Being Prepared for a Move (Part 4)
Lessons from the 1st Century Church | A Study through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction |
We are now on our forth message within Acts 10 anticipating a move of God. We are now on forth message entitled being prepared for a move of God. We comes this morning realizing that a move of God follows expectation, may be faltered by misplaced honor, requires a forward view of ministry, and requires faithfulness.
What are your expectations this morning? Where do you place your honor and glory? What is your view of ministry? Are you faithful?
Background Passage | Acts 10:1-48
Focus Passage | Acts 10:24-33
Outline |
A Move of God Follows Expectation (v. 24)
When is the last time you came to church expecting God to show up and show out show enough. This was the heart of Cornelius. It was so much the heart of Cornelius, he invited his friends and family to come and see what God was going to do before he even knew what God was going to do. We read...
27 As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled.
He just knew that God was up to something and was going to show up and show out.
A Move of God can be Faltered by Misplaced Honor (v. 26)
Glory, honor and majesty is reserved for God and God alone. As we read elsewhere in the Scriptures...
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
36 For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
A Move of God comes from a Forward View (v. 28, 29)
So what does a forward view look like?
A forward view of ministry does not follow social norms - ‘...it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner...’
A forward view of ministry views people as God sees them - ‘…God has shown me that I am not to call any person unholy or unclean...’
A forward view of ministry is transformative ministry not status quo ministry
A forward view of ministry follows God’s plan not man’s plan - ‘…This is why I came without even raising any objection...’
29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”
Peter looks at Cornelius and once again asks, What reason did you send for me (v. 29b). Following that, Cornelius once again rehashes what happened to him four days earlier while he knelt to pray and how God honored those prayers and the motive of his heart (vv. 29b-33a).
Which leads us to our final point...
A Move of God Comes from Faithfulness (the ONLY Truth) (v. 33)
Cornelius knew God had a truth to be told. He did not know what that message was, but he was going to be faithful in searching for it. Cornelius is a perfect picture in how one prepares them self for a move of God.
Cornelius faithfully responded in anticipation - ‘…So I sent men to you immediately...
Cornelius faithfully received God’s messenger with thanksgiving - ‘…you have been kind enough to come...’
Cornelius faithfully anticipated God’s message - ‘…Now then we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord...’
Conclusion |
What did you come expecting this morning? Are you giving glory honor to God to someone or something else? Are you satisfied with status quo or are you ready to move forward and follow God outside of your comfort zone and beyond social and ecumunical standards? Have you been faithful ? Have you been faithful to come before God with open ears, open minds, and open hearts? Have you been faithful with an open Word this morning? Have you been faithful to listen with expectation or have you spent the last 30-40 minutes on your phone pretending to have your digital Bible open all the while searching social media, playing games, looking at the latest sport highlights, or latest political news?
If you, if we want to see God move, it will be about being prepared. Truly, We come this morning realizing that a move of God follows expectation, may be faltered by misplaced honor, requires a forward view of ministry, and requires faithfulness. As with all other moves of God, it begins with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you have one?
