33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
-Acts 10:33-48 (KJV)
I love reading in the book of Acts. I love seeing how God has worked in the early church, and how people responded to the Gospel message being preached. Oh, how I wish that the things we read about in Acts would happen today. I believe that it can, but I also think that we are an unbelieving generation. We really don't want to hear the truth, we want to be free to do what we want, when we want it. Truth is, you don't know true freedom until you've given your life to Jesus. Anyway, what we see in this verse are three important things if you want a change in your life.
First, we see a willing hearer. We are reading in Acts 10 about Cornelius, a Roman centurion who, according to verse 22, "a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee." Cornelius was a man who loved God, and he was willing, and wanting, to hear the good news that Peter would bring. If you want a change in your life, a change that will draw you closer to God, then you must be a willing hearer. Cornelius said, in verse 33, " Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." He wanted to hear the good news, do you?
Second, we need a willing vessel for God to use. God could have used anyone to share the good news with Cornelius and his family. God chose Peter. What if Peter had failed to share the good news with Cornelius? We would look negatively toward Peter for failing to share Jesus with someone looking and seeking Him. Yet, how often do we, you and I, fail to be that willing vessel? Peter presented the Gospel to a willing hearer. Great things happened.
The result of having both a willing hearer and a willing vessel is a mighty move of God. Peter shared the good news with Cornelius and his family. Verses 44-48 give the result. "44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." They received the Holy Ghost, the same fire that fell on the disciples at Pentecost fell on Cornelius and his family. All because they were willing hearers hearing the gospel message from a willing vessel.
Friends, as you go through this day, look for ways that you can be a willing vessel to share the love of God with a willing hearer. Also, be that willing hearer for someone who is a willing vessel. Think About It.
No comments:
Post a Comment