United In Christ · Growing In Grace · Reaching Out In Love

Sunday Morning Sermon Summary

Pastor Paul Lundberg

Note to the visitor:  These are Pastor Paul’s sermon notes from Sunday Morning.  They probably won’t make much sense if you weren’t in the service.  Feel free to contact Pastor Paul if you’d like more detailed information.   For past sermons, please visit the Sermon Archive

Series: “Wanted: Contagious Christians”
“More Ready Than You Realize” (Acts 10)
March 4, 2007 

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea." 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.  

CORNELIUS

Centurion of the Italian Regiment at Caesarea 

High level of integrity,  

Devout, God-fearing, gave generously, prayed regularly  

Picture of most Christians? 

Encounter with an “angel of God” Told to send for Peter

Gathered his family and friends (Romans) and the HS met them 

Three lessons from Cornelius  

1.   God hears and responds to the prayers of people who are open to Him 

4 "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God” 

2.   Faith involves more than what we believe AND more than how we behave. 

      Action of the HS required

      IMPORTANCE OF THE TRINITY:  Come to the Father, only through

      the Son, no one comes unless he’s drawn by the Spirit . 

“INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS!” 

3.   Human instrument required. 

      An angel –real, visible, no dream or vision.  

5 “Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter…” (who will tell you what you ought to do)..

PEOPLE ARE MORE READY THAN WE REALIZE

GOD SEES AND RESPONDS TO THEIR SINCERITY

IT TAKES A HUMAN INSTRUMENT

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR YOU AND ME TO BE THAT INSTRUMENT? 

Three lessons from Peter 

1) Available and immediately obedient 

2) Prepared (“reason for the hope…”) 

3) Stopped talking when the Spirit “interrupted” (AVOIDED TRAPPINGS, “These people have received the HS, baptize them!”). 

CONCLUSION: 

1. Prayers, gifts to the poor, great parenting, exemplary lifestyle not enough 

      Receive God’s free gift through the action of the HS 

      God, I thank you for coming “down to my level.” I’ve been doing the right things for a long time but I need more.  Bring the HS to invade my life and fill me with the life of Your Son, Jesus.  

2. People are more ready than we realize, but it takes a human messenger (Available?  Prepared? Sensitive to the HS?)

CORNELIUS GATHERED HIS WHOLE FAMILY (Hmong and Mienh) 

      God, I’m ready to be available.  Help me develop an awareness of the Cornelius in my life who needs what you’ve given me. I promise to stay ready to give a reason for the hope you’ve placed within me.  Make me sensitive to the movement of Your spirit so I’ll know what to say and when to stop talking.

Green: Mission and Vision
Blue: Illustrations and quotes
Red: Scripture

  (Email me for details)

E-MAIL THIS LINK TO A FRIEND
Enter recipient's e-mail: