Include the Outsider

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 11, 2021

Series Title: Included in the Kingdom of God

Today’s Title: “Include the Outsider”

Today’s Text: Acts 10:1-23

 

OUTSIDERS INCLUDED BY JESUS

 

• EXCLUDED BY PREJUDICE - Samaritans
  • Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
  • The 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
  • Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:1-42)

 

• EXCLUDED BY DISEASE - Lepers
  • Jesus touched a leper to heal him (Matthew 8:1-4)
  • The 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

 

• EXCLUDED BY REPUTATION - Tax Collectors
  • Matthew becomes a disciple (Matthew 9:9-12)
  • Gathered to hear Jesus (Luke 15:1-2)
  • Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
  • Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

 

• EXCLUDED AS AGENTS OF OPPRESION - Centurions
  • Commended for great faith when Christ healed a servant (Matthew 8:5-13)
  • Declared Christ to eb the Son of God at the cross (Luke 23:47)

 

• EXCLUDED BY BIRTH - Greeks
  • Greek woman – Jesus casts out a demon from her daughter (Mark 7:24-30)
  • Greeks ask to see Jesus on Palm Sunday (John 12:20-22)

 

• EXLCUDED BY PATRIARCHY - Women
  • Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
  • Greek woman – Jesus casts out a demon from her daughter (Mark 7:24-30)
  • Woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11)

 

• EXCLUDED FROM PUBLIC DISCOURSE - Children
  • Jesus angry at disciples for keeping children away – Luke 18:15-17
  • Jesus enjoyed the company of children and spoke about their faith (Matthew 18 1-5)
  • Praise for God from the lips of children on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:14-16)

 

• EXCLUDED BY THE INCLUDED - Jewish religious leaders
  • Jesus eats at the home of a “prominent Pharisee” (Luke 14:1-24)
  • A Pharisee named Nicodemus – (John 3:1-21)
  • Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader (Matthew 9:18-26)

 

OUTSIDERS INCLUDED IN THE CHURCH

 

• THE GREAT (INCLUSIVE) COMMISSION
  • Matthew 28:16-20 – make disciple of all nations
  • Acts 1:6-9 – don’t exclude Samaria (Philip, Acts 8:4-8)

 

• PETER’S STRUGGLE TO INCLUDE GENTILES
  • Vision in Acts 10 – make disciples from all nations, not just Jews in every nation
  • Church Council in Acts 15 – Paul & Barnabas stand up for Gentile believers
  • Peter still struggled - Galatians 2:11-14 (Paul had to call him out)