Pride & Prejudice

Learning to bury the hatchet

Acts 10:1-48

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them” (Edward R. Murrow, US broadcast journalist & newscaster)

Central theme: Although man is inclined to prejudice and bitterness, God shows no form of partiality and views all mankind as equals created with “one blood”. Inasmuch, He calls all true followers to adopt a lifestyle in keeping with such a statement. (vv. 15, 34-35; 17:26)

The phrase “bury the hatchet” is a American idiom meaning to make peace. It was a Native American Custom to bury their weapons during times of peace. The phrase is an allusion to the figurative or literal practice of putting away the tomahawk at the cessation of hostilities among or by Native Americans in the Eastern United States, specifically concerning the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy and in Iroquois custom in general. Weapons were to be buried or otherwise cached in time of peace.

The truth is that everyone has certain prejudices. Whether it’s a child who won’t let someone play with them or join their club or adults who view other families, people groups, and individuals with contempt. Truth be told, there are many prejudices which are unique to geographical or cultural areas. These prejudices are passed down from generation to generation and tend to result in heated conflict. Certainly the most familiar prejudice between families is the contention between the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s.

There are families within every community and those connected to many churches who have hatchets to bury. There are those  who have caused very public injury to other brothers and sisters in the past and that hostility has not been buried. We can’t run from the hurt in our past we must face it. If you’re sitting in church and you know of someone you have offended in the past you must go to them and bury the hatchet. And if that hostility has caused “public” damage both parties ought to remove those “images” of hostility.

In Christ there are no greater or lesser ministries or disciples. In Him all are one. God does not hold one person, group or family over another. God does not inspire racism, prejudice, and pride. Rather, Christ calls us to resolution of past hurts and to avoid exclusiveness. We are called to bury the hatchet.  Children are not the only ones who push people away. Many adults refuse to associate themselves with those who they view undesirable, opposite to their personality, or whom they disagree with.

In today’s passage we will look at what God has to say about prejudice and bitterness. Also we see how God prepared Peter to overcome his pride and prejudice and bury his hatchet.

I.                   Divine Preparation and Intervention (VV. 1-20)

a.      Reliance on the Holy Spirit to soften hearts. vv 1-9.

                                                                          i.      In light of the hardness of man’s heart and the ingrained nature bent toward prejudice it is vital to lean upon the leading of the Holy Spirit to break certain prejudices

                                                                        ii.      In order to reach the gentile community God had to prepare the heart of His preacher Peter and the seeker Cornelius.

1.      In the same way, in order to fulfill the great commission we must.

a.      Seek God’s direction

b.      Pray that god prepares the way

c.       Pray for softened hearts

d.     Be willing to do and say the hard things.

2.     We must recognize, Salvation begins and ends with God.

a.     God calls

“No one can come to me [Jesus] unless the Father draws him (John 6:44)

b.     God chooses:

Many are called, but few are chosen (Matt 22:14)

c.      God saves

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13)

d.     God seals

In Him you also…were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)

e.     God sends

Go Therefore… preach the gospel… baptize… make disciples. (Matt 28:19-20)

b.      Willingness to adjust beliefs and lifestyle. vv 9-20

                                                                         i.      God calls believers to prayer and communion in order to draw us closer to his pre-revealed plan.

1.     All that God reveals has been revealed. Therefore it is not about something new God seeks to reveal to us.

2.     Rather about us opening our eyes to what has been laid in place since the dawn of time.

                                                                       ii.      Responding to God’s leading is not always easy. This is especially true when what God demands is far beyond our comfortably and reasoning.

II.                 Abandonment of Pride and Prejudice (vv. 21-25)

a.      Serving God requires humility and thick skin. vv. 20-22

                                                                         i.      Based upon the context and the Greek words, God literally told Peter, travel with them (gentile soldiers and servants) and do not judge or treat them with prejudice, for I have sent them. Accept them as brothers.

                                                                       ii.      In the same manner, God calls us to live in harmony with those outside our sphere of comfort.

1.      God calls us to do the hard things in order to reach the hard to reach.

2.      Are we willing to do the hard things.

b.      God does not always act “rationally” vv. 23-25

                                                                          i.      He invited them in… What God was asking of peter was to defy tradition which had been in place for more than 1,000 years.

1.      “Good Jews” would never invite (on their own free will) any gentile into their home. Certainly they would not invite a roman solider in.

2.      Peter’s actions clearly indicate a significant heart change. This drastic of a change can only result from divine preparation.

                                                                        ii.      Some brethren… these were six of the believers from Joppa.

1.      Very likely newly converted believers as a result of Peter’s ongoing ministry.

2.      Peter is clearly disciplining converts in Joppa

3.      Go is using the ministry of Peter to proclaim His larger message. “ I am for all people!”

                                                                      iii.      Cornelius was waiting [with] his relatives and close friends… If we will simply be willing and obedient, God has prepared hearts to hear the gospel. The timing and circumstances may not seem “appropriate” but the outcome will be unexpected.  

III.              Consequences of Obedient Faith. (vv. 26-33)

a.      God receives worship and glory. vv. 26

                                                                          i.      When we respond in faith in brings glory to God.

                                                                        ii.      We must be cautious not to take the credit or praise for our actions.

·         For every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17).

·         Without Him we are truly nothing (John 15:5).

                                                                      iii.      Only the triune God deserves worship. Rev 22:8,9

b.     Deeper insight and understanding are given. vv. 27-28

                                                                         i.      God opened Peter’s eyes to the failings of the law.

1.      Peter was among the most devout followers of the Jewish laws. Perhaps the reason God called Peter to take part in this event was His influence.

2.       His response reveals that God had changed His heart. He now viewed all as equals in the eyes of God. He came to view all humanity as lost, fallen, and in need of salvation.

                                                                        ii.      Peter still was uncertain of the reason he was sent. vv. 29-33

1.       Peter’s willingness to follow God despite not understanding His purpose should serve as a strong sign to us.

2.       One does not need to fully understand the details or to rationally explain the call. Simply, we must be willing to radically abandon our pride and prejudice and answer the call.

3.       God does not need to explain himself.

                                                                        iii.      God’s will is revealed while Peter is listening and obeying vv. 34-35

1.       After all these events transpire peter comes to a deeper understanding.

2.       He understands “NOW” that God is “no respecter of persons.”

3.       The man who fears the Lord and does what is right (Eccl 4:10) is welcome to Him.

a.       The word translated “welcomed” means to be “marked with a favorable manifestation of divine pleasure.”

b.       God welcomes all of those who call on Him. He is a loving Father.

                                                                        iv.       God’s offers salvation and companionship to all vv. 36-43

1.        It is God’s will that all mankind be reached.

2.        The truth of God’s existence and love are self-evident (Rom 1:19)

3.        Mankind is without excuse.

4.        God will bring all the earth under judgment in Christ.

5.        Jesus Christ is the Judge of the living and the dead… everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

 

IV.              Reassurance Of the Holy Spirit. (vv. 44-48)

a.     Many souls are saved

                                                                         i.      The Holy Spirit seals effective, godly, living.

1.       We need not live to impress others; neither should we be burdened down by fear of failure, rejection or hurt.

2.       If we are truly living directed by the Spirit, our future is secure.

                                                                        ii.      The Holy Spirit is the one who draws every man, woman, and child.

1.       No act of man could equal a genuine move of God.

2.       Only God could orchestrate the events that resulted in the salvation of all those in Cornelius’ house.

b.     The scope of ministry is broadened.

As a result of these events:

                                                                          i.      The gospel was preached to thousands of seeking individuals.

                                                                        ii.      The Nature of God was made known to man once again.

1.       God revealed Himself to every person.

2.       God was not just the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

a.       He is the God of all people

b.      In Him there is no division

                                                                        iii.      The condition of man was revealed

1.       All of Humanity are brought under one law

a.       Galatians 3:8

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

            Therefore, we have nothing to hold to. There is not a thread of hope which we can draw upon in our own strength. The only thing which is of any value with you and I is Jesus. It would be foolish to boast in ourselves. The only thing upon which any of us can ever hope to stand upon is the name of Jesus. We have lost the right to hold anything over another. All hostility, pride, and prejudice against another human being must be relinquished at the foot of the cross.

            Will you let it go this morning? What hatchet is God calling on you to bury? It may not be easy, nor seem rational to you. However if you will take God at His word He will work in ways you could not expect, imagine or explain. Won’t you let God heal you today?