1. THE OLD RUGGED CROSS On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.

3. ACTS 10:1-23 NO FAVORITISM ALLOWED God’s Witnesses to the World (Growing, Glowing, Going )

4. INTRODUCTION The early church resisted any acceptance of Gentiles and even efforts to evangelize among Gentiles. (10:14, 28; 11:2, 3, 8) The early church resisted any acceptance of Gentiles and even efforts to evangelize among Gentiles. (10:14, 28; 11:2, 3, 8) The church subsequently accepted Gentiles apart from any allegiance to Judaism. (11:18) The church subsequently accepted Gentiles apart from any allegiance to Judaism. (11:18) Anyone who trusts Jesus is welcomed into His body – the church – for God shows no favoritism in inviting people to the gospel. Anyone who trusts Jesus is welcomed into His body – the church – for God shows no favoritism in inviting people to the gospel.

5. Caesarea Roman capital of the province of Judea Roman capital of the province of Judea Sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem Sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem Named in honor of Caesar Augustus Named in honor of Caesar Augustus Built by Herod the Great between 25 and 13 BC Built by Herod the Great between 25 and 13 BC Military headquarters for Roman forces Military headquarters for Roman forces

6. The Military Target (1-8) Centurion in Caesarea (1-3) Centurion in Caesarea (1-3) Instruction from an angel (4-6) Instruction from an angel (4-6) Messengers to Joppa (7-8) Messengers to Joppa (7-8)

7. Observations/Principles Cornelius’ faith had hands. (2) Cornelius’ faith had hands. (2) God speaks to people in remarkably different ways. (3) God speaks to people in remarkably different ways. (3) God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. (4) God rewards those who sincerely seek Him. (4) God answers the sincere prayers of those who seek Him by sending the right person or the right information at the right time. (4) God answers the sincere prayers of those who seek Him by sending the right person or the right information at the right time. (4)

8. Our properly motivated acts of faith ascend to God like the smoke of the sacrifice. (4) (Leviticus 2:2; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:15- 16) Our properly motivated acts of faith ascend to God like the smoke of the sacrifice. (4) (Leviticus 2:2; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:15- 16) Cornelius responded without delay. (5-8) Cornelius responded without delay. (5-8)

9. The Master’s Test (9-23) Peter’s traumatic vision (9-13) Peter’s traumatic vision (9-13) Peter’s Jewish reaction (14-16) Peter’s Jewish reaction (14-16) Peter’s call to Caesarea (17-23) Peter’s call to Caesarea (17-23)

10. Observations/Principles Peter and Cornelius were both found praying when God revealed more of Himself to them. (9-10) Peter and Cornelius were both found praying when God revealed more of Himself to them. (9-10) God was working outside of Israel, beyond Israel, and if Peter was to be a part of what God was doing, he needed to understand that nothing was unclean. (11-13) God was working outside of Israel, beyond Israel, and if Peter was to be a part of what God was doing, he needed to understand that nothing was unclean. (11-13) When God speaks, we must not challenge what He says. (14) When God speaks, we must not challenge what He says. (14)

11. The right response is humble submission to His revealed truth. (14) The right response is humble submission to His revealed truth. (14) God was basically nullifying the Jewish dietary laws, and was preparing Peter to meet an “unclean” Gentile. (15-16) (Mark 7:14-23) God was basically nullifying the Jewish dietary laws, and was preparing Peter to meet an “unclean” Gentile. (15-16) (Mark 7:14-23) God’s timing is always impeccable. (17-20) God’s timing is always impeccable. (17-20) Peter continued to remove barriers. (23) Peter continued to remove barriers. (23)