A CHANGE IN HOUSE RULES

There are two main characters in this text; Cornelius and Peter. \”Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. \” (Acts 10:1-2 NKJV)

The quality of Cornelius  

• 1. He was a godly man
•   2. He feared God  
• 3. He taught his household to fear God  
• 4. He had an active prayer life  
• 5. He was generous. He gave to the poor
•   6. He was a positive role model for his family and friends.

His credentials    

• 1. He was a Roman Soldier    
• 2. He was a Gentile    
• 3. He was more religious than most Jews    
• 4. He was an unusual man because the Romans  believed in idol gods
• 5. Cornelius claimed none other than the true living God as his God.

Some key points

• 1. God is no respecter of person
• 2. God knows your character
• 3. God rewards those who are faithful
• 4. God hears your prayers
• 5. You can expect the unexpected from God.

Peter the Apostle.

• 1.  God has a job for those He calls.
• 2. For you to minister to someone else, you have to get rid of your problems and hang-ups.
• 3. Peter by his heritage and training was what we would call today xenophobic. He was trained under the Law which forbade the Jews from associating with foreign nations primarily because of their worship of idol gods. (Lev 18:24-30, Due 7:3-12)

A CHANGE IN HOUSE RULES

God put Peter in a trance to visualize to him the change in the dispensation of the Law to the dispensation of Grace.  Peter saw a sheet coming down from heaven full of four footed animals and creepy things. God told Peter to arise and eat. But Peter said I have never ate anything unclean and was not about start. But God responded, what I make clean is clean.. God used this demonstration to  show Peter the end of the age of the Law and the restriction against fellowshipping with people of foreign nation had been lifted. Belief in the blood of Jesus under Grace is what make a person clean.  Not the sacrifice of animals by earthly priest, but the sacrifice of our spiritual priest , Jesus Christ, is what makes a man clean.                                                                                                                                                  

GOD\’S DIRECTIONS IN YOUR LIFE COMES FROM BIBLE STUDY ( V:19)

\”While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, \”Behold, three men are seeking you. (20) Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.\”

A. It is the work of the  Holy Spirit that gives you an understanding of the Word.    

• 1. Understanding of the Word of God is activated by your personal meditation of the Word guided by the Holy Spirit.   
•   2. God will prepare your heart to receive those He wants you to proclaim the Word.
•     3. God will prepare the hearts of unbelievers to receive His Word from you.

B. When God makes plain His mission to you, don\’t doubt that it is for you.

•    1. When unbelievers know that you love the Lord, they will come seeking you.  
• 2. We ought to live our lives so that we are the lamp of God that others are drawn to.

SERVICE REQUIRES OBEDIENCE

 (V:21) \"Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, \"Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?\" (22) And they said, \"Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.\"  

A. When God gives you directions, He will confirm His Word from a different source.    

Since the Jews were under Roman authority, Cornelius could summon Peter to his home.  Cornelius\’ men identified him as one who loved the Lord and was a friend of the Jews. Cornelius\’ men then identified the summon as being from the Lord. Cornelius\’ men then identified that Peter\’s mission was to proclaim the Word of God to Cornelius.  From this, you learn that God will confirm His mission to you and God will open doors for your mission to be successful.

BE KIND TO STRANGERS V:23.

 \" Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.  Peter Meets Cornelius (24) And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.  

A. When God sends someone to you, make them welcome in your midst.  

If we are agreeable to the Word of God, we will be agreeable to those He sends to us.  Be kind to strangers, because you never know when you are entertaining an angel. Peter went to preach to Cornelius, but God blessed the mission with Cornelius\’ family and friends.  

1. God\’s call requires an immediate response.    
2. Here, I am Lord, send me.    
3. To work for the Lord requires a willingness to serve.         
   1. b. Making yourself available to serve.         
   2. c. Making a commitment to serve.
   3. C. To serve God you have to go where the mission leads you.

WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (V:25.) \" As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.  (26)But Peter lifted him up, saying, \"Stand up; I myself am also a man.\"  A. Preachers and teachers need to understand that we are not to be worshipped.   

•   1. Our position in Christ does not make us better than others.   
•   2. We are all equal in the sight of the Lord.
  • B. God broke down the racial barrier in Peter\’s heart.     
• 1. God instituted the New age of Grace in the blood of Jesus.    
• 2. Jesus with His death on the cross ratified a New Covenant in  His blood.    
• 3. Peter was instructed to operate not under the Law, but under Grace.

 CHURCH STARTS WHEN YOU SHOW UP (V:27). \" And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.  (28)Then he said to them, \"You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  (29) Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?\"  

A. God\’s grace is more powerful than the Law.    

• 1. All the requirements of the Law were fulfilled with Jesus death and resurrection.    
• 2. The Law was a tutor until Grace came. ]
  • B. It is the Lord that changes your heart so you can minister to others.    
    • 1. It is the Word of God that convicts us of our shortcomings.   
    •   2. We were all born in sin and shaped in iniquity..    
    • 3. We cannot judge others because we have not been judged.

YOUR TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT (V:30). \" So Cornelius said,  \"Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ( 31) and said, \'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 

• A. No one can tell your story like you.    
  • 1. Everyone has a time when God called you to Himself.    
  • 2. Everyone\’s testimony is different.    
  • 3. Everyone\’s testimony is important.
• B. Cornelius had an active prayer life, so his testimony was based on his love for God.  
  • 1. He got a message of his acceptance from God during his prayer time.  
  • 2. His fasting indicates devotion and sacrifice for God.

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS V:32. \" Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.\" ( 33) So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.\" 

Preaching to Cornelius\’

A. The heart of Cornelius was prepared to receive a Word from Peter before       Peter was given the mission.     

God draws us to himself. No one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them. We can make plans, but it is God who causes the increase. We should follow God\’s directions, expecting the unexpected.  According to the word from the angel, Cornelius knew he would receive a word from the Lord through Peter. He had no idea that he would receive the gift of eternal life, that he, his family, and friends would have a friend in Jesus, and his family and friends would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God can do exceeding abundantly more than you can ask or conceive!

THANK GOD FOR THE UNEXPECTED