Embracing God's Inclusive Love Beyond Boundaries

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Welcome Is for All, Not Just Some

The vision given to Peter in Acts 10 is a radical call to break down the barriers that separate people from God’s love. The sheet filled with all kinds of animals, and God’s command not to call anything unclean that He has made clean, is not just about food laws—it is about the human tendency to exclude others based on tradition, fear, or prejudice. God’s voice calls the church to throw open its doors, to reject legalism, and to embrace all people as beloved children of God, regardless of background, identity, or perceived worthiness. The challenge is to listen to the living God, not to dead traditions or human-made boundaries, and to recognize that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. [11:26]

Acts 10:1-23 (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. 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. Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 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.

Reflection: Who in your life have you unconsciously or consciously excluded from your welcome or your prayers? What would it look like to open your heart and your table to them today?

Day 2: There Is No Holy Mandate for Hatred

The message of Christ and the Gospels is clear: there is no scriptural or holy justification for hatred, cruelty, or exclusion. No matter how people try to use faith as a weapon to divide or to justify their grievances, the teachings of Jesus never give permission to deny the dignity or worth of another human being. The church is called to be a place of radical welcome, not a fortress of fear or a gatekeeper of grace. The true test of faith is not in how well we defend our boundaries, but in how boldly we love beyond them. [16:09]

Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Reflection: Is there a person or group you have justified disliking or excluding in the name of faith? How can you take a concrete step today to show them Christ’s love instead?

Day 3: Legalism Cannot Deny God’s Grace

Religious legalism—clinging to rules, traditions, or personal ideas of holiness—cannot stand in the way of God’s grace. The obsession with personal perfection or with drawing lines between “clean” and “unclean” people is a human failing, not a divine command. God’s grace is bigger than our boundaries, and the Spirit is still speaking, still expanding the community of faith into places and among people that may challenge our comfort. The call is to trust God’s voice over the voices of fear and tradition, and to let go of the need to control who is in and who is out. [14:19]

Galatians 3:26-28 (ESV)
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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: What tradition or “rule” do you find yourself clinging to that might be keeping you from fully embracing someone God loves? What would it look like to let go of that today?

Day 4: Fear and Exclusion Hurt the Body of Christ

The pain caused by exclusion, judgment, and spiritual violence is real and lasting. When the church builds walls or fences around the table of Christ, it wounds not only those who are kept out, but also the body of Christ itself. The call is to recognize the harm that is done by words and actions that divide, and to choose instead the path of empathy, compassion, and healing. The church must become a place where all are welcomed, where no one is made to feel unworthy or unloved, and where the love of God is made visible in radical hospitality. [11:26]

1 Corinthians 12:24b-26 (ESV)
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you or someone you know was hurt by exclusion or judgment in the church? What is one thing you can do this week to help heal that wound, either for yourself or for someone else?

Day 5: The Foundation of the Church Is Love

At the heart of the Christian faith is the unshakeable truth that God is love. The church’s mission is to reflect that love in all it does, to be a place where people are welcomed, valued, and embraced. As long as the church gives life to divisive and dangerous theologies, it fails to be the peacemaker Christ calls it to be. The invitation is to end complicity with hate, to become a community where every person can find belonging, hope, and the assurance that they are loved by God. [20:18]

1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can make your home, your church, or your community a more welcoming and loving place for someone who feels on the outside?

Sermon Summary

The story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10 is a powerful reminder that God’s love and welcome are far wider than our human boundaries. Cornelius, a Roman centurion and outsider to the Jewish faith, is described as devout and generous, and God responds to his prayers by sending Peter to him. Meanwhile, Peter receives a vision that challenges his understanding of what is clean and unclean, both in terms of food and, more importantly, people. God’s voice insists, “What I have made clean, you must not call profane.” This is not just about dietary laws—it is about the human tendency to draw lines, to decide who is in and who is out, and to use tradition or legalism as a weapon to exclude.

In our current climate, where differences are weaponized and identities are demonized, we are confronted with the same choice Peter faced: will we listen to the voice of religious legalism, or to the living voice of God? The temptation to build walls, to fence off the communion table, and to limit God’s love to those we deem worthy is strong. But to do so is to deny the very heart of Christ’s message and presence in the world. It is to reject the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and to replace faith with fear.

The pain caused by exclusionary theology is real and deep. Letters and messages that seek to shame or exclude, especially those targeting LGBTQ people or any marginalized group, are not harmless—they are spiritual violence. They hurt individuals and communities, and they betray the gospel’s call to radical welcome. The vision given to Peter is a call to strip away the limitations of faith imposed by human fear and tradition, and to open wide the doors of the church to all whom God calls beloved.

There is no holy mandate for hatred, no scriptural justification for cruelty or exclusion. The gospel never gives us permission to deny the dignity or worth of any person. Our calling is to be a community where all are welcomed, where empathy triumphs over hate, and where the love of God is made visible in our embrace of every neighbor. As long as we allow divisive and dangerous theologies to persist, we are complicit in harm. It is time to end this complicity and to become true peacemakers, living out the expansive, inclusive love of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Welcome Is Wider Than Our Boundaries Peter’s vision in Acts 10 reveals that God’s love and acceptance extend far beyond the lines we draw. The command not to call profane what God has made clean challenges us to reconsider whom we exclude, reminding us that God’s embrace is always wider than our own. This calls us to humility and openness, recognizing that God’s grace is not ours to limit. [11:26]
2. Legalism and Tradition Can Become Idols When we cling to tradition or legalism at the expense of love, we risk making idols of our own comfort and control. The vision of the sheet is not just about food laws, but about the human obsession with purity and perfection that excludes others. True faith listens for the living voice of God, not the dead weight of tradition that harms and divides. [07:51]
3. Exclusion Is a Form of Spiritual Violence Messages and theologies that seek to exclude or shame others—especially those already marginalized—inflict real harm. Such exclusion is not a minor difference of opinion but a moral failing that contradicts the heart of Christ. The pain caused by these actions is deep and lasting, and we must recognize and repent of the ways we participate in or enable such harm. [06:11]
4. Fear of the ‘Other’ Is a Barrier to God’s Work Peter’s hesitation was rooted in fear—fear of breaking religious rules and fear of what others would think. Yet God’s call was to move beyond fear and embrace the stranger, the outsider, the one deemed unworthy. Our own fears of difference or discomfort can keep us from seeing the image of God in every person and from participating in God’s ongoing work of reconciliation. [14:19]
5. There Is No Holy Mandate for Hatred or Exclusion No matter how it is justified, exclusion and cruelty have no place in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The scriptures never authorize us to deny dignity, worth, or spiritual nourishment to anyone. Our calling is to be a community of radical welcome, where empathy and love are the foundation, and where every person is seen as beloved by God.

** [16:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Reading: Acts 10 and Peter’s Vision
[02:10] - Cornelius: The Outsider’s Faith
[04:21] - The Letter: Exclusion and Communion
[05:08] - Why We Can’t Ignore This Anymore
[06:11] - The Danger of Divisive Theology
[07:51] - Legalism vs. the Living Voice of God
[08:53] - The Arrogance of Exclusion
[10:46] - Are We Replacing Faith with Fear?
[11:26] - The Pain of Exclusion
[12:40] - Peter’s Vision: Beyond Dietary Laws
[14:19] - Cornelius as the ‘Other’
[16:09] - No Holy Mandate for Hatred
[17:55] - The Real Problem: Hate and Lack of Empathy
[20:18] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 10:1-23 (ESV) — (Peter and Cornelius: Visions and the Breaking of Barriers)

> In 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.” ... (Read through verse 23)

Observation Questions

What do we learn about Cornelius’s character and faith from the way he is described in Acts 10:1-4?
How does Peter initially respond to the vision of the sheet and the command to eat? What reasons does he give for his hesitation?
According to the sermon, what does the sheet full of animals represent beyond just food laws? [[11:26]]
What instructions does God give Peter after the vision, and how does Peter respond to the men sent by Cornelius?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to use both Cornelius’s vision and Peter’s vision to bring these two men together? What does this say about God’s intentions for the early church?
The sermon says, “What I have made clean, you must not call profane” is not just about food, but about people. How does this shift the meaning of Peter’s vision? [[11:26]]
The pastor describes exclusionary theology as “spiritual violence.” What does this mean, and why is it considered more than just a difference of opinion? [[06:11]]
According to the sermon, what are the dangers of letting fear or tradition decide who is “in” or “out” in the church? [[14:19]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “strip away the limitations of faith imposed by human fear and tradition.” Are there traditions or habits in your own faith life that might be keeping others at a distance? What would it look like to let go of them? [[11:26]]
Have you ever witnessed or experienced exclusion in a church or Christian community? How did it affect you or others involved? What could have been done differently? [[11:26]]
The pastor calls exclusion “spiritual violence” and says it causes real harm. Are there ways—big or small—that you might have participated in or overlooked exclusion in your own circles? What steps can you take to change that? [[06:11]]
Peter’s hesitation was rooted in fear—fear of breaking rules and fear of what others would think. Are there people or groups you find yourself hesitant to welcome or include? What fears are at play, and how might God be calling you to move past them? [[14:19]]
The sermon says, “There is no holy mandate for hatred, no scriptural justification for cruelty or exclusion.” How can our group or church become a place of “radical welcome” in practical, everyday ways? [[16:09]]
Think about a time when you felt like an outsider. What helped you feel included, or what do you wish someone had done? How can you offer that same welcome to others now?
The pastor says, “As long as we allow divisive and dangerous theologies to persist, we are complicit in harm.” What is one concrete action you can take this week to stand against exclusion and for the inclusive love of Christ? [[17:55]]

Sermon Clips

Can we be a people picking and choosing who to love while listening to the savior who gave his life for every single human being? Can we do that? The answer is no. Can we dismiss human beings as worthless? or evil or sinful and still claim to be the people of Christ the answer is no. [00:08:37] (23 seconds) #UnconditionalLoveOnly

As I read Peter's vision and I hear the voice of God saying those words that I consider powerful words, what I have made clean you must not call profane. And I hear later, we didn't read this part, but later on Peter will translate that to mean this, I must not call anyone, any person profane. What I hear is the voice of God commanding us to strip away the limitations of faith, a God inviting us to throw the doors wide open, to deny the power of legalism over faith and to reject the notion that our legalistic addictions can deny anyone the love or the welcome or the hope of God. [00:11:48] (37 seconds) #OpenDoorsNotProfane

Peter's vision is not about dietary restrictions. It is about human ones. Peter's vision is not about an ancient God running around proclaiming vengeance and smiting people. It's about the God who is still alive, the God still speaking and the God still working and the God who is still expanding the community of faith into places that scare us and through the faces and voices that scare us. [00:15:24] (36 seconds) #LivingGodExpands

``There is not, there has never been, and there never will be, a holy mandate for hatred. There is not, there has never been, and there will never be, a scriptural mandate for cruelty. The Gospels will never justify your fear. The Gospels will never give you permission to dislike each other. The Gospels will never lift up your grievances, and the Gospels will never justify your vengeance. [00:16:55] (23 seconds) #NoMandateForHate

The texts of our faith will never, never, never give you permission to deny human dignity to anyone or human worth to anyone. And Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of man, mankind will never be a rational, reasoned, or sane theological basis for exclusion, injustice, or the withholding of spiritual food from a child of God. [00:17:18] (30 seconds) #FaithDeniesExclusion

That God is love, that is our foundation. This church is a place where people will be welcomed. The church needs to become a place where people are welcomed because as long as we continue to give air and to give life to this kind of divisive and dangerous theology we aren't peacemakers, we are complicit. That needs to end. [00:19:16] (37 seconds) #ChurchOfWelcome

These words hurt people and there are plenty of people out there right now trying to decide if they want to be alive anymore. These will never be and cannot ever become holy. [00:19:54] (30 seconds) #WordsThatWound

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