Ps. Abel Phillips
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Text: Acts 10:1-8
Characteristics of Cornelius (verse 2) that moved God’s heart to answer:
1. Devoted – pious /godly and committed to the highest ideals. – God / authorities etc
2. God Fearing – world manipulates. God is respectful, the world does not respect,
- Respect one another/ authority, flag / rules/ other ethnics groups.
- Disrespect brings disorder and disunity and stops God from hearing us.
- God answers when there is a spirit of respect and unity. Our motions and money used to please God.
1 Thess 5:14-22 – call us to abstain from all form of evil
Eph 6:1-3 – Children obey your parents.
3. Generous – gives alms to the poor /needy. God is generous / we should not manipulate with money.
John. 3:16 – God is generous – He gave His only SON for us.
To be generous is to charitably contribute. Start to learn on how to give generously... to others, church, leaders for this pleases God
4. Servant - He served (v2) with his family. How did he make his soldiers and family follow him? He learnt to serve. Jesus, the Creator said, he came not to be served but to serve. (Matt 20:28)
Today, our society – likes to be served not to serve. Change now! We have all been called to serve.
Moral of the story
God knew Cornelius’ name. He knows your name too.
Cornelius had 3 encounters as the result of his prayer.
- Vision – God gives Pictures – praying / forgive/ helping etc.
- Instruction – God gives us information and direction in life
- Acceptance – acceptance in the KOG / God’s family.
Our duty is to let them (our neighbours, relatives and people we are acquainted with) know that God accepts them through GRACE by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
God answers when our hearts are ready.
Pray: Lord, give us a heart of disposition to respond to You, always abiding in You, that we may bear fruits that are pleasing to You, bringing blessings to others (John15:5).
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