Acts Chapter 9:36-10:7

Daniel had only conversations with and without Angel impelling because it's not the Angels job. It's our job.

John could thunder. The good news from the sky in his voice. He could write it in the quiet, but he is decided. Somehow, in his infinite wisdom to use us to reach out welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. What is a serious Christian always as a Christian we see the Lord's will and his ways for our life today pastor David explains how we can see God more as he continues teaching the book of acts chapter 9.

Now, here's the deepest part two of his teaching happens we are in acts chapter 9 they'll ask chapter 9 verse 36 at Joppa there was a certain disciple name Tabatha just translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days and she became sick and died in one hand washed survey later in an upper room, and since Linda was near Joppa and the disciples had heard that Peter was there. They sent to into him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter Rosen went with them and when he income they brought him to the upper room and all the when the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas and made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed and turning to the body.

He said Tabatha's and she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up classes interesting. Peter put them all out to me that's just very fascinating because it shows what a spiritual man.

Peter is he put them all out. I think he knew what God was get rated but ask everybody else to leave yesterday where you were going with what didn't happen is he didn't all of a sudden begin Simon Peter healing ministries International Inc. begin touring the world so you know what I need to step out and made you and I be that humble. When God uses a somebody ways he has everybody step out. What would you do if you knew you were getting ready to pray for Soleil was dead and God was going to bring them back to life. What would you do this is so convicting. I know what I do not ask them if they can lamb out here on Sunday morning.

I'm being honest.

I mean, I hope that you know in part because I think it would be very encouraging for us all to see a dead person get up and walk away so inclined is Real convicting in. That's what Peter did verse 41 then he gave her his hand and lifted her when he had called the saints and widows. He presented her alive. The thing that was incurred. She had been dead and now she's alive. Yes it is slow to get people that she was dead and now she's a that's an amazing thing and I'm sure that encourage the people.

Verse 42 and it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord so it was that he stayed many days and Joppa was Simon the tanner now Joppa is modern day Jacob and it's a suburb of Tel Aviv. Notice it says a tanner what what is a tanner duet at Tanner creates leather from animals that when you were getting this leather from the animals and me just ask a fairly obvious is the animal alive or dead. The animals that when you begin working with the leather.

The skin of the animal. There's various cancers, goatskin and towels and stuff it will pass your name with your pulling the animals dead. What do you think the Jewish people fall of people who were tanners because we know from Leviticus and other places that they weren't supposed to touch or be around that animals that we have Peter, who was raised from his infancy as a Jewish young man and a Jewish nation nation and he's hanging around I got hangs out with dead animals God's beginning to soften his heart. Now not only I probably ought to get a little more graphic. Not only was he working with dead animals, but you probably don't understand. I mean I would get too graphic, but you know there's like dead animals laying around and hanging in this guy's house. Anything that smelled it probably didn't smell real good as matter-of-factly tell us that you never had to really ask for directions to the tanner's house you could find it with your nose that I remember being in Chinatown in San Francisco.

We were traveling around in ministry and it freaked me out that they had like chickens and stuff hanging from the ceiling that they would cut your lunch from and serve you all weird to me but to have these dead animals serve the around the stage and then taking this because I know part of the way they process the skins was using dogma new. I know that's a pretty graphic picture, but here is Peter again raised from his infancy as a Jewish man to avoid dead animals and all things unclean and also he finds himself lodging staying with Simon at Tanner. They were looked upon so bad that in the Mishnah. I ate Jewish commentary you a woman could divorce a man for simply being a tanner that how low will the corporate totem pole.

You if you will. Tanner was. So we see Peter getting he's getting ready chapter 10 verse one there was a certain man into Syria called Cornelius the centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave generously to the people in the prayed to God always were told a lot of stuff in verse two a devout man, one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always listless look at those four things. A devout man that means a a spiritual man, one who feared God, he respected God and noticed that geode be is singular, which was unique for Roman Romans, they believe in a lot of different gods and and understand that you note the Romans never killed Christians for believing in God. The persecution happened because they believed in God alone. They said there is one God – while they were persecuted and you know you look into the world that they followers of Jesus are being persecuted because her saying no, there really is only one God, then it says fear God with all his household.

Cornelius obviously was leaving his family well who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always looking to discover Cornish is looking pretty good right now. Any way you read this first born is a good guy is a good yet had he been forgiven of a sense no yet X11 14 tell us that in more detail, but we can see right here God's about to do something Cornelius good person looking after the poor looking actor's family friendly God is unsafe. He has not been forgiven of CM to stop and ask yourself what does it take to be forgiven of your sent because a lot of us especially you grew up in the South.

I grew up in the south the family been there like 280 year, but we grow up and were told well you do the best you can and God honors as long as you're good.

I'll wager back herein, is that biblical absolutely no, absolutely not, then maybe sit here this morning. Think pastor do people really think that while there may favor ask ask your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers how to get to heaven well first asking are you going to heaven and then the next question is very telling what he think that you get some interesting answers. I guarantee it. You get well because I'm basically a good person really you want to know what the Bible says about you, but you basically good as you're not. Romans 310, 323 is none righteous, no not one. All fall short of the glory of God or about the classic way. Think going up because I go to church so you think you going to heaven because you go to church so going into the building actually makes your Christian. That's an amazing thing. Ask people what he think you're going to heaven will because I believe in God, I'm sorry that neither forgives your sins nor gains you entrance and have that now you listen.

A lot of people believe in God is my friend James chapter 2 verse 19 says you believe that there is one God. You do well, even the demons believe, and tremble. So your definition of a Christian is somebody that believes in God, guess what, by your theology. Demons are Christian negative from demons are Christians and they're not going to heaven, there was a struggle of them enough down the other one is able to get so is more than belief IN it to me some amazing how religious somebody can be and still not be safe. Somebody can be and still not be safe. But that's what the Bible says Cornelius knew his good works with certain wooden same. He knew his good works wouldn't save were told later.

Romans 10 910 and 13 how it is you get saved you ask God to forgive you your sins you believe that he died for you and you call for service ends. I'll give you that opportunity to do that sit here now wondering why I was one of those people. I want those people thinking that I got a big good enough to gain entrance into heaven now just so you know, I know that he knew that he wasn't saved to follow that acts 11, 13, 14.

The next chapter we jump ahead. This is any told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house.

He said to him, send in the Joplin call for Simon, whose surname is Peter, who would tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved. No one say he's doing all these good things, and I believe his works open the door for his salvation.

Just like going to church doesn't make you safe. But by going to church.

You can become say you're going to church so the work and opened it up. You're listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com is a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior.

You need people to pray for you need someone to present God's word to them every day were present in God's were told here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee. We can play for them as well. Just by simply going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button. All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love, that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones.

What an awesome way to bring your love ones to Jesus. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown want to take just a minute to pray for some cities in our listening audience. Specifically, York, Pennsylvania and Bluffton, Charleston, Columbia, Conway, Florence, in Greenville, South Carolina, Lord, thank you for the people living in the cities, Lord, thank you for what you're doing there. We pray that your Holy Spirit would pour out and draw many people into a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus father that people would put their trust in you receive your forgiveness and get plugged into local Bible teaching church get the pastor's discernment and wisdom on how to bless and leave these people father or we pray that we walk in unity we pray for the city leaders that you would bless and give them wisdom. The mayor, the fire chiefs. The police chief father Lord, that we would being admirable servants of you, so that people might see our unity and want a relationship with you. Also, only love. We thank you for these people and us in Jesus name we pray. Amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse three about the ninth hour of the day so clearly in a vision, an angel of God coming in and saying I am cornering us that did your visit with verse four and when he observed him he was afraid and said what is it, Lord. So they said they have in your prayers and your also come up for a memorial before God prayers and your all your prayers. Everybody knows what prayers are always or gifts. Sometimes financial gifts, sometimes to the poor. Your prayers and your arms of come up for a memorial before God got to sing what you been don't and here it saying that God notices your giving two groups of people on earth. More when you hear God notices your given some of your praise God, is my given and then there's another Cognos oh it's a biblical concept, God now we don't have to play I don't see in the Bible will do it here we have the boxes in the back, but please know that I believe every mature Christian should be tithing to the local church. He goes to. I believe that I do that I give a minimum of 10%. This chart now.

I think everybody should be doing it now.

Can you be, can you give and not be a mature Christian just because you give doesn't mean that your mature Christian can you be a mature Christian and not give you can I can. You can because mature Christian slants following Jesus ring.

The Bible opined that to his life. Her life and follow what God says and if you're not doing that friend. I can't describe you as a mature Christian now and that hurts so be it. So be it. Here's the thing, Luke 21 four. Jesus is sit in the temple. I want to see this and it says and he talking about Jesus looked up and saw all the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. Jesus was sit in the temple watching what people were giving and how they were given. Verse two and Esau also is watching the Windows server without putting into my sister truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all for all these out of their abundance of put an offer forgot, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had not only sit there watching, but he notices that her given as sacrificial and in other words, it's probably more than 10% and because of the Hebrew Scriptures and he could see that most people actually get 20% week the top of the word Hebrew. The Hebrew word Todd means 10% life lesson here is selling a serious follower of Jesus should be pray and give serious follower of Jesus should be praying and give and I know sometimes we will. I don't agree with the time I don't agree with it and I don't. I think it's an Old Testament concept.

I can show you scripturally that is not just an Old Testament concept but here's the thing everybody that's ever come to me with that is never want to give over 10%. That's an indicator to me that perhaps there some biased mess going on. I don't think you should give me timbers and given to 3%.

You know if somebody came to me and said I don't agree with that. I want to get 15%.

God bless you yeah give joyfully as under the Lord that were joyfully is the record Hilario for regular word for hilarious give hilariously cool that is right.

That's why colors boxes joy boxes okay well it's in there. So I taught it, if you know it's amazing. Some people go out love that verse by verse teaching until it stepped on my feet is verse by verse really get the stuff as we go so but here's the thing. God sees what you get and that should encourage you in your giving verse five now send men to Joppa and send for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

He is lodging with Simon a tanner whose houses by the sea, they will tell you what you must do when the angel spoke to him, and departed Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.

Cornelius is a seeker does not get weird about that word for moment okay. Cornelius is a seeker is a real seek. He is seeking the Lord and we know from the Bible that those who really seek the Lord will find it maybe more properly, the Lord will find that Matthew 633 system seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

In Matthew 77 says, and it will be given to you seek asking and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and it will be open.

The awesome promises of God. Hebrews 11 six is but without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him server seeking the Lord define the came in by happenstance or circumstance this morning.

You're not hereby circumstance or happens here because you're looking for something many of us are here because we found we are to seek the Lord. That's next life lesson, we are to seek the Lord his worship, his will his way in our lives where to seek the Lord his worship, his will and his ways in her life now timeout seekers. There is a term playground church world these days seeker sensitive in one way to view it if you use seeker sensitive in the way a lot of people use it today you would not define us as a seeker sensitive church yet. I think we are very sensitive to people who are seeking the Lord. I think we are very sensitive to those people who come in for the first time that's part of why we do the free beverage thing is to say God bless you and here's the thing. I understand you guys are inviting people every Sunday in this place, you're going to hear an imitation of Jesus. You can hear the gospel presented an invitation and opportunity for people to respond because I know that you guys with your friends and with your family are trusting us to do that and you have my guarantee that we will do that we will be sensitive to them now I won't laugh at people who are not going to heaven, I will throw things out yell at him.

I will point my finger at him and a lot of people do that. A lot of people think that's very effective evangelism. I don't think it but here's the thing. If somebody comes the me and they say was 2+2 I'm gonna give an answer.

I'm not going to say well you know numbers are such a tricky thing water it down a little bit so you can grasp the concept that 2+25. Well, it could be. I guess you know there's there's lots of ways that get the 2+2 I'm not to do that because that is not being insensitive to the seeker that's been very calloused if you asked me what 2+2 is and I know I got is for some 4.5 is not 3.5 is not three is not six as for so when people say hey you know what's a way to heaven. I haven't got a talent I tell them in a loving and a kind way.

But I have to tell him Jesus died for our sins, and he wants us to tell people. Luke chapter 19 verse not says this, and Jesus said to him today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham will talk about that next week percent for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.

Ask a question that I thought of as I read this passage, the angel had all these conversations with her news, but any just out one at an angle to say to Cornish Cornelius Jesus came to die for your sins what you gotta do is you asking to forgive your sins. Angel been telling because it's not the Angels job. It's our job. John could thunder. The good news from the sky in his voice.

He could write it in the clouds but he is decided.

Somehow, in his infinite wisdom to use the reach of is called the good news of Jesus Christ came and he died for our sins so that we could have access to God, we could have a relationship with God outside of Jesus.

You cannot have access to God friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous. So congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make.

God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you visit, cross the bridge.com and click on God's plan for new life to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. God wants to bless you and encourage your relationships today. Whether you are married, considering marriage or engaged to be married. We have a resource for you pastor David wants to send you his four part video series allies stay friends. Allow God to minister to your marriage through his word today. This was an unforgettable weekend that encouraged many marriages and you and your spouse can be encouraged to allies stay friends is our thanks for your generous gift today to help more people hear God's truth on this station and beyond, so they can cross the bridge from death to life. Please visit cross the bridge.com today to give a gift of any amount and get your copy of allies stay friends ODA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day to wake up with Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day in the heart. David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today, cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse through the book of acts