What if God is preparing something greater for you than you've been expecting? And what if the people you've almost given up on aren't too far gone after all?
Pastor Nichole Crowley continues Called to Gather, Part 6 of 8: All Are Welcome, a study through the Book of Acts.
We open with a story about a surprise that wasn't what was expected. It raises a simple question: What if God is preparing something greater for you than you've imagined?
In Acts 10 we meet Cornelius, a Roman army officer in Caesarea. He is devout, God-fearing, generous to the poor, and prays regularly. One afternoon an angel appears and tells him his prayers and gifts have been received by God. He is instructed to send men to Joppa to find Simon Peter. As soon as the angel leaves, Cornelius obeys. He doesn't insist on going himself or demand the full explanation. He sends the men with only one instruction: go find Peter.
Meanwhile, Peter is praying on a rooftop when he has a vision of a sheet filled with animals that Jewish law called unclean. A voice tells him to kill and eat. Peter refuses. The voice replies, "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean." The vision is repeated three times. While Peter is still trying to understand it, the men from Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with them without hesitation.
Peter goes. When he arrives he says he now sees clearly that God shows no favoritism. Every nation is invited. Jesus didn't come for only one people. The good news is for all. While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on everyone in the house who is listening. The Jewish believers who came with him are amazed. The same gift they received is now poured out on Gentiles. Peter has them baptized.
Cornelius was already seeking God, but he still needed to hear the message of Jesus. His devotion, generosity, and prayers could not earn what only Jesus gives. God had more prepared for him than he knew was available.
The same God is still at work. Before Peter even arrived, God was already moving in Cornelius. Peter simply had to obey. Many of us have people in our lives we've nearly stopped believing for. They seem like a long shot. Saul looked like a long shot. Cornelius looked like he already had everything. God was working in both. What looks impossible to us is not beyond His reach.
KEY TAKEAWAY:
God shows no favoritism. All are welcome. No one is too far gone, and God often has more prepared for us than we have been expecting. Our part is to obey and keep believing.
CALL TO ACTION:
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