WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.300 Do you be seated and turn to Acts chapter 10. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:07.100 ! Acts chapter 10. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:12.120 I've struggled somewhat in putting this sermon together. 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:14.439 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.759 In fact finders there are no questions under the third point. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:40.480 And there's a reason for that which will probably become apparent when we get to the third point. 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:42.299 Acts 10. 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:45.500 The humble brag. 00:00:47.480 --> 00:00:48.159 Bittersweet. 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:51.179 Clearly confused. 00:00:53.120 --> 00:00:54.679 A deafening silence. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:56.079 What are they? 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:58.539 What are they? 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:00.899 Oxymorons. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:02.960 Oxymorons. 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:04.760 A humble brag. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:05.439 Bittersweet. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:06.900 Clearly confused. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:07.539 Deafening silence. 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:09.539 Never lord. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:12.120 Look at verse 14. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:15.620 I think that's the verse that cracks open the chapter. 00:01:18.039 --> 00:01:18.739 Peter said, 00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:21.799 By no means lord. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:25.539 Never lord. 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:26.099 Never lord. 00:01:28.540 --> 00:01:33.780 It's one of the things that is repeated three times in the New Testament. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:35.840 By the same guy. 00:01:35.940 --> 00:01:36.360 Peter says, 00:01:36.440 --> 00:01:36.800 Never lord. 00:01:36.860 --> 00:01:37.280 Do you remember? 00:01:37.940 --> 00:01:42.280 Jesus speaks in Caesarea Philippi. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:47.540 He tells his disciples that he is going to be handed over, mocked, crucified. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.600 He will die in Jerusalem. 00:01:50.180 --> 00:01:51.680 And Peter says to him, 00:01:51.980 --> 00:01:53.160 Never lord. 00:01:55.160 --> 00:01:56.240 That's not going to happen. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:58.280 Jesus says to him, 00:01:58.320 --> 00:01:59.320 Get behind me, Satan. 00:01:59.860 --> 00:02:00.820 Just a little bit further. 00:02:01.080 --> 00:02:01.620 I'm on. 00:02:01.820 --> 00:02:05.120 They're in the upper room the night before Jesus' death. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:12.379 And Jesus astonishingly takes a towel, wraps it around him. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.500 And he starts to wash the stinking feet of his disciples. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:19.240 And Jesus stoops to wash Peter's feet. 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:21.560 And that is too much for Peter. 00:02:21.700 --> 00:02:22.580 And he says, 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:24.280 Never lord. 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:26.240 He says, 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:27.540 You'll never wash my feet. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:29.719 And Jesus says, 00:02:30.079 --> 00:02:31.019 If I don't wash your feet, 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:33.539 I won't wash any part of you. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:34.479 I've got to wash all of you. 00:02:36.299 --> 00:02:37.519 And here it is again. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:40.159 Acts 10, verse 14. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:40.939 Peter says, 00:02:41.099 --> 00:02:41.859 No lord. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:43.120 Never lord. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.699 I've never eaten anything clean or common. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.019 First of all, Peter says no to the cross. 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:51.439 And then he says, 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:52.879 I think no to conversion. 00:02:54.019 --> 00:02:55.359 In the upper room. 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:58.560 And here he's saying no to the Great Commission. 00:03:00.460 --> 00:03:03.060 Acts 10, the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:03:03.160 --> 00:03:06.180 is about to jump into another culture, 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:07.660 into another world, 00:03:07.760 --> 00:03:10.040 this cultural divide from Jews to Gentiles. 00:03:10.600 --> 00:03:11.640 And Peter is saying, 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:12.860 Surely not, Lord. 00:03:15.200 --> 00:03:18.780 If God had let Peter get away with that in Acts 10, 00:03:19.440 --> 00:03:21.520 then you and I wouldn't be here today. 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:25.120 Because this is where the gospel leaps out of the, 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:26.460 a cocoon of Judaism, 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:28.560 into the big wide world. 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:31.680 It's rightly referred to as the Gentile Pentecost. 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:32.860 Gentile means non-Jew. 00:03:34.660 --> 00:03:37.500 And it's such an important event that it's repeated three times. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:42.800 This morning I've kind of seen the number three everywhere in this passage and in Acts. 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:43.760 I don't know why. 00:03:43.760 --> 00:03:46.760 So if you know why three comes up so often, 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:48.180 I'd love to know why. 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:51.520 But this account is repeated three times. 00:03:51.860 --> 00:03:53.520 It's in chapter 10 and chapter 11. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:56.280 And then again in chapter 15. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:00.659 And the story unfolds actually in three movements. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:02.340 So there are three V's. 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:03.860 These are the points I've stolen from someone else. 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:04.560 There is a vision. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:06.000 And there are visitors. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:07.080 And then there's a VIP. 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:11.360 It took a vision to change Peter's mind. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:13.400 Two visions. 00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:17.459 One vision at three o'clock in the afternoon for Cornelius. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:20.039 He had a vision. 00:04:21.359 --> 00:04:24.899 And an angel tells Peter Cornelius to send for Peter. 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:27.539 Peter's 30 miles down the road in a place called Joppa. 00:04:28.859 --> 00:04:30.399 And so there's two visions. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.959 If you look at chapter 10 and verse 9. 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:39.120 And we're told that Simon Peter is staying in the house of Simon the Tanner. 00:04:39.979 --> 00:04:41.560 In a place called Joppa. 00:04:41.799 --> 00:04:43.579 It's midday, boiling hot. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:47.719 It tells us that lunch is being prepared. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:50.439 And there is Peter on the flat roof. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:55.519 He's surrounded by animal skins on the roof. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:57.099 Because Simon's house is a tanner. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:04:58.159 Simon is a tanner. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:00.159 They're being stretched out to dry. 00:05:00.539 --> 00:05:04.360 The smell of lunch is wafting up the stairs. 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:07.620 Joppa's on the harbour. 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:11.180 And so there are sails flapping in the breeze. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:15.579 And as Peter prays, he dozes. 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:18.540 And as he dozes, he prays. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:26.680 And God seems to use all these external stimuli in Peter's subconscious. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:29.439 And he sees, doesn't he, a vast sail. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:35.420 He sees a vast sheet being lowered down from heaven by its four corners. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:37.879 It's full of creepy crawlies. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:42.360 And all the unclean animals from the book of Leviticus are there. 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:45.240 And the vision comes with sound, doesn't it? 00:05:45.300 --> 00:05:46.180 Verse 13. 00:05:47.580 --> 00:05:51.920 And there came a voice to him saying, rise Peter, kill and eat. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:55.860 But Peter said, by no means. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:57.759 Rise Peter, kill and eat. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:06:02.000 It's the death knell to veganism and vegetarianism. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:07.139 Peter says, I've never eaten anything unclean. 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:09.720 And what you're asking me to do is not right. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:10.779 Look at verse 14. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:12.279 Surely not, Lord. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:15.420 I've never eaten anything that's common or unclean. 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:19.399 And then, what happens? 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.100 A voice came from heaven a second time. 00:06:23.660 --> 00:06:25.819 What God's made clean, do not call common. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:28.040 It's happened three times. 00:06:28.040 --> 00:06:32.520 Three times, Peter protests. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:35.840 Three times, God lowers the sheet. 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:42.740 Three times, God says, don't call unclean what God calls clean. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:45.060 Now, let me apply this for a minute. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:46.400 What's going on? 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:49.500 It's pretty obvious, I think, when you think about this. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:54.860 Peter is being dealt with, isn't he, by God. 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:57.439 And his prejudices are being dealt with. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:02.120 I don't know what your prejudices are. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.420 We don't see them in ourselves, do we? 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:08.439 I'm not the one with an accent. 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:11.139 You are the ones, all of you, with accents. 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:16.379 None of us like to think of ourselves as prejudiced. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:20.360 It's like the man who said, I'm not xenophobic. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:21.840 That's a horrible Greek word. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:25.800 That's another joke I've stolen. 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:30.420 We always, we don't realise to be how prejudiced we are. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:34.980 If God were to deal with you this morning, 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:37.980 and lower a sheet down from the ceiling, 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:39.259 what would be on that sheet? 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:41.759 What are the no-nos? 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:42.819 What are the taboos? 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:48.659 So for this bigoted, racially prejudiced Jews, 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:51.980 it's a smorgasbord, isn't it, of unclean animals. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:54.180 But what would it be for you? 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.259 What would it be for me? 00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.379 A mullet? 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:02.879 Lamb biryani? 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:06.300 An iPad? 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:07.860 Nose ring? 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:10.779 Facial tattoos? 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:13.259 A business suit? 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:14.439 A burka? 00:08:16.659 --> 00:08:18.139 Who are you prejudiced against? 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:23.199 Which people do you, I'm instinctively, shy away from? 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:27.779 When you're walking through Ealing? 00:08:28.219 --> 00:08:28.779 Goths? 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:30.979 Immigrants? 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.360 Boomers? 00:08:35.819 --> 00:08:37.339 The working class? 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:40.860 The well-dressed chattering classes? 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:42.840 Yuppies? 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:44.120 Nerds? 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:45.540 Roadmen? 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:46.480 Punks? 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.019 Geeks? 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:52.220 It's a good thing, isn't it? 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:52.960 I'm not out of touch. 00:08:55.060 --> 00:08:56.440 And those words probably, 00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:57.940 they don't mean anything to you, 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:00.100 but there are lots of different tribes 00:09:00.100 --> 00:09:00.940 out there in our city. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:05.360 Let me put it to you another way. 00:09:05.900 --> 00:09:08.260 Who are we not going to with the gospel? 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.420 Who's not here this morning? 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:15.920 Who's not in our church on a Sunday morning 00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:16.720 or a Sunday evening? 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.940 I read this week that Presbyterian churches in the US, 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.360 which are a little bit different, 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.780 but Presbyterian churches in the US 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:26.079 are often perceived as middle class, 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:28.799 white, affluent, intellectual, 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:30.620 and culturally elitist. 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:33.159 And isn't that something to be proud of? 00:09:35.339 --> 00:09:37.419 And it's not just us Presbyterians, is it? 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:41.039 Last summertime I was on sabbatical 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:42.439 and went to lots of different churches 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:43.759 around the city. 00:09:45.199 --> 00:09:46.740 And there are ethnic churches 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.939 which make very clear that their church 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:51.879 is confined to a certain language 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.679 and a certain skin colour. 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.960 There are class-bound churches 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:57.860 that make it clear 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.620 that only a certain class of people 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.840 are welcome through their doors. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:03.059 There are churches for geriatrics, 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:06.460 which do not expect anyone to turn up 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.600 under the age of 65, 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:08.879 by the way they run their meetings. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:10.580 And there are churches 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.919 where if you're over 25, 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:13.600 you're made to feel old 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.159 and that you don't fit in there 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.100 and you're whispered to 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.740 that maybe the morning service 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.879 is a little bit better for you. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:21.580 There are racist churches. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.679 There are tribal churches. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:25.820 There are sexist churches. 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:28.379 And Peter's vision challenges all of that. 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:32.539 Yes, salvation is of the Jews. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:34.279 Yes, God may have sent the gospel 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.340 to Israel first, 00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:37.120 but he intends it for everyone. 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:40.299 And God sees this world 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:41.700 in glorious technicolour. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:45.220 A tapestry of races, tribes, 00:10:45.320 --> 00:10:47.100 and groups that are all made 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:48.000 after his own image. 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.879 And he rejoices in every one of them 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:50.539 without exception. 00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:53.019 And they all need to hear 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.120 the gospel of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:57.960 They all need the saviour of the world. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:10:59.240 They all need the gospel, 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:00.179 every tribe and tongue. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:03.639 And the challenge for us as God's people 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.079 is, well, what are we going to do about it? 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.899 All these people around us. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.979 And so here is, 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:12.719 if I can put it like this, 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.879 the first hammer blow 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:16.159 to Peter's prejudice. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:18.039 It's the vision of the sheet. 00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:21.719 Three times it comes down. 00:11:22.079 --> 00:11:23.500 And then a remarkable coincidence. 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:24.459 Look at verse 17. 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.659 There's a knock on the door. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.879 And just while Peter is thinking about this, 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.120 about what it all means, 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:33.279 there's a knock on the door. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.179 And the second point is, 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:35.279 Peter, you've got visitors. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:40.279 And three visitors turn up on the doorstep. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.159 Look at verse 17. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.600 Now, while Peter was inwardly perplexed, 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.559 I think that's an understatement 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:47.559 as to what the vision that he'd seen might mean. 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:50.000 Behold, the men were sent by Cornelius, 00:11:50.079 --> 00:11:51.659 having made inquiry for Simon's house, 00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:52.799 stood at the gate. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:57.120 Peter's still thinking about the vision. 00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.699 And they say to him, 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:01.719 well, there's three men at the gate looking for you. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.100 How is that for timing? 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.179 What are the chances of that happening? 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:10.539 These men have set out 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.620 the day before yesterday. 00:12:12.699 --> 00:12:14.759 And they arrive at the very moment 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.179 that Peter is still reeling in shock, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:17.759 trying to think, 00:12:17.839 --> 00:12:18.899 what does this vision mean? 00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:22.480 Can you see the sovereignty of God? 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:25.779 The sovereignty of God, 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:27.899 that God has choreographed 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.419 the whole kind of thing. 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:32.360 And what appears to be a coincidence 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:34.779 is in fact synchronized. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.679 There's a chorus that I used to sing 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:39.240 when I was a little boy. 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.539 And I do not know what lies ahead, 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.740 the way I cannot see. 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:44.860 Yet one stands near to be my God. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.480 He'll show the way to me. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:48.320 I know who holds the future. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.680 And he'll guide me with his hand. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:52.299 With God, things don't just happen. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:54.600 Everything by him is planned. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:58.899 And I think that should be a massive comfort to us, 00:12:58.940 --> 00:12:59.220 isn't it? 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:04.600 That you and I do not know what lies ahead in the future, 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:06.700 but we know the one who holds the future. 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:11.200 And we know that God is absolutely sovereign. 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:17.660 And God can work all things together for the good of those who love him, 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:20.100 for those who are called according to his purpose. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:24.180 And that is a huge, huge comfort, isn't it? 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:26.259 That there is a God who's in charge of this world. 00:13:30.060 --> 00:13:31.360 It is our sovereign God. 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:33.800 And so here's another hammer blow to Peter's prejudices. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.159 Because now he's got to do, 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:37.000 what's he going to do with these visitors? 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.740 Is he going to invite them in? 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.360 Remember, he's a Jew, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.820 and they are Gentiles. 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:47.400 And Jews do not eat with Gentiles. 00:13:49.040 --> 00:13:49.940 What is he going to do? 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.900 Is he going to invite them in? 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:52.080 Or is he going to send them away? 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.660 Will he go with them? 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:55.740 He could leave them standing on the doorstep. 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:00.760 But no, he's told to get his bags and to go with them. 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:03.300 In verses 19 to 20. 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:06.420 And while Peter's pondering the vision, 00:14:06.520 --> 00:14:08.000 the Spirit said to him, 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:12.020 Behold, three men are looking for you. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.080 Rise and go down, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.780 and accompany them without hesitation. 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:17.400 For I have sent them. 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:20.280 Get up, go, don't hesitate. 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:25.500 It can easily be translated, 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.560 the hesitate word there, 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:28.440 it can easily be translated, 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.200 don't discriminate. 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:34.560 This is me, Peter, God is saying. 00:14:35.780 --> 00:14:37.560 This is a God moment. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:40.600 I sent these men, 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.080 and so he goes. 00:14:43.900 --> 00:14:45.160 The next day they set out, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.200 and a day later they arrive at Cornelius' house. 00:14:47.280 --> 00:14:47.900 Look at verse 24. 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:49.300 Cornelius is expecting them, 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.900 and he's called together his relatives, 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.900 and his close friends. 00:14:52.040 --> 00:14:52.960 And Peter said to them, 00:14:53.400 --> 00:14:54.220 You're well aware, 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:57.540 you're well aware, 00:14:57.540 --> 00:15:02.660 that it's against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:08.600 but God has shown me that I shouldn't call anything unclean. 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:11.100 I shouldn't call any person common or unclean. 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:15.220 So typical of Peter. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:18.139 Every time he opens his mouth, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:18.980 he puts his foot in it, 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:20.899 and here he goes, 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.220 Peter is no diplomat, 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:25.600 despite what God has shown him. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:30.300 His prejudices are still showing here. 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.399 He says, 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.120 like to be honest, 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:35.540 Cornelius, 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.980 of course I shouldn't really be here. 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.659 Jews don't mix with Gentiles. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.800 So what do you want? 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.360 God has told me that I should come, 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.560 and Cornelius is so gracious, 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:44.899 isn't he? 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.019 Look at verse 30. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.919 Four days ago, 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:49.620 about this hour, 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.220 Cornelius said, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.579 I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:51.860 and behold, 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:53.379 a man stood before me in bright clothing. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.199 He said, 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:54.600 Cornelius, 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.399 your prayer has been heard. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:58.059 Your arms have been remembered before God's send. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.319 Therefore, 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.480 the jopper asked for Simon, 00:15:59.539 --> 00:15:59.980 who's called Peter. 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.779 He's lodging in the house of Simon the Tanner. 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.480 So I sent for you at once, 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.899 and you've been kind enough to come. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.279 What a polite man. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.240 Peter, 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:13.079 who's obviously very uncomfortable about being in a Gentile house, 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.659 says, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:13.879 well, 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.240 you know we Jews, 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.820 we're not supposed to be here. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:18.279 We're not supposed to eat with Gentiles. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.299 But God told me, 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:20.960 so I better come. 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:21.620 Here I am. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.519 What do you want? 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:25.980 Cornelius says, 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.299 it's good. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.139 It's good of you to come. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.580 So good. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.299 And then he says these remarkable words. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:31.860 He says, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.340 now we are all here, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:36.639 in the presence of God, 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:40.779 to hear all that you've been commanded by the Lord. 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.799 Look at verse 33. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:48.419 And that is a summary of, 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.100 I hope, 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:51.240 Sunday morning and Sunday evening. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.180 We're all here, 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.259 in the presence of God, 00:16:57.899 --> 00:17:00.700 to hear all that you've been commanded by the Lord. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:07.220 And this church is better than most. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:10.480 But the trend in the UK at the moment is that, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.039 that people are in church, 00:17:12.080 --> 00:17:12.740 in churches like this, 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.220 on average, 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.799 about one in every three Sundays. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:21.960 People are away an incredible amount. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:24.400 I'm really thankful that that isn't the case here. 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.819 I know it's easy to think in London, 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.400 we've got to get away for weekends all the time. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:31.259 But I think that, 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:34.400 that actually is a real misunderstanding of what is going on, 00:17:34.780 --> 00:17:35.900 when the people of God gather. 00:17:36.060 --> 00:17:36.220 Why, 00:17:36.280 --> 00:17:37.240 why we need to be here. 00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:41.900 That when we can't be bothered to come to church, 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.000 it's a great insult to God. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:46.740 And when the king, 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:49.580 issued invitations to his coronation, 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.620 he did not invite people to turn up. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:53.280 He told them they had to. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:57.359 And so when I stand in this pulpit, 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.819 or Roman stands in this pulpit, 00:17:58.879 --> 00:17:59.859 and we open the Bible, 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.240 God is speaking to you. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.160 That's what we believe. 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:06.960 And when the Bible is preached, 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.920 God speaks. 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.859 Now, of course, 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.240 that's not as important as your birthday. 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:15.839 Is it? 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.319 It's not as important as 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:21.420 a really big Premier League game. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:24.980 It's not as important as 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.800 the golf. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.360 Now, therefore, 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.500 we are all here in the presence of God 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:38.240 to hear all that you have been commanded 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.060 by the Lord. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:41.620 And that means, 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:41.920 isn't it, 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.980 when we believe that, 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.600 that we come with real expectancy, 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:48.480 that we come expecting God to address us, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.980 waiting to listen to everything 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.579 the Lord has commanded you to tell us. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.220 And so let's pause for a moment 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.380 and try and remind ourselves, 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.120 what is God teaching us 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.240 through Acts chapter 10? 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.940 He's teaching us that the gospel 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.059 is for everybody, 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.799 not just for people 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.819 who look like you and me. 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.180 If you're not a Christian here 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.779 this morning, 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.599 you're not yet a Christian, 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:17.659 and we want to say 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.240 thank you for coming 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.659 and we're really pleased 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.399 to have you with us 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.439 and you might be thinking, 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:25.019 I'm not that sort of person. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.199 People say to me, 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.879 I'm not the religious type. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.879 Let me tell you, 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.819 the gospel is for you. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.399 No one is too good 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.240 for the gospel. 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:39.959 Cornelius is actually 00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:41.039 a very decent bloke, 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.379 isn't he? 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:43.019 He's the sort of guy 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.039 you want your daughter to marry. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.399 He's the sort of neighbor 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.159 you'd love to have. 00:19:47.199 --> 00:19:47.759 Look at verse 2, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.819 he's a God-fearing man 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.839 with a social conscience. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.019 He gives generously 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.139 to the poor, verse 2. 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.579 He prays regularly 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.939 and look what it says, 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:56.259 God sent him, 00:19:56.959 --> 00:19:57.759 God answered his prayers 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.779 by sending him a missionary 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.659 to convert him. 00:20:00.939 --> 00:20:01.939 Do you get the irony of that? 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.079 In the next chapter, 00:20:04.199 --> 00:20:05.000 Peter has to explain 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.740 to the other apostles 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:07.939 verse 18 of chapter 11, 00:20:09.419 --> 00:20:10.319 he sums it up like this, 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:12.299 that God has granted repentance. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:15.099 A turning. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.039 And so Cornelius 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:18.519 is a really nice bloke 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.740 who does good things, 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.200 but God has granted him 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.740 repentance 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.759 through eternal life. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.980 At the Council of Jerusalem, 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.200 in chapter 15, 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:27.619 Peter said, 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.700 God made no distinction 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.559 between us, 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.079 the Jews, 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.859 and them, 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.899 the non-Jews. 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:37.059 Both of them need cleansing. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.319 Their hearts need cleansing 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.960 by faith. 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.039 He said Cornelius 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.579 is a really nice guy, 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.720 but his heart still needed 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.519 to be cleansed. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:49.019 He's a nice man, 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:50.579 but he needed to be made 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.359 a new man. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.980 People say the most ridiculous things. 00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:55.519 They say, 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.579 my grandson, 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.879 he's such a lovely boy, 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.379 really, really lovely lad, 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.179 but he's not a Christian. 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.240 He's such a lovely lad, 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.980 but he's not a Christian. 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:07.519 No, he's not. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.180 Nor am I, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.860 nor are you. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.559 You might describe him 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.860 as a lovely boy, 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.360 but he's without God 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:18.860 and without hope 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.519 and he's going to hell 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.279 without the Lord Jesus. 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.799 Do you realise that? 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.819 Do you realise that good people, 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.660 good people go to hell. 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.700 Bad people go to heaven. 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:32.620 You've been reading 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.580 your Bible wrongly 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.279 if you don't see that. 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.799 Jesus said, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.720 I've not come to call 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.299 the righteous, 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:40.000 but sinners to repentance. 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.220 And so, 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.440 don't be surprised 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.160 when you look around 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:44.539 this room 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.180 and you come to church 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:46.059 and you find a bunch 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.660 of hypocrites. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.980 There's always room 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.620 for one more 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:51.880 because church 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:52.920 isn't for nice people, 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.980 it's for nasty people. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.960 Nasty people 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.519 who know 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.200 that they need 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.119 to be rescued 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.119 and Cornelius 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:01.379 is really nice 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.700 but he knows 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.599 he needs to be saved. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.480 And your neighbour 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.680 might be much nicer 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.180 than you are, 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.819 probably is. 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.819 But he's not a Christian 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.400 unless he's come to faith 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.980 and come to put his trust 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.680 in the Lord Jesus 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.859 and his need of salvation. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.279 The gospel is for all, 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.319 no one is too bad 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:25.119 and no one is too good. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.119 Everyone needs 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.879 to hear this gospel. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:27.720 Everyone 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.560 and everywhere. 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.400 Peter learns something else 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.260 in verse 34. 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:34.260 The penny drops 00:22:34.260 --> 00:22:35.140 and Peter says, 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.020 now I realise 00:22:36.020 --> 00:22:37.180 that God doesn't show 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.420 any favouritism. 00:22:39.520 --> 00:22:40.200 It's interesting, 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.320 Peter forgot this. 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:43.120 You go to the book 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.800 of Galatians 00:22:43.800 --> 00:22:45.300 and the apostle Paul 00:22:45.300 --> 00:22:46.240 has to call Peter 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.960 to account 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.720 because he 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.640 accuses Peter 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:51.080 of being out of step 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:52.000 with the gospel. 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.200 Peter is showing 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.040 favouritism 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.279 to the Jewish believers 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.440 and he's withdrawing 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.460 from the Gentile believers 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:59.299 in a place called Antioch 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.200 and the apostle Paul 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.299 has to call him out. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:08.180 On your modern devices, 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.940 on your modem 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:11.619 or on your iPad 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:13.639 or on your iPhone, 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.279 your phone, 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.839 there is a reset button, 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:16.240 isn't there? 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:18.220 And there's times 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:21.380 when things go wrong 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.039 or the thing 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.920 isn't working properly 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.640 and you've got to 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.839 press the reset button. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.259 And it's like that 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.920 in the Christian life, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.160 isn't it? 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.740 There are times 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.440 when we've got to 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.819 press the reset button 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.200 and realign ourselves 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.240 with God's gospel. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:36.920 that we're not living 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.480 in line with the Christian gospel 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.019 and so we've got to 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.099 press the reset button 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.819 and we've got to 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.940 keep challenging ourselves 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:44.380 and bringing our feelings 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.120 and our thinking 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.059 and our church 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.319 and the programmes 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.099 that we run in church 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.559 into line with the gospel. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:54.380 The gospel is grace alone 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.339 through faith alone 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.859 in Jesus Christ alone. 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:00.759 It is not Jesus plus 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:02.319 speaking in tongues 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.700 or it's not Jesus plus 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.399 baptism by immersion 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.099 or it's not Jesus plus 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.279 being a Presbyterian. 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.500 It is Christ alone 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.039 and we've got to 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.019 keep bringing our thinking 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.339 and we're going to 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.960 again and again 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.019 back into line with that. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.200 God gave him a vision. 00:24:16.419 --> 00:24:17.259 God sent him on a visit 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.519 and then briefly 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.259 and lastly 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.919 look what happens next. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.700 Verse 44. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.439 A VIP turns up. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.259 A VIP, 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.599 a very important person. 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.299 Verse 44. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.779 While Peter, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.980 while Peter 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.599 was still saying 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.279 these things, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.759 the Holy Spirit 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.879 fell on all 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.799 who heard the word. 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.159 I'd love to be interrupted 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:47.639 like that. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.919 To be able to 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:53.379 preach in the power 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.079 of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:57.460 I think that is 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.839 London's greatest need. 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:02.859 We have, 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.339 don't we, 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:06.199 a really impossible task 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:07.319 as a church family. 00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:09.939 The huge, 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.899 huge commission 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:14.000 to see the city 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.679 won for the Lord 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.379 Jesus Christ. 00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:16.839 To speak to our friends 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.439 and our family 00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:18.139 about the Lord Jesus. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.099 We find that terrifying. 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:22.619 But this glorious truth 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.839 is we're not on our own. 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.359 And there is one 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.799 who will go alongside us. 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:28.740 There is a comforter, 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.059 a paraclete 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:32.639 who the Saviour 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.679 sends to be with us. 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.399 In the next chapter, 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.480 Peter explains 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.399 the significance of this 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.519 in verses 15 to 17. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.119 We'll look at it. 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.559 It says, 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:44.359 What's happening 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.139 in chapter 11 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.279 is a rerun 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.059 of Pentecost. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.240 That kind of 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.200 one-off event. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.079 And I remembered 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.879 the word of the Lord, 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.359 how he said, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.419 John baptised with water, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.500 but you will be baptised 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.139 with the Holy Spirit. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.119 If then God 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.919 gave the same gift 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.599 to them 00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.879 as he'd given to us 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.519 when we believed 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.579 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.579 who was I 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.799 to stand in God's way? 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.659 When they heard 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.039 these things, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.919 they fell silent 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:10.500 and they glorified God 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.060 and said, 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:13.200 Then to the Gentiles also 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:14.360 God has granted 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:14.860 repentance 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.920 that leads to life. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.440 So what's happening 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.500 in Acts chapter 10 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.800 is what happened 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.539 in Pentecost 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.080 with Jews 00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:26.200 from all over the world 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.940 is now happening 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.840 to the Gentiles. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.820 And so it's a one-off. 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:37.200 And yet I want to say 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.000 there is an epidemic, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.519 isn't there, 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:40.360 in my life 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.120 and in churches 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.840 all across London 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.180 of very dry 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.220 Bible talks, 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:46.539 which are a little bit 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.220 like comprehension exercises. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.840 And we do want, 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.180 don't we, 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.840 the Holy Spirit 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.680 to come 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.360 through his word. 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.360 While Peter 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.900 was still saying 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.240 these things, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.779 the Holy Spirit 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.400 fell on all 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.700 who heard the word 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.480 and believers 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.559 from among the circumcised 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.120 who'd come with Peter 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:04.819 were amazed 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.539 because the gift 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.539 of the Holy Spirit 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.299 was poured out 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.839 even on the Gentiles. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:12.179 This is a watershed moment 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.980 in Christianity. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.579 It is the final nail 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.439 in the coffin 00:27:16.439 --> 00:27:17.299 of Peter's prejudice. 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:19.960 And since God 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.299 makes no distinction, 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:22.700 neither should we. 00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:25.659 And maybe today, 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.519 you and I 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.539 need to be realigned 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.759 with the gospel of grace. 00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.980 And God is saying to Peter 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.360 and he's saying to us, 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:33.079 there are teeming millions 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.920 out there 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.059 who've never heard 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.559 the gospel. 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.759 Peter loathes them, 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.460 but God loves them. 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.480 Peter needs 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.700 a change of heart. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.720 I now realise, 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.240 Peter said, 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.360 it's a defining moment. 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.779 The penny drops. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:55.500 The Holy Spirit 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.859 has come on the Gentiles 00:27:56.859 --> 00:28:00.039 as he did with the Jews. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:02.980 And so I wonder 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.799 for you today, 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.119 will it be a defining moment? 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:08.220 Maybe you're somebody here, 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.319 you're thinking about 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.779 the gospel, 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.440 but you've never 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.579 really grasped it, 00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:12.480 you've never really 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.220 understood it, 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.160 you've never actually 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.660 been gripped by it. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:19.460 Well, today is the day, 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.779 isn't it, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.819 to call upon the Lord. 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:23.639 And for maybe some of us, 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.460 it's time to press 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.279 the reset button. 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.460 To recognise 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.639 that salvation 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:29.639 is by grace alone, 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.279 through faith alone, 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.139 in Christ alone, 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.220 to the glory of God. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.679 Let's pray.