In Search of Captain Cornelius

Notes: in Search of Captain Cornelius 

Valor

Dec 9, 2014

Acts 10
Pastor Mike Jonker

Pastor Mike is talking about how we all run across someone that can't believe we became a Christian.

We are are talking about Acts 10 tonight and how God works on two fronts in this story. God works in limitless circumstances at all times. This story is about Cornelius, Peter and the message of God.

Mike was telling us about going to the USC v Notre Dame game for the first time last week.

He is saying how that was such a different perspective to see the game live, that is how acts is, showing how God was actually working in these peoples lives as they came to Christ. 

These two men one was a follower of Christ and one was a seeker. God is always working no matter where we are in life.

Acts 10:1-8 NKJV

[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.

Cornelius was a Captain, he had power and influence and power. He was in charge of Ceasaria. 

At some point Cornelius had turned from the polytheistic gods from Rome and turned to the one true God of the Bible. He was a follower of God but not yet of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said He is the only way to the Father. 

Romans 2:12-16 NKJV

[12] For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law [13] (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; [14] for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, [15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) [16] in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Cornelius had been true to the light he had received. 

It was said, no man is received on the basis of his morality. Man is received by their fear of God and the Cross.

Mike says he finds when people start talking about others it is usually a diversion from their own sins.

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

[13] And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

The Bible says God knows your name and all the details of your life. 

God knows every detail and with us in every little moment, yet He still loves us.

Does God hear all of our prayers like He heard Cornelius. Mike asked are we all praying like Cornelius does?

Mike says sometimes God will only do things when we ask. 

Billy Graham says Heaven is filled with answered prayers that we never even asked for.

Mike is talking about Ceasaria and who built it. It has a big harbor and a theater and all kinds of cool stuff. He says it is right on the edge of Tel Aviv. They got to go to the house that Peter was supposedly at.

Mike was talking about prayer and asked if we all get hungry or sleepy when we go to pray. He said prayer is time of warfare and we will constantly be attacked at those times.

Mike is talking about how Peter is Kosher and all the things he wouldn't of been able to eat. How all those things were in his vision.

Acts 1:8 NKJV

[8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

God is preparing Peter to meet Cornelius, God is always working on us at all fronts. We can trust that God is always working on us.

Mike is talking about when he first came to Christ when he was 20 years old. He said the first people he shared the gospel with were his friends, that would of been surfers and jocks.

He said he slowly got compassion for people, not just for the people that were like him.

Acts 10:22-23 NKJV

[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.

Little by little God was changing Peter, he was inviting the Gentiles to stay with him already.

Mike says God doesn't want us to close the doors and circle the wagons. There are always people moving in around us. The Christian should be the best at interacting with others.

To do that we need to be anchored in Gods love. God wants to save all. How is God going to deal with our hearts.

Acts 10:24 NKJV

[24] And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

Cornelius brought his family in to hear the Gospel. 

We need to be there listening to the Gospel for ourselves and for our families. We need to be leading by example. We have to make the things of God important.

Acts 10:34-43 NKJV

[34] Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. [35] But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. [36] The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all- [37] that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who 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 things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. [40] Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, [41] not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. [42] And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. [43] To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

The message is that:

1. God shows no partiality.

2. Peace comes through Christ.

3. Jesus Christ is a good God and loves us and died for us.

Jesus Christ is the only answer to sin and death.

We have that message to deliver to those around us. Are we going to allow God to use us?