Remember the Titans
Remember the Titans: A Picture of Gospel Unity – Acts 10:1-33
Have you seen the movie Remember the Titans? Did you get a chance to watch it this week?
As I mentioned on Sunday, it is one of my all-time favorites. There is so much we can learn about unity, perseverance, and transformation. But what jumps out to me most is the way it reflects the beauty of biblical community, in the midst of racial tensions and barriers.
Just as those young men were drawn together from different backgrounds and sang in unity, how much more should we – as people redeemed by Jesus – sing and live in unity because we share a Savior.
This past Sunday, we reflected on Acts 10:1-33, where I alluded to Remember the Titans in order to highlight the deep, long-lasting tension that existed between Jews and Gentiles. It was filled with suspicion and barriers. But God was doing something radically new.
A Turning Point in Scripture
This passage marks a massive shift in the storyline of Scripture. The gospel, which had been proclaimed to the Jews, now begins to break through ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries – reaching Gentiles like Cornelius.
Cornelius was a devout Gentile, a Roman Centurion who feared God along with his household. He received a vision from God, instructing him to send for Peter.
And at just the right time, Peter also received a vision. In it, he saw animals that were considered unclean and was told to eat. God said – “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). This happened three times. Peter came to understand that this wasn’t just about food – it was about people. God was opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles, welcoming them into His family by faith. In Christ, Jew and Gentile were being brought together into one body.
God’s Heart for All People
Being directed by the Holy Spirit, Peter obeyed and went to Cornelius’ house. There he found a room filled with Gentiles, who were eager to hear the message that the Lord had commanded him. This house, where God’s presence dwelt, became the place where Peter would proclaim the Word of God. And in the verses that follow, God would pour out His Spirit, just as He did at Pentecost.
But in this episode, God was preparing Cornelius, the seeker. God was preparing Peter, the messenger. And God is also preparing us, to remember His heart for ALL people.
Three Takeaways
#1 – Take the Gospel to ALL people.
The Lord didn’t send an angel to preach to Cornelius. He sent Peter. Even though Peter hesitated, God made it clear: no one is too far gone, too unclean, or too different to receive His mercy and grace.
#2 – Receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
Cornelius was a religious man. He was a God-fearing man. He was generous. But he still needed the gospel.
Through this passage, we learn that God makes us clean, not through our works, but through faith in Christ. God forgives and purifies all who receive Christ by faith.
Maybe you feel too unclean, or too far gone. The message is not, clean yourself up and do good works. The message is this: you can be made clean through Christ!
#3 – Fellowship with one another.
Jew and Gentile. Black and white. Male and female. Slave and free. Rich and poor. The gospel brings us into fellowship with one another. The gospel tears down dividing walls and builds a new community.
So let’s sing. Let’s celebrate. Let’s serve. Let’s share life together as we labor side-by-side as one body in Christ.
For this week: Read Acts 10:34-48
Have you seen the movie Remember the Titans? Did you get a chance to watch it this week?
As I mentioned on Sunday, it is one of my all-time favorites. There is so much we can learn about unity, perseverance, and transformation. But what jumps out to me most is the way it reflects the beauty of biblical community, in the midst of racial tensions and barriers.
Just as those young men were drawn together from different backgrounds and sang in unity, how much more should we – as people redeemed by Jesus – sing and live in unity because we share a Savior.
This past Sunday, we reflected on Acts 10:1-33, where I alluded to Remember the Titans in order to highlight the deep, long-lasting tension that existed between Jews and Gentiles. It was filled with suspicion and barriers. But God was doing something radically new.
A Turning Point in Scripture
This passage marks a massive shift in the storyline of Scripture. The gospel, which had been proclaimed to the Jews, now begins to break through ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries – reaching Gentiles like Cornelius.
Cornelius was a devout Gentile, a Roman Centurion who feared God along with his household. He received a vision from God, instructing him to send for Peter.
And at just the right time, Peter also received a vision. In it, he saw animals that were considered unclean and was told to eat. God said – “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). This happened three times. Peter came to understand that this wasn’t just about food – it was about people. God was opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles, welcoming them into His family by faith. In Christ, Jew and Gentile were being brought together into one body.
God’s Heart for All People
Being directed by the Holy Spirit, Peter obeyed and went to Cornelius’ house. There he found a room filled with Gentiles, who were eager to hear the message that the Lord had commanded him. This house, where God’s presence dwelt, became the place where Peter would proclaim the Word of God. And in the verses that follow, God would pour out His Spirit, just as He did at Pentecost.
But in this episode, God was preparing Cornelius, the seeker. God was preparing Peter, the messenger. And God is also preparing us, to remember His heart for ALL people.
Three Takeaways
#1 – Take the Gospel to ALL people.
The Lord didn’t send an angel to preach to Cornelius. He sent Peter. Even though Peter hesitated, God made it clear: no one is too far gone, too unclean, or too different to receive His mercy and grace.
- Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus?
- Who have you unintentionally written off or avoided because of their background, beliefs, or behavior?
#2 – Receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
Cornelius was a religious man. He was a God-fearing man. He was generous. But he still needed the gospel.
Through this passage, we learn that God makes us clean, not through our works, but through faith in Christ. God forgives and purifies all who receive Christ by faith.
Maybe you feel too unclean, or too far gone. The message is not, clean yourself up and do good works. The message is this: you can be made clean through Christ!
- Will you trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
- And will you rest in the promise that Christ has made you clean?
#3 – Fellowship with one another.
Jew and Gentile. Black and white. Male and female. Slave and free. Rich and poor. The gospel brings us into fellowship with one another. The gospel tears down dividing walls and builds a new community.
So let’s sing. Let’s celebrate. Let’s serve. Let’s share life together as we labor side-by-side as one body in Christ.
- Will you join me in sharing life together?
- Will you join me in taking the gospel to all people?
- Will you join me in opening wide our doors for all to receive Christ and welcome them into the family of God?
For this week: Read Acts 10:34-48
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