The Gospel For All

Acts: The Church Alive  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  38:41
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Acts 10:1–33 CSB
1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God. 3 About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.” 4 Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. 8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.” 15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” 16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven. 17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.” 21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.” 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.” 27 While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people. 28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So may I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in dazzling clothing stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. 32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’ 33 So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”
The early chapters in the book of Acts give us a glimpse into the opening days of church history. The Christians in the church at Jerusalem were primarily Jewish, yet Acts 1:8 clearly states: “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
By the way, this was the Holy Ghost coming upon the early church!
What was it that brought that pouring of the Holy Spirit?
Obedience and Prayer!
But wait, there was another part to that.
Acts 1:14 NKJV
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
One Accord!
He was the 11 remaining apostles and the bible says the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and the brothers of Jesus.
They had just said goodbye to the Savior!
they had seen Him risen but they saw him leave and if we were to be honest they were probably a little worried,
they were probably a little anxious
they were probably a little doubtful as to what was coming next!
But the bible says that they were gathered together in ONE ACCORD, praying, obediently waiting Just like Jesus had told them to do.
Anyway, the church was made up of mostly Jews at this time but that was not God’s intention
God loves the world. He loves everyone in the world. Yes, He gives us different backgrounds and distinctions, but it is His will that we would love and reach all people.
Furthermore, it is God’s will that Jews and Gentiles be one in Christ, yet there was great prejudice and mistreatment between the Jews and the Gentiles.
All of us grow up with some form of prejudice. (People of a different Race, Religion, social standing.)
The Jews considered the Gentiles to be “dogs.” In fact, they would go through a ritualistic process to cleanse themselves after coming in contact with a Gentile.
In this passage today, we see how God intervenes to remove prejudice and opens the Gospel to all people.
Red and yellow black and white, rich and poor, “religious.”

I. The Commandments of the Lord (vs. 1-15)

A. To Cornelius
Note - He was a centurion in the Roman Army. He commanded 100 soldiers from Italy. He was stationed in Caesarea, a Gentile city where no Jew would ever set foot.
The bible says that he was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house and that he gave much alms to the people and prayed to god always.
There are people out there who want to serve God don’t know how!
God told him in a vision that He was to send for Peter.
Cornelius had religion but had not been saved. He needed someone to explain the way of salvation, just as the Ethiopian eunuch needed Philip to explain Isaiah 53 and Christ’s sacrificial death to him.
Note - I believe that when someone is looking for God, they WILL find Him!
Cornelius received a command to send for Peter.
B. To Peter
Where do we find Peter when He receives his command from the Lord?
On the roof of the house praying! (Again obedient and prayerful!
If you want to be used of God…PRAY!
While Peter was praying, he fell into a trance. He saw a large linen sheet tied a the four corners. (Hem of the garment was a sign of the Savior) From the sheet came all manner of unclean animals according to Jewish law. He heard a voice commanding hin to eat. Peter was greatly perplexed. He had never eaten unclean food. God was moving his heart in compassion for Gentiles.
We need to let God move in our heart for the People that are a little different than we are.
We must remember that “whosoever means whosoever.” Not who ever we feel like or whoever we think deserves it.

II. The Cooperation of Godly Men (vs. 16-26)

In verses 17-22, we see the men of Cornelius arrive at Peter’s residence in Joppa.
For things to workout, people must cooperate with God.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
that word, quench means to not put out!
A. Peter Lodged the Men.
IN he had not received specific instructions fro God, Peter would never have asked Gentiles, especially Roman soldiers, to stay in the same house with him. The Jews’ hatred for Gentiles, in general, was nothing compared to the contempt for the soldiers occupying their country.
B. Cornelius Welcomes Peter
The bible says that Cornelius waited for them. This shows the faith that he had.
How many times do we ask God for something and then not actually believe that He is going to give it to us?
Note - Worship of any person other than Christ is never appropriate!

III. The conviction of Peter vs. 27-36

Do you know what the most important thing we see in this vision that Peter gets…? it is actually 2 things.
1. Peter Told God, I have never done this and I am not going to start now.
2. Peter had a teachable spirit.
So what is this vision about?
A. Christ Abolished the Distinction between Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 10:12 NKJV
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
Galatians 3:27–28 NKJV
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God does not restrict His offer of salvation. Jesus came to die “for the sins of the world.” It was a severe culture shock for Jewish believers, but Peter recognized that their thinking regarding the Gentiles had to change. He was willing to give up his traditional prejudices and obey God.
From this we then can determine
B. We should Witness to all people without question.
Peter did not hesitate to present the same Gospel to Cornelius and his family that he had preached on the Day of Pentecost and in the temple.
We know that all people, regardless of their origin, need to hear the message of salvation, and deliverance.
Conclusion -
We are one in Christ.
Just like Peter and Cornelius, we come from many backgrounds, yet we have one Savior.
The Proof that your heart is right in this area is that that you are a soulwinner.
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