Acts
God is always at work even before the gospel is spoken. In Acts 10, we see a remarkable picture of His gospel preparation. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is described as a devout man who feared God, prayed, and gave generously to those in need. But God does not leave the story to human effort. Rather, He moves to prepare Cornelius’s heart to hear and receive the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
At the same time, God prepares the messenger. As Peter is praying, he is given a vision that challenges his assumptions about clean and unclean, Jew and Gentile. Through this divine encounter, Peter is equipped to proclaim the gospel to a people he had never considered part of God’s family. Finally, God orchestrates the timing and circumstances so that the message is received. Cornelius’s household gathers at just the right moment, ready to hear and respond to the good news.
This passage reminds us that the spread of the gospel is ultimately God’s work. Our calling is to trust in His power and grace, patiently waiting for His timing, and earnestly seeking Him through worship, prayer, and the study of His Word. To prepare for the sermon, take time this week to read and meditate on Acts 10:1-33, Isaiah 55:8-11, Romans 10:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:26–31, Philippians 2:12–13, James 1:5–8 and WCF 10.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of the bread and the cup we look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above,” “It is Well with My Soul.” and “Psalm 117.”
Sermon Information:
Text: Acts 10:1-33
Title: Gospel Preparation
Outline:
- God Prepares the lost to hear the Gospel (vv. 1-8)
- God Prepares the messenger to share the Gospel (vv. 9-16)
- God Prepares the situation to hear and share the Gospel (vv. 17-33)