The Mission: Prepare to Receive God’s Words
Acts: The Mission of the Church • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Last week we began examining Acts 10, a text which covers a timeframe of four days. On day 1 Cornelius had a vision and sent 2 servants and a soldier on a mission to bring Peter to Caesarea. On day 2 Peter experienced a vision during which he saw something like a great sheet descending from heaven and in that sheet was a vast amount of animals, birds, & reptiles. A voice also came to him during this vision which said, “Arise, Peter, kill and eat.”
Peter was confused, argued with God, and while he was still pondering the vision, Cornelius’ servants called out at the gate. Peter responded to the Spirit’s command to receive the Gentile group, and on days 3 and 4, but especially day 3, preparations were made for this historic meeting.
Days 3 & 4: Preparations were made (Acts 10:23-43)
Days 3 & 4: Preparations were made (Acts 10:23-43)
These past couple of weeks I found these preparations to be practical for our work in the Randolph Area. Peter and Cornelius’ preparations were closely coupled with the reception of Gospel. Peter prepared to deliver God’s words and Cornelius prepared to receive God’s words. We can learn much from their example. Let’s first look at Acts 10:23-24 where...
They prepared by inviting others to join them. (v23)
Peter and Cornelius anticipated this meeting. God was clearly at work in miraculous ways and both men could not wait to discover the truths He would reveal. Both men were prepared to obey God’s commands, but they also prepared others for the meeting.
Acts 10:23–24 (NASB95)
23 ... and on the next day (Peter) got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Peter didn’t journey alone, he was accompanied on his journey by Christian brothers from the church in Joppa. We know from Acts 11:12 that six people went along with him. Early Christians loved being together and loved experiencing God’s revelations together! This was a discipleship opportunity. Never do anything alone. Christians should always be learning from each other and the only way we can really do this is to live life together. Social media and videos don’t hold a candle and are no substitute for being together in person, experiencing the same thrills, joys, and pains with our brothers and sisters. We were designed to be together, so Peter and these six men prepared together.
Cornelius, who was not yet a believer, had a similar desire: he did not wish to receive God’s message alone. Consider what we learned last week in Acts 10:8: Cornelius shared the full vision with two servants and a soldier. Doing life together seems to have been natural because he invited other people to partake in life events not just once in this passage but twice.
Thirty-eight miles to the north, Cornelius greatly anticipated meeting Peter. Whatever was about to take place was too important to miss and too important to do alone. What did he do according to our text? He invited those who were most dear to him - relatives and close friends! Cornelius didn’t waste this witnessing opportunity!
Application: God’s message is far too important to keep to ourselves!
Application: God’s message is far too important to keep to ourselves!
We must do life together! (REPEAT!)
We have so much to learn from each other. Discipleship was never supposed to be primarily accomplished during the Sunday morning worship service. Discipleship was supposed to take place by doing life together and Jesus was the master of the discipleship model. He discipled 12 men by living life alongside them.
We need to share it excitedly and enthusiastically! (REPEAT!) (Jn 4:28-29)
God’s Word should be so exciting that we always try to share it with others! Cornelius’ enthusiasm to learn about God reminded me of the enthusiasm of another Biblical person. When the Samaritan woman discovered she was talking with with Jesus at the well she excitedly testified to her whole community.
28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
and because of her excitement, faith, and obedience verse 39 tells us...
39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified...
Reminding ourselves of these examples is healthy because it helps us feel the joy
Perhaps nothing is as off-putting to the Gospel than the gospel shared by a person in stiff, black clothes wearing funeral procession faces. That is not a method we ever encounter in the Bible.
Cornelius made other preparations. Read along in verses...
24 On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.
Cornelius prepared by prioritizing the meeting. (REPEAT!) (v24-27)
When they came into the house of Cornelius, Peter discovered that he was expected, and this was probably an encouragement to him, because he was still pondering what the vision he had seen meant and during his travels, Peter seems to have learned nothing about why he was called, nor what he was speak to his host. Cornelius waited for them, and such a guest was worth waiting for; nor can I blame him if he waited impatiently. When Peter entered, he discovered that this was a highly anticipated this meeting: thought and preparation had been made.
Remember that Cornelius was a high ranking official. He was likely a busy man with many military and civic duties. He was excited by philanthropy and remember, as verse 22 states, he was well-known and highly thought of by the whole Jewish nation. Many people probably came to visit him each day with many pressing and important matters.
Peter was not placed in a holding pattern waiting for others to complete their business. Cornelius was expecting him and immediately greeted him. Maybe Cornelius was waiting for Peter like my children wait for the UPS truck! God’s message had priority. This meeting was the most important one on his agenda. If you look at verses 25 and 26 you will see that Cornelius fell down and worshipped Peter. This seems to have been an awkward situation “26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”
Cornelius was a man accustomed to political protocols. It is likely he would have, at some point during his career, been brought in front of the Roman emperor, the most powerful man on the face of the earth. He was almost certainly accustomed to being in the presence of other significant Roman persons and greeting them accordingly. It was common to greet a person’s servant similarly to how the master himself would have been greeted. The servant was an ambassador of the master. If you are familiar with the parable of the vineyard owner, the master of the vineyard sent his servants to the tenants of the vineyard and they greeted these servants wickedly. The master, a man of much love and patience, chose to be patient with those wicked tenants. The master eventually sent his own son (representing Jesus) and instead of a royal welcome, he was killed. So Peter, servant of God, was worshipped by Cornelius just as if God himself was visiting his house! The way Cornelius fell at his feet was only reserved for deity, which explains Peter’s response. “Stand up: I too am just a man.” Here, Peter, a man who struggled with pride humbly deferred praise and worship to God.
Application: We must prioritize God’s message.
Application: We must prioritize God’s message.
...just like Cornelius. God’s words were extremely important to him. Through his preparations, His guests, I think, eagerly awaited God’s message through Peter. Do we get excited when Sunday draws close? Do we greatly anticipate the message from God’s word? What preparations do we make to invite people to come with us? Is God’s Word so exciting and life changing that we respond in anticipation like Cornelius?
Preparations also need to be made for afterward. What takes place in our homes Sunday after the service? What can be done in our lives to minimize distractions that may pop up in those hours following the message? Cornelius had a laser focus. Nothing prevented him from promptly receiving the Word. and nothing prevented him from meditating on it afterward. One of the biggest challenges to meditating on the Word is that we might think of preparing for and removing distractions prior to the Sunday message, but we neglect to set aside time to meditate on it afterward.
Cornelius loved people and for that people loved him. He was a good and giving person meaning he personally invested in people. These relationships were precious and valuable and God’s message was such a high priority that He had to share the opportunity with them!
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
That describes Cornelius. He was rich in good works, generous, and in this passage, ready to share. 2 Cor 9:6 also applies...
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
If an unsaved person had such an impact on people, shouldn’t Christians make a much bigger impact? We must invest in relationships and generosity and hospitality are foundational to those relationships! Cornelius was prepared to reap bountiful blessings.
This brings us to verse 28.
28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
What if you or I had been invited to speak at a small event for a famous person, but told by the host, “I’ll tell you the topic you when you step onto the stage.” Not only that, but when we showed up instead of it being a small event, it had morphed into a much bigger event! That would be shocking, impossible to prepare for, and probably stressful, especially for those of us who are not gifted by spontaneity! That is kind of like Peter’s situation. He thought he was going to talk with one person and instead found many persons gathered.
Peter understood half of the vision: God is no respecter of persons. It was acceptable to associate with Gentiles even if it was forbidden by Jewish law. It was better to obey God than man. Peter was still confused as to why he was at a Gentile’s house though, and didn’t know what he was supposed to say. “Here I am, willing to obey God. Here I am, a sinner, still wrestling with God’s will. Cornelius, for two days I have had no idea what I am supposed to say to you. Will you please fill me in?” So Cornelius relayed the details of the vision while also strongly impressing upon Peter it’s divine message.
I think Cornelius so prioritized the Gospel’s message that the soldier who traveled may have been under orders to arrest Peter if he didn’t willingly respond. I believe Cornelius would have done everything in his power to fulfill God’s command revealed in that vision. Read his words in verse 33...
33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Here is a man who understood where his authority came from! Look at the accountability that this verse oozes. “I sent for you.” I, Cornelius, an authority responding in full submission to God to bring you here (and hold you accountable if needs be). Cornelius reminds the very man he just worshipped that he too is being watched by God and accountable to obey God’s instructions. Cornelius was commanding Peter because God commanded Peter, and Peter was kind to willingly respond in submission to both God and Cornelius.
is the Gospel such a high priority in our lives that we would go to the lengths Cornelius did to hear it and share it?
Cornelius said something else very important that made everything click for Peter...
Cornelius prepared to “hear” the message. (v33)
verse 33… We are all ready to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.
The Greek word “akouo” meaning “to hear” does not mean that Cornelius was prepared to hear the sounds coming out of Peter’s lips. “Akouo” means “to hear and obey.” It is all encompassing. Listen to God’s message through Peter and respond in obedience to that message. “Akouo” is also used in verse 22 when the servants relayed Cornelius instructions to Peter, and the same word is used in verse 31 when the angel spoke to him saying, “Your prayer has been heard by God.” Hearing, “akouo” requires obedience, it requires doing something with the sound waves that enter the brain.
Cornelius, an authority figure, was fully prepared to submit to God’s authority in whatever matter God desired. Cornelius also made an interesting addition to God’s message. Cornelius alone was commanded to hear and obey, but we read his addition at the end of verse 33..
33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
He said, “I am prepared to listen and obey, and WE are all prepared to listen and to obey.” Had Cornelius relayed the vision to his guests ahead of Peter’s arrival? Had Cornelius previously demanded his hosts obey the message? It would certainly have been his right to wield his God-given power this way, and it certainly would have been his right as a host that day. Again, obedience toward God, “hearing and acting” was of utmost importance and urgency.
Application: We must be prepared to obey God’s message!
Application: We must be prepared to obey God’s message!
Are you in the zone this morning? What has your mind wandered to during our songs of worship this morning? What has your mind wandered to during prayer? What has your mind even wandered to during the message so far? I don’t think Cornelius nor his guests lost focus. They were in the zone!
Not only had Cornelius physically prepared for God’s message, Cornelius also prepared mentally and spiritually. What were they having for lunch? Not an issue in this passage. How were they getting home afterward? Not an issue in the passage. What were they going to do once the worship service let out? Not an issue in this passage. There was only one focus… God’s message and God’s message alone. Their minds were clear. Nothing distracted them. Their minds were resolute, nothing would cause them to lose focus. They were in the zone: God’s word was that important.
Cornelius seems to have acted as a worship leader in verse 33. He equipped other people to hear and obey.
Are we making adequate time to physically and mentally prepare for Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and mid-week worship? Are we setting aside the weights that so easily beset us? Are we acting responsibly within our rights as God-given authorities to prepare others for God’s messages?
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
Hearing is giving significant thought. It is meditating on the spoken words. Have you ever watched a video of people panning for gold? They don’t fill their pan with sediment and water and throw the whole thing back into the river. That would be wasteful and useless, but that what we do when we are not prepared to mine for God’s nuggets. We are that wasteful miner when we sit in church going through the motions without putting in any of the work God requires. No, miners instead carefully consider what is in that pan by shaking it, sorting the material, rinsing out the useless bits. It is done carefully, deliberately, and faithfully in the hope of finding precious life-changing nuggets! “Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good!” This good first means eternal life as in...
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
God’s salvation was the good which Peter’s audience was about to experience. For those who have already heard and obeyed the Gospel’s call to salvation, more is required of us. Please turn to James 1. James 1:22-25 expands this idea...
When we attended Baptist Bible College, we had to go to the student center every day for chapel and we had to enter through a pair of doors that were highly reflective which acted like mirrors. About 800 of us would wait in line and pass through those doors...
God’s Word is a perfect mirror which reveals even the tiniest imperfections in our lives, but it does more than just reveal imperfections. It powerfully calls us to repent of and set aside those imperfections. Those imperfections hinder worship and hurt relationships, so when the Word is heard, we must actively mine for nuggets in the depths of our minds and this really isn’t too difficult. We have a partner, the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin and enables, through Holy living, the blessings that come through the Lord. “Whoever listens to God’s Word and does what it says will be blessed in what he does.”
(PAUSE)
Cornelius’ words were likely an encouragement to Peter. “Now we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” Cornelius and guests were prepared to respond positively toward the Gospel! Peter would most likely not be arrested, stoned, or beaten, or thrown out of the house. It was at this moment when everything came together for Peter! God’s instructions finally made sense!
Peter prepared to witness! (v34-43)
Peter was not told by God in this instance what to speak. The vision, hosting and being hosted by Gentiles, and God’s rebuke were all pieces of the puzzle, but once Cornelius related his part of the events, The Holy Spirit’s ministry brought everything together for Peter! This was another instance of Mt 10:19-20 playing out!
19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Peter excelled at communicating the gospel and he had been commanded at Christ’s ascension to be a witness throughout the whole earth. Peter had a light bulb moment and spoke clearly and conclusively after three days what he had learned in the key verses, Acts 10:34-35
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
It pleased God to save the gentile nations and anyone seeking His forgiveness and regeneration would from then on be acceptable to God. Peter, at that moment became the human cornerstone of Christ’s church for all Gentile nations because he faithfully proclaimed God’s words to Cornelius and his guests.
Application: When in doubt, speak the Gospel!
Application: When in doubt, speak the Gospel!
Many people have made great speeches which significantly impacted history. Some of my favorites include Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, the Abolition of slavery speech by William Wilburforce, and the “We Shall Never Surrender” and “Finest Hour” speeches by Winston Churchill. My personal favorite though is Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.” All these great speeches pale in comparison to the message of the Gospel.
You don’t have to be a significant person like Peter, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, or William Wilburforce to make a significant difference in someone’s life. The greatest and most powerful message has ever been spoken through humble and lowly lips and this week two people have placed their faith in Christ, my son Stephen and Ted Slade. Humble lips have faithfully proclaimed the most important message, people have been faithful, people have been prepared! The example is before us… we must continually prepare hear God’s Words and allow that message to alter our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Transition
Transition
Here at First Baptist Church, we believe we should be all about proclaiming God’s power and we are taking an opportunity this morning consider that power demonstrated through Jesus’ perfect love and sacrifice.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
A song is going to gently play in the background, please use this time to prepare your elements, right your hearts with God through confession, and praise Him for His work through the cross. When Tammy and Christina are ready, they will come up and lead us in a song.
(gentle music)
Song
Song
(Deacons come to the front pew on either side of the center aisle)
“Please be seated.”
Communion Service (1 Cor 11:23b-26)
Communion Service (1 Cor 11:23b-26)
Andy pray
Read the bread
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Take the bread
Jay pray
Read the cup
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Take the cup
Ken Pray
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Song
Pastor Dismiss