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WHAT A PERSON MIGHT BE AND YET STILL BE LOST---ACTS 10: As we look at our text, we see this model citizen. He is a good man! He is a God-fearing man! He is a gracious man! But He is still a lost man! His name is Cornelius. Centurions were subjected to many searching test before they were given command of soldiers, and the two critical tests that were used concerned their character. Centurions had to be patient, slow to anger, slow to get involved in fights. They also were required to be men of great courage and endurance who would rather die than face defeat or quit the field. CORNELIUS POSSESSED SOME TRAITS THAT ALL OF US WHO BELIEVE OUGHT TO POSSESS, YET HE WAS LOST! CAN A MAN BE ALL THE THINGS MENTIONED IN VERSE 2 AND YET BE LOST? YES
John 3:3,5 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
I. CORNELIUS WAS GOOD; BUT HE STILL WAS LOST---“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always "(Acts 10:1). Cornelius was a Roman soldier who served under Herod Agrippa. He was a centurion, which means that he had one hundred men under his command. Cornelius was a man who regularly studied the Scriptures and daily presided at morning and evening family prayers. He was certainly good according to moral standards, but he was not a Christian. Good works plus a sincere religious belief are not sufficient to guarantee a man's salvation.
A. NOTICE HIS FEAR (vs 1, 22) Tho’ he did not know God as his personal Saviour, there was a fear of God in his heart. Cornelius was a deeply religious man. B. NOTICE HIS FAMILY (“feared God with all his house”) Tho’ he was not saved, he had instructed his family to fear God. Cornelius is a good example to us fathers. C. NOTICE HIS FERVOR (“gave much alms to the people and prayed to God always.”) Cornelius was generous in his acts of charity towards the poor and needy. He was a model of religious respectability, and yet he was lost. His prayer life would put us to shame.
There are many people like this around us who are good living and God fearing, but they have never exercised personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted His gift of eternal life. There will be more religious people in Hell than people who are not religious. A good man needs to be saved just as much as a bad man.
It is quite evident from Acts 10:2, that Cornelius was a good man, but he still needed to be saved. It is amazing how religious man can be and yet still not be saved. See verse 22.
· He was a Military Man - “centurion” · He was a Moral Man - “a just man, and one who feareth God” · He was a Model Man - “of good reputation among all the nation of the Jews” · He was a Good Man, but he still needed to be saved.
1. He Was Religious, But This Was Not Satisfactorily.... 2. He Was Sincere, But This Was Not Salvation ... 3. He Was Charitable, But This Was Not Sufficient... II. CORNELIUS WAS WISE; SO HE DID NOT ARGUE (22)--- Psalm 119:128 “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right..” There are many people in this world who are the exact replica of Cornelius, except for one important detail. Whereas Cornelius listened quietly to the suggestions of God's Spirit, his modern counterparts love to argue. Humility is the child of sincerity, and Cornelius was never seen to better advantage than when he bowed before God and His servant to hear the way of salvation. The fact that God warned this great man was truly suggestive. This was not advice; it was not merely instruction. Warning implies danger. He was in danger of going to hell. He was warned by an angel to send for Peter. He did not argue. He did not squabble with God.
A. THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ABOUT FAITH · Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” B. THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ABOUT FAMILY C. THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ABOUT FINANCES D. THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ABOUT FRIENDS
See Acts 10:9-13 “Not so, Lord.”
Unlike Cornelius who obeyed right away, Peter blurted out an objection, which actually amounted to contradiction in terms. This was a polite refusal, but it was wrong. You can say, “No,” and you can say “Lord;” but you cannot say,”No, Lord.” If he is truly our Lord, we can only say “Yes” to what He Commands. You cannot argue with the Lord and be wise.
III. CORNELIUS WAS IN DANGER; SO HE DID NOT PROCRASTINATE. "And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa" (10:7, 8). TOMORROW IS THE MOST UNCERTAIN THING IN THE CALENDAR.
IV. CORNELIUS BELIEVED; AND HE WAS SAVED---Peter came and preached to him the Word. When you preach the Word you preach Christ. A. SIMPLE MESSAGE (43) “Believeth in him” B. SCRIPTURAL MESSAGE -The Word Of God Is Prominent in the work of God (v 37) If it is the work of God, the Word of God will be proclaimed! When the Word ceases to be prominent; Christ will not be preeminent, and the Gospel will be perverted. Verse 43 -“To him give all the prophets witness” C. SAVING MESSAGE---Cornelius found a new life that day, and was not ashamed. 1. There Was Now Peace -“peace by Jesus Christ” (36). There is no peace if Christ is left out. He had position, power, wealth, family, friends, and servants, but with all this he had no peace. 2. There Was Now Pardon “remission of sin” There is no forgiveness of sin without Christ. 3. There Was Now Power (44)
Conclusion----Cornelius, Paul, Nicodemus, And A Host Of Others Would Corroborate The Statement That We Are Not Saved By Works, Lest Any Man Should Boast. Eternal Life Is The Gift Of God: But It Is Only Given To Those Who Know Their Need;
To Those Who Come Humbly, Seeking From Him That Which Could Never Be Received In Any Other Way. |