Introduction 

What do cheeseburgers and pork rib prawn mee have in common?

As God’s people we are called to be clean, that we may:

A. BE LIGHT TO THE NATIONS (LEV 11)

We are not sure why the food laws were written that way.

What we do know: the food laws were part of Israel’s call to make distinctions between clean and unclean, so that they could be a distinct people among the nations.

Why? Not so that they could be exclusive, but so that the nations would be attracted to the beauty of God’s holiness and included in God’s salvation story.

B. BRING LIGHT TO THE NATIONS (ACTS 10)

1.  The curious story of Cornelius, who feared God (v.2)

     a. God gave Cornelius a supernatural vision and gracious assurance (vv.3-4)

     b. God gave Peter a supernatural vision and a mind-blowing command: “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” (vv.9-16)

     c. God was not just declaring all food clean (abolishing the food laws), but declaring   all people to be clean — Jesus our high priest has made us clean!

2. Cornelius and his family were the first Gentiles to hear the gospel and receive the Spirit (vv.34-48)

     a. God makes no distinction between people from every nation – cultural and     national walls have been transcended.

Conclusion 

The curious story of Charles Phillips and Reverend James Thoburn

Fill us with your Spirit, O LORD, that we may be the light and bring the light!

Next Week’s Topic: Honouring Fathers

Next Week’s Speakers: Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon (BPJ, WDL & East)