Worship

“You Freed Me, Saved Me” by Housefires

Scripture Foundation

“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

“‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’

“The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’

“This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

“While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’” -Acts 10:9-20, NIV

The Lord’s Teaching Moment

This is such a beautiful interaction between Peter and the Lord. God still had work to do in Peter—there was a transformation in Peter’s thinking and belief system that needed to shift. The gospel had to advance unhindered by prejudice and Old Covenant theology in light of the work of the cross. Peter had more to grasp of the New Covenant of holiness, righteousness, and grace that had been established at the cross, and the Lord was committed to teaching Peter! The Old Covenant refers to the agreement between God and the Israelites, centered on the Law of Moses, including commandments, sacrifices, and rituals that defined their relationship with God (Deuteronomy 30:15-18). The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and a personal relationship with God, replacing the Old Covenant’s reliance on the law with faith in Christ’s sacrifice for salvation (Hebrews 8:6).

Breaking Down Barriers

There was not to be a distinction between the clean and unclean, pure and impure, as it pertained to the grace of God and the inclusion of Gentiles into the Body of Christ.

“Peter had pretty much put God in a box of limitations, and now God was going to shake Peter up to change his thinking. He can do the same for us.” -David Guzik

“Shake yourself up a little, my brother. If you are too precise may the Lord set you on fire, and consume your bonds of red tape! If you have become so improperly proper that you cannot commit a proper impropriety, then pray God to help you be less proper, for there are many who will never be saved by your instrumentality while you study propriety.” -Charles Spurgeon

Although the Lord used the physical manifestation of hunger to get Peter’s attention, His ultimate aim was to shift Peter’s belief in how he classified people as impure or clean. What God had made clean by the blood of Jesus, Peter had no right to view as impure, unholy, or unacceptable to Him. Under the Old Covenant, there was a line of thought drawn between what was holy and what was common, based on obedience to God’s law.

“The holy was made common when it came into contact with something common, and could only be made holy again through a ritual cleansing. When something was made holy it was called consecration; when it was made common it was called desecration.” -David Guzik

God’s Intentional Process

To drive this point home, notice the repetition of three times, which would have been reminiscent of Peter denying Christ three times. At Peter’s restoration on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was getting at Peter’s heart, and here He did it again. The relational repetition Jesus was establishing with Peter was so intimate and intentional. (He does the same with us if we will take note!)

“What else happened three times with Peter? He denied the Lord (Luke 22:54-62). And after the resurrection, Jesus asked him three times, ‘Do you love me, Peter?’ (John 21:15-17). When something happens three times to Peter, it’s a fixed certainty. His denial was underlined by its repetition; his restoration and commissioning likewise. Now here, the repetition displays that this is no mistake or misunderstanding.” -R. Albert Mohler, “Acts 1-12 For You”

Without the clarity of understanding the scope of what God was revealing, the Lord spoke to Peter through the Holy Spirit to ensure the men had been sent to him by the Lord. This would anchor Peter’s obedience because he could trust the orchestration of God’s details.

Peter had to walk out this entire revelation, from the initial vision and voice of the Lord to his embrace of Gentiles. He had to do this intimately with the Lord. But that’s the process God invests in each of us as we are sanctified through and through!

Modern Application

And now, it comes full circle to us, Christ followers. There is no room in the heart of the believer for any sort of prejudice against another person created in the image of God. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to receive some and condemn others. Let me give you a few examples. What is your disposition when you encounter the following people or situations?

• A woman in a full burka with only a slit for her eyes
• A transgender man bagging your groceries at the store
• A person fully tattooed with piercings all over his face
• Your neighbor who has the opposing politician’s sign in the yard
• A homeless man sitting in your pew in church

All people are created in the image of God. How might we ask God for His heart for each person He has fashioned and formed, especially those whom the enemy has held captive? If we are going to partner with Jesus to set captives free and release those who sit in darkness, we need the Lord to purge our hearts of prejudice, just like He did for Peter. Then we can advance the gospel and release the fragrant aroma of Christ as we go.

Prayer

Jesus, sanctify me through and through, that the inner chambers of my heart hold nothing but the grace and mercy of God for people who are lost or different from me. I pray that You would rid me of judgments and prejudice against others, including those in the Body of Christ. Give me eyes to see who You see and how You see them. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, Lord!

A Few Key Notes

• Join us on October 12 for Levántate, a brunch to celebrate the launch of our Spanish Arise chapter, Arise Latina! We will enjoy food and fellowship as our Spanish chapter leader, Flora, shares the heart and vision of Arise Latina. Tickets are free, but space is limited! RSVP today!
• Registration for the Arise Fall Luncheon is open! Join us on November 19 in Plano, Texas. We will hear from author and missiologist David Joannes as he shares your God-given destiny and purpose in the Great Commission. Early bird tickets are $20. Reserve your seat today!