Keys to Making a Difference
Notes
Transcript
Religion means nothing.
Religion means nothing.
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Cornelius was devout.
He was a “good man”.
“He feared God”
“He feared God”
His family was a moral God fearing family.
“they are good people”
Not only Cornelius but his family.
He was a good father and husband.
He was a good leader and teacher.
They knew of God and the law.
They probably had grown tired of the pagan culture and were attracted to the way the Jews lived.
It was common in new testament times to call someone a God-fearer who had simply attached themselves to the Jewish God.
They attended the synagogue faithfully.
Though they usually did not embrace circumcision or the law they believed in one God.
But they did not have a personal relationship with God.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Fearing God and believing in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the only way of salvation are two very different things.
So different that your eternity will be completely different.
“He gave alms generously”
“He gave alms generously”
He was characteristically kind and giving.
“to the people”
Refers specifically to the Jewish people.
Here is a Romans army officer who is spiritually sensitive.
“He prayed to God always”
“He prayed to God always”
He probably did not fully understand to whom he was praying.
But he observed Jewish prayer times.
God had mercy on him.
His prayers and alms were a memorial before God.
They DID NOT save him -
But God will save anyone who wants to be genuinely saved.
1. Hear and obey God.
1. Hear and obey God.
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
(1) A. Peter was in the habit of communicating with God.
(1) A. Peter was in the habit of communicating with God.
Peter went up on the roof to pray.
Luke makes it a point to show us what seems to be a regular prayer habit.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Peter found a quiet spot to pray.
Find a quiet place.
Carve time out of our busy schedule.
(1) B. Peter obeyed even though he didn’t have all the answers.
(1) B. Peter obeyed even though he didn’t have all the answers.
Peter didn’t understand what his vision meant.
It wasn’t about food.
Let’s add a human element to this.
Peter was in a seaside town.
The word for sheet is the same word used for sail.
Simon the Tanner most quite possibly had a house overlooking the water.
He was hungry.
He went into a trance or a dream.
It was about meat.
Food that was “clean” for the Jews.
And food that was unclean.
God told Peter to kill and eat what was once unclean.
Peter questioned God and God confirmed what he said.
Peter was still confused.
17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
We need to remember that God is working His plan well before He tells us.
And also that we are simply a small piece of that plan.
Peter didn’t understand - but Cornelius had already sent his men.
Peter didn’t need to understand yet - just obey.
He would soon understand.
If we want to make a difference for God we must be in regular and habitual communication with Him.
We must devote ourselves to prayer.
We must be in God’s Word.
We must be around Godly people who will give us Godly counsel!
2. Look for people outside your comfort zone.
2. Look for people outside your comfort zone.
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.” 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.
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
(2) A. Peter went out of his way to reach people.
(2) A. Peter went out of his way to reach people.
Over a day’s journey.
Keep in mind that Peter had a couple of mountain top experiences!
Now God is telling him to go do this?
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Building redemptive relationships takes work.
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
It takes an intentional lifestyle.
(2) B. Peter went to unlikely people.
(2) B. Peter went to unlikely people.
Peter begins to understand his dream.
The dream was not about food but gentiles.
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.” 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?”
According to the Law, there was to be a clear separation between Jews and gentiles.
This was not easy for Peter - it went against everything he had been taught.
Let’s put aside our feelings and learn from this.
We often shelter ourselves from the world.
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
“company”
this is an intimate relationship that includes being taught by...
Either formally or informally.
“Evil”
Who are the evil people?
Context:
1 Cor 15 Paul is defending the resurrection.
There were false teachers teaching that Christ was not alive.
We are not being told to shelter ourselves from the world.
Examine other scripture.
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.
How will we ever be salt and light if we allow ourselves to live in a bubble?
Tabitha had a house full of people she had been salt and light to.
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Go!
to the world - all of it!
Future Church Planter who golfs with lost people.
Let’s look at another side of this.
Where should we stand with social issues?
How should we interact with the people who disagree or think differently from us?
Christ died for all people.
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
So we need to love them as such.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
It will get harder to go to people we disagree with.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Keys to making a difference...
Hear and obey God.
Look for people outside your comfort zone.
3. Look for souls God is drawing to Himself.
3. Look for souls God is drawing to Himself.
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
(3) A. Cornelius was clearly being drawn.
(3) A. Cornelius was clearly being drawn.
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
This entire account is packed full of God’s sovereign work in his life.
(3) B. Peter recognized the Spirit’s work.
(3) B. Peter recognized the Spirit’s work.
Don’t cram the gospel down someone’s throat.
Trust God’s timing and work in their heart.
Pray for God to draw them.
Recognize when they are being drawn.