The Jews were looking for the Messiah to do certain things and have certain characteristics, “Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The Father who sent me is true, and you don’t know Him. But I know Him because I come from Him, and He sent me to you.” Then the leaders tried to arrest Him; but no one laid a hand on him, because His time had not yet come.” (John 7:28-30) They looked for the Messiah to overthrow their enemies and to establish a UNIVERSAL KINGDOM. Yet, the religious leadership was envious of Him. They were afraid the Romans would take away their position of power, “Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because they were jealous.” (Mark 15:10) These are reasons why the Jewish people rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah. “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to PUT Jesus TO DEATH. But they did not find any proof. Many witnesses LIED about Him. But their stories did not agree.” (Mark 14:55-56)
Now it’s time to present the Gospel to the Gentiles, “Cornelius lived in Caesarea. He was a ROMAN COMMANDER in the Italian Regiment. Cornelius and his family were faithful, worshiped God and prayed to God regularly. One day he had a vision. He saw an angel of God clearly. The angel came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at the angel. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to poor people have come up like an offering to God. Now send men to Joppa. Have them bring back a man named PETER. He is staying with ANOTHER SIMON, His house by the sea.” (Acts 10:1-6)
God gave Peter a vision of, “OK” to presenting the Gospel to Gentiles, “Peter was still thinking about the vision. The Holy Spirit spoke. “Simon,” he said, “three men are looking for you. Get up and go downstairs. Don’t let anything keep you from going with them. I have sent them.” Peter went down and said, “I’m the one you’re looking for,” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius, A holy angel told him to invite you to his house. Cornelius wants to hear what you have to say.” (Acts 10:19-22) So, Peter went into the house of Cornelius, “There he found a large group of people. He said to them, “You know that it is against our law for a Jew to have anything to do with those who aren’t Jews. But God has shown me that I SHOULD NOT SAY anyone is not clean.” (Acts 10:27-28)
“While Peter was still saying these things (preaching), THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON ALL WHO HEARD THE MESSAGE. Some Jewish believers had come with Peter. They were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on those who weren’t Jews. They heard them SPEAKING IN LANGUAGES THEY HAD NOT KNOWN BEFORE. They also heard them praising God.” (Acts 10:44-46)
THE LORD IS COMING SOON, WE NEED TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH SOMEONE…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham