Hey Gang,
This week we look at the fact that we live in a divided world. All people in all groups were created by one God and have the same basic needs. Human sin, however, has nurtured prejudice and strife between different groups.
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When you look at me, you don't see a man, you see a black man!
Carl Lee would not have received a fair trial in Mississippi if his attorney had not broken down the barriers of judicial prejudice of the jury. Is justice blind? Why is it suppose to be?
We say we aren’t prejudiced, but many of us have prejudged images of others. If we just glance at people without seeing them as God does and keep driving blindly through life, we could tragically miss God’s destination for our lives and theirs. This lesson challenges Christian boomers to identify blind spots – prejudices we may not even be aware of – and intentionally look for ways to overcome them.
What are blind spots in a vehicle, and why are they dangerous? What blind spots might boomers have when it comes to people? Why are those blind spots dangerous?
Identify your prejudices and intentionally look for ways to overcome them.
Biblical Context
Acts 10 is a major dividing point, not just in the Book of Acts but in the world order. There was no way a Jew could eat with a Gentile and not break a dietary law. Therefore Jews did not associate with Gentiles at all. But in Acts 10, God revealed to Peter what He’d been saying all along in the Old Testament. His eternal purposes were to reach and save people from every nation and culture; and He intended all believers, Jew and Gentile, to interact as one united family. Acts 10 might recount the conversion of a Roman Gentile, but even more it describes the transformation of a prejudiced Jewish Christian.
The Talmud: "Jews can thank God they are not dogs or Gentiles." This was the barrier in Peter's day between the Jews and the Gentiles.
Unclean
This word was used in biblical passages in two ways – ceremonial and moral. In Acts 10:14, 28 both Peter and God used it in the ceremonial way. The Old Testament contains ceremonial laws about that which is clean and unclean. For instance, there were clean and unclean animals. Eating the meat of an unclean animal rendered a person ceremonially unclean in the sense of not being able to worship in the tabernacle or temple (Lev. 11). In Peter’s day the term was used of anyone who ate unclean food, and even of those who had close contact with those who ate unclean food. Thus Gentiles were automatically considered “unclean” because they did not follow the laws of the Jews. The New Testament shows how God shifted the meaning of the word to refer to moral uncleanness (Eph. 5:5). Peter’s witness to Cornelius is a key passage in this change.
Summary
After Peter’s vision in which God told him that all things are clean, he went with other Jewish men into the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter acknowledged that God had taught him not to call any person common or unclean. Peter preached to Cornelius and to his relatives and friends. Peter spoke of God’s impartial love for all who seek Him. His sermon focused on Jesus Christ. Peter’s hearers believed the gospel message, and as a sign the Holy Spirit came on them in a way that convinced the Jewish believers with Peter that there was no reason to hinder anyone from hearing the good news.
God doesn't show favoritism and neither should we.
I. CHALLENGE YOUR ASSUMPTIONS – ACTS 10:9-15
9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop about noon. 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common and ritually unclean!” 15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.”
What was Peter’s blind spot? How can we recognize ingrained prejudices?
Peter had been raised in a Hebrew household in which each member was thoroughly taught God’s commands, down to the finest details. But when God began to move in the heart of a Gentile named Cornelius, Peter’s understanding of obedience according to the law would be shaken forever. While Peter stayed in Joppa with a tanner named Simon, God prepared Peter for a new stage in his missionary career that would shake him at his core beliefs and prepare for the entry of Gentiles into the church.
Consider a time in your own life when what you thought to be a standard behavior was challenged or questioned.
Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew), had been told in a vision to send for Peter. At the time his men were approaching the house where Peter was staying, Peter went to the rooftop to pray. Hunger pains that hit him hard enough to request some food were straight from God to open Peter’s heart and mind to hear a new message: There was a new standard for foods that are clean and unclean.
When was the last time the Holy Spirit showed you that your assumptions about following God were not actually correct?
God had been very specific to the Jews in His instructions of what to eat and what not to eat and actually considered obedience to these standards as part of what made them set apart. (Lev. 11:44)
What must people do or not do in order to be accepted into our congregation? On what do we base that standard?
It is for this very reason that Peter was appalled at the thought of consuming these unclean animals: God had forbidden it. What Peter didn’t understand, though, was that the law had been fulfilled through the death of Christ, and the standards for holiness had changed from following a list of command to salvation that comes from faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. As Christians who are not expressly prohibited from consuming certain foods, we are often tempted to belittle or disregard the dietary restrictions of other beliefs. However, this topic can often open a door of conversation between a believer and someone who does not know Christ. If led, use this passage to show why Christians do not adhere to eating restrictions.
How can we discern whether God is challenging our assumptions or Satan is testing our convictions?
Points:
1. Man-made barriers stand between people in different groups.
2. These barriers often stand between one group sharing Christ with the other group.
3. Prejudice is inconsistent for Christians.
II. CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR – ACTS 10:22-23, 28-29a
22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.
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28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?”
Cornelius’ men found Peter and told him God had instructed the Roman to send for Peter and hear his message. Surely Cornelius thought that Peter would enlighten him on the truths of Christ. But little did Cornelius know that God’s life-changing message was not for Cornelius alone but also for Peter and every other Jewish Christian. Peter gave them rest for the night and set out with them the next day. Somewhere along the journey to Cornelius’ house, the more pressing – and even more difficult – interpretation of God’s vision became clear to Peter. God was not talking about food alone; He was talking about people!
Whom do you consider to be unclean? Does God consider them to be unclean as well?
Through this new insight, Peter’s entire way of relating to and behaving around others was about to change. Though the idea of removing God’s standards for eating only clean foods would have shaken Peter’s belief system, it may have almost crumbled when he realized that God wanted Peter to treat other people – all other people – with the respect and compassion he would have previously given only to a Jew.
In what ways do you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ differently from those you don’t know or don’t respect?
Peter and the other men likely could not have imagined the effect their decision to embrace God’s new standard would have on Jewish believers and the spread of Christianity. We cannot know God’s standards for how we are to respond to people, situations, and struggles unless we are committed to and actively pursuing His will through His Word.
Do you think it was harder for Peter to host the Gentiles or to accept Cornelius’ hospitality?
What might be our attitude and actions if we view our nation’s immigration challenges only as a political issue? What will be our attitude and actions if we view those challenges as ministry opportunities? How can we build relationships with people of other nationalities and races?
Points:
1. Because the gospel is for all people, Christians must boldly cross barriers to tell the good news.
III. CLARIFY THAT JESUS IS LORD OF ALL – ACTS 10:34-36
34 Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.
In two separate visions, Cornelius had been told to send for Peter and Peter had been instructed to adjust his understanding of clean and unclean. A crowd had gathered and the meeting had begun. All eyes were on Peter as he began speaking the words for which Cornelius and his friends had been waiting expectantly.
If you found yourself as the speaker in this situation, what would be the first thing out of your mouth? How would your first statement demonstrate the importance of your words?
First, Peter admitted his understanding that God does not show favoritism. We cannot begin to imagine the difficulty of this truth for Peter, primarily because the Jews had always been God’s favorite nation and Peter himself was a Jew and part of Jesus’ inner circle. Simply, Peter was giving up the significance he felt in God outside of Christ.
What attributes make us feel that we are God’s favorites? Where did we develop those attitudes?
Peter next explained what makes a person acceptable to God: fearing Him and doing righteousness. Notice that a person is not merely declared righteous but they must have a life characterized by being right before God. And though the message of righteousness came through the Jews, Peter gave full credit to the One who fulfilled that righteousness: Jesus Christ.
Can you succinctly explain – in everyday words – what it takes to be made right before God?
Peter was willing to give up his preferred status in order to draw others to Christ. By admitting that Jesus is Lord of all, he was demonstrating that no longer did the Jews have the monopoly on God’s favor and love; Jesus had made it available to every nation. God sent Peter out of his comfort zone. Peter had to leave behind the house in which he was staying, his understanding of how a righteous person should eat, and his unbelief’s of how God viewed people in order to spread the truth of Christ. We too must regularly leave our comfort zones in a variety of ways in order to live for Him. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading as He directs you to go physically, emotionally, or socially into the world.
Why does God challenge our assumptions and call us to change our behavior? What is our challenge if Jesus is Lord of all? How can we proclaim His message of peace in a divided culture?
We live in a divided world. All people in all groups were created by one God and have the same basic needs. Human sin, however, has nurtured prejudice and strife between different groups. Acts 10 is a powerful story with its background of the tension between Romans and Jews in the first century. Their prejudice and strife are examples of the divisive spirit that pervades many groups, yet they found in Christ common ground for treating one another as God intended.
What steps do you take to overcome blind spots in your car? What steps can we take to overcome blind spots toward others?
In light of the lesson Peter learned from this event, how prejudiced are you?
How can Christians practice love in a divided world?
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, help me be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Amen.
Well, we are certainly covering all the ills of society - Drinking, Immorality, Sanctity of Human Life, and now Prejudice! Next week we will close this series on GREED. These are always good lessons to develop personal convictions about each topic as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Be in prayer this week as we discuss the prejudices we all face - today!
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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