Jesus came to Break down every wall!
Notes
Transcript
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Having a puppy, Milo, full of energy and he loves to play fetch with his frisbee.
We ended up getting an electric fence around the perimeter of or property. He wears a shock collar and knows that if he crosses over he will get shocked. He is very aware of his limits and will not get the frisbee if it is over the boarder.
Walls can have a good purpose… to protect us from danger on the other side… to keep us safe… to keep bad things out.
But walls can also be negative… they can be used to control, to keep groups from talking, to hold people back and keep them in there place.
History is full significant walls coming down.
After the Union won the Civil War, black people were seen no longer slaves but as free. Yet it took over 100 years before the civil rights movement finally gave the same freedoms to every American regardless of race, gender or religion. Even though the wall of slavery was broken, it took time and still takes time to break down walls of prejudice.
Another wall broke down in 1989 in Berlin Germany.
This 96 mile long wall, cut through the middle of the city center of Berlin preventing people from escaping to the free West Germany from communist East Germany. Many people were killed while trying to escape to freedom. In 1989, the Wall used for so long to maintain its power over the people, fell along with the dictatorship.
Walls create division. Walls create the ability to control, manipulate and to justify power and prejudice. When those walls come down, good things happen.
Not all walls are physical some walls exist because of cultural, nationalism, religious and political preferences.
Jesus Christ came to break down those walls that keep everyone and anyone from receiving HIS love.
This morning we will be in Acts 10.
The 2 characters the apostle Peter and a Roman centurion named Cornelius.
Last week we mentioned that Peter was in Joppa staying at Simon the Tanner’s house.
So even now, Peter was already beginning to break down his prejudice against people who did not adhere to Jewish religious traditions.
This how the stage is set in Chapter 10 and it all begins with a man by the name of Cornelius.
Acts 10:1–5 (ESV)
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 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. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.
Cornelius had a vision of an angel who told him to summon Peter the apostle.
Cornelius was a man of character:
(1) He was devout;
(2) he was God-fearing;
(3) he was a generous giver; and
(4) he was consistent in prayer.
He was praying at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
Cornelius kept the regular prayer times and that’s when the Lord got his attention through an angel of the Lord.
So when the angel departed, Cornelius responded by calling two of his servants and one of his soldiers. After explaining everything to them he sent them to Joppa to find Peter.
God always speaks to his people… God speaks through HIS Word, through the words of others, through circumstances and events.
But… It is up to us to listen, to be alert, open and attentive to God’s voice. Then… we must respond in obedience.
God told Cornelius to send men to Joppa and bring back a man named Peter.
He didn’t know why… He didn’t know how… But Cornelius simply trusted God and obeyed.
God began to work on Peter…
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.
Peter was on the roof praying, Cornelius was at his home praying and that’s when God spoke and confirmed HIS Word.
Making Prayer a priority is key for us to hear God speak.
Making Prayer a priority is key for us to hear God speak.
God opened this door to the Gentiles through two men who were devout, God-dependent, and regular God-seekers through prayer.
Jews were known to be religious when it came to prayers but when they prayed it was often legalistically—going through the motions of prayer to fulfill their religious duty.
Peter learned from Jesus, that prayer is more than a ritual; it is communion with the Father.
Prayer is the vital link to the living God, and it is a moment-by-moment necessity in the Christian life.
Having constant prayer means having intimacy with God and experience his power and presence. Prayer is what breaks down those walls of fear and resistance.
Prayer is the open door where God will reveal the walls that need to be dealt with and destroyed.
Prayer is the open door where God will reveal the walls that need to be dealt with and destroyed.
In Peter’s world, his wall was the Jewish dietary laws in Lev 11. God spoke to Peter and said that he was free to “Kill and eat” these unclean animals. Peter said no, I never have and I never will.
God had to repeat this message to Peter 3 times so that he would clearly understand “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
God had to make this clear so that this wall could be broken so that God could lead Peter into the next step.
These food laws made it difficult for Jews to eat with Gentiles without risking defilement.
God was showing Peter that HE was working beyond Israel, so if Peter was going to be a part of what God was doing, he needed to understand that nothing that God created was unclean or common.
This vision was confirmed as Peter met up with a group of God fearing Gentiles who were waiting at his doorstep. 3 men showed up on behalf of Cornelius.
Acts 10:17–22 (ESV)
17 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 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 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.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.
Peter was greeted by three men at the door who represented Cornelius.
Peter listened to this heavenly message that Cornelius had received. He recognized the connection… his vision related to Peter’s vision, and the Spirit spoke to him to go with these men without hesitation so he went.
Acts 10:23–29 (ESV)
23 The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
Peter did not go by himself but went with some other believers in Joppa.
Cornelius responded to Peter by bowing down as his feet and worshipping him.
I’m sure he was just overwhelmed with everything and didn’t realize that that was an inappropriate response.
But, Peter didn’t embarrass him, he just leveled the conversation. Stand up, I’m just a man like you.
Jesus came to remove titles and level our humanity as one another.
Jesus came to remove titles and level our humanity as one another.
The titles were stripped. Cornelius was a Roman officer… he had rights that Jews didn’t have.
Peter was an Apostle… he could have taken advantage of this but he didn’t.
This was a place where only Jesus was lifted up… these social barriers… walls were destroyed.
Peter explained how this interaction for a Jew and Gentile to be in the same house was unlawful, but Peter noted that God had broken down this wall down.
So Cornelius explained to Peter his side of the story… he talked about the vision, the angel, and him sending people to Joppa to find Simon Peter at a specific house.
Cornelius had an expectation that he was going to hear something life-changing.
Cornelius invited his family and close friends to his house to hear what Peter had to say… so when Peter showed up, Cornelius was overwhelmed.
He knew that God was going to speak a message through Peter and he wanted as many people to here this as possible.
Do we have that same expectation?
When we come to church, are we coming with a real expectation that God is going to speak a life changing message?
Cornelius said to Peter that…
33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
God did not disappoint. As Peter had the floor… as he had the full attention of his audience… As the Good News about Jesus was declared the walls begin to break.
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.
Peter came into the situation as the expert but God broke down the walls of Peter’s limited idea of salvation.
God’s salvation is no longer just a Jewish salvation but it is now for all people. There are no longer walls of clean and unclean but Jesus came to break down every religious barrier.
God wants everyone to have the opportunity to receive God’s love and to be with Jesus throughout eternity.
God want’s everybody to have the opportunity to repent, to turn from their sins, receive God’s gift of salvation.
That’s why the walls needed to come down.
The steady and singular message through the Book of Acts that Jesus who was crucified and resurrected is now expanding to the Gentiles.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Here we see the walls begin to come down starting with Cornelius and his family and friends.
God had to break those walls of division so the Gospel could reach the ends of the earth.
God did not disappoint as Peter preached the Gospel we see the fullness of God’s power and presence now available to the Gentiles.
Peter simply talks about Jesus.
Peter explained that after the baptism of John, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
Jesus Christ is Lord of all and now as one of HIS apostles Peter, a witness of all that HE had done throughout Judea and Jerusalem. Even thought they crucified HIM, God raised HIM back to life on the third day.
Jesus is now appointed by God as Judge of all, Jesus confirmed what the prophets testified, and gave everyone the opportunity to believe in HIM and have their sins forgiven in Jesus name.
Peter delivered a short salvation message that drove home what God wanted to do. The simplicity of this message was delivered to a group of Gentiles who were hungry for God.
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.
The Holy Spirit fell confirming that the Gentiles’ are acceptance by God. The walls came down and these who were once considered unclean outsiders are now heirs of grace, included in God’s kingdom.
Luke recorded these new converts’ experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Exactly as had happened with the Jewish believers at Pentecost (chapter 2).
The walls came down and now the floodgates were opened. God is still interested in breaking down walls in your life. Walls of prejudice… walls of unforgivness… walls of political ideology… viewing certain people as lower or beneath.
If God doesn’t see us that way, we should not see others that way either.
God wants to break down walls in relationships… your marriage between you and your spouse… as parents between you and your kids.
Walls that stop communication, that create isolation. Walls that enslave us as victims in a crule and heartless world.
God loves you just as much as he loves the people who are around you.