"Sharing the Heart faith; Building Bridges"

A Roman military legion consisted of 5,000-6,000 men, roughly 70-80 being centurions. Cornelius’ role likely consisted of leading 100 soldiers in times of war. Scripture specifies that he was of the Italian Cohort Within the Roman City of Caesarea lived a man named was Cornelius who was a Centurion in the Italian Regiment. Cornelius and his family remained devoutly faithful before Elohim (G-d); he was kind and generous to those in need and found often in prayer. It so happened, one afternoon round 3 pm Cornelius seems to have fallen into a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of HaShem (G-d), which came to him and of the angel Cornelius inquired; “…. What is it, L-rd?” The angel of the L-rd then said unto Cornelius; Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before HaShem (G-d). Now send men to Joppa, find and call for one Shimon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Shimon the tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Now the angel who spoke to Cornelius had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. –

At midday, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Petros (Simon Peter) went up upon the roof to pray. He became hungry and he would have eaten: but while the food was prepared, Petrps had fell into a trance; Peter saw heaven open and a certain vessel descending unto him, it had been as a great sheet knotted at the four corners lowering to earth: When in all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things, and also the fowls of the air. Suddenly there came a great and powerful voice to him instructing… Rise, Petros; kill and eat. But Petros said, Not so, L-rd; for I have never eaten anything that is common, nor unclean. The great voice spoke unto Petros again, and in the second time, what G-d hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was played through thrice: and the vessel messenger of our L-rd was received once again into heavens.

As Petros became cross with himself for doubting that this vision which he had seen should foretell, the meaning was not immediate made clear; behold the men which were sent with Cornelius to locate Shimon Petros had made enquiries of Shimon’s house and while as standing at the gate, called and asked if Shimo, who lodged there. While Petros reflected on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold… three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down and go with them doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Petros went down from the roof to the men who were in attendance with Cornelius, Petros said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause therefore ye come?

And they responded, Cornelius the centurion, a just and true man and one that fears HaShem and glorifies Him in praise and honor, he of good report among all the nations of the Jews, he who forewarned from HaShem that a holy angel be sent for thee into his house and to hear words of thee. Then he called them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Petros went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. The following morning they entered into Caesarea. Behold, in good luck they found Caesarea with them, and he had called together his kinsmen and their friends. As Peter was entering, Cornelius met warmly with him, and Cornelius dropped upon knees falling before Petros’ presence, and worshiped him. Though Petros took him beneath his arms and raised Cornelius up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. As Petros talked with them, he went in and found many that had gathered. He said onto them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto the company of one of another nation; Though El Roy had shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore I came unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore in what intent have you sent for me? And Cornelius said.. Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. And said he… Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of HaShem. Sent therefore to Joppa, and to call over Shimon whose surname is Petros; He is a lodged in the house of one Shimon a tanner by the sea side; who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee…. – {Book of Ma’asey/Acts 1:10-19}

Petros then began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that Elohim (G-d ) does not show favoritism, but rather accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right. You know the message HaShem sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Yehoshua, Ha ‘Mashiach (Jesus, the Anonited One). You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached.... how HaShem anointed Y’shua the Nazarene (meaning to watch or watch tower), with Rauch Ha’ Chodesh (Holy Spirit) and power and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the evil, because HaShem was with him.  When Cornelius explains his vision, Petros recognizes that G-d shows no partiality and that the great divide between Jews and Gentiles is now mended together in the Kingdom of G-d {Acts 10:27-43}. After this realization and proclamation of the Gospel, Petros baptizes Cornelius and all those of his household.

“And we are witnesses of all great things he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; He whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him G-d raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses choose before G-d, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained by G-d to be the Judge of the quick and the dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” – {Book of Ma’asey/Acts 10:39-43}

He preached before those in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but HaShem raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom HaShem had already chosen.... “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of HaShem, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of G-d to be the Judge of quick and dead.  - {Book of Ma’asey/Acts 10:41-42)

While Peter was still speaking these words, Rauch Ha’ Chodesh came upon all who heard the message. The circumcised Believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising Elohim. Then Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” {Acts 10:47-48} So, He ordered that they be baptized in the name of our Lord Y’shua.

Our new life in redemption certainly alters the way we relate to HaShem and our new identity in hope, love and salvation should impact the way we relate to who are faithful and those lost in the shadow of doubt of faith alike. This week’s Pastor’s Message builds upon the theme of acceptance of those who are different from us by examining the story of Peter and Cornelius.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most inspiring and lasting speeches ever given. Delivered upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the Mall in Washington D.C., King preached about freedom for all men, denouncing the chains of segregation and discrimination which brought to bear a gaping wound in our societal fabric which restrained so many of our nation's citizens. His closing exhortation " … for all of G-d's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentile, Protestants and Catholics to join hands and sing the old Negro spiritual, Free at last! Free at last! Thank G-d almighty, we are free at Last," yet remains the battle cry for the equality of all mankind. We, as the faithful in Yehoshua, must accept and take the challenge of Martin Luther King Jr. one step further.

As Dr. King envisioned a society where “children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character;" The Faithful hold a higher calling through the natural love of our heavenly Father guides and forms our relationships with all others. We are called to go beyond the content of character and to relate to individuals through and with HaShem’s grace. From the story of Petro’s transformation from race relations to grace relations, we discover life altering principles which guide us in developing a whole and firm faith. This story illustrates our need for ongoing growth as followers of Ha’ Moshiach. Petros was blessed to spend three incredible years with our L-rd. He received personal instruction from the world's most adept teacher. Petros grew in person and spirit as He witnessed miracles and even go on himself to perform miracles within our L-rd's most graceful guidance. Petros walked on water.

Somehow, even with all the special instruction given, Petros had failed to grasp the significance of spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, as Yochanan (John) had before him. HaShem graciously led Petros through a series of visions, sending a special group of visitors to grow Petros' faith in this area of race relations. More than just a refute of bigotry, this passage illustrates that sin is the result of spiritual weakness and immaturity in faith. Peter was prejudice because he lacked spiritual understanding and discipline. We must take great caution in the resistance of false teaching and ungodly tradition. Your struggle may or may not be similar of those different from yourself, but we all struggle in some areas of our lives, it is through the surmounting of our struggles that we are to come closer to Yehoshua and wiser in the understanding of mankind. Like Petros, we will find that our struggle can be traced to a spiritual weakness. Whether the problem is financial, relational, or emotional, the root cause will usually be a spiritual issue. Petros would write in his final letter to the saints of HaShem to crave the Word of Elohim like a newborn so that you would grow in the faith.

The apostle Saul (Paul) exhorted the saints to combat weak faith and, "Be strong in the L-rd." Through spiritual growth we develop the strength to confront and to destroy the strongholds that threaten our lives as individuals and as a church. Do you continue to feel your growth in spirit? When was the last time you outgrew something other than a pant size? When was your most recent forbearance given to a desire or pleasure offered before our L-rd? HaShem is inviting you to grow beyond the hollowness which limits your ability to experience His abundant life, adventurous calling, and amazing grace. In His perfect love, all voids are filled in joy and forth sightedness.

When we begin to grow again spiritually, HaShem shall send us to go faithfully forward in loving confidence. Notice verse 20 of chapter 10 encourages in delight; "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." Our heavenly Father has brought to us Ben Elohim (the Son of G-d). He sends His followers from their comfort zones to places and circumstances that require us to express faith to accomplish Elohim sized tasks. Like Petros, we face several obstacles that threaten to keep us in self-imposed spiritual prison. Fear of failure or the unknown often keeps us in confined. Apathy and coldness toward those who need the love of Y’shua keeps us jailed in our insecurity.

The busyness of day to day life blinds us to the reality of our self-imposed imprisonment. We may be moving around a lot, but it is still within our self constructed jailed walls of emotion and spirituality, remaining imprisoned no matter where we are. Unproductive and spiritually stymieing habits, what scripture refers to as "vain tradition", keeps we individuals, and most especially churches, in bondage from trying to inspire to new things to reach the lost for Ha’ Moshiach (The Anonited One). Erroneous teachings for centuries have plagued many a House of Faith. The foundations become weak, as though built on sand rather than The Rock. Of great note, within this story is the true story about teaching the gospels to all, including Gentiles. Yehoshua taught and demonstrated throughout His ministry in word and deed, His kingdom included all people regardless of race, age, nationality, creed or gender; the only qualifiers were unshaken faith and shared knowledge of redemption and everlasting life.

In our houses of worship, Clergy have often presented evangelistic priorities to the "average saint in the pew" in such a way that may create unfair and even unbiblical expectations due to lack of clarity and common language. One example is teaching that the "soul-winner" must sow seed, water the seed, and harvest the seed by leading the lost in the Consecration Prayer ("sinners' prayer"),  a fifteen minute window of opportunity of redemption to the lost. “L-rd Jesus, I’m a sinner. I believe You died for my sins so I could be forgiven. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for coming into my life. Amen.” This offers a life changing opportunity for the lost and a heap of grace upon ourselves in that we honor and glory HaShem.

This spiritual wonder of spontaneous soul-revitalization in the Spirit may happen, but it is not likely to be “an always” experience or the picture the New Testament paints for followers of Yehoshua. Yehoshua used the phrase "fishing for men," which indicates a disciplined process with appropriate training and resources, it also encompasses patience and broad humility. Can you imagine cleaning the nets, charting tides and the movement of fish, trimming the sails, preparing the boat, and catching fish in 15 minutes? When the apostle Saul (Paul) described his evangelistic ministry and his partners in the ministry, he said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). Fear, apathy, busyness, and misguided teachings are just some of the methods which we employ that keep us from getting out of our prisons to share the gospel and model the love of Yehoshua. Where and to whom is HaShem calling you to go? We need to grow spiritually, walk faithfully, and dispense mercy. Without a proper understanding of the context in which this story occurs, it is difficult to appreciate why Petros was reluctant to take the gospel to the Gentiles. We see the rafcial divide play out even in the contemporary conflict in the Middle East between the Jews and those in Gaza as they continue to live with ongoing hostility.

Scripture tells us Peter "entered the house" (v. 27) and declared that "God does not show favoritism"(v.34). In the faithfulness of our Y’shua-honoring sharing of Scripture is not just telling people what to do; it is showing them where to go to find Ha’ Mashiach. Petros’ willingness to enter the house was a major factor in the walls of bigotry being torn down to provide an atmosphere of receptivity or openness for the gospel. Petros entered their world and boldly proclaimed the gospel. When Petros stepped through Cornelius's door, he had to walked through and overcome hundreds of years of hatred, false teaching, and cultural differences. He had to be willing to experience the criticism of the traditionalists, legalists, and racists. Rather than retreating from the challenges before him, Peter in dedicated faith and love surmounted his doubts and insecurities and rose to the challenge in the armor of Yehoshua, the truths of our nature and of this world.

Petros found he had to step from out of the limelight of men and seek the approval of HaShem. This is a story of obedience more than a story of amazing compassion. As Petros obeyed HaShem, mercy began to effortlessly and to freely flow from his soul. We mistakenly think we must feel merciful before we obey, though Scripture reveals that obedience precedes emotional feelings, we are enveloped within Rauch Ha’ Chodesh (Holy Spirit).  As we obey, our Father pours mercy and grace in and though our souls. Do you know who needs mercy? Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, the rich, the poor, fat and skinny, young and old….the Straight, the Gay, the Republican and the Democrat. For ALL men fall short of the grace of Elohim, and as such, mercy belongs to us all. Are you willing to free yourself from your own made prison? Are you confident in your faith to go forward and be a beacon as was Yehoshua?  You never know who will respond or whose life may greatly change for the better in your sharing of the Gospels. It might change your life through the change of others as well. I personally am secure in the knowledge it can change someone else's heart, life and soul forever!

Walk in faith, go in His grace and know that YOU are loved,

Pastor Mark