Scripture Focus: Acts 11:1–18
Preacher: Rev. Jim
đź“Ś Key Themes:
Identity through Food: What we eat often marks who we are—culturally, religiously, and socially. This was especially true in biblical times.
Peter’s Vision: God challenges Peter’s understanding of “clean” and “unclean” through a vision filled with forbidden foods, symbolizing people previously excluded from God’s covenant.
Breaking Barriers: Peter sees the Holy Spirit fall on Cornelius—a Gentile—and realizes God’s love extends beyond boundaries, rules, and traditions.
Modern Application: We still draw lines between “us” and “them”—by race, religion, nationality, politics, gender, and sexuality. But God’s grace doesn’t play favorites.
🙏 Reflection Questions:
Where in your life do you see boundaries that separate “insiders” from “outsiders”?
Have you ever used your beliefs to justify exclusion—intentionally or unintentionally?
How might God be asking you to expand your view of who belongs in His kingdom?
đź’¬ Quotes to Remember:
“What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” — Acts 11:9
“You can safely assume you’ve made God in your own image when it turns out He hates all the same people you do.” — Anne Lamott
“Who are we to hinder God?” — Acts 11:17
✨ A Final Word:
God’s sheet is wide. His grace is vast. His love includes everyone.
Let’s stop shrinking God down to our own image.
Let’s start living into the wideness of His mercy.
