Sunday, June 22, 2014

Today´s Sermon notes



2014.06.22                                       Acts 10:43-end
                        Cornelius is baptized
As we read in our Bible Acts 10 last week…. Peter went and proclaimed the Gospel to Cornelius and his friends and family….  He is with them  in their house…. Something that a Faithful Jew would not normally do….. "I'm happy to tell you….. Salvation is available to all who repent and believe the gospel…… That was Good News to the se Gentiles…. I have Good News for you today…. Forgiveness and mercy and grace is available to each of you right now….  Then he told Cornelius and his friends…..  Salvation is only in The LORD Jesus Christ....... in verse 42….. he said…..  Christ is your Savior  or  He is your Judge…..   So he presents Christ as the way to peace with Go…… the only way for us to be forgiven of our sins…..
Then he concludes with a powerful invitation to come to Christ….. He said you need forgiveness and mercy from God…. You need a redeemer…. A Savoir….. It´s Jesus!  He is the Messiah….. Even though you are heathens…… Jesus will forgive you He will redeem you….. Repent and believe the Good News…. in verse 43. "To Him give all the prophets witness  "That through His name,"  "whosoever believeth in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins."
Salvation is available…… Salvation is in Christ…… Salvation is by faith……   Peter simply says, "Cornelius, you can have it….. Here's what it is….. Here's how to get it…… That's all anyone needs to know, isn't it?
Sovereign call and submissive will…….   Peter  gets up and says, "Salvation's available….. It's in Christ….. and It's by faith…… Immediately…… they all believe the Gospel….. and God pours out his Holy Spirit on them…..
let´s pickup the text at verse 43…. Acts 10 v43…
Acts 10: 43- 48                        NKJV  
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10: 43- 48                            Sch 2000
43 Von diesem legen alle Propheten Zeugnis ab, daß jeder, der an ihn glaubt, durch seinen Namen Vergebung der Sünden empfängt.
44 Während Petrus noch diese Worte redete, fiel der Heilige Geist auf alle, die das Wort hörten.
45 Und alle Gläubigen aus der Beschneidung5, die mit Petrus gekommen waren, gerieten außer sich vor Staunen, daß die Gabe6 des Heiligen Geistes auch über die Heiden ausgegossen wurde.
46 Denn sie hörten sie in Sprachen reden und Gott hoch preisen. Da ergriff Petrus das Wort:
47 Kann auch jemand diesen das Wasser verwehren, daß sie nicht getauft werden sollten, die den Heiligen Geist empfangen haben gleichwie wir?
48 Und er befahl, daß sie getauft würden im Namen des Herrn. Da baten sie ihn, etliche Tage zu bleiben.

What a thrill to preach the Gospel and have everybody in the crowd get saved….. Awesome…. What an exciting event….. His message was suddenly interrupted while he was speaking….. Peter was just getting started….
Some time later when  Peter goes back  to report to the leaders in Jerusalem….. He tells them that  the Holy Spirit fell on them…… Just like  on us at the beginning……
 Peter gave his message…. and the Holy Spirit fell on them…  Peter had already told them enough to repent and believe the Gospel….  and as they were converted… God poured out His Holy Spirit upon them.….. God had prepared not only Cornelius but all of those who were there….
As soon as Peter said…..  Salvation is available to everyone…. It is in Christ….. And It is received by faith…. they believed the Good News and were converted…
God gave them the Holy Spirit……   The Holy Spirit is  yours at salvation…...  
This is the immediate result of saving faith….. The Spirit indwells the believer instantly….. 
Let´s look at what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit in John 14…v15…
John 14: 15-18                         NKJV  
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14: 15-18              Sch 2000
15 Liebt ihr mich, so haltet meine Gebote!
16 Und ich will den Vater bitten, und er wird euch einen anderen Beistand1 geben, daß er bei euch bleibt in Ewigkeit,
17 den Geist der Wahrheit, den die Welt nicht empfangen kann, denn sie beachtet ihn nicht und erkennt ihn nicht; ihr aber erkennt ihn, denn er bleibt bei euch und wird in euch sein.
18 Ich lasse euch nicht als Waisen zurück; ich komme zu euch. 
Jesus says…. You know Him…. He is with you and He will be in you…… I will come to you!
The promise of God is the giving of the Spirit to live in us….. The Holy Spirit also places us into the body of Christ….
turn to 1 Cor 12… v13…
1 Corinthians 12: 13                            NKJV   Sch 2000
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
13 Denn wir sind ja alle durch einen Geist in einen Leib hinein getauft worden, ob wir Juden sind oder Griechen, Knechte oder Freie, und wir sind alle getränkt worden zu einem Geist.
Here in our text they believed….. and God gave them the Holy Spirit….. You might say that this was the Pentecost of the Gentiles…… God gave them the Holy Spirit as soon as they believed…..
As I said…. The Holy Spirit is given to you at the moment you believe…. That is absolutely clear in Scripture….. please turn with me to Ezekiel 36 v26…
Ezekiel 36: 26,27                      NKJV   Sch 2000
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
26 Und ich will euch ein neues Herz geben und einen neuen Geist in euer Inneres legen; ich will das steinerne Herz aus eurem Fleisch wegnehmen und euch ein fleischernes Herz geben;
27 ja, ich will meinen Geist in euer Inneres legen und werde bewirken, daß ihr in meinen Satzungen wandelt und meine Rechtsbestimmungen befolgt und tut.
What a promise…. "A new heart also will I give you." We need a new heart…… because the old one is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…… God in His sovereignty gives us a new heart…. That's salvation……. At  the same time…. He also gives us a new Spirit….   Salvation and the Holy Spirit Spirit are connected at the same moment….. "I'll take away the stony heart of your flesh, and give you a heart of flesh." V 27….
27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
If we didn't have the Holy Spirit….. We couldn't obey God at all…..
back to Acts 10.......  Verse 44…
 Acts 10: 44     NKJV  Sch 2000
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
44 Während Petrus noch diese Worte redete, fiel der Heilige Geist auf alle, die das Wort hörten.
Now we understand why God poured out His Holy Spirit on them….. Because they believed…… They were saved….  Because they were saved…. God gave them the Holy Spirit….

Cornelius and all of his gathered friends and family… heard the Word  with hearts of faith…… and when they heard it with faith…. and they believed….. God immediately poured out the Holy Spirit on them…. They were very glad and very thankful….. They were radically transformed.....
What a wonderful day….. They heard the Words of Life…… They believed and were genuinely converted…. God Poured out the Holy Spirit on them and they were baptized.... What a happy day….. All their sins were washed away when they repented and believed… Just like on the day of Pentecost…. turn with me to Acts 2...v40.....
Acts 2:40- 42               NKJV   
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:40- 42                  Sch 2000
40 Und noch mit vielen anderen Worten gab er Zeugnis und ermahnte und sprach: Laßt euch retten aus diesem verkehrten Geschlecht!
41 Diejenigen, die nun bereitwillig sein Wort annahmen, ließen sich taufen, und es wurden an jenem Tag etwa 3 000 Seelen hinzugetan.
42 Und sie blieben beständig in der Lehre der Apostel und in der Gemeinschaft und im Brotbrechen und in den Gebeten.
They were Glad…. And they were baptized…. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers…. Back to Acts 10….v45…
Acts 10: 45- 48                 NKJV     
45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10: 45- 48                           Sch 2000
45 Und alle Gläubigen aus der Beschneidung, die mit Petrus gekommen waren, gerieten außer sich vor Staunen, daß die Gabe6 des Heiligen Geistes auch über die Heiden ausgegossen wurde.
46 Denn sie hörten sie in Sprachen reden und Gott hoch preisen. Da ergriff Petrus das Wort:
47 Kann auch jemand diesen das Wasser verwehren, daß sie nicht getauft werden sollten, die den Heiligen Geist empfangen haben gleichwie wir?
48 Und er befahl, daß sie getauft würden im Namen des Herrn. Da baten sie ihn, etliche Tage zu bleiben.
Here in Acts 10…. For the first time…. The Holy Spirit was poured out on these Gentiles…..  They were shocked….. How can this be?
You see…. Although they already knew it was a gift….. not something you earn…… But they still they couldn't believe that the Gentiles received the same gift of the Holy Spirit.....
verse 46, "When they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God."
They heard them speak in languages just as in the beginning… Total equality with the Jewish people….. God himself is declaring that He is no respecter of persons….. He is saying these are also mine….. I have cleansed them…. All who repent and believe the Gospel are placed into the Church…. The Body of Christ…
Look at verse 46…… "Then answered Peter, "All right, Can anybody forbid water?
Notice how important baptism is? If you have been saved but not been baptized…. you're not obeying the Lord´s command……  
Baptism is our public confession of faith in the LORD Jesus…..  He has saved us from our sins and given us new life….. We are saying to everyone…… I belong to Jesus…. He has saved me….
It symbolizes the death and burial and resurrection of Christ as you're identified with Him…… It's so important….. Peter says, "Hey since they have believed….. It´s right to baptize them….  
Look at verse 48….. "He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Lord Jesus."
I think that's a sign of genuine salvation when somebody's willing to be baptized and confess Christ….. That's part of it……
verse 48, "Then asked they him to tarry certain days."
Sweet fellowship….. These new believers were hungry for the Word of God …. Just like a new born baby….   Have you ever known a baby that didn't want to eat? They  want food and love…… A sense of belonging….  That's exactly what a new baby in Christ calls for…… Feed me…. love me…. hold me….. Take care of me… Peter had some new converts……   They asked him to stay with them a while….  "Peter, feed us, love us, teach us."
You know, I really believe that a person who genuinely comes to the Lord Jesus Christ…… honestly desires the fellowship of other Christians…..   And I think he desires to know the Word of God….. to be fed….. Here in our text today….  They wanted fellowship…. They wanted Peter to minister to them and help them grow….
We teach through the Bible verse by verse….  but really what we're doing is taking Scripture and using it to feed and equip  believers to become genuine disciples…. You see you are the ones who are called to do the work of the ministry….. My job is just to help prepare you by teaching you the Word…. It is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit uses to feed new believers and to prepare all of us to do the work of the ministry….. 2 Tim 3…..
Close
Let´s spend a few minutes looking at our life in the Lord Jesus Christ….. Col 2…v11…
Col 2:11- 14                           NLT      
11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Col 2:11- 14                                Neues Leben
11 Durch eure Zugehörigkeit zu Christus wurdet ihr beschnitten, aber nicht durch einen äußerlichen Eingriff. Eure Beschneidung kam durch Christus, und damit wurdet ihr von eurem alten Wesen abgetrennt.
12 Denn als ihr getauft wurdet, wurdet ihr mit Christus begraben. Und ihr wurdet mit ihm zu neuem Leben auferweckt, weil ihr auf die mächtige Kraft Gottes vertraut habt, der Christus von den Toten auferweckt hat.
13 Denn vorher wart ihr tot aufgrund eurer Schuld und weil euer altes Ich euch bestimmt hat. Doch Gott hat euch mit Christus lebendig gemacht. Er hat uns alle unsere Schuld vergeben.
14 Er hat die Liste der Anklagen gegen uns gelöscht; er hat die Anklageschrift genommen und vernichtet, indem er sie ans Kreuz genagelt hat.
What joy to know that we are forgiven….. We see a great picture of the symbolism of baptism here… We are saved by grace through faith…. Jesus has transformed us…. We do not need to be circumcised…. Jesus has circumcised our hearts…. Look at v12…  you were buried with Christ when you were baptized……. And with him you were raised to new life….. because you trusted the mighty power of God….. who raised Christ from the dead…… v13…Then God raised us from the dead…. we are alive with Christ…. We are made alive in Him…. He is our righteousness…. He is our life… We see the symbols… in water baptism…. In Romans 6…. Paul is rejoicing with the believers in the Wonderful grace of God….. We are saved by grace through faith….. He uses to symbolism of Baptism to teach them about grace and our new life….…. Turn with me to Romans 6…v 1… 
Romans 6: 1-  14    NKJV   Sch 2000
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Romans 6:1 -14                  Neues Leben
1 Heißt das, dass wir weiter sündigen sollen, damit Gott Gelegenheit hat, uns noch mehr Gnade zu schenken?
2 Natürlich nicht! Wenn wir für die Sünde tot sind, wie können wir da weiter in ihr leben?
3 Oder wisst ihr nicht, dass wir mit Jesus Christus gestorben sind, als wir auf seinen Namen getauft wurden?
4 Denn durch die Taufe sind wir mit Christus gestorben und begraben. Und genauso wie Christus durch die herrliche Macht des Vaters von den Toten auferstanden ist, so können auch wir jetzt ein neues Leben führen.
5 Da wir in seinem Tod mit ihm verbunden sind, werden wir auch in der Auferstehung mit ihm verbunden sein.
6 Unser früheres Leben wurde mit Christus gekreuzigt, damit die Sünde in unserem Leben ihre Macht verliert. Nun sind wir keine Sklaven der Sünde mehr.
7 Denn als wir mit Christus starben, wurden wir von der Macht der Sünde befreit.
8 Und weil wir mit Christus gestorben sind, vertrauen wir darauf, dass wir auch mit ihm leben werden.
9 Wir wissen, dass Christus von den Toten auferstand und nie wieder sterben wird. Der Tod hat keine Macht mehr über ihn.
10 Er starb ein für alle Mal, um die Sünde zu besiegen, und nun lebt er für Gott.
11 Deshalb haltet daran fest: Ihr seid für die Sünde tot und lebt nun durch Christus Jesus für Gott!
12 Lasst nicht die Sünde euer Leben beherrschen;2 gebt ihrem Drängen nicht nach.
13 Lasst keinen Teil eures Körpers zu einem Werkzeug für das Böse3 werden, um mit ihm zu sündigen. Stellt euch stattdessen ganz Gott zur Verfügung, denn es ist euch ein neues Leben geschenkt worden. Euer Körper soll ein Werkzeug zur Ehre Gottes sein, so dass ihr tut, was gerecht ist!
14 Die Sünde hat die Macht über euch verloren, denn ihr steht nicht mehr unter dem Gesetz, sondern seid durch Gottes Gnade frei geworden.
Paul is rejoicing in the wonderful grace and mercy of God here…. But he is also telling the believers to stop sinning….. We are set free from the power of sin…… we are in the Lord Jesus Christ now…. We can live for Him…..
The Lord did not save us so that we could hang out together and feel blessed in our little island of Christianity…… He has a mission for each and every one of His children…..
This morning we see salvation coming to the Gentiles….. A new life in Christ symbolized by their receiving of the Holy Spirit…. Pictured in baptism… What a glorious passage…  Salvation is available…. It is in Christ alone…. It is received by faith……. God has spoken …. He has commanded all men everywhere to repent and be baptized….. Acts 2:38….  What grace… What mercy…. What joy….
I have Good News for you this morning…. God is no respecter of persons…..   today is the Day….. Do not harden your hearts…. Repent and cry out to Him today…. He will forgive you…. Let´s pray…

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Today´s Sermon!



2014.06.15                                               Acts 10: 24- end
          Salvation comes to the Gentiles part 2
     Called and Justified by the Lord Jesus Christ
In John 15…. Jesus said…. You have not chosen me…. I have chosen you…. This is a great truth….. Jesus reaches into our lives and begins a miracle in our hearts…. We begin to seek the truth with a sincere heart….. That is what we see here in Acts 10…. Cornelius a gentile… a Roman…. a pagan becomes a seeker of the one true God…. let´s continue his story this morning…
Acts 10: 24-33      NKJV
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour[c] I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.[d] When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Acts 10: 24-33                          Sch 2000
24 Und am anderen Tag kamen sie nach Cäsarea. Kornelius aber wartete auf sie und hatte seine Verwandten und seine vertrauten Freunde zusammengerufen.
25 Als nun Petrus gerade hineinkam, ging ihm Kornelius entgegen und fiel ihm zu Füßen und huldigte ihm.
26 Petrus aber richtete ihn auf und sprach: Steh auf; auch ich bin ein Mensch!
27 Und während er sich mit ihm unterredete, ging er hinein und fand viele versammelt.
28 Und er sprach zu ihnen: Ihr wißt, daß es einem jüdischen Mann nicht erlaubt ist, mit einem Angehörigen eines anderen Volkes zu verkehren oder sich ihm zu nahen; doch mir hat Gott gezeigt, daß ich keinen Menschen gemein oder unrein nennen soll.
29 Darum bin ich auch ohne Widerrede gekommen, als ich hergerufen wurde. Und nun frage ich: Aus welchem Grund habt ihr mich gerufen?
30 Und Kornelius sprach: Vor vier Tagen fastete ich bis zu dieser Stunde, und ich betete um die neunte Stunde in meinem Haus. Und siehe, da stand ein Mann in glänzender Kleidung vor mir
31 und sprach: Kornelius, dein Gebet ist erhört, und deiner Almosen ist vor Gott gedacht worden!
32 Darum sende nach Joppe und laß Simon mit dem Beinamen Petrus holen; dieser ist zu Gast im Haus Simons, eines Gerbers, am Meer; der wird zu dir reden, wenn er kommt.
33 Da sandte ich auf der Stelle zu dir, und du hast wohl daran getan zu kommen. So sind wir nun alle gegenwärtig vor dem Angesicht Gottes, um alles zu hören, was dir von Gott aufgetragen ist!
From the beginning….. God had always planned for the Gospel be extended to the Gentiles…..   God has done the preparation in the heart and mind of Cornelius…… He will be the first gentile convert to enter the church…. He is a pagan… He has been raised apart from the law of God…..   He has been raised apart from Judaism…..  but he lived up to the light that he had….. in his conscience….. and in the world around him…... Paul explained this very well in Romans…. turn to Romans 1….v18….

Romans 1: 18-23                        NKJV
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.He goes on to say, "That which may be known of God is in them and around them, and if they don't understand it, if they refuse to see God from their conscience and the world about them, they are without excuse…..

Romans 1: 18-23                        Sch2000
18 Denn es wird geoffenbart Gottes Zorn vom Himmel her über alle Gottlosigkeit11 und Ungerechtigkeit der Menschen, welche die Wahrheit durch Ungerechtigkeit aufhalten,
19 weil das von Gott Erkennbare unter ihnen offenbar ist, da Gott es ihnen offenbar gemacht hat;
20 denn sein unsichtbares Wesen, nämlich seine ewige Kraft und Gottheit, wird seit Erschaffung der Welt an den Werken durch Nachdenken wahrgenommen, so daß sie keine Entschuldigung haben.
21 Denn obgleich sie Gott erkannten, haben sie ihn doch nicht als Gott geehrt und ihm nicht gedankt, sondern sind in ihren Gedanken in nichtigen Wahn verfallen, und ihr unverständiges Herz wurde verfinstert.
22 Da sie sich für weise hielten, sind sie zu Narren geworden
23 und haben die Herrlichkeit12 des unvergänglichen Gottes vertauscht mit einem Bild, das dem vergänglichen Menschen, den Vögeln und vierfüßigen und kriechenden Tieren gleicht.
According to Paul…. Even the heathen see the truth but….. They refuse to repent and cry out to God for forgiveness….. They are lying to themselves….
Everyone alive knows that God exists......
Cornelius knew and began to seek the answers…..   He had come to believe in Judaism…..   the God that he knew in his heart to be the true God…… and so God began to work on him……
In the first 20 verses of Acts….. we saw the sovereign call of God…..   God prepared the heart of Cornelius…… Then in verses 21 to 33 that we just read….  we see Cornelius willing submission to hear and obey the Commands of God….    Now all Cornelius needed to hear was the simple proclamation of the Good News…    God had sovereignly done His work….. He was prepared soil……. All he needed was the seed to be planted….. and here comes Peter…… Peter is God's chosen messenger to reach out to Cornelius so that he might be saved and added to the church…… back to  Acts 10…. Look  at verse 33…
Acts 10: 33                 NKJV Sch 2000
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
33 Da sandte ich auf der Stelle zu dir, und du hast wohl daran getan zu kommen. So sind wir nun alle gegenwärtig vor dem Angesicht Gottes, um alles zu hören, was dir von Gott aufgetragen ist!
He says, Peter, we are all here to listen…… Tell us please what God wants us to know….. Here was a man who wanted salvation…… We come now to verse 34…..  Peter´s sermon….  It's   short and simple ….. Let´s read it …. Acts 10…. V34….

Acts 10: 34- 43                 NKJV
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 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. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they[e] killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 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. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Acts 10: 34- 43                 Sch 2000
34 Da tat Petrus den Mund auf und sprach: Nun erfahre ich in Wahrheit, daß Gott die Person nicht ansieht,
35 sondern daß in jedem Volk derjenige ihm angenehm ist, der ihn fürchtet und Gerechtigkeit übt!
36 Das Wort, das er den Kindern Israels gesandt hat, indem er Frieden verkünden ließ durch Jesus Christus — welcher Herr über alle ist —,
37 ihr kennt es; das Zeugnis, das sich durch ganz Judäa verbreitet hat und in Galiläa anfing nach der Taufe, die Johannes verkündigte:
38 wie Gott Jesus von Nazareth mit Heiligem Geist und Kraft gesalbt hat, und wie dieser umherzog und Gutes tat und alle heilte, die vom Teufel überwältigt waren; denn Gott war mit ihm.
39 Und wir sind Zeugen alles dessen, was er im Land der Juden und in Jerusalem getan hat. Ihn haben sie getötet, indem sie ihn ans Holz4 hängten.
40 Diesen hat Gott auferweckt am dritten Tag und hat ihn offenbar werden lassen,
41 nicht dem ganzen Volk, sondern uns, den von Gott vorher erwählten Zeugen, die wir mit ihm gegessen und getrunken haben nach seiner Auferstehung aus den Toten.
42 Und er hat uns geboten, dem Volk zu verkündigen und zu bezeugen, daß Er der von Gott bestimmte Richter der Lebendigen und der Toten ist.
43 Von diesem legen alle Propheten Zeugnis ab, daß jeder, der an ihn glaubt, durch seinen Namen Vergebung der Sünden empfängt.
Verse 34…. "Then Peter opened his mouth," and the Greek word here shows us that he was going to say something very important…..  Peter said "I am beginning to understand, that God is no respecter of persons." Peter had believed all his life….. that God had a special love for Israel…..  that because they were the chosen people…. God had made Israel better than those gentiles….    this idea was firmly planted in the heart and mind of the Jewish people… To minister to Gentiles was extremely difficult…..   
God had begun to break down this kind of attitude….. You see….. It was not difficult to imagine that Gentiles could be saved….. The Children of Israel believed that anyone who wanted to come to the one true God could but…… First they had to become  faithful converts to Judaism…… They had to submit themselves to the entire law of God….. They had to be baptized and circumcised…… They had to become Jewish… or else God would have nothing to do with them…… So when God tells Peter I have cleansed them…… That was incredible…. A Gentile going straight to God without first becoming Jewish? Peter is starting to get it but…. He´s obeying God here…. It´s not that he totally understands…. For now all he knows is that this is what  Has told Him…. What I have cleansed do not call common…. So He says…. I see that God is no respecter of persons…
Paul uses the very same phrase in  Romans 2:11, he says, "God is no respecter of persons….. That truth is not new…… We see this all through the Old Testament…… God regards not men…. the Old Testament says…… God is impartial…… He is willing to shower grace and mercy on everyone who is willing to repent….. and cry out to him for forgiveness….
Peter's saying, "Cornelius, I know you're a Gentile….. But I have Good News for you…..  Salvation is available to you too….
That's the first point for us to consider this morning….  I don't care who you are…..  Salvation is available…… Let´s go back to Romans….ch1… up a few verses to v.16….
Romans 1: 16,17               NKJV   Sch 2000
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.
16 Denn ich schäme mich des Evangeliums von Christus nicht; denn es ist Gottes Kraft zur Errettung für jeden, der glaubt, zuerst für den Juden, dann auch für den Griechen;
17 denn es wird darin geoffenbart die Gerechtigkeit Gottes aus Glauben zum Glauben, wie geschrieben steht: »Der Gerechte wird aus Glauben leben«.
Salvation to everyone that believes…. Good News….  The Gospel is for all men…… back to Acts 10…v35…
   It's not for only the Jews….  It's for all men everywhere who respond in genuine repentance and faith…
Acts 10:35,36                NKJV    Sch 2000
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
35 sondern daß in jedem Volk derjenige ihm angenehm ist, der ihn fürchtet und Gerechtigkeit übt!
36 Das Wort, das er den Kindern Israels gesandt hat, indem er Frieden verkünden ließ durch Jesus Christus — welcher Herr über alle ist —,
Now, this verse is not saying you're saved by works….. Paul explains this well in Romans 2…  What it means when it says….. is accepted with Him….. is that God looks favorably on him….. Romans 2…v 14….
Romans 2: 14-16                  NLT
14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Romans 2: 14-16                 Neues Leben
14 Wenn sogar Menschen, die Gottes geschriebenes Gesetz nicht haben, unbewusst so handeln, wie es das Gesetz vorschreibt, so beweist das, dass sie in ihren Herzen Recht von Unrecht unterscheiden können.
15 Durch ihr Verhalten zeigen sie, dass Gottes Gesetz in ihr Herz geschrieben ist, denn ihr eigenes Gewissen und ihre Gedanken klagen sie entweder an oder bestätigen, dass sie das Richtige tun.
16 Und dies alles wird sichtbar an dem Tag, an dem Gott durch Jesus Christus alles richten wird, auch das, was bei den Menschen verborgen ist. Das ist meine Botschaft, die mir Gott gegeben hat.
In v 14…. Paul says…. When a gentile obeys his or her conscience…… They are obeying God from their hearts…. Even though they do not have total knowledge and understanding of God´s plan of redemption…… When that is true… Then God himself sends the person more light….. Someone proclaims the Good News to them…….
From Romans ch 1 and 2…. We understand some general things about all people…. Anyone who can look at the world and not see God isn't looking very closely….  The testimony of Scripture is that the creation testifies to God´s eternal power and existence… Not only that … But men have the knowledge of God built into their conscience….  They have no excuse….
Cornelius was a good man….. He feared God and tried to do the right thing….. He was careful to listen to his conscience…..  but he was not saved….. Acts 11…
 All men are lost and without hope without the Lord Jesus Christ…. We need a Savior…. Jesus is a willing Savior….. God the Father is himself by nature a Savoir…. A redeemer….. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son….
When man sinned, he fell away from God….. all humanity…… and when he fell away he found himself condemned to die because of his sin and willful rebellion…. Jesus Christ left His home in glory…. came to this world…..  became a man and gave his life for us…  
He is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World…  Jesus Christ is the only way to reconciliation with God…… I don't care how good you are…..you're still lost in your sins…. Only Jesus can help you! God will always meet the seeking heart…..
Cornelius is ready; and Peter says, "Salvation's available!
It's not only available….  salvation is in Christ….. and so Peter begins to preach about Christ…..
Now what is he saying here?
"This is the message from God to all…… You can be at peace with God! It´s Jesus…. He is LORD of All….
God has spoken!  He speaks to us in our world... Hebrews…ch 1… v2….
Hebrews 1:1-3                                        NLT  
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Hebrews 1:1-3                         Neues Leben
 1 Vor langer Zeit hat Gott oft und auf verschiedene Weise durch die Propheten zu unseren Vorfahren gesprochen,
2 doch in diesen letzten Tagen sprach er durch seinen Sohn zu uns. Durch ihn hat er das ganze Universum und alles, was darin ist, geschaffen, und er hat ihn zum Erben über alles eingesetzt.
3 Der Sohn spiegelt die Herrlichkeit Gottes wider, und alles an ihm ist ein Ausdruck des Wesens Gottes. Er erhält das Universum durch die Macht seines Wortes. Nachdem er uns durch seinen Tod von unseren Sünden gereinigt hat, setzte er sich auf den Ehrenplatz an der rechten Seite des herrlichen Gottes im Himmel.
He spoke in the scriptures…. and in these last days….. He has spoken unto us by His Son….. God spoke in the Scriptures….. and He has spoken most powerfully in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ….. What did He say? What did God say?
Look at verse 36…..
 Acts 10: 36                NKJV    Sch 2000
 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
 36 Das Wort, das er den Kindern Israels gesandt hat, indem er Frieden verkünden ließ durch Jesus Christus — welcher Herr über alle ist —,
God chose Israel to be a witness to the world….  to say…. "There is peace by Jesus Christ." Man is at war with God….. You're born into this world in conflict with God because of sin and rebellion….   God revealed His will in the scriptures….. His will was that men find peace by being reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus…The Bible says there is no peace for the wicked…..
Mankind is born in sin…... He is in rebellion to the moral law of God….. because of that…. he is not at peace with God…. and he's not at peace with himself……
  God bursts into our world….  and He says, "I have a message, and my message is peace…… God offers reconciliation with Himself a sinful and rebellious world….
 God offers forgiveness… and mercy to people who do not deserve it…. People like you and me…  Absolutely revolutionary….. Total transformation…. That's God's message to the world….
Why does a man want to live in rebellion against God when he can have peace with God?  
Turn to  2 Corinthians chapter 5….v18….
2 Corinthians 5: 18,19    NKJV    Sch 2000
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
18 Das alles aber [kommt] von Gott, der uns mit sich selbst versöhnt hat durch Jesus Christus und uns den Dienst der Versöhnung gegeben hat;
19 weil nämlich Gott in Christus war und die Welt mit sich selbst versöhnte, indem er ihnen ihre Sünden nicht anrechnete und das Wort der Versöhnung in uns legte.
In other words God Himself in His Sovereignty…… Has  made peace with us…… We were cut off and condemned because of our sin and rebellion…… He reached down and reconciled us through the LORD JESUS CHRIST….

How does a Holy and righteous God forgive sinners? By not  imputing their trespasses unto them…..
Do you see what God did? God took care of our sins in Christ…. therefore, we can have peace with Him…..
When we come to Christ, the righteousness of Christ becomes ours….. and we're at peace with God……. Even though we still sin……. it's covered by the blood of Christ…… It's forgiven instantly and cleansed…… and it's as if it isn't there….. and the Lord says, "I will remember it no more."
And so the message is peace with God……. and here in his letter to the Corinthians…  Paul went on to say….. That´s God´s message….He reconciled us…. And That's our message to you….. We beg you, be at peace with God…. reconciliation is available….. Stop running… stop pretending….. Repent the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand…..
 Back to Acts 10…v 36…

Acts 10: 36                NKJV    Sch 2000
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
 36 Das Wort, das er den Kindern Israels gesandt hat, indem er Frieden verkünden ließ durch Jesus Christus — welcher Herr über alle ist —,
God here is the real preacher….. "  He's the real witness…… Like Paul…. Peter says, "I'm just repeating what He said…… I love that statement at the end of verse….
"He is Lord of all."
You know what that means?  
He's not a man…… He's Lord…… Not only that….. He's Lord of all…… which means that there is no other Lord……
verse 37 Peter says…. You know this…. because the Good News about Jesus spread everywhere….
 you've heard the Word……
Here we are  today…… You know about Jesus Christ…… You wouldn't be here if you have never heard about Jesus…. Some of you are just fans of Jesus…. Religious…. Maybe very spiritual…. But not genuine believers….. The question is will you repent and believe the Good News…
verse 38….
Acts 10: 38           NKJV  Sch 2000
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth 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.
38 wie Gott Jesus von Nazareth mit Heiligem Geist und Kraft gesalbt hat, und wie dieser umherzog und Gutes tat und alle heilte, die vom Teufel überwältigt waren; denn Gott war mit ihm.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power."
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…. Now what did He do in His ministry on earth? He went about doing good……
verse 42…..
Acts 10:42,43                       NKJV   Sch 2000
42 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. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
42 Und er hat uns geboten, dem Volk zu verkündigen und zu bezeugen, daß Er der von Gott bestimmte Richter der Lebendigen und der Toten ist.
43 Von diesem legen alle Propheten Zeugnis ab, daß jeder, der an ihn glaubt, durch seinen Namen Vergebung der Sünden empfängt.
Peter said…..If He's not your savior…  He'll be your Judge….. Take your choice……   Peter has made 3 simple points….  1 Salvation is available……. 2 Salvation is in Jesus Christ…… Here's the invitation…… 3 Salvation is by faith...
1 Salvation is available to everyone…….
2 Salvation is in Jesus Christ……
3 Salvation is by faith...

We see this in verse 43…
verse 43...To Him give all the prophets witness."
The Old Testament testimony, we're speaking of Christ, "That through His name whosoever believeth in Him, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, shall receive remission of sins." Remission means  forgiveness……. The only thing that can allow God to receive us is forgiveness……. and forgiveness comes when we repent and believe……  
Close
turn to Romans 10…v1…
Romans 10: 1-4                         NKJV   
1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Romans 10: 1-4                         Sch 2000
 1 Liebe Freunde, ich sehne mich von Herzen danach und bete zu Gott, dass das jüdische Volk gerettet wird.
2 Ich kann bezeugen, mit welcher Hingabe sie Gott dienen, aber es fehlt ihnen die richtige Erkenntnis.
3 Denn sie haben nicht erkannt, auf welche Weise Gott die Menschen gerecht erklärt. Stattdessen gehen sie ihren eigenen Weg, indem sie versuchen das Gesetz zu halten, um dadurch die Anerkennung Gottes zu gewinnen. Damit lehnen sie den Weg Gottes ab.
4 Denn mit Christus ist die Absicht des Gesetzes vollkommen erfüllt. Wer an ihn glaubt, wird vor Gott gerecht gesprochen.
Whosoever believes and cries out for mercy and forgiveness…. will receive forgiveness….  Salvation is available to everybody who comes….. It's in the Lord Jesus Christ…… It's by grace through faith…… You say, "It's just a matter of believing?" Yes. Paul said in this same chapter…  
Romans 10: 9.10    NKJV  Sch 2000
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
9 Wenn du mit deinem Mund bekennst, dass Jesus der Herr ist, und wenn du in deinem Herzen glaubst, dass Gott ihn von den Toten auferweckt hat, wirst du gerettet werden.
10 Denn durch den Glauben in deinem Herzen wirst du vor Gott gerecht, und durch das Bekenntnis deines Mundes wirst du gerettet.
Do you believe this morning? Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you….. That he bore your sin? Do you believe He rose from the dead to give you life? If you believe that…. Then cry out to him now… Lord Jesus forgive me and wash me clean…. and He will do it….  Then this will be the first day of the rest of your life…..
Let's pray.