Salvation is Preached
Notes
Transcript
IN contrast to the harsh, indicting sermons that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost and the one at Solomons portico here we see Peter be lead by the Spirit to give a simple gospel presentation.
Preaching to Prepared Hearts
Preaching to Prepared Hearts
While some situations require hard truth and hard preaching this was not one of those times.
God had already prepared the hearts of Cornelius and the others before Peter enters the house.
Plowed grounded is always easier to plant than hard ground.
We can preach the name of Christ with boldness because He has already prepared the way for us.
Not only was the hearers prepared but so was Peter.
Christ prepared him for this moment as well by breaking down the laws and segregation that Peter had not only in his mind but in his heart.
God will never lead us to do something that we are not prepared to do.
The Gospel Is for All People
The Gospel Is for All People
The phrase opening his mouth is a greek expression meaning that the speech is important.
The house of Cornelius was a typical roman style four room house and just imagine what it was like to have the people inside there as Peter preached the Gospel for the first time to gentiles.
Peter in this instant understood the full meaning of the great commission. Matt 28: 18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Peter should have understood the fact that the gospel was for all people long before this but often times we don’t have the same vision that God does. John 10:16
16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Even the Old Testament shows that God is the Lord of all. Deut 10:17
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
The Command To Preach the Gospel
The Command To Preach the Gospel
It was commanded of the Apostles to preach the word of Christ.
They were the ones that were charged with carrying on the work of Christ not just to a select group but to the whole world.
These men were the first missionaries.
We are to be on the mission fields as well.
The message is not complicated it is simple and effective.