Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts 10:24-48

INTRODUCTION:

I.

A MAN OF POSITION (Acts 10:1-2)

A. With position comes influence.

1. Cornelius was a man of influence.

a.

He was an officer (Centurion)

ἑκατοντάρχης = a Roman officer in command of about one hundred men—‘centurion, captain.’)

b.

He was part of an elite force (Italian Regiment)

Ἰταλικῆς σπείρης = Italian Cohort (a division of about 600 men)

Cornelius’s division is described as the “Italian regiment,” a group that is documented as occupying Palestine after a.d.

69.69

The place of his residence is of some importance, since Caesarea was from a.d.

6 the provincial capital and place of residence of the Roman governor.

Unlike Lydda and Joppa, which were mainly inhabited by Jews, Caesarea was a Hellenistic-style city with a dominant population of Gentiles

c.

He was not afraid to use his influence for good.

1- He influenced his family positively.

2- He helped those less fortunate than himself.

B. Every person has influence.

1.

The question is: “how will we use it?”.

a.

Will we use it to influence people for God or against Him?

(1) By the things we do?

(2) By the things we say?

(3) By our attitudes and lifestyle?

II.

A MAN OF CHARACTER (Acts 10:2)

A. Cornelius was a man of character.

1. Devout (εὐσεβής, from eu, “well,” sebomai, “to reverence,” the root seb- signifying “sacred awe,” describes “reverence” exhibited especially in actions, reverence or awe well directed.)

2. God-fearing (φοβουμενος τον Θεον= "one that feared God"

a. Luke describes Cornelius as "a God-fearing proselyte" as in Acts 10:22.

This is his usual term for the Gentile seekers after God (Acts 13:16, 26;17:4, 17, etc.), who had come into the worship of the synagogue without circumcision, and were not strictly proselytes, though some call such men "proselytes of the gate" (cf.

Acts 13:43); but clearly Cornelius and his family were still regarded as outside the pale of Judaism (Acts 10:28, 34; Acts 11:1, 8; Acts 15:7).

They had seats in the synagogue, but were not Jews.

3. A leader of his family “…as was everyone in his household”

a.

This was not an accident.

The degree of his household’s reverence for the God of Israel gives evidence to his purposeful leadership in this direction.

4. Generous (τε ελεημοσυνας πολλας τω λαω = giving alms to many people or giving much alms to people.).

5. Prayed regularly (δεόμενος τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ παντός= praying to God continually).

6. Well-respected by the Jews (Acts 10:22)

Respect is not automatic.

It is earned!

B. Character is important

1- Character is who you really are.

a- Merrian Webster defines character as “the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person.”

(Proverbs 27:19)

(Luke 6:45)

2- What character traits do you display to the people around you?

a- Toward God?

b- Toward your family?

c- Toward people in need?

III.

A MAN WITH A NEED (Acts 10: 4-8, 22-23,32-33, 36-43)

A. Cornelius’ Character was important, but was not enough.

1. Good character and a right relationship with God are not necessarily the same.

(Acts 10: 4-8)

a. Cornelius still needed to have a right relationship with God!

2. God wanted Cornelius to hear the gospel message.

(Acts 10:22-23, 32-33)

a. God was working to send the message to Cornelius through Simon Peter.

3. The message of Christ was made clear by Peter.

(Acts 10:36-43)

a.

The message is about Jesus Christ - who is Lord of all!

b.

The message was about the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

c.

The message warned of judgment to come.

d.

The message is about how to have forgiveness of sins through Christ.

B. Character is good, but it is not enough.

You need to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

You need to be born-again.

(John 3:5)

The message is the same as it was for Cornelius.

Jesus Christ came to earth.

(John 1:14)

Jesus Christ died on a cross to pay the price for our sins.

(2 Corinthians 5:21)

c.

We can have forgiveness of sins by trusting in his death and resurrection.

(Romans 10:9-13)

d.

What is your decision going to be?

CONCLUSION:

Hymn “The Savior is Waiting” By Ralph Carmichael

1 The Savior is waiting to enter your heart,

Why don't you let Him come in?

There's nothing in this world to keep you apart,

What is your answer to Him? [Refrain]

2 If you'll take one step toward the Savior, my friend,

You'll find His arms open wide,

Receive Him and all of your darkness will end,

Within your heart He'll abide.

[Refrain]

Refrain:

Time after time He has waited before,