Acts 11:19-30

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Key Words: Scatter, Preach, Hand, Believe, Turn, Add, Christians, Relief

Keystone Verse: And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:21)

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Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3     He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness     for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,     I will fear no evil, for you are with me;     your rod and your staff,     they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me     in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;     my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me     all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord     forever.

 

Key Words: Shepherd, Pastures, Paths, Valley, Table, House

Keystone Verse: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

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Note: We are in our new building! Please forgive any audio issues this week. Specifically, some portions of the scripture reading were missed and the audio levels throughout are inconsistent. We will work to resolve these issues for next week's sermon. 

Psalm 22:22-31

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;     in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!     All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,     and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred     the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him,     but has heard, when he cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;     my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;     those who seek him shall praise the Lord!     May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember     and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations     shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,     and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;     before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,     even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him;     it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,     that he has done it.

 

Key Words: Praise, Glorify, Awe, Afflicted, Kingship, Serve, Unborn

Keystone Verse: Kingship belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:28)

 

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Acts 11:1-18

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’  15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Key Words: Gentiles, Holy Spirit, Saved, Baptized, Gift, Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Life

Keystone Verse: If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17)

 

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Acts 10:24-48

The next day [Peter] rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30 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 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36 As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39And we are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, 40 but God raised Him on the third day and made Him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Key Words: Partiality, Peace, Jesus, Judge, Forgiveness, Gift, Holy Spirit, Baptize

Keystone Verse: While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)

 

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Psalm 118:1-29

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;     for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;     the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.     What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;     I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord     than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord     than to trust in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees;     they went out like a fire among thorns;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,     but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;     he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation     are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 16     the right hand of the Lord exalts,     the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live,     and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,     but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,     that I may enter through them     and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord;     the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me     and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected     has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord‘s doing;     it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made;     let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!     O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!     We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God,     and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,     up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;     you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;     for his steadfast love endures forever!

 

Key Words: Cornerstone, Rejected, Steadfast Love, Refuge, Surrounded, Salvation, Good

Keystone Verse: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22)

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About our guest

Brittain Brewer (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte; PhD [ABD], Calvin Theological Seminary, New Testament) serves as associate pastor at Reformation Covenant Church in Oregon City, OR. He earned a BA from New College Franklin in Franklin, TN in 2014 and the MDiv from RTS Charlotte in 2020. In the midst of seminary, Brittain met his wife Bethany at RCC while on a road trip, and they were married in 2018. They now have four covenant children. Alongside ministry and studies, he enjoys time with his wife, wrestling his boys, fawning over his daughter, and tending to his beloved cast iron skillet. Brittain also teaches Greek, New Testament, and Christology for Reformed Evangelical Seminary.

Acts 10:1-23

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 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.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 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. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.

Key Words: Devout, Fear, Alms, Pray, Vision, No, Lord, Sent

Keystone Verse: Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say. (Acts 10:22)

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Acts 9:32-43

32 “Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.”

 

Key Words: Rise, Heals, Turned, Believed, Jesus, Lord, Prayed, Paralyzed, Dead

Keystone Verse: And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. (Acts 9:34)

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Acts 9:19b-31

For some days [Saul] was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

 

Key Words: Proclaim, Prove, Son of God, Jesus, Christ, Plot, Church, Built Up, Multiplied

Keystone Verse: And immediately [Saul] proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

 

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Acts 9:1-19

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

 

Key Words: Persecute, Way, Jesus, Sight, Chosen, Suffer, Name, Holy Spirit

Keystone Verse: But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name.” (Acts 9:15-16)

 

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