God speaks in variety of ways: through scripture, through his Spirit (inner, audible voice or impression), though other people, through experience, through dreams and visions – Bible is full of stories of how God interacts with his people - Over first 3 weeks, have studied OT passages - 1 Samuel 3, God spoke audibly to Samuel – clarification: Samuel heard his voice, but Eli didn’t, so this was likely inner voice – 1 Kings 19, God spoke to Elijah in whisper – Last week, God spoke to Nathan about David, God spoke to David through Nathan, and David responded to God in Psalm 51 - this morning, we are looking at a NT passage in Acts 10, where God will speak to Cornelius through an angel and to Peter through a vision and through his Spirit –

God speaking through dreams or visions is a common occurrence in the Bible – God spoke to Abraham in vision, Jacob through vision, Joseph through dreams, Daniel through dreams and visions, Paul on road to Damascus and later in book of Acts, entire book of Revelation is vision to John from God – in Joel 2:28-32 quoted by Pater in his first sermon in Acts 2, the promise of God through the Spirit speaking through dreams and visions – Today, it is common understanding in the Muslim world today that many Muslims come to faith because Jesus has visited them in a dream

Here is why this is important: since Fall 2015, we have said weekly as a church that we “expect extraordinary God activity at all times” – a part of God’s extraordinary way of speaking to his people throughout scripture was through dreams and visions – while this may seem sensational, there is a clear pattern throughout scripture that it is one way God interacts with us – Acts 10:1-48

V1– Caesarea in on western coast of Israel – re-founded by Herod and became one of the key Roman ports, named after Caesar – lots of Roman troops in city.

V2 – Cornelius – officer in Roman army – devout, God-fearing man, generous, prayed continually – Romans typically polytheistic (many gods) – Cornelius had embraced God of Israel – “prayed continually” – here is first important point: we don’t read Cornelius’ journal here, we just know that he was faithful to show up regularly – the only mundane part of prayer is the discipline to show up daily – but look what happens…

V3-8 – Angel of the Lord visits Cornelius in a vision, and Cornelius interacts: “what is it, Lord?” DIALOGUE – Cornelius was not yet a follower of Jesus, but clearly understood it was God speaking to him – and the only thing he is told to do is send for a man named Simon Peter, who will fill in the blanks in his life – again, not yet believer called by God in vision, and his response was obedience – OBEDIENCE activates the EXTRAORDINARY.

V9 – Peter is in the town of Joppa – note that he’s already extended his borders beyond Jerusalem, where he has received Spirit in Acts 2 – (Acts 1:8) – Peter didn’t fully understand what Jesus meant when he told disciples they would be witnesses to ends of Earth, but he is walking in obedience to Spirit of God - What is Peter doing? Praying – Peter has gone to the roof to get alone with God – this is a picture of intimacy – Peter actually modeling Jesus here, getting alone to pray – Intimacy is the intersection of our hunger to know God and His desire to speak.

V10-13 – Peter is hungry, so God speaks to him in vision about what he thinks is food - sheet falls from heaven and in it were animals, reptiles, bird of the air - “Rise, kill and eat” – a command from God – Peter had choice to make here – why would God tell him to go against everything he knew? Religious dietary law told him this was forbidden – is this a test? Is this because I’m hungry, so God wants to see if I’m willing to eat anything because of my empty stomach?

V14-15 - Peter refuses – typical Peter, said no to Jesus often - would never eat anything common or unclean – I get it here – doesn’t make sense - “I am calling it clean. It is no longer common” – is God changing his mind here? What uses to be unclean is now clean? Or could he mean something else? God sometimes has to jar us out of our routines by taking something we think we know and turning it upside down
V16 – 3 times – Clearly, God has something for Peter – 3 times – God is trying to get through to Peter that there was a lie he was believing about something, as he was trying to reveal truth – but again, this was around meal time, and Peter was hungry, so easy assumption that he was talking about his diet.

This is where common sense kicks in: Peter is hungry, has vision about food, therefore A+B=C. It’s a slam dunk, no-brainer – EXCEPT it’s not what God was saying - For many of us, not great interpreters of God’s voice – we rely on common sense and reasoning, so when we hear God’s voice, we instantly assume that God only speaks in our economy and understanding.

My call to New York actually a call to pastor in 2013 – God used familiar desire of heart to get me moving in his direction in a vision, but it wasn’t what I thought ...

V17-20 – Peter didn’t understand vision, but before has much time to process, Cornelius’ men at the gate looking for Peter – Spirit tells him there are 3 men looking for him – a couple of things:

1. Peter’s conversation wasn’t over. Ongoing conversation with Spirit.
2. Peter wasn’t left to figure it out on his own. He was perplexed, likely asking God for understanding, and Spirit gives him directive. Notice Spirit didn’t reveal meaning of vision, only his next step, and says walk “without hesitation” – this is where crazy God-stories are born – some of you are moments away from an incredible God-story, when by faith you walk in obedience to what God is telling you to do
3. How many times did God give Peter vision? (3) How many men are at the gate? (3) – I don’t know how significant this is, but find it interesting that Spirit is giving him clues to follow, spiritual bread crumbs into understanding

V21-23 – Meets men, hears their request, and invites them in to stay – first context clue that he might be beginning to understand vision – Jews did not typically consort with Gentiles, yet he invited them to stay -

Says the next day he goes with them to meet Cornelius in Caesarea – doesn’t say he has aha moment, only that Spirit told him to go – walking into unknown by following the voice of God - Every great God-moment begins with God’s voice, is ignited by our obedience, and completed by God’s supernatural power – Peter goes with men, and when he walks into room, Cornelius falls on knees in worship – He bows only to Caesar, yet God has authority over Caesar – cool moment – “I’m just a guy, get up” – Peter knows God is in control

V28 – Peter has aha moment – don’t know if he put 2 and 2 together on the journey, or if this was real time, but he realizes vision wasn’t about food, but people – God was exporting the gospel to ends of earth, but needed to expand Peter’s view of people –
For us, God may be writing new paradigm in your life – the way you view people, the way you view church, the way you interact with Him – God wants to extend your borders, open your eyes to a bigger vision, one that is beyond your commonsense imaginings

V33 – God’s vision crew a crowd – when God is on move, crowd gathers – the church God builds will draw a crowd

V44-48 - Peter preaches – maybe same sermon as in Jerusalem – says while he was speaking, Spirit fell, all were filled and they were baptized – Peter’s obedience to voice of God ended with many coming into kingdom, and gospel now exported to Romans

Close:
1. Both Cornelius and Peter had regular prayer life. If you want to see the extraordinary, it begins with the mundane discipline of showing up. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
2. Both Cornelius and Peter recognized God’s voice in their visions. Familiarity with God’s voice is birthed out of consistent practice in his presence.
3. Both Cornelius and Peter were obedient without understanding. Peter was perplexed, but listened for next step and obeyed without hesitation.
4. Left results to Spirit. Not dependent on common sense – Extraordinary God activity is waiting on the other side of your obedience w/o hesitation
5. God used Peter’s obedience to bring about movement. ALWAYS about the Gospel. – for God’s gain and glory, not yours