (ESV)
*Key passages for group reading and discussion:*
- Acts 10:1–23 – Cornelius’s vision and Peter’s vision; God’s preparation of both men.
- Acts 10:34–48 – Peter shares the gospel with Cornelius’s household; the Holy Spirit is poured out on the Gentiles.
- Acts 11:1–18 – Peter explains his actions to the Jerusalem church; the church recognizes God’s work among the Gentiles.
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### Observation Questions
1. What do we learn about Cornelius’s character and spiritual life before Peter ever arrives? (Acts 10:1–8)
2. How does God prepare both Cornelius and Peter for their meeting? What specific steps does God take? (Acts 10:1–23)
3. What is the significance of Peter’s vision about clean and unclean animals? How does Peter respond to it? (Acts 10:9–16) [[44:28]]
4. When Peter enters Cornelius’s house, what does he say about Jewish law and his own hesitations? (Acts 10:28–29) [[53:52]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important that God initiates the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, rather than Peter seeking Cornelius on his own? How does this shape our understanding of God’s mission? [[39:30]]
2. Peter’s vision challenges his traditions and comfort zone. What deeper issues does this vision reveal about Peter’s heart and the early church’s attitudes? [[44:28]]
3. The Jewish believers are surprised when the Holy Spirit is poured out on Gentiles. What does this reveal about their expectations of who can be included in God’s family? [[58:02]]
4. In Acts 11, Peter faces criticism for eating with Gentiles. How does he defend his actions, and what does this teach us about responding to criticism when following God’s leading? [[59:11]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that God is always at work before we arrive in someone’s life. Can you think of a time when you realized God was already preparing someone’s heart before you reached out? How did that change your approach? [[39:30]]
2. Peter’s vision exposed deeper prejudices and fears. Are there “surface issues” in your life that might actually point to deeper barriers or hesitations about reaching out to people who are different from you? What are they? [[44:28]]
3. When God opens a door for you to step into someone’s life, do you tend to hesitate? What usually holds you back, and what would it look like to respond with immediate obedience like Peter? [[49:31]]
4. The sermon challenged us to move beyond just being a diverse church in appearance, to actually building relationships across lines of difference. Who in your church or community do you find it hardest to connect with, and what is one step you could take to build a genuine relationship with them? [[53:09]]
5. The early church wanted confirmation before accepting change, but God rarely calls us to comfort. Is there a situation where you are waiting to feel comfortable before obeying God? What would it look like to step out in faith anyway? [[01:03:30]]
6. The pastor shared about the importance of openness and relevance in ministry. What does it mean for you personally to be “open” to where God is moving, even if it means adjusting your preferences or traditions? [[52:08]]
7. The sermon ended with a call to ask God to search our hearts and remove obstacles. What is one specific prayer you can pray this week to invite God to reveal and remove any barriers in your heart toward others? [[37:29]]
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*Close in prayer, asking God to help your group not only welcome diversity, but to actively build unity and love in every relationship, following the example of Peter and the early church.*
Devotional
Day 1: God Is Always Working Before We Arrive
God is always at work in the lives of people around us, preparing hearts and orchestrating circumstances long before we ever step into a situation. Just as God was already moving in Cornelius’s life before Peter arrived, we are reminded that our role is to join God in what He is already doing, not to initiate His work ourselves. This truth encourages us to look for where God is stirring hearts and to be attentive to the opportunities He places before us, trusting that His timing is perfect and that He is drawing people to Himself in ways we may not see. [40:49]
Acts 10:1-8 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: Where do you see God already at work in the lives of people around you, and how can you join Him in what He is doing this week?
Day 2: Be Willing to Adjust and Cross Barriers
God often calls us to step outside our comfort zones and cross boundaries—cultural, social, or personal—that we may have never considered before. Peter’s vision challenged his deeply held beliefs and required him to adjust his perspective, reminding us that following God sometimes means letting go of old patterns and being open to new ways He wants to use us. When God prompts us to reach out to those who are different from us, He is inviting us to participate in His greater plan of reconciliation and unity. [44:28]
Acts 10:9-16 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: What is one barrier or comfort zone God may be asking you to cross this week, and how can you take a first step of obedience?
Day 3: Do Not Hesitate—Move When God Opens Doors
When God gives us an opportunity to serve, share, or build relationships, He calls us to respond without hesitation. Peter was told directly by the Spirit not to hesitate, and his willingness to act led to a powerful movement of God among people who were previously considered outsiders. Delaying or overthinking can cause us to miss out on what God wants to do through us, so we are encouraged to be open, relevant, and ready to engage wherever God leads. [50:19]
Acts 10:19-23 (ESV)
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.
Reflection: Is there something God has prompted you to do that you’ve been hesitating on? What would it look like to act on it today?
Day 4: Embrace True Diversity—Build Relationships, Not Just Environments
Diversity in God’s kingdom is more than just having different people in the same room; it’s about building genuine relationships and embracing those who are different from us. Peter’s willingness to enter Cornelius’s house and share life with him broke down long-standing barriers, showing that the gospel is for everyone. We are called not just to applaud diversity but to actively engage, build friendships, and serve alongside those from all walks of life, reflecting the heart of Christ in our community. [53:52]
Acts 10:27-29 (ESV)
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.”
Reflection: Who in your church or community is different from you, and how can you intentionally build a relationship with them this week?
Day 5: Look for Confirmation, But Don’t Wait for Comfort
God often confirms His direction through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and the counsel of others, but He does not promise that following Him will always feel comfortable. The early church needed reassurance as God led them into new territory, but ultimately, they had to trust and move forward even when it felt unfamiliar. We are encouraged to seek God’s confirmation, but not to let a desire for comfort or certainty keep us from stepping into the new things He is doing in and through us. [01:03:30]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Reflection: What is one area where you are waiting for more comfort or certainty before obeying God? How can you trust Him and move forward in faith this week?
Quotes
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