August 11, 2019

Gospel to the Gentiles

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Acts 10:1-23,34-48
Service Type:

Bible Text: Acts 10:1-23,34-48 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Acts | Introduction

Considering the salvation of a centurion and his family

In the bible are often blessed people
Examples

This is new ground for the gospel

Going into new territory
To the Gentiles
A watershed mark in the history of the church

Acts 1:8

The gospel was spread abroad
Consider Philip in Samaria
Peter starting to move out of Jerusalem [last week’s sermon]
Peter now moving into gentile territory

Two visions
Cornelius and Peter
The Holy Spirit also spoke directly to Peter
Peter would not have gone without this vision, without God showing him
He had heard such teaching from Jesus but it hadn’t yet dawned upon him

The three sons of Noah

The Ethiopian – Son of Shem
Saul – Son of Ham
Cornelius – Son of Japheth

Overview – The work of the Holy Spirit in

Preparing

Sending

Converting

Preparing

Cornelius

v1-2
Lived in a largely Gentile town
He had adopted Jewish religion
Devout, who feared God, had a good reputation among the Jews

Not yet converted

Generous and prayed often

Not yet converted – only faith alone in Jesus Christ saves

He was seeking God and God was drawing him to Himself

Quote from Scripture

God speaks

God is using means to draw Cornelius to himself
First a synagogue
Now a vision
Preparatory work to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ
Grace and favour has been shown to him

He will not be saved by a vision

God will send a preacher to him – this is often the pattern

A God fearer but not Christians

In the same category of Nicodemus, Ethiopian
Explanation of Nicodemus
Explanation of Ethiopian
How many people sit in church, fear God, even pray – but have not committed their life to Jesus Christ, have not believed in Jesus Christ?

Today in the day of Salvation
Whoever believes in Him will be saved – v43

Example of John Wesley

‘If you seek God with all your heart, you will find Him’

Sending

God had to prepare Peter to go 

‘It was not possible to be with a Gentile’
Peter held onto the Jewish food laws
Peter was prejudiced towards the Gentiles

Peter was in prayer

God spoke to him in the place of prayer
God will often speak to us in prayer
9am in the morning – falls into a trance and sees a vision

No understanding that the ceremonial law had been done away with at the cross
God was saying that the gentile people are no longer unclean
Three times – God was witnessing that this was His word

Peter was puzzled – v17

God was gracious and the Holy Spirit spoke to him
Just go with the people

Preparing us for mission

We must not be prejudiced

Examples

Peter had a number of prejudices to overcome

Converting

Cornelius has invited his whole household, relatives and close friends
Peter preaches

God is Lord of all
Preaches Jesus’ life
The Divinity of Christ
The Jews killed Him but God raised Him up
There were witnesses to the resurrection

As he preached the Holy Spirit worked

When we preach we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to apply it to people’s hearts
We need to see real conversions
We need to see a genuine work of God

The Holy Spirit came down

Not just on one – on the hole family and household
They spoke in tongues – v45
Clear and genuine conversions
All were baptised
They wanted more – they asked him to stay

Does it concern you that we do not see the Holy Spirit coming in power and conviction?

It seems to be a barren time
We need to be on our knees [in prayer]
We need guidance on who to witness to
We need to pray for the religious

Example of Martin Lloyd-Jones