Acts 9:32-11:18
His seven-point sermon would prove to be the breath of life a “good man” was dying to hear!
- God shows NO partiality
- Christ is that God incarnate
- This Jesus came to set people free
- The ones He came to deliver murdered the giver of life
- He terminated the power of death
- Our Jesus is Good News to EVERYone EVERYwhere
- By grace alone He forgives every sin of every “good man” and certifiably unsaveable sinner
But sermon preparation is not simply arranging Biblical truths into bullet points for presentation. Before a sermon can be properly preached, it must first be Holy Spirit personalized and applied.
Peter’s sermon preparation required that he be confronted with his legalistic self-righteousness.
- Self-righteous attitude toward dietary laws: “By no means, Lord; I have NEVER…” protested his “good” spiritual discipline.
- Declaring things “common or unclean” revealed that a wall had been erected which must be demolished if he were to enter a Gentile house and deliver his sermon.
Peter was not yet ready to deliver his life-giving sermon until he acknowledged that being “good” was not good enough. He had to be empowered by “grace.”
But for a sermon to be effective, it not only requires that the Lord prepare the preacher. The heart of the hearer must also be conditioned.
His reputation was untainted. He defied all expectations. Roman commanders were typically harsh, arrogant, crude, demeaning—i.e. not nice guys. But this centurion was exactly the opposite, Those who knew him best described him as, “upright, God-fearing, respected by even the Jews.” God’s description was even more flattering: “A devout man who feared God along with his household, giving alms generously…praying to God continually…”
Cornelius’ sermon preparation required that his hunger for truth be elevated to a level of desperation and humility.
- He believed in the existence of One true God.
- He disciplined his life to seek that Lord.
- He displayed his hunger by living with a generous open hand.
- He treated with kindness those who should live in fear of his authority.
But his soul would simply not be satisfied with simply being “good.” He had to experience God’s delivering “grace.”
“While Peter was still saying these things, (in the middle of his sermon BEFORE he gave the altar call!) the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word.”
When “good men” meet in a moment of Divine “grace” lives are changed forever!
Good to Grace. Behold the power of the gospel!
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom