WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:07.560 Well, good morning everyone, great to be with you. Back in 2005, November 2005, I was in 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:14.259 Alice Springs on the invitation of the Bible Society to speaking at an event to raise awareness 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:21.760 for their ministry to remote areas around the country. In particular, this message was to be 00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:26.760 about the importance of all people having the Bible in their own language and therefore encouraging 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:32.900 the work of the Bible Society in Bible translation, especially to remote Aboriginal communities. 00:00:33.620 --> 00:00:42.240 I was to speak on a Friday night at an aircraft hangar at Alice Springs Airport because the 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:49.600 Bible Society's aeroplane was behind me at the time. And then I was to preach at a local church 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:55.439 on the Sunday morning. A friend of mine came along for the trip and it was the first time that either 00:00:55.439 --> 00:01:01.099 us had been to Alice Springs. So we spent the afternoon, sorry, all the day Saturday exploring 00:01:01.099 --> 00:01:10.400 the Outback. On the Saturday evening, I and my friend went into Alice Springs to have dinner 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:15.620 and then we sort of explored a little bit and we're walking back to our hotel and by which 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:22.799 time it was fairly late at night. And we noticed as we were walking along this pathway to a hotel, 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:28.159 was it a fairly sort of dark area. There wasn't much light at all, but there was a little bit of 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:35.079 moonlight. And we noticed off to our left, there was a group of Aboriginals sitting in the riverbank 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:41.799 and there was a bit of arguing going on. They'd obviously had been intoxicated. We could tell that 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:47.900 from where we were. Up ahead of us as we walked along our pathway to the right was a very large group of 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:53.140 Aboriginals. And there was a lot of yelling and arguing coming from that area. We could 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:58.719 completely see everything. It was pretty dark over there. Now it was probably at this point, 00:01:58.760 --> 00:02:06.760 it's fair to say, that both of us started to get a little bit nervous. Both of us grew up with a 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:13.680 reasonable amount of prejudice against Aboriginals. It came from the rhetoric of our culture of where we 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:21.099 both grew up and from our own personal experiences at both schools and at work. It would be fair to say 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:28.740 that my friend was probably somewhat more prejudiced, I think, more acute. He grew up in an area, a place 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:35.300 called Walgett, where race relations were quite troubled, had a long history of troubled race relations. 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:42.540 And so at this moment for us, as we walked along, our prejudices rose to the surface. 00:02:44.660 --> 00:02:49.939 And I said to him as we walked along quietly, do you see the group over at the riverbank on the left? 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:57.280 And he said, yes, he did. And then this large group from the right over here in the darkness started 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:03.100 to appear and were heading towards the riverbank from our idea. It looks like they're heading to that 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:10.460 group over down on the left. And it became obvious to us as we were walking along that we were going to 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:15.319 be crossing right in the middle of their path, or they were going to cross right in the middle of our path. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:19.939 Two white guys and 40 or so 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:26.199 Aboriginals. And we were kind of a little nervous at this point, being rather new to town. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:32.819 We were both silent as we walked along. Our hearts were racing, it would be fair to say. 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:39.259 Our minds were thinking about an escape plan. And we were hoping that they would notice the two 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:47.319 white guys. And our moments, our worst fears in that moment were realised they did in fact see us. 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:53.419 And as this large group of Aboriginals came across to us, as we walked along the path line, as we were 00:03:53.419 --> 00:04:02.579 just about to, you know, have to stop to let them go through, the elderly Aboriginal lady, beginning of 00:04:02.579 --> 00:04:08.719 the group, put her arms out like that. And she stopped. These whole group of Aboriginals, they just 00:04:08.719 --> 00:04:14.579 stopped in their tracks when she put her arms out. And as we, this was put our arms out to allow us to 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:19.639 walk along the pathway. And as we walked along the pathway, she said, good evening, gentlemen. 00:04:22.220 --> 00:04:30.439 We turned, wished her well, and walked along quietly for the next 20 metres. And my friend said to me, 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:39.800 how bad do I feel? And all I could say was, yep, me too. You see, God used that moment to expose 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:47.240 something of the sin of a racial prejudice that lurked within my heart. It didn't escape me that 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:52.000 the night before that I was speaking about the necessity of God's word going to all people, 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:57.460 such as remote Aboriginal communities. And yet I had that prejudice revealed in my heart in that moment 00:04:57.460 --> 00:05:07.340 towards the very people who were to receive that ministry. Prejudice is something that we all have. 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:13.039 Secular evolutionary theory will tell you that it's in fact a something that is part of our 00:05:13.039 --> 00:05:19.479 evolutionary process. Every single human being has prejudice in their heart, and they would declare 00:05:19.479 --> 00:05:29.319 it's a good thing in some ways. The Bible calls it sin. Prejudice is an unfavourable opinion or feeling 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:36.099 formed beforehand without knowledge, without thought, or without reason. Unreasonable feelings, 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:42.040 opinions, opinions, attitudes, and especially of a hostile nature regarding an ethnic, racial, 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:50.800 social, or religious group. And it's the intention of the book of Acts, through in the last number of 00:05:50.800 --> 00:06:00.460 weeks, to show us one society, one group, in which the divisive poison of cultural prejudice is 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:09.839 neutralized. And that's the church. That's us. So hear the words of Acts 10, just read out to us, verse 34. 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:11.859 This is the Apostle Peter. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:22.560 I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts every nation, 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:36.699 the one who fears him and does what is right. It cannot possibly be overstated the mind-blowing 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:44.600 revolution such a statement was for the first century world. The Apostle Peter was a Palestinian Jew. 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:52.200 The leaders of this group had interpreted God's covenant relationship with them through Abraham 00:06:52.200 --> 00:07:01.000 in such an exclusive way that any contact with a non-Jew was regarded as sinful. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:12.600 It was against their law to even assist a Gentile mother in childbirth for doing so was just to bring 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:23.000 another pagan into the world. In the words of one rabbinical proverb of the time, Gentiles were created 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:30.980 by God simply as fuel for the flames of hell. That's Peter's world. 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:37.620 This is the culture that he has been marinating in since birth. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:46.160 And what's remarkable is he says these words to a Roman soldier. 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:53.100 There was no group of Gentiles more obnoxious to first century Jews. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:07:59.600 The Roman army was an oppressive instrument of colonial occupation in Israel. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:05.500 And so what Peter says here to this soldier is nothing short of a miracle. 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:12.279 What changed Peter's mind and heart? What did that? What changed his mind and heart so much 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:19.180 that he overcome his prejudice and could declare, I now know that God does not show favoritism? 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:24.220 Well, three things I want to see really quickly from this, not so quickly from this text. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:30.540 If you've got your St. Paul's app in front of you, I've got it there, a bit of an outline for you. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:41.740 We want to see three things. His experience of other people, number one, the work of God in his own life 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:49.920 and the work of God in the lives of others to collectively shape Peter to become the man that he is, 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.220 a kingdom-focused man, not a culturally driven man. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:09:01.279 So first of all, his own personal experience. His travel schedule most likely opened his eyes to God's purposes. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:04.420 Chapter 9, verse 32, we read, 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:09.639 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord's people who lived in Lydda. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:17.279 Peter didn't leave Jerusalem with the other disciples at the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 7. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:26.299 He left Jerusalem as a direct result of the success of Philip's ministry to the Samaritans. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:33.659 Peter and John traveled to Samaria to find out what was going on 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:40.559 and to ensure it was consistent with everything that had been handed down to them from Jesus himself 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:43.039 and what was happening in the church in Jerusalem. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:51.459 It must have raised a question for him as he ventured into these places and saw the extent of God's work. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:56.179 Unlike us, see, we get to read the accounts. 00:09:56.719 --> 00:09:58.539 We've read Philip and what happened there. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:04.419 Peter would most likely not have known of Philip's later encounter with the Ethiopian 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:11.039 or of Paul's conversion and call to be missionary to the Gentile world. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.819 He probably knew nothing of those things. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:21.120 And maybe it was questions like this that caused Peter to extend his leave from Jerusalem 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:26.219 to visit other groups of Christians scattered by the persecution 00:10:26.219 --> 00:10:31.860 to see what responses that they were receiving in their new locations. 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:35.799 And so Luke mentions two places, Lydda and Joppa. 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:39.219 Lydda and Joppa are towns in Western Palestine. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:45.060 It is known in the Old Testament as Philistine territory. 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:48.139 It was decidedly pagan. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:54.940 And yet the Christian gospel is having a significant impact in this Gentile world. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:03.100 And so Peter's Jewish straitjacket is slowly being loosened. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:13.620 In fact, in chapter 9, verse 43, we read that he stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:24.000 Now, tanning of animal skins was regarded by strict Jews as an unclean occupation 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:29.740 because it involved handing animals that were not kosher. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:52.220 Simon is a Jewish Christian who has let go of some of his Jewish cultural baggage, having become a Christian. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:12:02.480 And God is using his experience in Samaria and now in the coastal plains of Western Palestine 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:08.160 to make Peter aware of some of his Jewish prejudices. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:13.960 It was seeing people from other cultures embracing the same faith 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:18.360 that he began to see the foolishness of his discriminating attitudes. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:27.159 Now, I've got to say for myself, in the 11 years I've been at St. Paul's, 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:31.519 that the more I mix with people different than I am, 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:34.639 the more I see the prejudices in my heart. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:43.019 That is, the deeper I go with others that are different from me, 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:44.940 the deeper I understand myself. 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:50.700 Parochialism feeds prejudice. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.780 As we look to the future together, 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:57.620 I am very keen for us as a church to develop strategies 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:04.420 for more intentional cross-cultural discipling of one another. 00:13:06.780 --> 00:13:10.340 Now, of course, Peter didn't just deal with his prejudice because he travelled. 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:14.780 That in itself doesn't change the heart at all. 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.340 But let's have a look at his own personal work, 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.700 God's work in his life, 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:24.980 and he's changed by his revelation that he received from God. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:28.500 The real power is God's work in his life. 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:31.019 Have a look at chapter 10, verses 9 and 13 with me, 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.639 if you've got your Bibles there. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:36.340 About noon the following day, 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.559 as they were on their journey and approached the city, 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.419 Peter went up to the roof to pray. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:43.720 He became hungry, wanted something to eat, 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:45.179 and while the meal was being prepared, 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:46.939 he fell into a trance. 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:50.799 He saw heaven open and something like a large sheep 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:54.299 being let down to earth by its four corners. 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:58.259 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, 00:13:58.339 --> 00:13:59.879 as well as reptiles and birds. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.500 And then a voice told him, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:05.679 get up, Peter, kill and eat. 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:11.719 Now, although this is a revelation from God, 00:14:12.979 --> 00:14:16.339 it was cryptic and puzzling for Peter. 00:14:16.459 --> 00:14:18.120 We are told in verse 17, 00:14:18.459 --> 00:14:21.399 he was left wondering about the meaning of this vision. 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:25.459 That is, the vision didn't directly speak to him 00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:28.220 about his racial prejudice. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:32.179 It was addressing Jewish food regulations. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:37.659 Pious Jews believed that by observing these laws, 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:42.659 they witnessed to the world of their special privilege 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:44.039 as a chosen people. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.779 And yet the people Peter mixed with on his travels 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:50.600 were bad Jews. 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:57.279 But they were people who were becoming Christians like him. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.840 Or that they were Christians getting rid of their, 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:02.500 some of their Jewish practices. 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.559 Where did all this fit? 00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:09.139 He's up there in the midday sun. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.840 He's falling into a bit of a, 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.819 he might have diabetes or something. 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:15.000 His sugar drops low or something. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.819 He's got this conflict going on in his mind 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:19.079 about his cultural heritage 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:21.540 and what he's seeing amongst these believers. 00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.620 And he has this vision. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:25.800 You could imagine him up there on Simon's house, 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.620 up on the roof of the midday sun. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:31.120 The stench of the animal skins rising to the roof 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:34.840 as the prawn cocktails being prepared with the roast pork. 00:15:35.020 --> 00:15:35.240 And he's, 00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:36.879 and he's, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:39.040 what is this all about? 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.120 And then, 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:42.860 then, 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:45.139 he gets in his sleepiness. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:48.240 He has this strange dream of animals on a sheet. 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.620 And he hears these words, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:50.940 get up, 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.279 kill, 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:51.679 eat. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.179 And he says, 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.220 surely not, 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.700 Lord. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.539 Surely not. 00:15:58.120 --> 00:16:01.960 I have never eaten anything impure, 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.759 unclean. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:06.039 The voice spoke to him a second time. 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:09.080 Do you not call anything impure that God has made clean? 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.740 And this happened three times. 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:15.639 And immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.220 This is a, 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:23.000 a transformation moment for Peter right here. 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:26.139 Three times he denied Jesus. 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.439 Three times Jesus asked him, 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.840 do you love me? 00:16:29.900 --> 00:16:31.240 Three times he affirmed his love. 00:16:31.280 --> 00:16:32.040 And now three times, 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:34.080 do not call anything unclean that I've called clean. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:37.700 This is a major transformation, 00:16:38.400 --> 00:16:40.440 moment in the life and the heart of Peter, 00:16:40.520 --> 00:16:40.960 the apostle. 00:16:43.260 --> 00:16:44.860 He sees a variety of animals. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.220 Some approved, 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:49.720 some forbidden by Jewish laws in Leviticus 11. 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:58.200 In the mix is probably pigs and owls and seagulls and eagles and reptiles and lobsters and insects and prawns and 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.140 whatever else. 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:07.559 He was disgusted by the sight and the command to eat this unholy smorgasbord. 00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:14.759 How could anything unclean for God's people, 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.900 something that's been unclean for thousands of years, 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:21.860 how could it possibly now suddenly be clean? 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:25.000 Twice more, 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:27.539 this grotesque sheet is lowered, 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:31.959 only compounding Peter's disgust and his misery. 00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:35.779 And at this moment, 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:38.000 this exact moment, 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:40.899 there appeared to be a coincidence 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:45.699 by which Peter later discovered it was divine synchronization. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:50.059 As he was pondering the vision, 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:56.539 the trio from the Roman soldier Cornelius turned up looking for him. 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.299 And in verse 20, 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.720 the Holy Spirit says to Peter, 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.319 get up, 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.860 go downstairs, 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:04.140 do not hesitate to go with them, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.660 for I have sent them. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:11.039 It's interesting in the original language of the New Testament, 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.299 the word translated, 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.619 hesitate there, 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.420 do not hesitate, 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:16.759 can in fact be translated, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.859 do not discriminate, 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.299 do not evaluate. 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.000 Interchangeably, 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.500 easily. 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:26.779 Don't discriminate against them, 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.059 Peter, 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.559 go with them. 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:29.899 You see, 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:34.180 if Peter's vision here was far more than revolutionary food laws, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:36.200 far more revolutionary than food laws, 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:42.059 the four corners of the sheet that was descended to him, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:45.360 correspond to the four points of the compass, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.880 the north, 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.319 the south, 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.259 the east and the west, 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:54.019 and the contents of the sheep are the swarming millions of people that populate the earth. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:19:02.559 All of humanity bound up together in one loathsome bundle in front of Peter. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:06.319 And he's standing above them all, 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.220 surveying them, 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:12.240 spitting out revulsion and rejection from his heart. 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:20.379 And what he says when he arrives at Cornelius' house, 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:24.960 reveals he understood the vision for the first time. 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:31.059 In Ephesians chapter 2, 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:35.740 we read that God's aim is to create one new people, 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:40.059 to reconcile each other across bloodlines, 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:43.620 through the shedding of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.340 the Son of God. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.799 It started, 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.440 first of all, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.700 with the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.660 no longer strangers, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.380 aliens, 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.220 prejudices, 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.059 no enmity, 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.960 one family together, 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:59.079 a new family with whom God himself will dwell. 00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.359 That is God's purpose, 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.940 according to Ephesians 2, 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:05.019 to make himself a family that he will dwell amongst. 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:08.839 God ordained the death of his Son, 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.000 Jesus Christ, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:16.960 to reconcile alien people's groups to each other as one body in Christ. 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:20.059 Christ died to take enmity, 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.120 the anger, 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:22.380 the disgust, 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.120 the jealousy, 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.000 the self-pity, 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.700 the envy, 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.259 the fear, 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:25.900 the hatred, 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.700 the malice, 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.720 the indifference, 00:20:27.860 --> 00:20:28.440 the pride, 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:34.360 away from our hearts that we have towards all other persons, 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.559 whatever their race, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:38.880 whatever their status is in Jesus. 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:48.260 God's plan is not just that the gospel will go to all peoples, 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:53.720 but that all peoples would in fact be brought together through the gospel, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:57.200 as one people in Christ. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.240 Christ. 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:03.980 And that's what Peter understood at Cornelius' house. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:14.120 The third thing that really gripped him was God's work in the lives of other people, 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.440 not just his own life. 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:27.519 There could hardly be a more favorable opportunity to speak about the good news of Jesus than Peter is presented here at Cornelius' house. 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:31.200 I mean, Cornelius is pious. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:41.759 He's a conscientious worshiper of God who's been instructed by none less than angels themselves to invite Peter to his house and guarantee that he will come. 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:45.340 Cornelius even bows to Peter when he comes. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:48.019 He's held in such high esteem. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:53.960 He even gathers his entire household together to hear what Peter would have to say to them. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:22:03.860 But there's one thing that's a problem for Peter as he walks up to the door, 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:08.620 and that is Cornelius is a Gentile, 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:12.000 and he does not belong to the covenant people of God. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.820 And he does that. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:18.200 You know, like the first things that come out of his mouth as he arrives, 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:22.639 you kind of go, you know, a bit more EQ would have been great here. 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.879 A bit more emotional intelligence. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.559 Verse 28, 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:39.579 But he has learned a lot and has made the connection with his vision. 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:45.460 But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:49.440 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:55.900 And then what he does is he launches into a three-point sermon to the gathered Gentiles. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:58.960 He stresses the life of Jesus in verses 36 and 38. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:05.620 The death and resurrection of Jesus for which he is an eyewitness and must proclaim this news to all of humanity. 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.880 39 to 41. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:12.299 And the coming judgment of Jesus by Jesus and the forgiveness of sins, 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:16.120 which is available only through him in verses 42 to 44. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:21.619 These Gentile believers are baptized and become members of the church. 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:26.859 In verse 34 and 35, Peter says he knows that God does not show favoritism, 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:31.279 but it says people from every nation who fear him and does what is right. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:33.000 Let me be really clear here. 00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:38.639 Peter is not saying that morally respectable people go to heaven. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.060 That's not what he's saying. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:51.700 If that were true, he wouldn't have told the respectable, pious Cornelius that he needed forgiveness of sin. 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:58.440 Neither is Peter saying that all religions in the end lead to God. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:03.280 If that was so, he wouldn't have instructed Cornelius in the entire household 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:11.500 about the unique office that Jesus has as judge of all humanity and that he is Lord of all. 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.940 In verses 42 and 43. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:24.259 There is no nice thought here that pious pagans get to relate to God without Jesus. 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:29.980 Jesus is the only hope for a reconciled humanity. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:35.319 Not political correctness. 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:38.660 Not the United Nations. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.299 Just Jesus Christ. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:48.720 And Peter now sees the marks of God's grace. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:55.319 Just readily seen in the Gentiles as it was in the Jewish lives. 00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:01.500 Peter has been changed from being a man of his culture to a man of the kingdom. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:10.000 And the same Holy Spirit is poured out on these Gentile believers as it was on the Jewish believers. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:13.819 This is a crucial moment in the life of the church. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:20.880 The pouring of the Holy Spirit here is meant to take our minds and our hearts back to Acts chapter 2. 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:24.579 It's there that the church was born. 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:31.220 And now this church includes both Jews and Gentiles. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.799 One gospel. 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.299 One spirit. 00:25:34.939 --> 00:25:35.899 One faith. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.419 One body. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:42.619 The good news of God's grace to us in Jesus Christ is for all people. 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:46.399 And has now come to all people. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:54.120 Let me just wind up really quickly by just mentioning three things about our new family. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.660 By way of application. 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.900 Firstly, if you're a Christian. 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:03.320 And if you're a Christian here today without a gather with us online wherever you are. 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:05.040 If you do not have Jewish heritage. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.280 You want to give thanks for Peter. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:15.259 You want to give thanks that he responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:18.259 And allowed his prejudice to be overturned. 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:23.500 Rejoice that God has included you in his covenant people. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:26.539 He was under no obligation to do so. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:32.660 No obligation to extend his promises to you and to me at all. 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:38.480 And yet in his infinite mercy God reached out to us. 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:41.440 In the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:41.600 --> 00:26:42.960 And through a variety of people. 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:45.480 To offer us freely. 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.800 His gospel of grace. 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.860 And mercy. 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:50.920 Secondly. 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:55.860 There are still 3.23 billion people in this world. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:58.640 That are part of unreached people groups. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.000 Just think about that for a moment. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:06.820 3.23 billion people in this world. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:09.000 Still part of unreached people groups. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.840 20 centuries. 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:18.220 After Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples of all nations. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:22.180 There are places all over this world. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:24.759 Where that gospel has not even touched. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:29.740 How on earth is that possible? 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:36.740 20 centuries. 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.500 20 centuries. 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:41.480 And we travel all over the globe. 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:44.039 And there are still places. 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:49.620 Including 3.23 billion people representing in those places. 00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:52.839 That have no vibrant Christian witness to this day. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.839 Peter's vision. 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.839 20 centuries. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:58.159 Peter's vision and his encounter walk with Cornelius. 00:27:58.359 --> 00:28:03.599 Isn't just an abstract point about the character of God's church. 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:08.579 It's a call for us to take the gospel to the nations. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:12.919 We are called to pray for that mission. 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:15.000 To give to that mission. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:16.859 And even to go on that mission. 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:20.720 Wherever God calls you as his child. 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:23.359 We are called to be on that mission. 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:32.439 Now apart from our own mission here at St. Paul's to other cultures in our neighborhood. 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:37.459 We support the advance of the gospel globally through mission partners. 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:41.439 Let me just raise one of those partners with you right now. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:45.459 The Klintos family working in sub-Sahara Africa. 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:48.579 Strengthening churches. 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:53.500 Raising up and equipping gospel workers for the local church. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.640 Phenomenal work that they're doing there. 00:28:56.299 --> 00:29:00.640 However right now their support fund is so low. 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:03.319 That they're eating into their personal savings. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:05.840 In order to pay their bills to continue that work. 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:12.740 We and a number of other churches are rope holders for them. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:15.360 And we're letting the rope go. 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:19.960 We can't allow that to happen. 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:24.460 Please donate to them via our mission account by the end of this week. 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:31.319 You get the mission account details in our weekly news out there in the connect desk on our website. 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:38.140 Do it by the end of the week so that they no longer need to access their savings to continue that crucial work. 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:39.279 Thirdly. 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:43.759 The local church must reflect our eternal home. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:47.700 And therefore we must overcome our prejudice towards other groups and peoples. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:58.160 Our sheets easily fill with educational, cultural, social, ethnic, economic rejects. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:01.400 And we cry, by no means Lord. 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.980 They are not my type. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:08.779 Our vision at St. Paul's is to be a transcultural church. 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:16.839 A transcultural church community is a community that reflects, embraces and enjoys the diversity of its mission context. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:18.839 But by the power of the gospel. 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:20.399 It transcends that. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.839 Transcends its cultural context. 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:26.539 And creates one new community in Christ. 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:29.679 Where we treasure Jesus together. 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:38.539 This church is not about obliterating cultural distinctions and all its diversity. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:42.240 Jesus broke down the barriers between people. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.920 He didn't obliterate the differences. 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:51.560 All of humanity are fallen and sinful beings who have been made in God's image. 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:55.000 And yet redeemed and transformed through Jesus. 00:30:56.600 --> 00:31:02.460 And by the work of the Holy Spirit into a new humanity under the lordship of Jesus forever. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:06.460 He is our primary point of loyalty. 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:17.039 And that news will be true and will be true for every person irrespective of their cultural heritage. 00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:19.819 Every single person needs to come to Jesus. 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:26.380 And so I want to leave us with a challenge from another preacher. 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:32.980 Alexander White was a pastor and leader in the Free Church of Scotland a bit over 100 years ago. 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:39.500 And he made this comment in a sermon on this passage. 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:44.480 It will change your whole heart and life this very night. 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:48.140 If you would take Peter and Cornelius home with you. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:50.339 And lay them both to heart. 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:55.259 If you would take a four corner napkin when you go home. 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:58.819 And write the names of the nations and the churches and the denominations. 00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:01.039 And the congregations and the ministers. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:05.879 And the public men and the private citizens and the neighbours and the fellow worshippers. 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:11.319 All the people you dislike and despise. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.539 And do not. 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.519 And cannot. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:15.720 And will not love. 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:20.460 Heap all their names into your unclean napkin. 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.680 And then look up and say, 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.759 Not so, Lord. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:28.319 I neither can speak well. 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.900 Nor think well. 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.140 Nor hope well. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.019 Of these people. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.059 I cannot do it. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.579 I will not try. 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:43.680 If you acted out and spoke all the evil things that are in your heart in such a way as that. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:46.500 You would get such insight into yourself. 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:48.019 That you would never forget it. 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:52.240 Prejudice runs deep in the sinful heart. 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:55.620 I discovered it that night in Alice Springs. 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:59.979 My chosen place as a child of God. 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:01.099 By the grace of God. 00:33:01.179 --> 00:33:02.579 By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:06.159 Had not produced a humility and a compassion in me for all people. 00:33:07.219 --> 00:33:11.359 Ironically, it meant that I was not aligned with God's purposes for all of humanity. 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:15.479 Even though I was there to preach about that very thing. 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:19.839 I needed Jesus to change my heart. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:23.700 I needed to repent that very night. 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.339 Let's do that now. 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:33.759 Gracious and merciful Heavenly Father. 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:38.519 The one from whom all humanity derives its image and being. 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:44.559 Please forgive us for not allowing your great love to flow through us to others. 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:48.660 For refusing to love and to win over to your kingdom. 00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:50.240 Those we deem to be dangerous. 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.819 Or dirty. 00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.279 Or unworthy. 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:55.319 Or those who have hurt us. 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:57.160 Or those we consider beneath us. 00:33:58.460 --> 00:34:02.200 Humble us that we might be aware of our sin and unworthiness. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:05.500 But in Jesus you came to us. 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:10.139 May your grace burst through our walls of pride and prejudice. 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:15.220 May your love conquer our selfishness and the sinful rebellion of others. 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:18.900 So that together in the name of Jesus. 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:21.059 Is exalted by us. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.079 And through us. 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.880 For your glory we pray. 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.000 Amen.