LookingtoJesus

August 9

Bible Reading: Acts 11:27-30

Acts 11:29-30, “So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

There were some who had misgivings about the decision for our church to join in a missionary effort to support the churches surrounding the Kabaale Village in Uganda, Africa.  Some suggested that there were plenty of needy folks close to home, so there was no need to fly halfway around the world.  Some wondered, especially after the trips became a yearly occurrence, how we could ever hope to finance such an effort?

But we ventured out in faith and made that first trip.  I ultimately returned eight more times.  The folks there have got a lot of needs—imagine children having one change of clothes; never having possessed a toy; and never having enjoyed a piece of candy.  The people there lack electricity, medical care, clean drinking water, Bibles in their churches, books in their schools, enough food to eat, etc.  The pastors lacked training—that is why I went—but our mission teams assisted in all kinds of ways with both spiritual and physical needs.

Back home, our church eagerly involved itself in the effort.  A group of 30 ladies met regularly to make dresses for girls and shorts for boys.  Another group made feminine hygiene kits for girls.  The church raised money to provide Bibles, gospel tracts, books, pens, writing tablets, food supplies, and cash for assisting in visits to pastors and churches.  Despite the expenditure of many tens of thousands of dollars, our church finances never suffered, but improved instead.

That missionary outreach to our friends in Uganda was the best thing to happen to our church in my years of pastoral ministry.  The brethren in Uganda are so incredible—receptive to the Word, hospitable, full of faith and love for Jesus, warm-hearted, grateful.  The missionary effort of Hope and Mercy Mission grew to involve over 300 Ugandan pastors and churches, lifting the spiritual well-being of an entire region.  And our church benefited in unimaginable ways by extending itself in love to those having a unique set of needs.  I should note that it was not a one-way exchange—we provided training and a lot of useful things for them, but they taught us plenty about living for Jesus outside the confines of our culture and benefits of our prosperity.

The church in Antioch had received news of a famine that was going to have a severe effect on their brethren in Judea.  Being that it was about a fifteen-day journey away, it’s safe to assume that these were folks none of the group had ever met.  But that didn’t matter, for they were spiritual brethren, and it was their loving privilege to assist them (1 John 3:16-17).  So, they took an offering and sent it by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:3). 

There are so many needy folks in our world.  God has blessed us with so much.  How good it is to be a cheerful giver in meeting such needs (whereever we might find them)—giving Jesus all the glory and thanks for the privilege (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)!

“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—Jesus (Acts 20:35).

FREELY, FREELY
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.

Chorus
He said: ‘Freely, freely, you have received,
Freely, freely give;
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.’

All power is given in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heaven in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to. [Chorus]

Copyright © 1972 Bud John Songs/ EMI Christian Music Publishing/ Adm. by CopyCare.

August 8

Bible Reading: Acts 11:23-26

Acts 11:26, “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

A lot of different names are used to describe those belonging to Jesus: believers (Acts 5:14); the church (Acts 5:11); disciples (followers of Jesus; Acts 6:1); saints (“holy ones”; Acts 9:13); brethren (Acts 6:3); the Way, or those belonging to the way (Acts 9:2); Nazarenes (Acts 24:5); the flock (Acts 20:28-29), etc. 

But “Christian” is the term most broadly used, and it’s been around a long time.  It was not the Christians themselves, but the people of Antioch who first called them that.  The name means “those belonging to Christ” or “Christ’s men.”  The people of Antioch gave them that title, although indications suggest they gave it as a term of reproach, likely because of the “Christness” of their walk and talk.  Accordingly, it no doubt delighted those followers to be called by that name.

If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be any evidence to support that claim?  That’s what happened in Antioch!  The walk and talk of those disciples were so uniquely different, in Christ-virtuous ways, that people readily identified them as being followers of Jesus.  Are you walking in a manner worthy of Christ (Ephesians 4:1)?  Do Christ-honoring and edifying words typify your speech (Ephesians 4:29)?  Far more important than possessing a mere title is possessing the reality of a genuine relationship with Jesus that evidences itself in His life-transforming ways!

Having trusted in Jesus and His saving work on the cross, a Christian is one who has been born again into a life-transforming relationship with Him.

I AM HIS, AND HE IS MINE
Loved with everlasting love,
drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above,
thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace
from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease,
I am his and he is mine.

Heav’n above is deeper blue,
earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue
Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song his glories show,
flow’rs with richer beauties shine
since I know, as now I know,
I am his and he is mine.

Taste the goodness of the Lord:
welcomed home to his embrace,
all his love, as blood outpoured,
seals the pardon of his grace.
Can I doubt his love for me,
when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary
I am his and he is mine.

His forever, only his–
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am his and he is mine.

August 7

Bible Reading: Acts 11:19-22

Acts 11:23-24, “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”

“Encouragement, noun: the act of giving courage or confidence of success; incentive.” — Webster’s Dictionary 1828 Edition

Barnabas embodied encouragement. Originally named Joseph, he was renamed “Barnabas” (son of encouragement) by the apostles, reflecting his supportive ministry. Barnabas first appears in Acts 4, where he sells a field and donates the proceeds to help needy believers in Jerusalem (Acts 4:37). This generous act encouraged many early Christians. Later, he participated in a relief effort during a great famine (Acts 11:27-30).  In Antioch, where many had turned to the Lord, Barnabas encouraged new believers to stay faithful (Acts 11:23). He sought help from Saul (Paul), and together they taught many people for a year, strengthening their faith (Acts 11:25-26).  Are the people in your life better off in Jesus for knowing you?  That’s how things were in Barnabas’ life.  It seems as if everyone was the beneficiary through his encouraging manner!

The Christian life is often compared to a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 3:14). Runners face many challenges and need encouragement to endure. God calls us to support one another, not to ignore or hinder those who struggle.  We should all strive to be like Barnabas. The Holy Spirit, our ultimate encourager, helps us encourage others (John 14:16). Filled with the Spirit, Barnabas acted as the “Holy Spirit with hands,” uplifting others in Christ, that they might press on and do God’s will.

God exhorts us to encourage one another through the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Someone in your life may need encouragement right now. Call them.  Share with them an encouraging word.  Buy them lunch or a surprise gift.  Find a way to lift their spirit.  Point them to Christ, as Barnabas did, and help them find strength in Him (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 10:25; 12:1-3).

“Encouragement is awesome. It (can) actually change the course of another person’s day, week, or life.” – Chuck Swindoll

MAKE ME A BLESSING
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love,
Tell of his pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust him if only you prove
True, ev’ry moment you live. [Refrain]

Give as ‘twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true. [Refrain]

August 6

Bible Reading: Acts 11:4-18

Acts 11:16, “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

The Word of God is the final authority for believers in all matters of faith and practice. This historical tenet of the Christian faith is well-founded and established in Scripture. Thus, the primary question for believers in all circumstances is, “What does the Bible say?” The Word of God holds the highest authority, even over personal experiences.

Peter addresses this in his second epistle. He was an eyewitness to the majesty of Jesus (2 Peter 1:16) and heard with his own ears the voice saying, “This is my beloved Son” (2 Peter 1:17). Yet, he directed his readers to the prophetic word, not his experiences. He emphasized the importance of paying attention to the Word (2 Peter 1:19). The Word, not our experiences, is the ultimate arbiter of our beliefs and behavior.

After receiving criticism for eating with uncircumcised men, Peter had to explain his actions. Verses 4-15 detail this account. While Peter’s experience had some value, the word of the Lord was paramount. Jesus had promised: “The Spirit will…bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).  Peter, accordingly, recalled Jesus’ words: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 11:16). It was not just Peter’s experience that validated the salvation of the Gentiles, but Jesus’ own words. Hearing this, his critics “fell silent” and “glorified God” for granting repentance to the Gentiles.  Just as in this example, we need to be careful to sift all we hear and experience through a “but what does the Bible say?” filter.

“To build a theology on experience is to build on sand. But to build a theology on God’s inspired, revealed Word is to build on rock.” – John MacArthur

THY WORD IS A LAMP
Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
Thy Word is a light to my way;
It shines in my soul like a star by night,
And comforts and cheers me by day.

Refrain:
O wonderful, wonderful Word,
My treasure, my hope, and my stay;
Each promise recorded delights my soul,
And brightens each step of my way.

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
And, trusting in Thee as my all,
Whatever of evil may cross my path,
I never, no, never can fall. [Refrain]

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,
And oh, when Thy glory I see,
For all the rich blessings its truth has brought,
The praises will I give unto Thee. [Refrain]

August 5

Bible Reading: Acts 11:1-3

Acts 11:2-3, “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Sometimes, followers of Jesus must make tough decisions, fully aware that these choices will attract criticism, even from friends. Such was Peter’s situation. By meeting with uncircumcised men, he went against Jewish laws and traditions. The apostles and brothers in Jerusalem heard about it and demanded an explanation.

Peter knew the potential repercussions of meeting with Cornelius and his friends, but it was God who guided him to make that choice. He received a threefold vision, and the Spirit gave him specific instructions to go. In faith, he followed the Spirit’s leading, taking a path he would have never before imagined taking.

Spirit-led believers will sometimes find themselves in similar positions. Good leaders will inevitably be compelled to make unpopular decisions. But Jesus is Lord of the church and our lives. We serve and seek to please Him and will give an account to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled when faced with divergent choices. Jesus walked such a path, and He has called us to “follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). 

Peter’s tough choice ultimately led to the salvation of those Gentiles and opened a door to a new dispensation of missionary outreach to even the remote parts of the earth, of which you yourself have been a beneficiary. 

In making tough choices, it is the approval of God and not the applause of men that matters.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Chorus
Have faith in God, He’s on His throne;
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet. [Chorus]

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there. [Chorus]

Have faith in God though all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own;
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, He reigns upon His throne. [Chorus]

August 2

Bible Reading: Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44, “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.”

I had my share of interruptions as a preacher.  Once it was because of a couple of birds who had snuck into the sanctuary and were flying around.  People had to decide whether it was more important to pay attention to the path of the birds or the words of the preacher.  On another occasion, a sudden storm that shook the building’s roof shut down all the power and brought a sudden end to the morning service.  Here it was the Holy Spirit who interrupted Peter.  We’ll never know what was in the rest of his message, because the Spirit put an end to it. 

Peter had just spoken some powerful words: “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).  As soon as Cornelius and friends heard that message, they believed.  And as soon as they believed, they received the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-38).  The evidence of their reception of the Spirit would prove crucial in Peter’s testimony later, both to his friends and before the Jerusalem council.

Such is the power of the gospel.  When the gospel message meets up with a spirit-prepared heart, a ready response is inevitable.  Consider again the glory and power of the message that fell on their ears for the first time.  Forgiveness of sins is to those who believe in Jesus!  There was a time when that good news first entered your heart.  You believed and received forgiveness of your sins!  You were “born of the Spirit with life from above into God’s family divine!”  Praise the Lord for the message and that saving work of Jesus! It’s a message deserving of our undivided attention and ready response.

We’ve a powerful gospel to share, but it is the Spirit who convicts of sin and opens blind eyes to the glory of Jesus.  It is when the gospel meets with a Spirit-prepared heart that a ready response is inevitable.

HEAVEN CAME DOWN
O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Chorus:
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul (filled my soul)
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole (made me whole)
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me, O praise His dear name [Chorus]

Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time
I have a future in heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received [Chorus]

August 1

Bible Reading: Acts 10:24-43

Acts 10:34-35, “So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

It would be near impossible to overstate the gravity of what was happening.  Jesus had spoken of the “other sheep… not of this fold” (John 10:16), but those sheep had not yet been led to the “door of the sheep” (John 10:7).  He had “broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two” (Ephesians 2:14-15), but the good news of that truth remained imprisoned behind towering walls of centuries-old prejudice and traditions. 

Jesus had commissioned his disciples to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It took a great persecution to jettison the witness to Judea and Samaria. It took a God-orchestrated meeting between God-fearing Cornelius and prejudicial-prone Peter to move it in an “end of the earth” direction.  We all should be glad for that, for we all live in “the end of the earth” regions!

As he had before, with Jews and Samaritans, Peter shared the gospel, but this time to that unanticipated audience.  What was Peter’s message?  Jesus, the divine Son of God, came to earth and went about doing good, but then died on a cross.  But God raised Him on the third day, of which Peter and others were witnesses.  He will judge all men.  Forgiveness of sins is to those who believe in His name! 

Cornelius, and all who heard, believed in that powerful-to-save message (Romans 1:16).  And since that day, the gospel message has broken through countless obstacles and barriers, reaching even unto you!  Praise God that He is a God who “desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4)!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” – Romans 1:16

THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION
The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

July 31

Bible Reading: Acts 10:17-23

Acts 10:17, “…the men who were sent by Cornelius.”

Acts 10:19-20, “And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

It was going to take a lot of convincing to move Peter to meet with a group of Gentiles, just as it would later take a lot for Peter to convince a group of skeptical Jews of the legitimacy of his outreach efforts.  So, God worked to convince Peter.  Peter received a vision of the great sheet descending, and not just once, but three times, to reinforce its message.  Then, in God’s perfect timing, Cornelius’ men arrived.  Peter was still pondering the vision when the Spirit gave him instructions.  He was to not hesitate to receive them, though they were Gentiles, for the men were not merely sent by Cornelius (Acts 10:17); they were sent by the Spirit himself (Acts 10:20).

God was soon to do something momentous; something that would bring radical changes to the vision and breadth of the ministry of the church.  As we’ve seen repeatedly in the book of Acts, the Spirit led in the process.  From an earthly perspective, the meeting between Peter and Cornelius’ men resulted from mere human interaction.  But, as the Spirit clarified, it was through His working that the meeting came about.

That event serves as a good reminder to us of an important and encouraging reality.  Every believer is Spirit-indwelt and is to be Spirit-led.  It is as the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to the heart of the believer that we grow in our walk in Christ.  Likewise, it is as the Spirit speaks and moves our hearts that we are led to fulfill God’s will.  He is fully capable to lead—he even led Cornelius’s men—our part is to listen.  

My SiriusXM radio occasionally loses reception when I drive through the Columbia River gorge.  The high canyon walls block the signal from getting to my receiver.  I can’t move those walls, but when it comes to listening to the Spirit, there are things I can do.  I’ve got to purpose to be in the Word (hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on it), attuning my heart to hear from God.  And I’ve got to put away that which hinders my ability to listen (James 1:21). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

The Spirit speaks. Our part is to be spiritually attuned to listen to what He is saying.

WHEREVER HE LEADS I’LL GO
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,” I heard my Master say;
“I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today.”
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know,
And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

It may be thru’ the shadows dim, Or o’er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

My heart, my life, my all I bring To Christ who loves me so;
he is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I’ll go.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I’ll go.

July 30

Bible Reading: Acts 10:9-16

Acts 10:14-15, “But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Approximately seven years had passed since Jesus’ commission to the Apostles to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It took a “great persecution” to scatter believers to the “regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1).  Even then, there was no apparent attempt to take the message to the Gentiles.  The gospel outreach to the remotest part of the earth was apparently of remote concern.

The problem was that there were longstanding religious traditions and prejudices that stood in the way.  It was unlawful for a Jew “to associate with or visit anyone of another nation” (Acts 10:28) or eat with them (Acts 11:3).  In NT times, the Jews had little regard for the Gentiles.  So strong was their animosity that a common Jewish prayer went something like this: “God thank you, I was not born a woman or a Gentile.”  There were several Jewish laws that prohibited contact with Gentiles.  The very dust of heathen countries was unclean, and it defiled by contact.  It was not permissible to enter a Gentile’s home or even converse with them.  A Jewish woman could not help a Gentile woman, even in childbirth.  A Jew could not drink milk drawn from a cow by a Gentile’s hands or eat bread prepared by a Gentile.  Inviting a Gentile into a Jewish home required not leaving them unattended, to prevent every article of food and drink from being considered unclean.  The animosity by the Jews towards the Gentiles (and vice versa) was pervasive.  It affected every aspect of life.  A Gentile could be proselytized to Judaism, but as a matter of course, it rarely happened.  Gentile converts were rarely treated fairly and were commonly looked on with suspicion.

God would have to intervene if the gospel were to be taken to the Gentiles.  Christ “broke down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), but the benefits of His work had not yet borne fruit in this sense.  Religious traditions and prejudice kept the gospel from reaching the Gentiles.  So, God worked through Peter and Cornelius to set it free.  God orchestrated a meeting between the two at which Peter shared the gospel.  Long established walls of prejudice and division came crashing down when Cornelius and his family believed.  The day will come when people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” will sing a new song of worship to the Lamb (Revelation 5:9).  God is good at breaking down barriers and bringing people together.

“Without a change in apostolic attitudes, none of us would have heard the gospel of the love of Jesus Christ.”—Kent Hughes

A CRY FROM MACEDONIA
There’s a cry from Macedonia Come and help us,
The light of the precious gospel bring,
Let us hear the joyful tidings of salvation,
We thirst for the living spring.
O, ye heralds of the cross, be up and doing,
Remember the Saviour’s great command,
Go ye forth and preach the word to ev’ry creature,
Proclaim it in ev’ry land.

Chorus:
They shall gather from the East,
They shall gather from the West,
With the patriarchs of old.
And the ransom’d shall return
To the kingdom of the blest,
With their harps and crowns of gold.
There’s a cry from Macedonia Come and help us,
The light of the precious gospel bring,
Let us hear the joyful tidings of salvation,
We thirst for the living spring.
O, ye heralds of the cross, be up and doing,
Remember the Saviour’s great command,
Go ye forth and preach the word to ev’ry creature,
Proclaim it in ev’ry land.

O how beautiful their feet upon the mountains,
The tidings of peace from God who bring,
To the nations of the earth who sit in darkness,
And tell them of Zion’s King.
Then, ye heralds of the cross, be up and doing,
Go work in your blessed Master’s field,
Sound the trumpet, sound the trumpet of salvation,
The Lord is your strength and shield.

Chorus:
Let the distant isles be glad,
Let them hail the Saviour’s birth,
And the news of pardon free,
Till the knowledge of the truth
Shall extend to all the earth,
As the waters o’er the sea.
There’s a cry from Macedonia Come and help us,
The light of the precious gospel bring,
Let us hear the joyful tidings of salvation,
We thirst for the living spring.
O, ye heralds of the cross, be up and doing,
Remember the Saviour’s great command,
Go ye forth and preach the word to ev’ry creature,
Proclaim it in ev’ry land.

July 29

Bible Reading: Acts 10:1-8

Acts 10:3-4, “About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, ‘Cornelius.’ And he stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.'”

Any Gentile believer can trace their spiritual roots back to that historic day when that angel of God spoke to Cornelius.  That transformative event worked to unlock a door of salvation for the Gentiles that has been held open ever since.    

You had a belief in God but didn’t know the truth about Jesus.  The burden of your sins weighed on you, yet you were unaware of the way to be forgiven.  You were unaware until some kind soul shared with you the truth of the gospel.  Before that, someone had shared the gospel with that person.  And before that, another with them.  Follow that historical pattern all the way back to its roots and there you’ll find Cornelius.

Cornelius was an exception man: religious, sincere, and prayerful.  He was “well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation” (Acts 9:22).  But, as Warren Wiersbe has noted, he was not saved:

“It is interesting to see how religious a person can be and still not be saved. Certainly, Cornelius was sincere in his obedience to God’s law, his fasting, and his generosity to the Jewish people…The difference between Cornelius and many religious people today is this: he knew that his religious devotion was not sufficient to save him…Cornelius was asking God to show him the way of salvation.”

As with the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius was living up to the level of revelation he had received.  But both had the need of someone to unveil to them the truth of the gospel.  In the eunuch’s case, that was Philip.  Then God worked to orchestrate a meeting of Cornelius with Peter.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  And you stand as a beneficiary.  The gospel first came to the Gentiles as a result of God’s intervention.  He’s been intervening in the life of sinners ever since.  Cornelius was a praying man.  And God heard his prayers. 

It is as we respond to the truth that we’ve received that God gives more truth.

PASS ME NOT
Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief. [Refrain]

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace. [Refrain]