June 14, 2026

Acts 11:1-18

When Religion Gets in the Way

Sunday Sermons

As we continue the narrative of the conversion of Cornelius the gentile and his household, the final scene takes place back in Jerusalem where not everyone in the church is pleased with Peter’s mission to Caesarea. We are introduced to a group of strict Jewish believers, known as the ”circumcision party”, who take exception with Peter’s fellowship with gentiles, who they consider unclean. This group identifies themselves primarily through their own adherence to Jewish custom rather than their new life in Christ. Peter’s response is to give a reasonable and orderly defense that not only shares the new spiritual vision he has been given but also leaves no room for doubt that this movement is the work of the Holy Spirit as confirmed by the words of Jesus himself. How can this passage encourage us today when we too may be tempted to cling to any identity other than a gospel identity? Join Pastor Tom Yarbrough as we study through Acts 11:1-18 together.

Speaker

Tom Yarbrough

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 11:1-18

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 11:1-18

When Religion Gets in the Way

Pastor Tom Yarbrough

“The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.’”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬-‭11‬

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love…. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭13‬-‭14‬

When we cling to religious identity we miss out on the true freedom that identity in Christ offers:

  1. Freedom from slavery to the law
  2. Freedom of life in Christ
  3. Freedom to love and serve our neighbors
  4. Freedom of full fellowship with believers who are different from us

“Traditional religion says, ‘I give God a good moral record, so he has to bless me.’ The gospel says, ‘God gives me a good moral record through Christ, so I want to bless him.’ . . . Religion says, ‘If I obey, then God will love and accept me.’ The gospel says, ‘God loves and accepts me, therefore I want to obey.’”
Tim Keller

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“All My Boast Is in Jesus“ by Bryan Fowler, Matt Papa, Matthew Boswell, Keith Getty
“Nothing But The Blood“ by Robert Lowry
“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us“ by Stuart Townend
“Come Unto Jesus“ by Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, and Laura Story
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: Bless the Lord

Leader: Bless the Lord at all times; let His praise continually be in your mouth.
People: My tongue shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Leader: Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!
People: We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that he has done.
All: You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, and there is no God besides You!

Classic Prayer: Anselm

O God, Thou art life, wisdom, truth, bounty, and blessedness, the Eternal, the only true Good! My God and my Lord, Thou art my hope and my hearts joy. I confess, with thanksgiving that Thou hast made me in Thine image, that I may direct all my thoughts to Thee, and love Thee. Lord, make me to know Thee aright, that I may more and more love, and enjoy, and possess Thee. And since, in the life here below, I cannot fully attain this blessedness, let it at least grow in me day by day, until it all be fulfilled at last in the life to come. Here be the knowledge of Thee increased, and there let it be perfected. Here let my love to Thee grow, and there let it ripen; that my joy being here great in hope, may there in fruition be made perfect.

Confession of Faith

New City Catechism Part 1, God, Creation & Fall, Law
Q 13, 14

Leader: Can anyone keep the law perfectly?
People: Since the fall, no mere human has been able to keep the law perfectly, but consistently breaks it in thought, word, and deed.

Leader: Did God create us unable to keep his law?
People: No, but because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, all of creation is fallen; we are all born in sin and guilt, corrupt in our nature and unable to keep God’s law.

TVC Prayer Ministry

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Mission Highlight: Begin Anew
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Sierra Leone

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