THEME:
Cornelius was a Roman centurion. He was an outsider in every sense of the word—ethnically, culturally, and religiously. Yet, God chose to reveal himself to this man, who was loathed by the local population. The Lord sent Peter, a devout Jew, to preach the gospel to him. And through this encounter, God made it clear, that the gospel is not just for people like us. It is for everyone!
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Acts 10:1-11:18
Acts 10:1-8
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.
God may call you to minister to those who have been deemed spiritually unworthy
Matthew 9:10-13
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Acts 10:9-16
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.
God can perform miracles to equip you for ministry
Acts 10:19-20
“Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Acts 10:34
“So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…”
Acts 10:44-48
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.
When God calls you to minister to those considered unworthy, many will not understand[note_editor}
Acts 11:2-3
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
Joe Carter-The Gospel Coalition (March 2, 2023)
“Wherever we land on those questions, we should judge the campaign fairly and graciously. However flawed some may regard their approach, the campaign is composed of orthodox evangelical believers who are attempting to point people to Jesus.”
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”