Jesus is Lord
Sermon January 11, 2025 Acts 10:34-43
Jesus is Lord
Pastor Fred Okello
The coming and eventual birth of Christ occurred in a specific location, with a particular group of people, and within a specific cultural and religious context. The Bible says that He came to the world, but the world did not know Him. But to those who knew Him and accepted Him, He gave them the right to be God's children and heirs.
As the days passed after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, God continued to work through His people in powerful ways. A strong sense of belonging developed among believers through shared worship, meals, and a shared identity. But over time, that lovely feeling of belonging began to turn into walls. Even though Jesus Christ is the Light of the whole world, the gospel, which was meant for everyone, began to feel limited by cultural, religious, and geographic boundaries.
This is the tension that our passage talks about today. In Acts 10, God disrupts the church's comfort and reminds God's people that what began in Bethlehem was never meant to remain confined to one house, one nation, or one tradition.
Peter starts with a confession that changes the course of the church's life: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality." This isn't just a religious statement; it's a personal awakening. Peter, a devout Jew, is in the house of Cornelius, a Roman officer who is not a Jew. Peter's upbringing led him to believe that he didn't belong in that place.
But Peter knows that God's grace isn't limited by race, class, or background. Anyone from any country who fears God and wants to do what is right is welcome.
This is hard for us today. We might say with our mouths that God loves everyone, but our actions sometimes show otherwise. We can feel at ease around people who look like us, think like us, and worship in the same way. Acts 10 tells us that we can't control the gospel; it's a gift from God to the world.
We don't keep grace from others; we take care of it. It's not our job to decide who is a part of our group; it's our job to welcome everyone, trust God with the results, and faithfully share the good news. When we stop trying to control things and stay open to the Spirit, God works through us in ways that surprise and change both us and others.
After declaring God’s impartiality, Peter quickly centers his message on Jesus Christ. He says that Jesus, who is Lord of all, brings peace. Peter sums up Jesus' life and work by saying that he was anointed by the Holy Spirit, went around doing good, healed people who were being hurt by the devil, and was finally crucified and raised by God on the third day.
This is important: true unity doesn't come from avoiding hard truths or softening our beliefs. Unity is not the same as silence or sameness. Instead, true unity comes when we believe in the truth of the gospel and base our faith, our identity, and our lives on Jesus Christ. When Christ is at the center, our differences don't tear us apart because our love for Christ is stronger than anything that can divide us.
Peter tells his audience that the resurrection is not just an idea; it is something that happened. Jesus was raised by God, and chosen witnesses can confirm this. The church today has the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
God’s power is still working today! By God’s power, the church is growing and being renewed all over the world. This doesn't always happen through big institutions, but through faithful believers who meet, pray, serve, and share Christ in their daily lives. By God’s power, the gospel is spreading across cultural and social lines in many places, which reminds us that God's mission has never been limited by where you live or what happens to you.
The same Spirit is at work in the people of Bethel and Emmanuel. God has kept a group of people who are faithful, pray, and keep going through times of change and difficulty. We can see God's work in how you worship regularly, care for each other, give freely, and are open to where God is leading you next.
God is making us living witnesses who are rooted in our communities but also connected to God's work around the world. We affirm that Jesus Christ is Lord of all through our words and actions.
Peter ends with an invitation: "Everyone who believes in Him is forgiven of their sins in His name."
Notice the word "everyone"? Not just Jews. Not just people who work there. Not spiritually impressive. Anyone and everyone who has faith- this is the heart of the gospel. You don't need a specific background or exceptional performance to receive forgiveness; you just have to believe.
At this point in Acts, the Holy Spirit comes down on the Gentiles before Peter can even finish speaking. God backs up the message. God, not the church, decides who gets grace.
When you open the church doors and let anyone in, God works on hearts you may never fully see. When you come together to worship, even if it's just a few people, God strengthens your faith and gives you new hope. When you pray for people who are sick, sad, or struggling, God brings them comfort, healing, and peace in ways that they cannot achieve on their own. God makes what seems small into something that lasts when you give freely of your time, money, and skills.
God also does things when Bethel and Emmanuel choose relationships over routine. The Holy Spirit brings people together and restores their dignity when you check on each other, share meals, listen to stories, and walk with people through hard times. God shows His amazing grace through the simple things you do when you step outside your comfort zone to help others, support kids, care for neighbors, and work with others.
In summary, God instructs the church to recall who God is and what God has always desired. God does not show favoritism. Jesus is the Lord of all. Everyone who believes in Christ is forgiven.
This passage invites us to examine our own hearts and our lives together as a church. Where have we drawn lines that God didn't? Where has comfort taken the place of calling? Where has our familiarity with the witness held us back?
The same Spirit that knows no limits is still at work today, telling the church to live out a gospel that is as big as God's love. May we have the courage to follow the leading of the Spirit. Amen