ATTITUDES FROM THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS

Introduction:
A. The Bible confirms the fact that Cornelius was a good man.
1. Most of the general population thinks one is heaven bound because they are
good according to man’s standard. Like Cornelius, many today are devout,
prayer warriors, great contributors to the cause of Christianity etc...
2. Is not the Holy Spirit, in this story, trying to inform the reader that in spite of
all of the positive traits Cornelius manifested, Cornelius was still lost as a ball in high weeds.
a. It’s message is to remind the reader that goodness alone will not save.
B. As we study this story of Cornelius, we want to use a different approach.
1. Let's look intently at the attitudes of the characters involved in this account.
I. First there is the Attitude of God.
A. God has revealed that there are some things which he does not tolerate (Prov. 6:16-19).
1. Jesus said the gate is narrow and the way difficult (Matt. 7:13).
2. Paul preached, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11).
3. God’s attitude toward sin is - eternal damnation for those who practice it.
B. God does look kindly toward those who are searching for him (2 Pet. 3:9).
1. He helped the Ethopian treasurer discover his will by sending Philip the evangelist to
preach (Acts 8:26ff).
2. He helped the women who assembled by the river to pray to discover truth (Acts 16:13-15).
C. And our text here in Acts 10 concerning Cornelius; he prepared this Gentile who was good
and kind to receive the truth by performing miracles which all had to do with the changing of
attitudes.
1. The first miracle was to change the attitude of Cornelius. Acts 10:3-6 He needed to know
he was good, but being good was not enough.
a. He must hear "words" by which he could be saved Acts 11:13-14
b. This attitude of ‘hearing’ has posed a problem for people throughout the centuries. They
think they are already saved, but they have heard only part of the truth.
c. Unfortunately, many are waiting for a sign. That’s not going to happen.
d. The gospel is the only means by which beliefs can be challenged (Rom. 1:16).
2. The second miracle involved Peter’s attitude toward the Gentiles. Acts 10:9-16
a. His vision opened his mind not to call any "man" common or unclean. v. 28
b. Notice what he affirmed by a changed attitude Acts 10:34-35.
c. This speaks volumes for the saint today when we go and spread the gospel.
3. The third miracle changed the attitude of those six Jewish brethren who went with Peter,
and later the Jews at Jerusalem. Acts 10:36-48
a. Acts 11:18 shows clearly why God sent the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household
- to show that the Gentiles were now granted repentance to life.
b. This act of God confirmed the prophecy (Isa. 11:10). Gentiles could now be accepted into
the kingdom and receive the blessings of the New Covenant.
God’s attitude is that all men, good natured and evil, everywhere must repent and obey!
II. Next Let’s examine CORNELIUS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD THE PREACHER.
A. "As Peter was coming in, Cornelius fell down at his feet (Acts 10:25).
1. Obviously, Cornelius goes too far - see (1 Cor. 4:6).
a. Cornelius was trying to show respect for God's messenger.
b. Great intentions can lead to evil actions (Saul 1 Sam. 15; Uzzah 2 Sam. 6:3ff;
c. People at Lystra who were going to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas Acts 14:8ff).
2. The importance of Peter was not to be found in his person, but in his message.
a. It is unfortunate that folk rather follow a dynamic speaker who declares a positive message
but not all the message of truth.
3. Let's read the message of truth given by Peter at this time. Acts 10:34-43 III. Now CONSIDER CORNELIUS' ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WORD.
A. Cornelius' attitude toward the word of God can be seen in Acts 10:33.
1. He and the others wanted to hear what God had commanded.
a. Think on that word ‘commanded.’ What does that word imply? There would be no
doubt that when Peter preached, commands would be identified.
b. Do you think it would have been wise on Cornelius part to have learned of a
commandment and then postponed it to a more convenient time? Acts 10:48
c. Baptism in the "name of the Lord" is "for the remission of sins." Acts 2:38
B. Cornelius displayed the perfect attitude concerning the commands of God 1 Thess. 2:13
1. The all-important question for us is: "What kind of attitude toward the preacher and
word of God do we possess?"
IV. Cornelius’ ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
A. Cornelius serves as an example to follow when it comes to evangelism Acts 10:24,27,33
1. We can imagine how he told his friends and relatives regarding the angel who appeared to
him and told him to send for a man who would tell them how to be saved.
a. He would add, "That man is on his way here. You must come and hear him!"
b. There is no more important work on the face of the earth than to save our own souls, and
the souls of others.
2. There is a story of a Christian who distributed tracts for many years on a street corner. Finally, seeing no visible results, he gave up. When he returned to the same spot two years later, he saw another individual handing out gospel leaflets as he had done. Striking up a conversation, he discovered that the man had become a Christian through a tract given him on that corner about two years earlier. The convert added, "Many times I've come back here to find that earnest worker and thank him, but he never returned. I decided he must have died, and so I've taken his place!" To make a long story short, there are now two Christians handing out tracts on that street corner.
Conclusion:
A. God’s attitude has never changed about sin. He gives everyone an opportunity to be saved.
B. Even the good people of the world in his eyes are lost, not because they are bad in any ordinary way but because they have not obeyed the gospel.
C. God helped Peter to change his attitude by clarifying what he meant by, "go into all the world and preach the gospel."
D. The attitude of the saved Jewish brethren needed to change to include those whom others said were not worthy.
E. The attitude of Cornelius needed to be changed.
1. He had to change his attitude concerning his relationship to God. He thought he was fine
but he wasn’t.
2. He had to change his attitude concerning his feeling about God’s preacher. He may be
respected but not worshipped.
3. He had to change his attitude concerning his thoughts about his friends and family.
4. Had he thought the message was for him alone none of his family would have been saved.
F. If we develop the same right attitudes in these things, we, too, will obtain salvation, both now
and in eternity.