Feb 04 2009
Peter and Cornelius
February-1-2009-click-here-to-play
Preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, February 1. Text at the end of the sermon.
This complicated story has to key segments.
1. In a dream/vision, Peter is asked to expand or alter his understanding of God’s law – a new way of seeing an old world. He is commanded to eat ‘forbidden foods.” “God shows no partiality” (v. 34)
2. Peter and Cornelius are brought together in order that Cornelius might be baptized – the first Gentile who isn’t asked to become Jewish in order to become a Christian. In doing so, they begin a new trend in the early church, one which would become a source of disagreement in the early church (Acts 15- Jerusalem Council).
For years, this passage has often been understood by people of faith to remember that God sometimes asks us to reconsider our on important issues – LGBT, new ministries, racial issues, theological issues. It is a signature text because in it a headstrong leader is forced, but eventually willing to see the world in a new way. A reminder that God is in the “surprise” business, quite likely willing to shatter our assumptions about faith and the world.
As I read it today, I ponder what it means for us to live faithfully and open to surprises and what does the story say to help us.
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A recent newsletter from the University of Minnesota shared the finding that our adaptation to new technology can be largely defined by age.
If we are exposed to the technology when we are
0-15 years – it is second nature
16-35 – it is an exciting adventure
36 and above – we are entering a whole new world
So, there is a reason why your child or grandchild can maneuver a cell phone or web page at what seems like the speed of light. It is also why my heart fluttered recently when our family went to Texas Tubbs Taco Palace and I saw an old 8 track cassette player (display only). It is not just about technology, but also about our relationship to it and to the world at a formative time in our lives.
Obviously there are many other factors that go into our aptitude for change – but the little chart raises the interesting question – “does this apply to our understanding of the spiritual life?” Are we open to new ways of understanding faith, prayer, God, community, spiritual practice and service, or worship even after we are thirty?
Are we participating in the life of this community because it reinforces everything we already believe – or is this congregation one that will embrace where we are, while encouraging and stimulating us to continue to evolve and change? Are we looking for a non changing constant in our lives, or are we looking something that will guide and encourage us into ever new ways of understanding and living? Are we listening to hear something we already know and believe – or are we coming with an attitude of expectancy? Is God still speaking in our worldview? More precisely, are we open to hearing God in a new way?
One of the dangers of all religious communities is that they become convenient affirmations of an already chosen way of life, not a door to exploring how we might continue to evolve and grow in the life we have. One of the gifts of a multi-age congregation like ours is we learn from each other. The younger among us see our elders who have adapted to change and have been willing to let God ‘do a new thing’ in their lives for decades. The older among us can witness the birth of new ideas, new ways of relating from younger people. We need each other and there are few places in our lives where we have this multi-age exposure.
But I think in Peter and Cornelius we see the power faith based relationships to open the door in our lives for God’s ever evolving Spirit to work.
While Peter may have had a great vision – a vision that the old statues that dictated what was clean and unclean in the eyes of God may be falling away – it was Cornelius who afforded him the opportunity to put those ideas in motion. It was Cornelius, “a centurion” and a “God fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation” – a man known and trusted by many it appears, who helped embody a very new and very radical idea for the early church. (And we can’t under estimate the way this vision challenged the very ground on which most of the church stood).
Isn’t this how many of us live into change – we are pulled and prodded and loved by someone we cherish and admire?
• We open ourselves to new ideas because a sibling we love asks us for understanding
• We tackle a new technology because a beloved grandchild shares their enthusiasm
• We explore new activities and new communities because a loved one holds our hand as we go.
The text adds another element in addition to the surprising nature of God and the power of relationships – prayer. Both Peter and Cornelius begin their journey by having a prayerful vision. They know God to be a surprising God, they know the power of relationships, but they are also buoyed by their own spiritual practice.
Many of you know that a man named Millard Fuller started Habitat for Humanity in the mid 1970’s. What is less known is that in the midst of marital and business struggles, a young Fuller sought the prayerful friendship of Clarence Jordan, a somewhat radical farmer/pastor who started a rural, inter racial faith based community in southern Georgia called Koinonia Farms in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Through conversation, hard farm work, prayer, and more hard farm work –Fuller was able to both wrestle through the issues of his young and successful business life. In the midst of this relationship, Jordan and Fuller were able to envision a whole new way of spending their lives, offering affordable housing and living out their faith. Jordan died soon after Habitat got started, but it remains a powerful story of faith based friendship allowing new ways of living, thinking and acting.
The beauty of this friendship, and the relationship between Peter and Cornelius, is that they understood their relationship was part of something larger than both of them. They trusted each other, but they also trusted that the Spirit would provide even more wisdom, courage and insight than the two of them could muster. These kind of spiritual friendships take many forms – but they invite us to remember that even the best friendships are limited without a greater power, a greater purpose, and a greater humility.
But finally, the story of Peter and Cornelius points to the value of new relationships. As they befriended each other, they also come to meet a whole new world. Not just Cornelius affected by his friendship with Peter. Indeed, he provided an introduction to a whole group of other Gentiles who were also captivated by Peter and his faith. It goes without saying that the inclusion of these new people changed both them and the emerging church. It was really one of the first “evangelistic” outreaches. Peter didn’t coerce anyone into being a Christian, but he recognized the possibility and potential for the church if it became more diverse, more eclectic and more open.
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At the end of my first year, I preached a series of sermons called “A Boydseye View” – which was a chance for a still new guy to offer reflections on this congregation as somewhat of an outsider. I tried to share both challenges and possibilities based on my newness to this community.
I can’t offer that perspective anymore, but I do think Peter and Cornelius offer some insight on our future as a congregation.
As we think about growing in vibrancy and numbers and programs; as we think about living into our Next Generation dreams – this story reminds us of the power of both old and new relationships rooted in prayer, humility before a larger purpose of God in the world, and openness.
The longer we live in relationship with one another – members with members – the easier it is to be stuck in our thinking, to come to assume certain patterns of behavior from each other, to accept limits we place on ourselves. It is in prayer, in worship, in rooting our relationships in the larger purpose of God that we stay vibrant and exciting.
It may require that we face certain fears or uncertainties in our lives –
the fear of looking stupid because we have spiritual questions
the fear of sounding inarticulate when asked to pray in front of others,
the awkwardness of praying with others we have known for decades but have never prayed with before.
In the face of this uncertainty – we can remember Peter and Cornelius, whose meeting literally shattered all kinds of assumptions and fears.
Additionally, the challenge will be to remain open in our relationships and willing to befriend new people in our lives. Many of us are busy and stressed, and we come to worship in to find respite and peace and solace and to connect with friends. But if we forget that each week there are new folks in our midst looking for that very same connection, we will become a stale community. We will think we know everyone, and in the process, we will miss grand opportunities for connection, ministry, and the sharing of life with those new in our midst.
I find great hope in the life and behavior of many in this congregation who are constantly befriending new people – some formally through being Welcomers and some informally. We know who they are because they were the first to befriend many of us; the first to open the door of friendship and connection as we came into the life of this congregation. Their lives raises a good standard – have you met three new people in this church in the last year? Not just met, but taken the time to get to know in some important way – through discussion after worship, participation in a class or on a retreat or at an event? Have you looked to the corners of the sanctuary or lounge or friendship hall after worship to see if there are others who need your kind word?
This isn’t about evangelism or church growth, per se. It is a practical discussion about what Peter and Cornelius embodied – through spiritual friendship we grow, we learn new things, we keep our lives and the faith we live responsive to the world as it is, and we see more of the beauty and delight of God.
Today’s text
Acts 10: 1-48, selected verses (New Revised Version)
9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 14But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ 15The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 16This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Look, three men are searching for you. 20Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them…”
25On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. 26But Peter made him get up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only a mortal.’ 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28and he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?’
30 Cornelius replied, ‘Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31He said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.” 33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.’
…44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
