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Announcements

Baptism Class
Sunday, March 19th @ 11:15Aa
The Bridge Church Reno – Conference Room
If you are interested in being baptized or just want to know what the scriptures say about baptism, we will be hosting a baptism class on March 19th.  Please sign up using the connection card on The Bridge Church App.
 
Financial Peace University
Starting Sunday, March 19th @ 11:30a
The Bridge Church Reno - Learning Center – Bring a Sack Lunch
The Bridge Church will be hosting Financial Peace University on Sundays after church. Financial Peace University is a nine-lesson course that teaches you how to save for emergencies, pay off debt fast, spend wisely, and invest for your future. And no complicated financial blah blah blah over here. For over 25 years, Dave Ramsey’s been teaching commonsense, biblical money principles that work.  Sign up at thebridgereno.com/fpu
 
Starting Point Class
Sunday April 2nd @ 11:15a
The Bridge Church Reno
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood.  You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please use the connection card on the website or app to sign up and let us know you will be joining us.
 
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday April 2nd @ 11:15a
The Bridge Church Reno
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God.  In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom.  Please sign up using the connection card.
 
Help with Easter Basket Giveaway
Starting March 20th  and going through April 8th
The Bridge Church Reno
Once again The Bridge Church has partnered with Thomas Hill and we are planning on giving away over one thousand free Easter baskets to children in need.  Right now we need stuffing four thousand plastic eggs with candy.  If you are able to help with this please coordinate with Tom (cookies4kindness@gmail.com).  You may pick up the eggs and candy and return them stuffed.  There will opportunities to help assemble the Easter baskets starting around March 27th.  There will also be opportunities to hand out the baskets April 1st and 8th.

Message Notes

Penetrating the Prejudiced Heart

Pastor Bill West
March 19, 2023

The Conversion of Peter and Cornelius

God’s Always Initiates
With Cornelius
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.”
Acts 10:1–8

With Peter
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Acts 10:9–22

Peter is Converted
Associates with Gentiles
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So, when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So, I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”
Acts 10:23–34 

Preaches to Gentiles
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Acts 10:36–43

Gentiles Are Converted
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
Acts 10:44–47

God has NO Favorites, Neither Should We.
Every Life Matters
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism” 
Acts 10:34 

We are more Alike than we are Different
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

Jesus Died For Us All
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

Discussion Questions:
  1. Share some of the insights you have gained from the Book of Acts so far. What new thoughts do you have about your faith as a result?
  2. Have you ever faced real prejudice in your life?  How did that feel and what did you do? Where do you most struggle with prejudice? 
  3. Read Acts 10:1-8. Who is Cornelius and what kind of man is he?  What does God seem to think about Him? What does God tell him to do?  Why did He do it?
  4. Read Acts 10:9-16. Discuss what is happening here with Peter.   How does Peter respond when God tells him to kill and eat?  Why does he respond this way?   What is God’s response to him?  How did Philip respond in this situation? Why does it happen three times?
  5. Read Acts 10:23-34. Pastor Bill calls this part Peter’s conversion.  Peter has already experienced a “faith conversion to Christ” where else does he need to experience a conversion?  Do you see any change with Peter in these verses? As a Christian, how might we need to continue to be converted?  
  6. Read Acts 10: 36-48. How does Peter preach to the Gentiles?  What happens as he preaches to them and to him the others with him?
  7. What do you think God is doing with Peter and with Cornelius?  What can learn about the way God works in the lives who don’t know Him and those who do? 
  8. Read and discuss Acts 10:34. What are some prejudices that you deal with? What types of people give you the most challenges? How do you deal with them?
  9. What difference do these truths make?
  • Every Life Matters: When Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism” Acts 10:34
  • We are more Alike than we are Different: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23
  • Jesus Died For Us All: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Dig Deeper:  Preparation for next week’s discussion, please do the following:

Monday: Read Acts 11:1-18
  • Where does this take place?
  • How do the Jewish believers respond to what Peter did?
  • What is their issue?
  • How does Peter respond to them?
  • What is the result?

Tuesday: Read Acts 11: 19-30
  • Where does this take place?
  • What stands out to you in vs 11:19-21? 
  • What was the response of church in Jerusalem? Acts 11:22-24
  • Where did Barnabus turn when he needed help? Acts 11:25
  • What other significant things happen with the church in Antioch? Acts 11:26-30
  • What in the world is God doing at this point?

Wednesday: Read Jonah 4:1-11
  • What made Jonah so angry?
  • Is there an area in your life where you are angry with God because He hasn’t responded as you had wanted?
  • The story of the plant teaches us that God reserves the right to be compassionate to all people, even those we think don’t deserve His compassion. 
  • Has there ever been a person or group who falls into this category for you? 
  • What did they do to make you feel that way? 
  • Do you still feel that way about them? 
  • What makes it so hard for us to get past our hurt? 
  • Is there somebody you know who’s been severely mistreated and lived to forgive their oppressor?

Thursday:
  • Take some time today with the Lord to just ask Him what in your life does he want to bring a “conversion”?  
  • Write down the thoughts God may bring to your mind and spend some time praying about them?  
  • Possibly identify an area where you know God wants to bring some change?  
  • What steps can you take this week?
  • What made Jonah so angry?
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here