God's Intersections

Introduction

Last Wednesday I asked a simple question to those who were present, do you expect God to use you today or tomorrow?

And with that there was a second question; Are you ready for God to use you?

Now you might wonder why those questions?

Here is my reasoning: If you are a child of God, I believe God wants and desires to use you.

You came into this world with a purpose, you are uniquely tied to God’s plan for this world and the people in it.

And we are to make our self ready. Consider a athlete, it doesn’t matter what sport he or she plays, they prepare themselves for game day. They prepare with hopes, the desire of getting to play, of making a difference, contributing to the game.

That’s why they are there...

Have you prepared yourself for today?

Are you ready for God to use you?

Now this morning I want to share with you a passage about preparation, how God prepared a man for a unique meeting that changed the face of the church.

So this morning did you bring your Bible, I hope you did....

Lets get to Acts chapter 10....

Background....

Acts chapter 10 is important. It is a time of transition for the church, it is a time of recognition as well.

The gospel, the message of salvation is on the move and God is preparing His people to see those outside the household of Israel as His children as well. It begins with Peter and a gentile named Cornelius.

The Godly intersection of their lives changes everything, and God was leading the way.

I believe in the same way, God is preparing each of us for those for-ordained intersections, so we can be used of God to advance and help His kingdom grow.

So lets begin by looking at this portion of our text

Acts 10:1–8 ESV

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

So lets begin today with this passage and i would challenge you to consider this first thought

1. A Life Searching

From the beginning of time as we know it, man is searching for that which is above him, God.

It doesn't matter who you are, or where you come from..... those on the tiniest island to those in the biggest cities.... men and women are looking for God at some point in their life.

Now in our text today we find a man named Cornelius, and he is stationed, serving the Roman army as a Centurion, of the Italian cohort in Caesarea. Now a cohort is said to be a group of soldiers numbering about 600 men.

These are some of the same men who were stationed in different places, another cohort was in Jerusalem who mocked Jesus in . They are the occupying force of the land.

But this man is different....

Look at verse 2.

Acts 10:2 ESV

2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

Cornelius is a different kind of man, it was said that he was a devout man who feared God… but not only him, his whole household as well.

The word “devout” refers to the fact that He had a reverent heart, a proper heart in front of God. He feared God, he and his whole household.

Now the word “fear” reinforces the idea of Cornelius being a devout man. He has respect, reverence and lives in a worshipful attitude toward God.

Now continue in the attitude of his heart is seen also in his actions, He gae alms generously to people and he was a person of prayer.

Now consider the giving of Alms. This act was a Jewish practice, charity, the giving to assist those in need, people were supposed to give to the up keep their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Remember Acts chapter 3, the man begging at the gate called beautiful. he hope to receive gifts from those who could give to help support his needs.

When I link this with prayer, his actions and the attitude of his heart reveals that Cornelius was a righteous man,

But he was a gentile.

Being a gentile limited his participation in the world of worship, he was always considered an outsider, a person outside, away from “true worship”.

But this is what Cornelius longed for, to be able to worship the living God!

Cornelius was searching for God, praying , working and living a surrenedered life hopeing to be found acceptable in the sight of God.

Now here is a great truth...

A life that loves the Lord, searches for Him first. And the Bible promises that a life that seraches for God will find him. .

What are you searching for?

Now this day something special happens… The Angel of the Lord appears to him about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and delivers a wonderful message...

A life that loves the Lord, searches for Him first. And the Bible promises that a life that seraches for God will find him. Deuteronomy 4:29

Your Prayers Have Been Heard.... Now send your men to Joppa and seek out a man named Peter...

Acts 10:4 ESV

4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Acts 10:4–8 ESV

4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Bring him to your household! He will help you, He has the answers you are searching for.....

What are you searching for?

Jesus said is you ask, it would be given to you, if you seek you will find and if you knock you will be opened to you...

He has the answers for those who are searching....

Now, lets think about our next thought.....

2. A Life Being Prepared

A Life Being Prepared

There are several things I am certain about today, but one in particualr is this morning is this .... God is always at work!

In our text here in Acts chapter 10, I can tell you for certain … God was at work.

He has already showed up at Cornelius’ house. Spoke with him and given him hope and direction for the future.... Go and find Peter!

And at the same time He was at work in Peter’s life as well...

And He is at work in Peter’s life as well...

And can I tell you a secret today....

He is at work in your life as well! Someone here today is counting on God to show up and remind you why He loves you and what He is calling you to do today!

Now lets take a look at our text this morning ....

Acts 10:9–16 ESV

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Do you see what is happening .... while Corenlius’ servants were on the way, God is prepareing Peter.

Peter is up in the roof top, perhaps he went up there to pray and relax a bit. And while waiting for the noon meal God shows up...

Peter is hungry and God presents him a meal on a blanket… and with all this food of many types… and the command is for Peter to arise and eat.

but Peter objects… But Lord, look at that blanket, do you see that pig on the blanket…lol

Lord I cannot eat that food....it is unclean. Unclean… what does he mean?

Peter is referring to the levitical law regarding the acceptable (clean) and unacceptable (unclean) animals...

And while he is objecting the Lord speaks again...

Acts 10:15 ESV

15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Did you hear waht the Lord said, What God has said was clean, we cannot call unclean

Now is God really talking about food...

Yes and no… I think 1… The world is getting ready to change, the Gospel is spreading and the apostles are going to find themselves in many non jewish areas. Eat and sustain yourself… Now that is my opinion. and im pretty happy… i like BACON.

but the real trust of the matter is Jew and Gentile...

The Jews traditionally would have no dealings with their gentile neighbors. They would not even enter thier homes, for the fear of being declared or made unclean.

But God is getting ready to open the world to receive the Gospel.

The Gentile world has been declared clean, you cannot hold your past opinions toward them.. God sent HIs son to die for the world.

Now what Peter didnt know was this.. God was already at work.

God gave this revelation to Peter three times, each one pushes the empahsis of what God was doing...

Soon he would understand....

As God was at work in Peter’s life i want you to know He is at work in your life as well.

He is speaking to some of you today, without at doubt. What is he sharing with you to do?

Will you accept and act on what God is telling you?

It is important that you do!

Now, lets move ot our next thought....

3. A Life changing Intersection

See where God is working and join Him there....

A Life changing Intersection

One of my favorite quotes comes from Henry Blackaby - Experiencing God....

“...See where God is working and join Him there....”

As the Lord has shared this vision with Peter, suddenly this day will change beyond Peter’s expectation.

Lets go back to our text....

Acts 10

Acts 10:17–23 ESV

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Now here in the text we see that while Peter is considering the message of the Lord that men from Cornelius house show up at the gate of the house where Peter is staying.

And verse 19, The Spirit tells Peter to go and meet them and go with them without worry for He has sent them to Him.

You see Peter might have wondered about these men if the Spirit had not told them, they are old.

can you imagine, some gentile men from across the tracks if you will show up and say, hey we need you.... Peter might have said, yeah right...

But the Lord had directed everyone steps...

Why...

I believe the Lord directs our steps.... and he places godly intersections in our journey each do where we can see and join Him at work.

Now the next day, Peter leaves with the men and they take him to Cornelius house… and Peter finds Cornelius and many others there waiting in exception of the message God would speak through Peter to them.

Look at the text again....

Acts 10:28–34 ESV

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.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 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.” 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

So Peter begins to preach and tell Cornelius and those others present the good news of Jesus Christ...

Man this is a godly intersection...

Because as Peter is preaching listen to what happens....

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 10”44=

Do you see what has happened...

God was a work in Cornelius life, and having prepared His heart God calls Peter to follow those men back to Cornelius house.

And upon Preaching .... they are saved, Cornelius and his whole household.

God was at work, He took Peter all the way down in Joppa and got him ready. And he took Cornelius, this Italian soldier and prepared his heart and soon he brought these men together so that the gospel might advance to the Gentile world.

God’s intersections all around us my friends, and they help us and others. But more importantly the grow the kingdom of God.

Are you ready for His intersections?

Now here is what I believe, God is at work in your life. He has prepared you for this day…

We have met, worshipped and you have heard the world. So what is God doing in your life?

Are you ready to cross that intersection and see?

Pray

God was a

Acts 10:28–33 ESV

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.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 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.”

Acts 10:24–33 ESV

24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 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.”