Acts 10:1 - Cornelius - Roman Centurion - devout and God-fearing - generous - prayerful - good man. Well thought of by his countrymen. But still lost.
Point #1. Being a great guy will not save you.
Rom. 3:23, Isa. 64:6 - our righteousness as filthy rags.
Acts 10:4- many good works - cannot earn your way into heaven.
Acts 10:4-8
Point #2: If you seek God with all your heart ... He'll show up. Probably not as an angel.
Seek God out.
Examples: Jer. 33:3, Jer. 29:13, Deut. 4:29, James 4:8, Matt. 7-7-8
Acts 10:9-10 - Not a dream or imagination, but heightened consciousness. God was working in both ends of this story. Clean and unclean animals on one sheet.
Acts 10:11-16 - directives of New Covenant for dietary and ceremonial laws.
See also: 1 Tim. 4:3-5, Gal. 2, Matt. 15:11, Mark 7:19 - commanded of God. Peter was faithful to follow.
Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws set Israel apart, but now there is no separation. (Jews tended to think they were better.)
But: Rom. 1:16, Gal. 3:26-29 - all are equal in Christ alone!
God was dealing with Peter's heart. 3 times was told to rise up, kill, and eat. 3 times he denied knowing Christ before the crucifixion, 3 times Jesus asked "do you love me?"
No longer separation between Jews and Gentiles.
Acts 10:17-23 - Peter was confused, shook up, but obedient.
Point #3. Be immediate in your obedience (Jonah, children of Israel - found the hard way when disobeyed the command)
Tough obedience - Peter was a self-respecting Jew. Still struggled with Jew/Gentile situation. Gal. 2 shows later struggle.
But, he invited the group from Cornelius into the house as his guests. Wonder what did Simon the tanner think of this? neighbors down the street?
Acts 10:23 - brought some of the brothers with him.
Acts 10:24-25
Point #4 - Are you humble?
James 4:10 - humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
What a picture: a Roman Centurion and a Galilean fisherman. Humility to reconcile wit God and also with others.
Point #5: Are you hungry? (for the things of God) Cornelius was anxious, family and friends gathered. Have you ever had that zeal? What happened to the zeal and passion that you started out with?
Acts 10:26 - Ananias and Sapphira? - more concerned with the praise of men than of pleasing God.
Acts 10:27-43. Peter = Jesus is for all. YHWH is for all. King of kings. How? Believe in Him!!!
Acts 10:44-48 - Yes, God can even save "those people" that perhaps you don't like, don't think they can ever be saved. He loves those people.
If people in the Middle East were all saved and living for Jesus Christ, the situation would be solved.
2 Challenges:
A) Be reconciled to God, or at least seek Him out.
B) Invite someone to church this week.
Closing Scripture:
Eph. 2:11-22
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