No Distinction, Part 1 (Acts 10:1-29, Jeff Kliewer)

The Compassion Story and Salvation From Sin

You guys are lucky today. I'm confined to about 20 minutes of preaching, where as you know I tend to preach about double or triple that. So I'll try to move quickly. You know how when you're listening to a podcast you can click 1 .5 or 1 .2 and listen to it in almost double time?

I'm going to be speaking like that today. So just train your ears and pay attention. We're going to go fast. Jay from Compassion International. What an amazing story. Amazing how the Lord brought him out of poverty and rescued him from prison.

As a nine year old, a nine year old in jail. But you know what impressed me most about his story, and I learned this from the compassion experience when I got to go through it here. It wasn't a physical rescue from danger.

It was the spiritual. He tells at the end of his story, he had come through compassion, and compassion had helped him to become good. It helped him to get on his feet and to make good decisions and to get education.

When he graduated out of the program, he actually found himself back on Jobless Corner. And he began to be pulled right back into the kind of street life that he had been rescued from. He was going right back down the road as if he had never been saved, as if he had never been a compassion kid.

But, don't you love the but gods of this scripture? But God. Romans chapter 12 verse 2 came back into his mind. And one day as he sat there and thought about where his life was headed, he remembered Christ the Lord.

Who rescues him from sin, not just from physical danger, not just from poverty. And he gave his heart again anew to Christ, and he chose not to fall back into the ways of the world. But his mind being renewed, his heart being reborn, he walked with Christ, no matter what.

And it's really the strength of his testimony is one of salvation from sin, not salvation from the world and the physical things in this world. So he turns out in Acts chapter 10, and I think his story is telling.

Because here we have the story of someone who is without hope and without God in the world. He's a Gentile according to Ephesians 2, he's without God. And yet, he knows God to a degree. A part of his life has been in light.

He knows there is a God, and he would be considered a good person. He has his life together. It's the story of Cornelius. It's a very interesting story, and one that we need to take seriously because the author of the book of Acts actually tells this story three times.

Here in Acts chapter 10, then he repeats it in Acts chapter 11, and then it becomes a subject again in Acts chapter 15. So this story is pivotal. It's very pivotal. Because the Gentiles were considered dogs.

The Jews were the chosen people of God. And the Jews looked at all those who were not Jewish as Gentile dogs separated from the covenant, without hope, without God, strangers and aliens.

And rejected by the God of Israel.

God’s Heart for the Nations in the Old Testament

Now notice, what the Jews understood is not exactly what God had said. In fact, it was a far cry from it. When the Jews were set apart to be a people, they were called as children of Abraham to go, Abraham, to a land and be given a special land.

But part of the promise was that all of the nations would be blessed through Abraham. The calling out of the chosen people was not only for that chosen people themselves. It was actually to be a lighthouse that blesses all the nations.

And so you see the heart of God in the original calling of the Jews to be the chosen people. And throughout the Old Testament, you see his heart is very different from how the Jewish people are understanding.

Jonah is told to go where?

To Nineveh.

To preach the gospel to Gentiles. Preach the good news in the gospel not yet fully revealed.

He doesn't want to go.

Because he thinks nothing good could be in Nineveh. No redeemed people.

Only Gentile dogs.

And the story of Jonah, of course, ends in him sitting there and pouting under a vine. Because God is actually intent to be merciful on these 120 ,000 who don't know their right hand from their left.

Whereas Jonah thought they should be judged and crushed.

You see this story over and over. The Queen of Sheba comes up and sees Solomon in all the glory. And recognizes that the God of Israel is the true God. You see Naaman come and get baptized in a sense.

Dipped seven times in the Jordan River. The Syrian man now understanding that the God of Israel is the true God. Think of Ruth, the Moabitess. God's heart was actually always including the Gentiles. But there has to be a change that takes place.

There has to be a change. Something is different beginning at the cross of Jesus Christ that is now revealed and made known. So this is the story of Cornelius. There's a change of dispensations. A change in how God deals with humanity and with his people.

Let's read it. Let's take a couple verses at a time because we don't have time to read through the whole thing. Chapter 10 verse 1. 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. Here we have introduced to us a God-fearer. A God-fearer. He's not a Jew. He's a Gentile.

But he believes in the God of Israel. He's not converted to Judaism and come under the covenant as a Jew. And yet we're told in verse 2 he's a devout man. He fears God. He gives alms generously to the people.

And he prays continually to God. So here is a good God-fearing man. Yet we'll find he's still missing something. He's good and in a sense he's great. Because in verse 1 we notice he's a centurion. That means he's in charge of 100 soldiers.

And he's in charge of the Italian cohort. Which is a group of 600 soldiers.

Roman soldiers.

And he's their leader.

So he is great.

He's known as a great man and a good man. Matthew Henry says about this. We are here told that he was a great man and a good man. Two characters that seldom meet. Where they do meet they put a luster upon each other.

Goodness makes greatness truly valuable. And greatness makes goodness much more serviceable. Goodness makes greatness truly valuable. If he's just a great man, he's got influence, he's able to do things.

What is that unless he's good? Goodness makes it worthwhile. But the greatness makes his goodness serviceable. He has opportunities. And in the same way.

If you are a good man and a good woman.

If you are great. You have opportunities to serve. It makes me think of Compassion International. If you were to look at the history of the world.

And kind of put us on a scale.

Of how much material blessing we have. How many opportunities we have to help others. We would be in the 99th percentile. But the question is.

Are we good?

How do we see the goodness of Cornelius? Look at verse 2. He gave alms generously to the people. He cared. He was willing to sacrifice and give. It's a picture of his goodness. But he doesn't have everything.

He's good in comparison to others. People recognize him and see him as a good person. As everybody judges one against another. Keep following the story.

If that was enough.

To be good. If that was enough.

We can stop now.

But look at verse 3 and follow. About the ninth hour of the day. He saw clearly in a vision. An angel of God come in and say to him.

Cornelius.

There's a revelation that needs to be given. Because he's still missing something. And he stared at him in terror. He said what is it Lord? He said to him. Your prayers and your alms have ascended. As a memorial before God.

Now send men to Joppa. And bring one Simon who is called Peel. He is lodging with one Simon at 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.

Cornelius is a morally good man. But he is missing the most important thing. He is missing salvation through Jesus. He needs a revelation. And an angel comes to begin that. But the angel himself is not the one to deliver the message.

No. He needs a human witness. Someone to come to him and tell. To clearly portray Jesus Christ. That's crucified and risen from the dead. Notice he's terrified. When he sees the angel. His heart is not at peace.

He recognizes that although he's good in the eyes of this world. He cannot stand even in the presence of an angel. Let alone in the presence of God. What he is missing is the righteousness of God. Perfection that can only be given.

That cannot be earned. He's still without hope. He's still without God. Now the God hearers that we see. He's not the only one we see in the book of Acts. In your notes I've given you a list of other places that these God hearers appear.

The note on verses 1 and 2. Often times the God hearers who had learned from the Israelites that there's only one true God. They're prepared to hear the gospel. So Lydia down by the river is a worshiper of God before Paul gets there.

She's been prepared.

She's learned from the Israelites that there is really only one true God. And his name is Yahweh.

Jehovah.

So she's a worshiper of God again and again. This is how God has tilled the soil and prepared to bring the gospel to these people. But here Cornelius does not yet have it. We're getting to the most important thing.

The revelation. While he's seeing this vision. Peter has been doing his thing in Joppa. So he jumped about a 12 hour walk from Caesarea down Israel's national trail. It would take about 12 hours according to Google Maps. To arrive at Joppa where Peter is.

So it could be about a two day walk. Maybe if you walk really fast or walk hard you could be there in a day. But just a little ways away. The Apostle Peter. Verse 9. The next day as they were on their journey and approaching the city. Peter went up on the housetop about a 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 open. Something like a great sheep 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.

Peter said by no means Lord. 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. When Jesus died on the cross. His death tore down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. They used to be separated by ethnicity. The children of Abraham descending from Abraham were to be kept separate.

And part of that distinction.

Whereby you would know that this is a Jew and that's a Gentile. Is that the Jews had a dietary code. They can't eat these kinds of animals. Pigs and other kinds of animals that they don't eat. They don't touch because those animals are unclean.

But notice the dietary law. Was a way to keep them distinct and separate from the nations. And Peter had never disobeyed that dietary law. As far as he knows.

I think he honestly says Lord I have never. And yet God says in this vision.

Kill and eat.

We have to understand.

In this vision.

That Peter has.

Now he's awake.

He's really hungry.

And he's just waiting.

He's praying.

And in his waking hours.

In the middle of the day. Lunch time.

A sheep comes down from heaven. And he sees these unclean animals. And God tells him.

Kill and eat.

Which just blows his mind.

Because this is a radical change. This is a complete shift. This is Peter. Being made aware that everything changed at the cross.

Now I say everything.

Not everything.

But many things. And wisdom.

And biblical understanding. Is to know what things changed. And what things remain the same. So the God of Israel is still the God.

Of the Christian.

And morality is still morality. What we learn in the Old Testament is still morally true. God's attributes. The things about him. The way that we should live and treat one another. The table of commandments of how we treat one another.

Those remain intact. But dietary laws have come to an end. Certain ceremonial laws have come to an end. The sacrificial system of killing animals is no more. Because the Lamb of God has died once and for all.

Things have changed at the cross. But Peter now needs to understand that. So this is a revelation that shows us. That we're under a new dispensation. A change has happened.

It's huge.

Because it's not only about food. It also means. That human beings made in the image of God. Gentiles from Sheba and Syria. And the farthest places. Are acceptable to God.

Don't call them unknown.

Don't call them dogs. They too can be saved by the same blood.

Of Jesus that saved you.

The Vision of Peter and the End of the Dividing Wall

So Peter's mind is being blown here. Look at verse 17 and following that. While Peter was inwardly perplexed. As to what the vision that he had seen might mean.

Behold.

Look at the timing on this. 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. Peter went down with the men and said. I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason? And they said Cornelius. A centurion.

An upright and God-fearing man. Who was well spoken of by the Jewish.

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. Now look at that next verse. Verse 23. Recognize what he does here.

Is earth-shattering.

It says.

He invited them in.

To be his guests.

He takes these Gentile soldiers. And welcomes them in.

To be his guests.

Verse 23.

Following the next day. He rose and went away with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa.

Accompanying him.

And on the following day.

They entered Caesarea.

Cornelius was expecting them. And he had called together his relatives. And close friends. When Peter entered.

Now. Peter.

Enters.

A Gentile home.

Something that a Jew.

Would never do.

He has now penetrated that barrier. That wall has been broken down. In Peter's mind.

He's come to understand.

What God has done. In the cross. Now verse 25 and 26 are interesting.

Because the reaction of Cornelius.

Is to worship him.

It says he fell down on his feet.

And worshiped him.

But Peter.

Lifted him up saying.

Stand up.

I too am a man.

Now this is a pattern we see in scripture. In Revelation 22. When the last chapter of the Bible. The angel has given the vision of things to come.

What does John do?

He's so overwhelmed.

He falls down and tries to worship the angel. And the angel just probably grabs him by the scruff of the neck. And says do not do that. I am a servant just like you.

Worship God.

Notice.

Our Lord Jesus receives worship. Time and time again. On the boat when he stills the storm. The disciples worship him. When the women find him after the resurrection.

It says they worship him.

He's not like an angel. And he's not a mere man. That he would deflect that worship. He accepts worship. How could this be? How is it that Jesus. A man who walks among us. Accepts the worship of men.

Because he is God. He is God in the flesh.

He is God come down. Taken on human flesh by being born of a virgin. Walking among us. And it is right and good to worship him. My favorite chapter about this is Hebrews chapter 1. Talks about angels.

Their winds and flames and fire. But then it says about the sun. Let all God's angels worship him. And then he goes on to quote Psalm 102. Which is all about Yahweh.

The God who created everything.

And laid out the foundations of the earth. And the psalmist who is writing about God. The book of Hebrews now takes and applies it to Jesus. He's the one that laid the foundations of the earth.

Psalm 102 is about God.

It's about Jesus. Jesus rightly receives worship. But Peter rightly deflects it. And says no don't worship me. Verses 27 to 29. 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 visit anyone of another nation. You guys want the thesis statement here today? It's right here. In verse 28. But God has shown. That I should not call any person common or uncommon.

That's what that vision was about.

It wasn't just about what you can eat and what you can't eat.

That's true.

The dietary law is now set aside. It's fulfilled and completed in Christ. But what we've learned from this. Is that God's heart. Is for all nations. Revelation chapter 5. There's coming a day. When we are going to worship the Lamb of God.

We will worship Jesus. With people from every tribe and tongue and nation. Hundreds of millions perhaps.

Billions.

From every nation under heaven. Bowing and singing praise to the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ.

What does that say to our hearts?

Verse 29. So when I was sent for.

I came without objection.

I asked then why you sent for me. Next week. We'll get this amazing story of how. Cornelius gets the thing he was missing. He gets salvation. And the difference between. Him being merely a good God fearing man.

And him being saved is dramatic. And it's awesome. We'll get to see that next week in the text. But for today. We had to go fast. So we obviously skipped over a lot of stuff. Didn't get to go in depth.

And really flesh all these things out. But what is the heart. I guess this is the good thing about preaching quick. I can just cut to the heart of this thing. And tell you what the text is telling us.

Our heart.

Needs to be like God's heart. And that's not centered around. Just ourself. And just our family.

And our neighborhood.

And even our country. But our heart needs to be like God's. For the nations. That all the nations would rejoice.

And be glad in Jesus Christ.

This is a passage about missions. As much as anything else. To get this gospel. To the ends of the earth. Because God is drawing people to himself.

From every nation.

From every ethnic group. Our heart should be like God's.

His was that way from the beginning.

Now there was a misunderstanding. You guys know how sometimes. We hear things a little different. Than what was intended right. I heard a story about my kids. Sometimes they have misheard.

Things that we've said.

And they've picked up on it.

And they've repeated that wrong. So for example. One of our kids would hear about a bench. But for somehow. He thought it was bench. So he would always call a bench.

A bench.

Another kid called the suitcase. That we would take on our trips. Called a suitcase. And my all time favorite. Molten lava was melvin lava.

So melvin lava.

Instead of molten lava.

You know we hear things.

But we don't understand.

In the old covenant. Israel was to be. The chosen people of God. Unique and separate from the nations. But the Israelites heard that wrong. They understood that God.

Had no heart for the nations.

That he would never draw the nations. Peter's entire world view. Was ripped apart.

By the vision of Ishmael.

And it was necessary.

That he would think in a biblical way. Guys there's a lot here. That we can study. But that's it.

We need to be studying.

And understanding the whole. Picture of the bible. I remember many times people have tried to. Refute the scriptures by saying. Well if you say that Jesus. Is the only way. You have these teachings from the new testament.

Then why don't you cut your lawn in a certain way. And why do you not.

Why do you eat bacon.

Why do you drink things that are. Not allowed in the old testament. Why do you have fabrics. That are of different kinds.

Matched together.

You're being hypocritical. What do we say to that. We understand that God. Has given different dispensations. That in the old covenant. Under the mosaic covenant. Those rules apply. These dietary laws.

But God himself changed the economy. By which he dealt with people.

At the cross.

And he revealed that through Peter.

By lowering the sheep.

And we understand. That we are not under the old covenant. In the same way. But unless we know the whole counsel of God. We can't have an answer for those who ask us. For the reason for the hope that is endless.

So keep studying these things. When we do a sermon. As quick as this one was. My goal is that it will push you more into the text. That on your own. You want to go and read and understand more. If we do that.

Then it's mission accomplished. With that. Let's ask the worship team to come up.