Acts 10:1-48 God Shows No Partiality

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WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Good Morning .. Pause
I welcome you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Out Scripture meditation is from

Psalm 117:1-2 “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
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PRELUDE — Use these moments to prayerfully consider the Scripture meditation above, so you may properly give God the glory due to His name.
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THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM
*God’s Word of Greeting

Call to Worship

Psalm 118:1-4 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.””
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INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.
And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.
We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.
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OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

*Psalm of Praise Psalm

Let us rise for the singing of Gods Word
Turn in your In your Trinity Psalter Hymnal Psalm 117B Praise the Lord God, All You Nations
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Responsive Reading Psalm 117

117 Praise the Lord, all nations!

Extol him, all peoples!

2  For great is his steadfast love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

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*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance
Our Father in heaven
Grant, Almighty God, that inasmuch as we are so inclined to all kinds of errors, to so many various forms of superstitions,
and as Satan also does not cease to lay in wait for us,
and spreads before us his many snares
Grant that we may be preserved in obedience to you by the teaching of your Word,
That we may never turn here and there,
Either to the right or to the left,
But continue in that pure worship which you have prescribed,
So that we may plainly testify that you are indeed our Father
by continuing under the protection of your only begotten Son,
who you have given to be our pastor and ruler to the end.
Who calls us to Worship the true and living God,
and gives rest unto those who labour and are heavy laden;
Who did come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.
Purify us from all uncleanness,
both bodily and spiritual,
and teach us to fulfill holiness in the fear and knowledge of you
That we might approach you with a pure conscience,
Through the Blood of your Son and our Savior alone.
In Christ name Amen
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Assurance of Pardon

Col 2:13-14 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
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LET US RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Thanksgiving 118B

Turn in your In your Trinity Psalter Hymnal to 118B The Glorious Gates of Righteousness

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LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer
Grant, Almighty God, that since you daily exhort us,
and though you see us often turning aside from the the right path,
You are kind Father because you do not cease to stretch forth your hand to us,
and you also continue to wake us up us by many reproofs,
that we may repent—
Father grant that we may not be permitted
to reject your Word with perverseness;
But rule us by your Spirit,
That we may meekly and obediently submit to you,
Help us to be teachable, so that if we have not been willing to submit to your correction,
That we may not continue in our sins.
Father help us to heed your spirits correction.
Heal our diseases so that we may truly repent,
Help us to be so wholly given to obey you,
as never to attempt anything beyond the rule of your Word,
and help us to heed the wisdom which you have revealed to us,
not only by Moses and your prophets,
but also by your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
father we pray for the congregation
Blanks - We thank you for the to covenant child which was born.
Give strength to the blanks as they seek to raise another child for your glory and honor. And we praise you for Phineus’s Baptism that will take place this morning.
Faulkners - continued success with the state and growth in Godliness individually and as parents.
Vicorys- while Kyle is away seeking to provide for his family, Help him to realize and find out if this is the calling you have for him in this life. We pray for Briana and the children as they keep the home back here in Wichita Falls, help the fellow believers to be an encouragement as she raises her little ones while her husband his away.
David Williams -
Sandy F.
Clarissa F.
Pregnancies -
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Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.
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Hymn of Preparation #62B For God Alone My Soul Awaits

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YOU MAY BE SEATED

OLD Testament Reading Ruth 1:1-22

HERE NOW THE WORD OF THE LORD
Ruth 1:1-22 1 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. 3 But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, 5 and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.
Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. 7 So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, 13 would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
15 And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” 18 And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more.
Naomi and Ruth Return
19 So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” 20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
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SERMON/NEW Testament Reading

HERE NOW THE WORD OF THE LORD
TURN IN YOUR COPY OF GODS WORD TO Acts 10:1-48
Acts 10:1–48 ESV
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 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. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 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, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 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. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 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 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 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.” 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. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 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 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 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.’ 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.” So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 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. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
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The Grass withers the Flower Fades But the Word of Our God Will Stand Forever.

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SERMON

HP - God Shows No Partiality
this is the Main Idea the central theme that Acts chapter 10 is teaching.
Verses 34-35 state

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him

But Peter didn’t understand this principle that God shows know partiality when this was happening.
He thought of the people of Israel as a Nation as God’s special people. Who were set apart for the Glory of God.
And many in the church and outside the church don’t understand this concept of God not showing partiality.
Because even though their was a nation called Israel
And even though they were set aside for the worship and glory of God.
Not all Israel was Israel even in the Old Testament.
Their was always Issacs and Ismaels
Their was always Jews And Gentiles
So how Did Peter come to this Conclusion
If we remember the Jewish people were the people of God thoughout the Old Testament.
They were a special nation of people who were set aside to do the will of God on earth.
Whether it was the animal sacrifices carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
Or building the Temple of God.
But was Salvation by our God Yaweh only for the Jewish people?
What did we learn in Ruth chapter one?
Was Ruth an Israelite?
She was a Moabite
Moabites came from the insestuous relationship between Lot and one of his two daughters that Got him drunk and had sex with their father.
We find that in Gen 19:35-38 “So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.”
The Moabites followed after other God’s thats what Orpah Namomi’s other daughter in law did she went back to her people and their God’s.
But Ruth was different she is famous for saying what?

Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Why say all this.
Becasue Peter forgot this story of Ruth.
He forgot that God calls whom he calls
And it doesn't matter who your father is
Or who your Mother is
If you are God’s chosen child before the foundation of the World he will call you and you will be his.
And we see that with Cornelius in verses 1-8

Vs. 1-8 The Calling and Sending of Cornelius on God’s mission

He was a Gentile that God had called to himself.
He was a soldier
A centurion is an officer of the Roman army commanding (around) 100 soldiers;
who himself took orders from a tribune.
The text says he was of the Italian Cohort.
A cohort is a division of the Roman army equal to one tenth of a legion, or around 600 soldiers.
But what is special about Cornelius
Not that he was a Roman Soldier.
Not that he had authority.
He didn’t serve or Worship the Roman Pantheon of Gods.
Rather we are told he was a devout man
Who feared the true and living God.
And his whole household feared the true and living God as well.
We are told he gave generously to the people
Probably his neighbors.
Maybe he gave to the Christian church’s that were forming in the area.
But Cornelius is also described as a praying man.
Cornelius prays and gives of his wealth to those in need.
Cornelius is one of Gods children
Can we say today that we resemble brother Cornelius in our narrative this morning?
Would God say of us he is a devout man
She is a devout Woman.
Their whole family fears and serves God.
They give money to those in need.
And they are diligent in their prayers.
And the people that maybe work for them or serve under them in the military.
Some of you are soldiers amount us today
A military that might resemble a Roman Army.
America serves many God’s they even have wickin services in the military.
Can the soldiers underneath or above you say this about you?
He or She is devout they are always praying and always giving?
And would I be bold and have devout friends or soldiers underneath me that would go on an errand like this for me because I am a follower of Christ?
Do those that serve under you know that you are a Christian or do you keep that hidden?
Cornelius is known for being a Devout Roman who serves the True and living God.
Hopefully you are known for this as well.
And what has Cornelius been doing
What has he been praying for?
Maybe it was that he would be brought into the visible church by the apostles?
Maybe it was for those around him and his family to know the true and living God.
Either way what he was praying for was accepted by the Lord according to this vision he is having.
And He is talking to God in his vision
he says “What is it Lord” He uses the term Kurios
He knows its God speaking to him in the vision with angels.
He tells Cornelius where to find Peter and that he is to send men to retrieve Peter.
Peter is still hanging out at his friends house Simon the tanner who had a house by the sea.
That does sound like a nice place to rest or reside at a nice home on the ocean after healing Aneus in chapter 9 and resurecting Dorcas from the dead.
And when this vison ends Cornelius goes to work.
He sends two of his servants and a devout soldier to retrieve Peter.
Cornelius tells the men exatley what happened and what the Lord has instructed him to do.
Cornelius is a soldier and knows how to follow directions or Orders.
And he just God and Order from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And he sends these three men to Joppa to retrieve Peter.
Next we see Peters Vision in verses 9-16
Lets read vs 9-16

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.

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What a wild thing to happen to Peter.
He goes up to the housetop thats the porch for those who lived during Peter’s time.
He is praying to God.
And then he gets hungry
And before who ever was cooking for him.
Maybe Simon the Tanner was cooking.
Peter falls into a trance.
Some sort of Dream state.
Where he has this wild vision.
The heavens are opened
Maybe he sees the clouds part and now he can see the Hidden Realm.
Calvin speculates that this is only a partial view of the heavens because to Stephen who was stoned in Acts chapter 7 the heavens were opened and Stephen saw the Glory of Christ.
Acts (2) The Vision of Peter (10:9–16)

Some interpreters suggest a symbolic meaning here, the four corners representing the ends of the earth in a vision, the ultimate meaning of which points to the worldwide mission

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But for Peter he sees this sheet and it has all these unclean animals on it.
Children what that is referring to is in the Old Testament you could only eat and sacrifice certain animals otherwise you would be considered unclean and you couldn't come into the place where God dwelt.
Let’s read in Leviticus where this is spoken of.
This is spoken of in Leviticus 11:1-12
Leviticus 11:1–12 ESV
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you. “These you may eat, of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.
And then the Lord says in verses 44-45

44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

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So this gives you some insight into why Peter reacts the way he does.
He sees all these unclean animals on this sheet coming down from heaven.
And he has to be conflicted in his mind.
And then to top it off.
God then tells him to Kill the animals and eat them.
Maybe Peter thought God was testing him to see if he would obey him and keep his commandment from Leviticus 11.
Either way he tells the Lord No in the trance I can’t eat this.
And God tells him a second time eat.
And God says

“What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Peter should be use to this Christ giving further revelation.
I’m sure for the three years Jesus was always explaining things to Peter in light of further revelation.
And we see Peter reselling with this idea of unclean animals being clean in Gods sight.
And then be commanded to eat these animals.
And the text tells us that Peter was Perplexed over this vision in verse 17.
Can we relate with Peter?
Have we ever thought something was unlawful in the Word of God and then found out it was lawful.
Or have you ever interpreted something in the Word of God one way but then later found out you were misrepresenting what the true meaning of the Word of God was conveying.
You see we are finite creatures and we are being sanctified by the Lord.
If you are perplexed ever about the Word of God seek Counsel.
Read some commentaries.
And ask your Pastor or Elders for further insight.
No one man knows everything.
And sometimes are understanding of things needs to be readjusted.
Becasue we don’t want to be legalists with the Word of God.
And we don’t want to be Antinomians with he Word of God.
So Peter is rightly inwardly perplexed.
And he should be wrestling with this new concept.
Next in

Verses 17-33 We have Cornelius and Peter Meeting and the Vision is understood.

Verses 17-20 say

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.”

God says Peter get up and go with these men.
God is about to make this vision understandable to Peter.
He is going to remove the consternation over the vision.
And Peter Obeys God regarding the men.
Vs 21-23

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.

Peter now knows why they are there.
They were sent by the Centurion .
What has Cornelius taught us by his example with sending the three men to retrieve Peter.
Cornelius teaches us that when God revealeth himself unto us we must not choke the light of his knowledge with laziness or fear of those around us.
We must rather endeavour to share our faith with those around us.
With Family, Friends and Neighbors.
So our light might shine before others
and to show the way of Salvation to them;
for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven is not something we should take lightly
Isn’t it exciting to think that by our words and actions
in sharing what God has done to us by revealing his Gospel to us
that we might be used as vessels of Mercy by God To others.
Cornelius did just that when he sends these men on this mission To get Peter.
And he does this fearlessly.
Im sure Cornelius’s Roman Soldier superiors and inferiors could have turned him in for promoting Jesu is Lord verses Caesar is Lord.
And Peter and Simon give them rest for the night and lodging at Simon the Tanner’s house.

But they only stay the night because in verses 23-28

Peter goes with the men to Cornelius in Ceserea.
Acts 10:23-28 “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. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 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.”
We see that Cornelies respects Peter and his position in the church as an Apostle by falling at his feet.
But Peter corrects him quickly and tells him to get up because he is only a man.
We are not to Worship men,
Worship belongs to the Lord alone.
And Peter instructs Cornelius in this.
Let that be a lesson to you that if a Pastor or a Elder ever Lords his office over you.
You can say that the apostle Peter said not to bow down to any man.
There is a difference between showing honor to an office and bowing down to someone.
Yes show deference and honor to your Elders but do not worship them.
Peter goes on to tell the men that he understands the vision that God gave him.
Becasue Cornelius and all the Greeks would have known what Peter said
“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.”
So what is the spiritual significance of this?
That the unclean animals in the vision showed Peter that God was starting to bring more Gentiles into the family of God.
Gentiles would not have been aloud to come into the inner court during the worship of God when Israel would worship the Lord At the temple.
The outer court was open to all people, foreigners included; only menstruating women were refused admission.
2. The second court was open to all Jews and, when uncontaminated by any defilement, their wives.
3. The third court was limited to male Jews who were clean and purified.
4. The fourth court was limited to priests robed in their priestly vestments.
The sanctuary was entered only by the ruling priests, clad in the appropriate apparel.
This was to show forth God’s holiness and that we weren’t to approach him in just any matter.
So this is what Peter was talking about that you know even believing Gentiles were separated in the worship of God.
Because they were seen as unclean.
But now God is making the Women and the gentiles clean.
And what God has made Holy or clean we should not call unclean or not Holy.
Because it is the Work God does in you through the Spirit of God and the Mediator Jesus Christ that makes Christians Holy.
And its nothing you do on your own.
Their is nothing you can do to make yourself Holy.
So this was a common misconception with many Jewish people.
It was the misconception of the Rich young Ruler.
Remember what he said

lets look at Mark chapter 10:17-22

Mark 10:17–22 (ESV): 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
The rich young ruler was confused between what Israel was to show forth as a nation
A Holy Nation
and what God actually does in the heart of a man.
God makes men Holly.
We also find out that Cornelius was not just a man of Prayer but he was quite the evangelist.
Wasn’t he.
He had already gathered many persons according to verse 26.
And so God has set up many persons that Cornelius New.
And they are all gathered at his home.
And what does Peter do?
He shares the Good News with them in verses 34-45
Lets read Acts 10:34-45
Acts 10:34–43 (ESV): So Peter opened his mouth and said:
“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
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He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Peter is proclaiming Jesus to these Gentiles that Cornelius gathered.
He preaching that Christ was crucified for the sins of his people.
And that we don’t serve a savior who is dead but a living savior.
A savior who was a raised from the dead.
He not only did miracles while he was alive
But did them after he was raised from the dead.
And we are proclaiming this to you not
For prestige.
Not for gain
But because the Lord has commanded Peter to preach and that Christ is the one who will one day return and Judge the living and the dead.
And all must answer to this King Who is God.
And this is key
All the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
There is only forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
He is the only mediator between God and Man.
we must remember that God Sovereignly orchestrated this entire meeting.
From a vision given to to men to the calling that he put on their lives.
And we get a peak into what happens when God call men and women to himself.
The Holy Spirit is Given.

Verses 44-48 The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles.

Lets read verses 44-48
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.
God confirms the conversion of these men with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
They speak in tongues which seems to be only a gift during the apostles age which has sense ceased after the apostles died.
And seeing all these things Peter tells the other Jewish converts to be witness.
That these gentiles have been converted Just as the Jews had been.
And they ought to be treated the same.
And what do we do when someone comes to faith. We baptize them.
You see Peter who began this Journey with a vision to meet a man he had never met before in his life.
Was taught more about the Christian Faith by God.
Peter truly did find out that God Shows No Partiality.
That it is God who calls a man.
Brings to pass exactly the circumstances of who you will meet.
How you will come to Faith.
And that Whether you are a Jew or a Greek
God calls all his elect by his Word and Spirit.
Peter Declared the Gospel to them.
The Spirit was Given to them.
And they were Baptized.
And the Words that would later come from the mouth of the apostle Paul ring true.
Gal 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
And if Christ has called you brothers and sisters than you are free indeed..
Let us Pray
CLOSING PRAYER
Father I pray that today your people have heard you speaking to them this morning.
Help us to apply this in our walk with you and with our brothers and Sisters in Christ And those around us who are unbelievers.
Help us to show the Love of Christ to others in sharing your Word and Gospel Call to Salvation with this lost and this dying world.
Help us to be witness for you Lord here in Wichita Falls and good disciples.
Help us to have comfort in the knowledge that we will live forever with you.
And help us to look forward to that day when you will say well done good and faithful servant enter into the rest of your Lord.
And we pray in Jesus Christ name.
Amen
*Confession of Faith…………………………….... The Apostles’ Creed, p. 851
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The Sacrament of Baptism - Phinehas Nathaniel Blank - Performed by Ike Williams
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Benediction - Performed by Ike Williams
LET US RISE
*Hymn of Response 128A How Blest Are All Who Fear the Lord
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WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING
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Let us Pray
Father in heaven be with and keep this your people throughout the week.
Father in heaven encourage these your people to discuss with their families the sermon and how they can apply this to the people who they run into through the week.
And father help them through your spirit to have a stronger walk with you and to make this word preached effectual in their lives.
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In Christ name
Amen
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Closing Psalm 146 Praise the Lord Stz 4
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