Embracing God's Inclusive Family Through the Gospel

Devotional

Day 1: Good Ain't Good Enough

No matter how righteous we appear, we all need Jesus.

Cornelius was a devout man who adhered to Jewish customs, was generous, and prayed continually. Despite his righteousness, he still needed salvation through Jesus Christ. This reminds us that no matter how good we appear on the outside, we all need the saving grace of Jesus. Our theology should inform our perspective, reminding us that everyone needs salvation. Cornelius' story teaches us that our good deeds, while valuable, are not sufficient for salvation. It is only through Jesus that we can be truly saved.

This takeaway challenges us to examine our own lives and the lives of those around us. Are we relying on our good deeds to earn favor with God, or are we trusting in the finished work of Jesus on the cross? We must remember that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn. Let this truth humble us and drive us to share the gospel with others, knowing that everyone, no matter how good they seem, needs Jesus. [44:42]

Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: Think about someone in your life who seems to have it all together. How can you share the message of Jesus' saving grace with them today?

Day 2: God Calls Us to Have a Change in Attitude

God's vision breaks down barriers and calls us to embrace diversity.

Peter's vision of the sheet filled with unclean animals was a powerful message from God, breaking down the barriers that separated Jews from Gentiles. This vision prepared Peter for his encounter with Cornelius, showing him that the gospel is for everyone. We are called to see people through God's eyes and embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. This change in attitude is essential for fulfilling God's mission.

Peter's initial resistance to the vision highlights how deeply ingrained prejudices can be. However, God's message was clear: His family includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. As followers of Christ, we must be willing to let go of our biases and embrace the diversity that God has created. This means actively seeking to understand and love those who are different from us, recognizing that the gospel is for everyone. [49:12]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Reflect on any prejudices or biases you may hold. How can you ask God to help you see people through His eyes and embrace the diversity within His family?

Day 3: We Must Speak About the Good News

Living a good life is not enough; we must actively share the gospel.

It is not enough to live a good life; we must actively share the gospel with others. Peter's message to Cornelius and his household emphasized that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. This moment marked the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family and challenges us to share the gospel with everyone, regardless of their background. Peter's willingness to speak about the good news was crucial in bringing Cornelius and his household to faith.

As believers, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This means not only living out our faith through our actions but also speaking about it. We must be intentional in sharing the message of Jesus with those around us, understanding that it is through hearing the gospel that people come to faith. Let us be bold in our witness, trusting that God will use our words to draw others to Himself. [58:20]

Romans 10:14 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

Reflection: Think of one person you can share the gospel with this week. What steps can you take to start that conversation?

Day 4: God's Family is Bigger Than We Think

God's family includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

The story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts chapter 10 highlights that God's family includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This challenges us to see people the way God sees them and to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. We are reminded that our mission is to share the gospel with everyone. This inclusion of Gentiles into God's family was a significant moment in the early church, demonstrating that the gospel is for all people.

As we reflect on this truth, we must consider how we can be more inclusive in our own lives and communities. Are we reaching out to those who are different from us, or are we staying within our comfort zones? God's family is vast and diverse, and we are called to be a part of that diversity. Let us seek to build relationships with people from different backgrounds, sharing the love of Christ with everyone we encounter. [41:45]

Revelation 7:9 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."

Reflection: How can you intentionally build relationships with people from different backgrounds in your community? What steps can you take to share the love of Christ with them?

Day 5: Pray About God's Mission

Engage in God's mission with a soft, teachable heart.

We are called to actively engage in God's mission, both locally and globally. This involves praying for a soft, teachable heart and being ready to share the gospel with those around us. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and take the gospel to our neighborhoods and beyond. Prayer is a crucial part of this mission, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to act.

As we pray about God's mission, we should ask Him to reveal opportunities for us to share the gospel and to give us the courage to take those opportunities. We should also pray for a heart that is open to learning and growing, allowing God to shape us into effective witnesses for His kingdom. Let us commit to being prayerful and proactive in our mission, trusting that God will use us to make a difference in the world. [01:06:44]

Colossians 4:2-4 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."

Reflection: Spend time in prayer today, asking God to reveal opportunities for you to share the gospel. How can you step out of your comfort zone to engage in His mission?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome, everyone. Today, we gather to remind ourselves that we have been bought by the blood of Christ and to recalibrate our lives to live for Him. The central theme of our discussion is that God's family is bigger than we think. This idea is rooted in Acts chapter 10, where we see the story of Cornelius, a devout and God-fearing man who, despite his righteousness, still needed salvation through Jesus Christ.

We begin by examining Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed in Caesarea. Cornelius was a man of great character, respected by many, and devout in his faith. He adhered to Jewish customs, was generous, and prayed continually. Yet, despite all his good deeds, there was something missing in his life. This brings us to our first sub-point: "Good ain't good enough." No matter how righteous or moral we appear on the outside, we all need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Our theology should inform our perspective, reminding us that everyone, no matter how good they seem, needs salvation.

Next, we delve into the vision Peter had while praying on a rooftop. In this vision, a sheet filled with unclean animals descended from heaven, and a voice told Peter to eat. Peter, adhering to Jewish dietary laws, refused. This vision was repeated three times, emphasizing its importance. The message was clear: God was breaking down the barriers that separated Jews from Gentiles. This leads us to our second sub-point: "God calls us to have a change in attitude." Peter needed to understand that God's family includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This vision prepared Peter for his encounter with Cornelius, showing him that the gospel is for everyone.

As Peter arrives at Cornelius' house, Cornelius falls at his feet in reverence, but Peter quickly corrects him, stating that he is just a man. This humility is crucial as Peter begins to share the gospel. He explains that Jesus is Lord of all, performed many miracles, was crucified, and rose from the dead. Peter emphasizes that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. This brings us to our third sub-point: "We must speak about the good news." It is not enough to live a good life; we must actively share the gospel with others.

Peter's message resonates with Cornelius and his household, and they believe in Jesus. This moment is significant as it marks the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family. The Holy Spirit descends upon them, authenticating their inclusion. This event underscores the theme that God's family is bigger than we think. It challenges us to see people the way God sees them and to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ.

In conclusion, we are reminded that our mission is to share the gospel with everyone, regardless of their background. We are called to have a change in attitude, to see people through God's eyes, and to actively engage in His mission. Let us pray for soft, teachable hearts and a renewed commitment to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Good Ain't Good Enough: Cornelius was a devout man who adhered to Jewish customs, was generous, and prayed continually. Despite his righteousness, he still needed salvation through Jesus Christ. This reminds us that no matter how good we appear on the outside, we all need the saving grace of Jesus. Our theology should inform our perspective, reminding us that everyone needs salvation. [] [44:42]
2. God Calls Us to Have a Change in Attitude: Peter's vision of the sheet filled with unclean animals was a powerful message from God, breaking down the barriers that separated Jews from Gentiles. This vision prepared Peter for his encounter with Cornelius, showing him that the gospel is for everyone. We are called to see people through God's eyes and embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. [] [49:12]
3. We Must Speak About the Good News: It is not enough to live a good life; we must actively share the gospel with others. Peter's message to Cornelius and his household emphasized that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. This moment marked the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family and challenges us to share the gospel with everyone, regardless of their background. [] [58:20]
4. God's Family is Bigger Than We Think: The story of Cornelius and Peter in Acts chapter 10 highlights that God's family includes people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This challenges us to see people the way God sees them and to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ. We are reminded that our mission is to share the gospel with everyone. [] [41:45]
5. Pray About God's Mission: We are called to actively engage in God's mission, both locally and globally. This involves praying for a soft, teachable heart and being ready to share the gospel with those around us. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and take the gospel to our neighborhoods and beyond. [[01:06:44]]
### [66:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:43] - Opening Prayer
[37:10] - Introduction and Big Idea
[38:45] - Technological Advances and Moral Landscape
[41:45] - God's Family is Bigger Than We Think
[44:42] - Good Ain't Good Enough
[49:12] - Peter's Vision and Change in Attitude
[50:25] - The Sheet of Unclean Animals
[52:42] - Peter's Encounter with Cornelius
[55:11] - Peter's Humility and Gospel Message
[58:20] - Speaking About the Good News
[66:44] - Pray About God's Mission
[71:08] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Cornelius' character like according to Acts 10:2? How did his actions reflect his devotion? [45:22]
Describe the vision Peter had while praying on the rooftop. What was the significance of the unclean animals in the vision? [49:12]
How did Peter respond when Cornelius fell at his feet in reverence? What does this reveal about Peter's understanding of his role? [53:57]
What was the main message Peter shared with Cornelius and his household about Jesus? [58:20]

Interpretation Questions

Why was it significant that Cornelius, despite his devoutness, still needed salvation through Jesus Christ? How does this challenge our understanding of righteousness? [44:42]
How did Peter's vision challenge the existing barriers between Jews and Gentiles? What does this teach us about God's view of inclusivity? [49:48]
In what ways does Peter's humility in correcting Cornelius' reverence reflect the proper attitude we should have when sharing the gospel? [53:57]
How does the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family, as seen in Acts 10, expand our understanding of the mission of the church today? [58:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on the statement "Good ain't good enough." Are there areas in your life where you rely on your own righteousness rather than the saving grace of Jesus? How can you shift your focus to depend more on Christ? [44:42]
Peter had to change his attitude towards Gentiles after his vision. Are there any prejudices or biases you need to address in your own heart to see people the way God sees them? [49:48]
Peter actively shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household. Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus? What steps can you take this week to share the gospel with them? [58:20]
The sermon emphasized that God's family is bigger than we think. How can you embrace and celebrate the diversity within the body of Christ in your church or community? [41:45]
The pastor mentioned the importance of praying for a soft, teachable heart. How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine? What specific areas of your life do you need to be more teachable in? [01:06:44]
Think about a time when you felt excluded or judged. How can that experience help you to be more inclusive and loving towards others in your church or community? [55:11]
The sermon called us to engage in God's mission both locally and globally. What practical steps can you take to be more involved in mission work, whether it's in your neighborhood or through global partnerships? [01:06:44]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We are a church that does not exist for Christians. You're reached, and the deeper that you go with Jesus, it necessarily, according to the Bible, means that you will be engaged in mission. It is an oxymoron to say, I am close with Jesus, I love Jesus, but I don't care about lost people. I love the Bible, I love to worship, but I don't know my neighbor's name. I love Jesus, he's so great for me, but I don't know their story. The more that you get close to Jesus, it will theologically move you to care about the things that move Jesus's heart." [01:08:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Ask God to help you see people the way he sees them. Now, I'll try not to mention the name, like where I live or the name of the store, all right? But I went to the store about a year and a half ago and there's this guy that was just, theologically, what would I say? He was a turd. He was unkind. He treated me as less than. It's amazing in service-oriented industries how people just don't care anymore. It's just amazing. And so he was just really unkind. And I very rarely do this, but I was feeling a little chafed, so I decided to do this. I called the store. You're like, man, don't cross Pastor Nate. I know how you are too. Don't cross you." [01:04:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "You know how people get saved? You gotta tell them about the good news. Parents, step parents, grandparents, you gotta tell your kids and your grandkids about the good news. Friends, you gotta tell your friends about the good news. Aunts, uncles, you gotta tell your nieces and nephews about the good news. We gotta speak the good news of Jesus. That's how people get saved. And from here, the gospel just expands in just a rapid fire." [01:01:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "God's family is bigger than we think. So red, yellow, black, and white, every color, shape, and size is made precious and is precious in God's sight and Jesus's sight. Let's be a church that embraces that song that many of us learned a long time ago and we embrace it by actually with our feet and with our lips. God's family is bigger than we think. Good ain't good enough. God calls us to have a change in attitude. And as believers in Christ, we share the good news of Jesus." [01:09:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Good ain't good enough. You can never be good enough. You can never accumulate enough meritorious actions or achievements. You can never be nice enough. You can be never loving enough. You cannot be religious enough to actually assuage the guilt that you have. You can't get rid of the guilt. A lot of you try. You try doing the right thing. You try to be moral. You try to be religious. You try to be a little more committed. The only thing that takes away the stain and the punishment that sin has brought to every man, woman, boy, or girl who's ever lived or who will ever live is the blood of Christ." [48:30](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "God's family is bigger than you think. Here in Acts chapter 10, we see Peter's worldview, his world collides with this reality that all the way back in Genesis chapter 12, in fact, Genesis chapter three, where he says it to Abraham in the Abrahamic covenant in BC 1440, Abraham, I'm gonna make your descendants as numerous as the stars of the sand of the, there's gonna be millions and millions and millions and hundreds of millions of people that are gonna follow in your lineage, your spiritual lineage, as you understand that there's this covenant that I'm making with you, then you have this Davidic covenant where God says there's never gonna be somebody on the throne from everlasting to everlasting and all these covenants find their fulfillment in the person and the work of Jesus." [41:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "We must speak about the good news. Peter opens his mouth, a colloquial phrase, where he's about to say something really important and he begins to share the gospel. Here's some of the details that he shares. Jesus is Lord of all and came as the Father's provision. He did many miracles, attesting to the fact that he, Jesus, was the Son of God. He was actually crucified, reality, not myth. God raised him from the dead and Christians are called to go tell people about this truth." [58:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "God's calling Peter to have a change in attitude. God's family is bigger than we think. It includes people of every tribe, tongue, people, group, and nation. Ethne. Ethnicity. And so, God's trying to teach Peter, listen, do not call unclean what I call clean. What is Jesus doing? In that very moment, he's kind of saying, all those ceremonial laws that kept Jews away from Gentiles, I'm breaking it down. It no longer exists. But also, I want you to understand that if those rules were still in existence, you wouldn't be able to associate and interact and engage with Gentiles. So, I'm breaking it down because I have a missionary heart. I need you to change your attitude." [53:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "Good ain't good enough in verses one through eight. You have Cornelius who lives in a place called Caesarea. Caesarea was built by Herod the Great. He had his amazing palace. There was a significant concentration of the Roman military. It was a very prominent, prestigious city. And Cornelius is there. He is a God-fearer, meaning that he actually adheres and worships and obeys a lot of the Jewish customs and laws. His character in verse two and verse 28, verse 22 of the Bible says that he's devout. He feared God. He reverenced God. He was generous with his money. He prayed continually. He was a righteous man. And he was well thought of by outsiders." [44:42](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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