Power of the Word!

The visions and special divine messages “are best called divine promptings ...because they are incomplete in themselves. They require human action, human processing, human reflection.”

God had led him to Cornelius, Cornelius expressed a hunger for the things of God through His prayers, in the giving, and in seeking after God. Acts 10:30-31

Peter responded with action. He received the Gentile visitors and invited them to stay overnight in Simon’s home. The door is open, He was the neighbor... He was the initiator, instigator, of the invitation and hospitality. Peter’s response to the Vision helps us to understand that in response to a vision of truth there are little acts of obedience that open the way to more crucial opportunities.

I. If we are Faithful, God will do the rest.

a. The house was packed out with Cornelius’ family and close friends. Everyone was there—Mom, the children, the grandparents, his military associates, servants. They did not know it, but they were about to have the first-ever cross-cultural home Bible study. Craig Ott “God’s mission to include in His kingdom people from every nation, tribe, and language will be wonderfully fulfilled” Rev 5:13 Every creature in Heaven, and earth, and under the earth…

II. Peter was willing to do his part. Leading

7things

1. FIRST All Are Level at the Cross God shows no partiality. God is not a respecter of persons. He receives anyone, anywhere, from any background, race, any social class, any station in life;

A. “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe” (Deut. 10:17).

2. SECOND Peter Preaches Jesus is Lord!

1. He doesn’t call him Savior, He calls him Lord. It is as Lord that Jesus is to be received into the heart; then he becomes Savior. Vs 36 “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”

3. THIRD Jesus destroys the effects of evil one. Jesus Christ arrived, he destroyed the effects of evil everywhere he went. He did this openly, before witnesses, where everyone could see. He came to a world that was lost and despairing, hurting, broken, and fulfilled what was written in the Prophet “ Is 61: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

4. FOURTH He recounts briefly what he saw at a distance

1. Crucifixion, Charles Swindoll recounts “Archaeologists have found on papyrus tax receipts with "Tetelestai" “Paid in full” Jesus' last breath on the cross, He declared the debt of sin cancelled, completely satisfied. Nothing else required.

5. FIFTH “ On The third day, raised him from the dead”

1. Peter said, "I was one of those witnesses who saw him after he rose from the dead… we ate and drank with him." He could not be defeated by men. God's power was greater than man's, and he broke the barriers of death.

6. SIXTH, Commanded us to tell the story…

1. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead.

7. SEVENTH But we’re not alone in this. The witness of all the prophets backs up our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins.”

1. Ray Stedman says “That is the basic need of every human heart.”

b. The Holy Spirit interrupted Peter. He is always doing this in the book of Acts. He did it on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost had come again, the focal point of the message had been said “forgiveness of the past in the name of Jesus. Said to an Ethiopian Servant, now to a member of the Roman guard, This gospel of salvation was not a one-time event; rather God declared that whosoever will may come, the very essence of the gospel. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” – Unknown God still prepares people, softening their hearts for the message of the gospel even today.

Conclusion: The preacher coming back from a Conference… heard great testimony of God at work… “Lord, I would love to hear you as they heard you.” ‘Buy a gallon of Milk…’