Sermon Tone Analysis

The Reading - Acts 10

Big Ideas in Acts 10

1. Martyrdom > Persecution > Scattering > Expansion

2. From the blood line of Abraham to blood line of Jesus - all included

3. Visions & Prophetic revelation v Scriptures and doctrine

4. Good works and righteous acts are not enough, every man needs to be saved

5. Dealing with prejudices

6.

The sovereignty of God

Acts 10:1-2

Scene 1 - Cornelius

A centurion - Italian regiment (v1)

Devout - but not a proselyte - & God fearing (with his family) (v2)

Gave generously to the poor & prayed to God regularly (v2)

Righteous, and respected by all the Jewish people (v22)

The sequence of the events that led to Cornelius’ salvation started with Cornelius… or did it?

The process by which Cornelius became a Christian is described in great detail, with many narrative indications of God’s initiative and direction.

Small seeds today…Big Harvest tomorrow

His vision - Acts 10:3-6

Although not explicit in the text here, Cornelius was actually praying, when he saw the vision.

Acts 10:30-31

There is always the “One DAY”.

He prayed regularly, but “One DAY” the Lord sent an angel.

Don’t give up, your one day is round the corner.

God never forgets.

The angel said “ Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God”...

That tells us something about the type of prayers Cornelius said.

What type of prayers is an offering?

If no one notices your generosity, God does.

Scene 2 - Peter’s vision - Acts 10:9-16

The vision is not about food, It’s about souls

Visions v Scriptures

Carlton Pearson’s story

The Holy Spirit is not introducing a new teaching here.

It was always in the plan of God to include the gentiles

Jesus said in Acts 1:8

The ends of the earth includes the rest of the world.

Romans 9:25-26

Peter begins to understand his vision - Acts 10:17-23

Scene 3 - Peter in Cornelius’ House Acts 10:23-48

Cornelius had called his relatives and close friends

Peter explained why he came - God told Him to come

He asked Cornelius - May I ask why you sent for me?

Cornelius retold his vision - it’s the second time he did it?

Acts 10:33

Peter now sees this biblical teaching ‘more sharply and more clearly, for it is being demonstrated in a new way’.

Although God gave a special status and role to Israel, he declared his intention to bless the nations through his chosen We see that happening in various ways, as some were brought into the sphere of Israelite life (e.g., Ex. 12:38; Dt. 10:18–19; Jos.

6:25; Ru. 4:11–15), and others were blessed by God without joining that community (e.g., 1 Ki.

10:1–13; 2 Ki.

5:1–15; Jonah 3).

Job is a foreigner who is described in terms very similar to those used of Cornelius: he was ‘blameless and upright’ because ‘he feared God and shunned evil’ (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3).

- The Pillar New Testament Commentary

Acts 10:34-35

Peter preached the Gospel - Acts 10:37-43

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and Power

He set people free from the power of the devil, because God was with Him

He died and rose again

Many witnesses saw Him…He is Alive today and forever

He will judge the living and the dead

If you believe in Him you will have forgiveness of sins through His name

The Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message Acts 10:44-48

Final word

Stephen was killed, God could have saved him, but instead He took him

The devil thought he was winning with Stephen dead

He proceeded to persecute the Church.

The church scattered, but so did the seed

What the devil meant for evil, God TURNED it for expansion

God is sovereign

The implication of Jesus’ statement, “harvest is ripe, labourers are few” is that there are people like Cornelius in our community.

We just need to find them.

However, finding them is not a walk in the park.

We will have to labour, work hard at it.