Prejudice Exposed

Prejudice Exposed

2013-09-01

Acts 10:9-21

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”

A large portion of Acts is devoted to the miracle of God’s grace opening gospel to Gentiles, as Gentiles thru Peter, not Paul. Act 10:1-11:18, 15:7-9 Act 10:9-14

·      It is unclear if both clean and unclean animals are included or just unclean. Lev 11

Peter was understandably both horrified & confused by the strange dream.

·      Maybe he perceived the vision as test of his faithfulness to God’s written law.

o   HIs intentions were good, but he was still being disobedient.

·      He objected with a contradiction in terms, “no Lord” …If He is Lord, we must obey Him.

·      His response is completely in character with past actions. Peter is still Peter. 3X

o   We must also guard against faults/weaknesses we had before conversion.

o   Renewed sinners are still sinners.  "The best of men are men at best!" Charles Spurgeon

Peter did not understand initial vision, the 2^nd time God explained: Act 10:15-16, Mk 7:18-19

·      Food laws were fulfilled and ended in Jesus, & by analogy the Gentiles were not to be considered unclean or common.

o   "Common & unclean" meant rejected, despised, taboo.

·      Jews wrongly extended “clean/unclean” OT food distinctions to Gentiles.

o   Association of clean with unclean rendered all “unclean”.

§  There was no OT law prohibiting Jews to associate with Gentiles.

o   God had changed all of Peter’s dietary laws to change his worldview.

§  It's a short step from clean Gentile food to clean Gentiles.

The fundamental problem of Jews & Jewish Christians was prejudice.

·      They believed salvation was not just “of Jews,” but primarily “for Jews.”

o   Gospel to Gentiles as Gentiles defiling to Christian Jews and the gospel.

o   Gentiles could be saved but they were required to become a Jew.

·      Here we begin to see the walls of lifelong prejudices destroyed by God thru the cross.

Prejudice is not a 20^th century issue but mankind issue & broader than 2-way racism.

·      We ALL have prejudices….. preconceived opinion that is not based on actual experience…..pre-judge us.   Jn 8:7-8 

o   Old/young, poor/wealthy, educated/uneducated, male/female, liberal/conservative, tat/no tat, saint/sinner, charismatic/cessationist, Calvinist/Arminian.

·      Parents, peers, and culture are often the mentors of our prejudice, while pride it’s root.

Prejudice rears its ugly head in thoughts, words, action & non-action.

·      Maybe you avoid all association with “unclean”….smokers, tats, sinners.

o   Be careful! If Jesus didn’t call it sin, you shouldn’t

o   We are to receive all whom Christ receives!

§  Don't just extend grace to yourself and loved ones and everyone else gets the law.

·      i.e. smoking vs. overeating

Some Christians, Like Peter and some other Jewish Christians we sometimes misuse scripture to support our isolation from the lost for the purpose of not being defiled.  2 Cor 6:14-17, Mk 7:14-23, 1 Cor 15:32a-34

·      Wise people discontinue unhealthy or sinful friendships, now or in past.

o   But like Jesus, look for opportunities to associate VOLUNTARILY with the lost.

·      Be ye separate & holy by associating w/sinners (not while they’re sinning)  & proclaim the Gospel while living pure lives before them. 

Sometimes it's painful to face our prejudices & unbiblical behavior. 

·      Christ in His kindness and mercy, lovingly exposes our sinful hearts & then by His grace enables us to live Christ-like & God glorifying in a dark and dying world.

o   "We are anxious to bear fruit, but we do not care to be pruned." C. Spurgeon