The Supernatural Life of a Believer (Pt. 2)
Acts 10:11-48
1. God prepares us for a new season through prayer
Acts 10:1–2, (ESV)
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
Acts 10:9, (NIV)
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
2. God has perfect timing for your new season
Acts 10:3,
About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”
Acts 10:9, (ESV)
The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
Acts 10:17, (NLT)
Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house.
Acts 10:23b, (ESV)
The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Acts 10:30, (ESV)
And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.
3. God brings a new season by giving us a new perspective
Acts 10:10-16, (NIV)
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Mark 7:18-19, (NIV)
"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")
Acts 10:17-23, (NIV)
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along.
Acts 10:38,
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
John 5:19, (NIV)
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
Luke 4:1,
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and
was led by the Spirit in the desert...
Luke 4:14, (NIV)
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside...
Acts 10:38,
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Acts 10:39-43, (NIV)
They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen — by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
4. God brings a new season in order to work powerfully in
the lives of other people
Acts 10:44-46, (NLT)
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Acts 10:47-48,
[Then Peter asked], "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
