Upon This Rock #7: Peter's Vision

This morning, we explored the remarkable story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10—a story that marks a turning point in the early church and in God’s unfolding plan for humanity. We began by recognizing the cultural and religious barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles, and how deeply ingrained these divisions were in Peter’s own life. Peter, a devout Jew, was raised to see Gentiles as unclean, outsiders to God’s covenant. Yet, God orchestrated a meeting between Peter and Cornelius, a Roman centurion and a “God-fearer,” to shatter these boundaries and reveal the radical inclusivity of the gospel.

Peter’s vision of the sheet filled with clean and unclean animals was more than a lesson about food; it was a divine challenge to his assumptions about who could belong to God’s family. God’s command, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean,” forced Peter to confront his own prejudices and to recognize that God’s grace is not limited by human categories or traditions. This vision prepared Peter to enter Cornelius’s home, an act that would have been unthinkable for a Jew, and to witness the Holy Spirit poured out on Gentiles just as it had been on Jewish believers at Pentecost.

This encounter was not just about Peter’s personal growth; it was a pivotal moment for the entire church. It demonstrated that the gospel is for all people, regardless of ethnicity, background, or social status. Peter’s willingness to listen to the Spirit, rather than cling to tradition or popular opinion, opened the door for the church to become a truly global and inclusive community. The story also reminds us that our obedience to God’s leading can have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only our own lives but also the lives of those who are seeking God, often in ways we cannot foresee.

We are challenged to examine our own hearts for hidden prejudices and to embrace the limitless, impartial love of God. The church is called to be a place where differences are not merely tolerated but celebrated, where unity is forged not by sameness but by the Spirit’s work among diverse people. As we follow the Spirit’s leading, even when it is uncomfortable or costly, we become participants in God’s mission to reconcile all people to Himself.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Listening to the Spirit over tradition True leadership in God’s community requires a willingness to listen to the Spirit, even when it challenges our traditions or the prevailing opinions of our culture. Peter’s openness to God’s voice, rather than clinging to what was familiar or comfortable, allowed him to participate in a new move of God that changed the course of history. We, too, must be attentive to the Spirit’s leading, lest we miss out on what God is doing in our midst. [26:54]
• 2. God’s love is limitless and impartial God’s love does not recognize the boundaries we so often construct—whether of race, status, or background. The story of Peter and Cornelius reveals that God welcomes all who seek Him, and that salvation is not the exclusive property of any one group. We are called to reflect this impartial love, breaking down barriers and extending grace to all, just as God has done for us. [29:28]
• 3. Obedience opens doors for others Our obedience to God’s prompting is never just about us; it has the power to open doors for others to encounter God’s grace. Peter’s willingness to go to Cornelius’s house, despite his reservations, became the answer to Cornelius’s prayers and a catalyst for the inclusion of the Gentiles. Our faithfulness, even in small or uncomfortable steps, can be the means by which God reaches those who are far from Him. [33:53]
• 4. Unity through diversity in Christ The early church’s embrace of Gentiles was not a call to uniformity, but to a unity that honors and celebrates differences. Each person, with their unique background and story, is a cherished creation of God. True community emerges when we see others not as threats or outsiders, but as fellow image-bearers, and when we allow the Spirit to forge unity in the midst of diversity. [25:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - Online Community Acknowledgement
• [01:12] - Football, Family, and “Gross”
• [03:22] - Peter: Raw, Real, Redeemed
• [04:38] - Setting the Stage: Acts 10
• [06:39] - Cornelius: The Unlikely Seeker
• [08:38] - Peter’s Vision: Clean and Unclean
• [10:33] - The Hurdle of Gentile Inclusion
• [13:45] - The Gospel Expands Beyond Israel
• [15:45] - The Meaning of the Vision
• [17:40] - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean
• [20:19] - Spiritual Growth and Mutual Submission
• [21:37] - Peter’s Realization: God Shows No Favoritism
• [22:58] - The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles
• [25:36] - Radical Inclusion and Community
• [26:54] - Applications: Listening to the Spirit
• [29:28] - God’s Limitless, Impartial Love
• [32:01] - Obedience and Its Ripple Effects
• [35:06] - Peter’s Transformation and Legacy
• [37:39] - Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Acts 10:1–48 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, or assign sections to different people.)

Mark 7:14–23 (ESV) — 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” ... 19 (Thus he declared all foods clean.) ... 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

Observation Questions

1. What were some of the cultural and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles that made Peter’s visit to Cornelius so shocking? ([06:39])
2. In Peter’s vision, what did the sheet full of animals represent, and why did Peter initially refuse to eat? ([08:38])
3. How did Cornelius respond when Peter arrived at his house, and what does this show about Cornelius’s attitude toward God? ([21:00])
4. What happened while Peter was still speaking to Cornelius and his household? ([22:58])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to use a vision about food to challenge Peter’s assumptions about people? ([09:17])
2. What does Peter’s statement, “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right,” reveal about God’s character? ([21:37])
3. How did Peter’s obedience to the Spirit’s leading impact not just himself, but the early church and the spread of the gospel? ([33:53])
4. The sermon mentioned that unity in the church is not about everyone being the same, but about the Spirit bringing people together in their differences. What does this kind of unity look like in practice? ([25:36])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to listen to the Spirit, even when it means letting go of traditions or opinions we’re comfortable with. Can you think of a time when God nudged you to do something outside your comfort zone? What happened? ([26:54])
2. Peter had to confront his own prejudices before he could obey God’s call. Are there groups of people or individuals you find it hard to welcome or accept? What might it look like to take a step toward them this week? ([29:28])
3. The story shows that our obedience can open doors for others to experience God’s grace. Is there a small or uncomfortable step of obedience you sense God asking you to take right now? How might it impact others? ([33:53])
4. The early church celebrated unity through diversity, not by erasing differences but by honoring them. How can our group or church do a better job of celebrating the different backgrounds and stories among us? ([25:36])
5. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we carry hidden biases or prejudices without realizing it. What are some practical ways we can examine our hearts and ask God to reveal these areas? ([30:41])
6. Peter’s willingness to enter Cornelius’s house was an answer to Cornelius’s prayers. Who in your life might be waiting for someone to reach out to them? How can you be that person this week? ([34:31])
7. The message ended with a call to be a church where differences are celebrated and everyone is welcomed. What is one specific thing you can do this month to help make our church a more inclusive and welcoming place? ([25:36])