Automated Transcript:
<inaudible> good evening. We are in book of acts. This evening, acts chapter 10. Everyone is doing well enjoying this nice winter weather we’re having for anyone who’s not in the Memphis area who may be watching online. It’s about 60 degrees outside. So, all right, we, we concluded up chapter concluded chapter nine on Sunday, and we’ll use just kind of the last few verses of that is our introduction into chapter 10 because Luke sets the stage for the events of chapter 10,
as he closes out what we have broken up into chapter nine. But let’s begin with a word of prayer. Our gracious father in heaven, we bow before you grateful for this day, grateful for all of its blessings, grateful for the things that you do for us each and every day, we pray that you be with us as we go through this period of study,
may the things that we say, the things that we do be in accordance with your will. May we learn the lessons that you have placed here for us in the book of acts. And may we come to a greater appreciation for the barriers and the walls that you have torn down in our world, that we might have unity and oneness in Christ. We pray that you will watch over those who are struggling with illnesses and,
and injuries and difficulties pray that they might be returned back to their desired help. All this. We pray in Jesus name, amen. And in acts chapter nine, Bri, we read beginning in verse 36 at Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which has translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds, which she did,
but it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room and since lit Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples had heard that Peter was there. They sent two men to him, imploring him, not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come,
they brought him to the upper room and all the widows by him, weeping showing the tunics and garments, which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed and turning the Bonnie or turning to the body. He said Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes. And when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive and it came, became known throughout all Joppa and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a Tanner. So G sorry. Peter is in Joppa at this time. It’s tend to,
we, we tend to believe and understand that Joppa would be a small village, a small community by comparison to some of the others. And certainly by comparison to Cesarea that we’re going to read about here in chapter 10. So Peter at one point is Inlyta the two disciples come and get him and bring him to Joppa. He comes to Joppa. He heals Tabitha,
also known as Dorcas. And as a result of that many in Joppa, we’ll hear the word of God and we’ll believe chapter 10 then picks up with, there was a certain man in Cesarea. Now Cesarea is a coastal city on the coast of the Mediterranean. See, this is a city that would have been because of its coastal presence. This is a city that would have been of significance to the Roman empire because they would quite often move their,
their people, their troops and other things across the Mediterranean sea and come to port cities like Cesarea in order to cut off the, the journey going up into Europe, back down. So, sorry. Ceria is a city that is in Israel, but it’s under, as all Israel was at the time it’s under Roman control. And as a result, there are Roman soldiers and centurions there in that city.
So there was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius a Centurion of what was called the Italian regiment. Okay. So a few things that we know right off the bat, number one, he is a Centurion, which is a Roman soldier. Secondly, we know that most likely he’s a Roman, not just a Roman by birth in the sense that is Rome expanded and different cities and countries and nations pled allegiance to Rome and were,
or were taken over by Rome. Many of these places would become those places where if you were born there, you were a Roman. Even if your nationality wasn’t Roman, who can we think of in the book of acts? Who’s a Roman, But not from Rome. Saul of Tarsus. Okay. As we’ll read later on in our studies, Saul is one who will make it clear to those soldiers in Jerusalem and in other places that he’s a Roman.
And that is because the city of Tarsus, if you were born in the city of Tarsus as a free individual, you were a citizen of Rome. You weren’t part of just attributor tributary nation or, or city or region. You had citizenship, right? It’s in Rome. So you could be a Roman by Citizenship, same way. You can be American by citizenship,
But not be technically Taking a Roman by blood or nationality. You weren’t originating from Italy or from those regions. But that’s probably not the case with this man. This man is part of the Italian regiment. This man is most likely from the region around Rome and has been stationed in Cesarea at this time. But notice the description about in verse two, a devout man,
and one who feared God with all his household who gave, owns generously to the people and prayed to God. Always here is a century in, and it’s interesting how many times we run into centurions and soldiers who come from the Roman army, who interact with those individuals in, in the new Testament, who aren’t, they’re not playing the role of invader.
They’re not playing the role of persecutor. They’re not playing the role of, of the bad guy. It is interesting how many times they are playing. And I say, playing it just for accommodative charms, they are in the story. They account as the faithful Ones, Jesus Would say concerning the Centurion that he came into contact with, who had a servant who was sick.
And Jesus said, I will come to your house and I will heal them in this insurance. You don’t need to come to my house. You say the word he said, I have under my authority and I give them orders and they go, and they do. And I don’t have to go with them in order to have my will brought forth. He said,
you don’t need to come to me in and just say the word am I serving will be healed. And Jesus marveled For he had not found such faith. No, not in all. He is real. And yet he finds that faith in a Roman Centurion here, we find another Centurion. He is devout. He is a sincere, he is Thoughtful and studious in his knowledge of God’s word,
the indication is he has come into contact with the, the old Testament law through the, perhaps the synagogue in Cesarea that he has learned concerning Jehovah. He has learned concerning the God of the Israelites. He has learned concerning these things. He is not a Christian, and yet He is one whose action Match here, His desires to serve God. And as I was studying through this,
and one of the things that, that truly kind of stood out to me, not only in what some others had stated concerning this passage, but just in thinking about it is how often we have A struggle as Christians, where we know what we ought to do. And yet we don’t Do a good job living out. What we know Is true. And yet Here’s a man who absent any true revelation from God beyond what he had gleaned from the Jews.
As a People is living out a life of service to God. He’s giving his, He’s helping, he’s serving. And yet he’s in a position of authority. He’s a man of prosperity. He’s a man of power and authority, and yet he’s a servant To the people around him. So he’s one who gave alms, generously prayed to God, always about it.
The ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision, an angel of God, coming in and saying to him, Cornelius, and when he observed him, he was afraid. Now that is not an ah, An abnormal reaction by a fact, that’s a very normal reaction. You go to the occasions of Mary and the angel. You go to the occasion of Joseph or the angel.
You go to the old Testament and angels appearing. And that’s the consistent reaction. Who is this? Okay. Later on in the text, we’ll see that Cornelius will describe the appearance of the angel. When he’s speaking to Peter, when he’s describing the event, as one whose appearance was glowing. So it’s not just that, Hey, somebody who looked like a man slipped through the,
the, the, the gate outside and the soldiers between him and the tent walls and happened to, you know, or, or whatever it, none of this is Man. And he knows it because this doesn’t look like a man. This Looks like one who is glowing in his appearance. But then also we read that he was afraid and said, what is it,
Lord? So he said to him, your prayers and your arms have come up for a Memorial before God now send men to Joppa and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon a time Tanner, whose houses by the sea. He will tell you what you must do. It seems as though, and this is a little bit of,
of, of, of inference. We’re drawing out of this. But It seems as though this Centurion Has become acquainted with the scriptures, he knows who Jehovah is, or yeah, Least in some form or fashion has become acquainted with the God of Israel, whether that was in Rome before this, because we know there were Jews in Rome, or if it was in Cesarea,
but his actions are seeking to be pleasing to the God. He knows that it exists. His desires are seeking to be pleasing to the God. He knows exists. His prayers are to be seeking, to be pleasing to the God he knows exists. And yet it also seems to be clear, he understand Lens that he, as a Roman Does not have the same position with the God.
He knows exist. Yes. As he sees others, have He sees those around him who have a position and a relationship with God that he does not possess, which is why it’s clear in the text, there something that he desires. And the angel says, Go send to Simon, Peter, and he will tell you what you meant. I do.
So you have encapsulated in this, the realization that this Roman knows he’s missing something, this Roman knows that he’s lacking something. And it seems also clear from the remainder of the text that he doesn’t see his position as one who is saved or adequate or resolved of sins before God think about it under the Jewish law, what is it that would have taken care of sins for him as a Roman?
Okay. So in everything we read in the old Testament, both in the patriarchal, patriarchal age and the mosaic age, it is offering and sacrifice TIG together with priesthood. It is the priest under the old Testament, who is the mediator, right back in the patriarchal age, the fathers plate, or were, were put in the position of being the mediators on behalf of their families.
God spoke through the fathers, to the pro or by the profits to the fathers, Hebrews chapter 11, Hebrews chapter one, verse one. So in the old Testament, in the patriarchal age, God works through the fathers. Then the Ariana’s priesthood exists and God works through the Levi sites, but we’re the Levi priests sent to be priests for every nation under heaven,
just Israel, their role as mediator. Yes. It could involve in, we do read about those who came into the Israelites camp and those who joined themselves to Israel and those who became prophesies. Yes, we’d read all of that. But the, the stark contrast, even at the temple, in Israel, in Jerusalem, they had the courtyard of the women and they had the courtyard of the Gentiles.
The Gentiles didn’t get to go into the inner sanctuary, but then Jen thousand, get to go into the temple. They got to stand outside. Their relationship was not on par. It was not equal with Israel under the Mosaical law. And so this individual Cornelius is seeking something better. You could almost say that Cornelius already realizes The truth. That is the book of Hebrews,
that when the Israel, My nation left Moses and went to Christ, they were leaving something inferior and going to something Better. And Cornelius is looking for something Better. So notice the angel says, send to, or go to Cesarea and sin Men to Simon who’s. Her name is Peter he’s lodging with Simon, the Tanner, the houses by the sea,
all these instructions, all these directions. I think it was interesting when one teacher made a point that He said, if, if God, God, and his angels can be so specific as to make sure That Cornelius goes to the right place, to the right House, to the right person, and can give all the necessary instructions to do that. Why is it?
We would think that he couldn’t give the right instructions for how to become a Christian And not, and make it clear. It is Some people have this idea. Well, you know, it’s just not clear what the Bible says about it. Homebush. If God Can be clear about how to go find Simon, Peter in Joppa, he can be clear about how to become a Christian.
So that was just an interesting point that I had noted is as I was studying for this, but the angel who spoke to him had departed Cornelia’s verse seven, called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among who are from among those who waited on him continually and sent. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
So he gets two of his household servants, one of his soldiers, and he sends them to Joppa to find Simon Or the next day as they went on On their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the house, hop to pray about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat. But while they made ready,
he fell into a trance and saw heaven, open and an object like a great sheep bound at the four corners, descending to him and Down to the earth in it were all Kinds of four footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, rise, Peter, kill and eat.
So Luke gives us the pattern of events here. God appears to Cornelius first tells him to send Messengers, to go get Simon. Peter. He Sends the messengers and as they’re traveling the next day, Simon, Peter still in Simon, the Tanner’s house, he’s in Joppa. It’s the sixth hour. It’s getting around mealtime. He’s hungry. They’re preparing the food.
He’s up on the rooftop. And he goes into, as the text describes it, a trance, he sees a vision. I think it’s kind of interesting. Quite often, we, we associate visions with people. Sleeping. Here are two visions where they’re not sleeping. It’s not the, it’s not the time of day where it’s it’s sleep time. It’s not nighttime.
Both of these are during the day. Both of these individuals seem to be fully awake at the time of the events, and yet they see visions. So Peter seasoned this vision, an object, the text says like a great sheet, descending out of heaven. What’s inside the sheet, a, an exquisite zoo without any bars. As I was looking at this text,
my mind kept going back to an event in the old Testament. Do you remember when Isaac had been born and God appeared to Abraham and said, take your son, your only son, and take him to the Mount and offer him as a sacrifice to me, God told Abraham to do something that Abraham would never have imagined himself doing, ever, and had certainly never done before.
And what was Abraham’s response? Say what he immediately got up and did what God said, what was Peter’s response? But Peter said, verse 14 now, so Lord for, I have never eaten anything common or unclean, interesting contrast. Isn’t it a ceremonial law under the law of Moses concerning those things. Those which were Ceremonially clean and unclean, those things that were to,
to use the common term nowadays kosher and, And Peter, He says, nah, I’ve never eaten these things because the law tells me not to. Now, does Peter know that the law of Moses has been there Lacrosse? Yes. Yes. Does Peter know that he is no longer under the laws restriction and bondage of the law? Moses? I think He knows,
but he sure isn’t living like it Because Part of this is had he been living like it. He would no longer have been treating Gentiles As second class citizens. And yet he still is. He’s still following the traditions and the standards and the expectations of the Old law, The old covenant and those teachings that had in traditions that have been built up on top of those things by the Jews.
And so here he is, God Presents him by the way, he he’s in what stave at this moment, He’s in a trance, but what did we read right before that? He’s hungry. I mean, Here’s the situation he’s hungry. And God says, here’s your soul. And yet he refuses. There’s another occasion. Life Peter, after Jesus is resurrected from the dead.
Before he ascends back into heaven, Jesus will say to Peter, Peter, do you love me? And Peter will respond. I love you. And Jesus will ask him again and he will respond. I love you, Lord. He will ask him Again and he will finally respond somewhat differently. I love you Lord, to which then Jesus will say,
feed my sheep. Jesus will set an expectation for people Or to be the one who walks in front. Cause that’s what a shepherd was. You see A shepherd doesn’t drive the sheep from the back. He doesn’t, he doesn’t herd the sheep like a cattleman does a shepherd Walks in front. And yet Peter’s not walking in front. Here. He is in Cesarea or in Joppa here.
He is in a region outside of Jerusalem, outside of a highly Jewish population and into an area which is much more likely to be populated by Gentiles as well. And is he going to the Gentiles? No, he’s not walking in front.<inaudible> Absolutely the question being a Matthew chapter 16. When, when Jesus says or ask the apostles, do you know who or who do men say that I am?
And they say some say, you’re Elijah. Some say you’re a Jeremiah or one of the prophets. And he says, Hoonah, you say that I am. And Peter responds, you are the Christ son of living. God. And Jesus will respond to Peter individually. And the apostles collectively that under them was given the keys of the kingdom And They had a responsibility to open the doors.
And Yet to the Gentiles, they’ve still not opened the door. So all of these things are coming to a head. All of these things are coming together here in this text. Peter said not so Lord for, I have never eaten anything, common or unclean and a voice spoke to him again. The second time, what God has cleansed, you must not call common again.
I remind you the contrast of Abraham to Peter. The first time God says to Abraham do this. And we’re told in the text that God is testing Abraham to see whether or not he will obey him. And Abraham immediately arises and obeys not on the third time. And yet three times God tells Peter arise and eat and tells him what I called clean.
You don’t call it Or unclean. And Peter three times refuses now In Peter’s. I think the text leads us to clearly understand Peter is looking at what he has always done as an act of purity As a withholding himself. I mean, raise your hand if you’ve ever smelled bacon cooking and didn’t think I want some of that. And as a Jew who Devout Jew,
would he have eaten any of that? No. According To Peter, he did, but Now, Well that might be true. I think Peter makes it clear. He’s never consumed anything that common or unclean. All right. So this was done three times verse 16 and the object was taken up into heaven again. So at no point did Peter give in at no point,
did Peter do what he was told to do now while Peter wondered within himself, what this vision, which he had seen meant? Not only does he not do what he’s told, he also doesn’t understand What he’s being told. Okay. As a whole, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house and stood before the gate.
And they called and asked whether Simon whose surname was Peter was lodging there. While Peter thought about the vision, the spirit said to him, behold, three men are seeking you arise. Therefore, go down and go with them. Doubting nothing. I have sent them an interesting statement, exists here and elsewhere in the book of acts. And it is One of those statements that makes it clear That the spirit Hear it.
The Holy spirit, as he’s elsewhere referenced the Holy ghost disease elsewhere referenced is not Just some power out there. There are some who have the mentality that there’s Jesus, who’s God, there’s the father. Who’s God with the spirit. Isn’t quite on the same level. And maybe he’s not even a, a being a person in. Maybe he’s just the power of God.
And that’s not true. The pronoun that’s used here by were told specifically in the text that the spirit spoke to Peter, And what’s the pronoun. I it’s a personal pronoun. It’s a pronoun That indicates a being Said, this, a person said this on The spirit is God. He is deity. He plays a different role in redemption, But he is no less God than Jesus or the father.
So the speed The spirit says to Peter, You go with them and I find this phrase, interesting, Doubting nothing. The natural tendency would be, I’m not so sure about this. Wait a minute. These are Gentiles because All these are the servants of a Roman Centurion. So they’re probably Gentiles and a Roman soldier Probably Gentile go With three Gentiles to a Gentile’s House.
I’m not sure I should be doing that. And the spirit tells Peter doubt nothing. In other words, Peter, it’s time to start living your faith. How many The times does Jesus look at the disciples and say The words, Oh, ye of little faith. And so often that reference is to them doubting what God was doing And not understanding. So the spirit tells Peter And do not doubt for,
I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius and said, yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come? As I imagine in my mind is almost like a movie. They show up at the door, they start yelling out, trying to find out is this, where is this?
Where Peter Simon, Peter is lodging. And before he would even be in earshot, he starts walking down and there may be standing at the gate, having a conversation with Simon, the Tanner or someone else in the household, they’re talking quietly. And he comes up and no reason why he should have heard anything that they said. And yet he walks up and says,
I’m the one you’re looking for. And so he says, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come? And they said, Cornelius, this injurious a just man one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews was divinely instructed by a Holy angel to summon you to his house. And to hear words from you,
then he invited them in and lodge them. That would have been against the traditions of the Israelites to lodge a Gentile. And yet Peter does it on the next day. Peter went away with them and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Okay? So some of the Jews, these, these are Jews that are there in Joppa. These are among those who have believed as a result of Peter’s teaching,
go with him. And the following day, verse 24, they entered Cesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius, met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up saying, stand up. I, myself am also a man. There’s going to be another occasion in the book of acts where Barnabas and Paul will be in a location.
And because of the miracles they perform, there will be people who will fall down and worship them, believing them to be gods. And they as well will say, no, no, no, you worship the Lord. Not men. We’re just men. You go to the book of revelation and you find the occasion where John sees himself fall down before the angel and worship the angel who tells him these things.
And the angel tells him, no, now you worship the Lord and him alone. Do you worship? Okay. So Peter lifted him up saying, stand up. I myself am also a man, by the way, this also shows you the heart and the attitude of coordinator. Yes. He saw someone who in stature in a society would not have been anywhere close to his equal.
Peter’s a, what by occupation, a lowly fishermen from Galilee. I, I don’t imagine he’s showing up in the grander and great robes of a, of a great man. He’s showing up like a common man. And yet a Centurion bows down to him. This interior sin has the heart of a servant and does not see greatness, the way many other people would.
And so he says, you know how unlawful it is, or verse, verse 28. You know, this is Peter saying the Centurion. You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man, keep company or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Now he knows what the vision means.
Now he understands he gets it now. Oh, that’s what I was supposed to learn. And so he reveals what it is that he has learned. Therefore, I came without objection, as soon as I was sent for, I asked then for what reason have you sent for me? So cornea, you said four days ago, I was fasting until this hour.
And at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house. And behold, a man stood before being in bright clothing and said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard. And your arms are remembered in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is launching in the house of Simon, the Tanner by the sea.
When he comes, he will speak to you. So I sent to you immediately and you have done well to come. Now. Therefore we are all present before gone to hear all the things commanded you by God. This is the Apitomy of the best audience you could ever ask for as a preacher, they showed up before you ever got there, they were ready to listen before you ever started speaking.
And the moment you started speaking, they believe in obey. I mean that you can’t ask for anything better than that. Okay? So Peter opened his mouth verse 34 and said, in truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, whoever fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel,
preaching peace through Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all that word. And I find this interesting. Peter says that word, You know, As residents in Cesarea, Peter, doesn’t treat them as if they know nothing about Jesus, But it’s Some point. It seems they had not yet understood the reality About Jesus. They Probably heard about a man in Jerusalem who was crucified,
who claimed to be the Messiah, but they had no evidence and no knowledge of that being true. Peter acknowledges They know something about Jesus, but notice what else he says that word, you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea and began from Galilee after the baptism, which John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. And we were with the Holy spirit and with power who went about doing good and healing.
All who were oppressed by the devil for God, was with him. And we are witnesses of all things, which he did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day and showed him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before, by God,
even to us who ate and drank with him after he Rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead to him, all the prophets, witness that through his name, whoever believes in him will receive the remission of sin Wins.
Now something of note, Peter says The same one that was crucified Died. We ate And drank with after he was resurrected. Now, why would, would That be of significant interest to a sinner Under Roman law who had authority to put anyone to death? Only the Romans. So for Peter to say that This man was crucified, that means a Centurion knows who put him to death.
And one thing the Centurion knew, and the Romans knew is how to kill somebody. If somebody was put to death in Jerusalem, it was at the hand of the Romans. And if he was put to death at the hand of the Romans, he was quite dead. When he got off that cross, how then could he be eating and drinking with them A few days later if he weren’t resurrected from the dead?
Just an interesting point there. So while Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles. Also, we’re going to talk about that more in the next class in chapter 11 for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God,
then Peter answered. Can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy spirit just as we have. I do want to point out This text is one of them. The few places where the three occasions of the pouring out of the Holy spirit are all mentioned in the same context. You remember that Peter mentioned concerning Christ being anointed with the Holy spirit.
When did that? That is baptism. And we have mentioned here of the Holy spirit falling upon the Gentiles in this occasion. And we have mentioned that they received the Holy spirit as we have the, we there, as you get into the chapter, 11 is going to be clear. It’s not Peter. And those other disciples with him, it is Peter and the other apostles.
Okay. We’ll, we’ll get into that in chapter 11. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Okay. So we’ll use the questions on Sunday to use as a review, as we get into chapter 11, but that is chapter 10 and we will rehash some of these things in chapter 11,
because chapter 11 is a recounting of the events of chapter 10 as Peter brings the news back to the Jews. All right. Thank you for your attention. Not today. Yes.<inaudible> Good evening. Good to see everybody tonight here to cry. We’ll charge Christ and I went to night. Bible study. Good to have you out here. Hope everybody’s doing well.
We don’t have a lot of announcements, but I’ll run through them right. Quick are sick to remember. Barbara dude are still recovering from her surgery. Joan was praying or still maybe getting a little bit better. And Donny Flanagan, Rodale Wilson, Janie, Marlin, still having issues with her AFM and Arthur Wilson was in the emergency room Monday with heart issues.
But she’s back home and doing better BJ and Tish Clark over at far till have COVID and Julie Allen Adams, the laces friend has got an aggressive lung cancer and Kayla Nelson. That’s the young boy that the Springers no, we know had a slate in accident. He has a broken jaw. That’s been wired up and he’s unable to move his right side. So we need to remember all these people in our prayers and hope that they do get better.
Oh, Aaron is leading singing. Noah has the devotional and Terry Wheatley has the closing prayer. Thank you. You would please. Mark number 911, 911. This’ll be the song of invitation for you’ve marked. That turned the number 957, 957. This world is not my home. Yeah. This world is not my home. I’m just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere on the blue angels back me from heavens off and off. And I can feel at home in this Whoa, Danny. Oh, Oh one. You know, I have no friend. Like if heaven’s not my home, man,<inaudible> from heaven’s open door and I can feel at home in this wound any more. They’re all expecting me.
And that’s one thing I know my savior. Pardon me? And now high on word go. I know he’ll take me through though. I am weak and poor and I can feel at home in this world any or, Oh, you know, I have no friends like you, if heaven’s not my home, man, Lord. Wow. Well, I do the angels back me from heaven’s open door and I can feel at home,
man, this<inaudible> just upping.<inaudible> the saints on every hand, shouting victory, their song sweet is pray stress back from heaven show. And I can feel high at home, man, this world, any<inaudible> you know, I have no friend like you, if heaven’s now my home, man. Wow. Well, I do the angels back me from heaven’s open door and I can feel at home man,
this Whoa, any more so Good evening ties outside my jacket. I think one of the most saddest things is for one to know the truth and yet to deny it and lose their soul, to think that they had a shot. And not only that, but they knew the truth and they had every opportunity to obey it. Yeah. They’ll have to die.
They’ll have to live for eternity, knowing that they had it there in acts chapter 26, we are giving the example of Paul. And this is a great example of knowing the, of understand. Once we understand the truth, we need to obey it. Notice verse number three, Agrippa knew these things, especially because I know the acts 26 verse three,
especially because I know the to be expert and all customs and questions, which are among the Jews. Wherefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently. Then jump down to verse number 27 King. Agrippa believe it. Now the profits. I know that that believest he knows these things. He understands. Then look at verse 28. It’s a sad statement.
Then Agrippa said on Nepal, almost that persuade me to be a Christian. Almost can never be enough. There’s no, almost with God. It’s, it’s simply, you’re either a Christian or you’re not you obey or not simply like the analogy you’re pregnant or you’re not, you’re a male or female or something such as that. And yet here I agree.
It was almost persuaded. The question that we have to ask ourselves today is, and we can apply this to even us as Christians. When we hear the truth, perhaps it’s a, it’s a sin that we’re struggling with. Perhaps it’s something that we know that the God’s word commands us to do. And we know that if we obey it, we might have to give something up.
Perhaps something was holding a grip of back from obeying. The truth is something holding that is something holding us back from obeying something that we know to be true. We know that God’s word says that we are commanded to do a specific thing, but are we almost persuaded? Turn over real quick to Matthew chapter 16, Matthew chapter 16, we must understand that our life is not our own Matthew 16 verses 24.
And following then Jesus then said, Jesus unto his disciples. If any man will, will come after me, let him deny himself. Okay. And take to the cross and follow me for whosoever will save his life shall lose it. And whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it. But notice verse 26 for what is a man profited.
If he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul question that we must ask ourselves is what are we going to give up? Or where, or what or this, where are we going to let determine the outcome of our soul popularity, money, power? Are we going to be like a gripper?
And we know the truth we know to do good, but if we don’t obey to this sin, James four verse 17 question that we must ask ourselves daily, is this, are we going to know the truth and obey it or know the truth as a grip? It did. And then, and, and if our soul were to be required of us tonight,
we would have to go throughout all of eternity thinking I had it. I knew the truth. It was brought to me. I could see it in scripture, but I denied it because I didn’t want to obey and deny myself. And perhaps there was one here tonight who is struggling with that. You, you know the truth and you understand that, but you need to be pushed in that direction.
God requires repentance from us. Second, Peter chapter three and verse nine. But perhaps there’s one here tonight who has never obeyed the gospel to be added to the church, the body of Christ. Would you repent of your sins? Confess Christ before man, and be baptized for the remission of sins. And you can be added to the church as Aaron led the song.
I love this song. This world is not my home. The feminist is not our home. We have nothing to look forward to. So why don’t we come as we, as we stand and sing<inaudible><inaudible> so<inaudible> bring him your a<inaudible> gray or small wat troubles. You<inaudible> hard. He will read the<inaudible>. Bring him<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> ah,
nah, nah. Trust in him shall be made. So, eh<inaudible> so all my<inaudible> his friends shall be<inaudible> out. Him. Life would be dog<inaudible> Let us pray. Our gracious heavenly father. We thank you for another beautiful day Lord in all the blessings that you give us, Lord, we various are sick up to you. Lord.
Just be with them. And the ones that were mentioned here tonight, Lord, and just comfort them, inhale them as you see fit. Lord, as we depart tonight, just let us say that it was good to be in your house. Thank you for forgiving our sins, these things. We’re asking your name. Amen.