Evangelism: God Has Gone Before Us

There has been a movement of the Spirit throughout the book of Acts, and in today’s text that movement takes another step forward as God brings Peter and Cornelius together so the gospel might go to the nations.

This text is part of the fulfillment of Jesus’ instruction in Acts 1:8 — that His witnesses would go to the ends of the earth.

Today we will see that God is actively involved in the evangelistic initiatives He calls His people into.

Main Idea

God sovereignly prepares both the participants and the circumstances involved in gospel ministry.

I. God Prepares the Hearts of Those He Calls to Hear

When I think back on my own life before surrendering to the lordship of Christ, I can see many things God used to prepare my heart to respond to Him.

Acts 10:3–6

A. God is always the first one to the hearts of those He calls — think of Saul, the Ethiopian eunuch, and the Apostles.
B. Consider your own life — did you seek God without first being drawn to Him? In evangelistic conversations, I often ask, “What has God been doing in your life?”
C. You will never beat God to someone’s heart. If someone comes to Christ, it is because God has drawn them.
John 6:43–44
D. God gives clear next steps without revealing the full plan. He often calls His people to act with limited clarity.
Psalm 37:23
E. God’s call to Cornelius was unique to this moment in redemptive history, but the principle remains: God draws people first — there is no true “cold-call” evangelism.

Main Idea

God sovereignly prepares both the participants and the circumstances involved in gospel ministry.

II. God Prepares the Hearts of Those He Sends to Go

When God called Kelli and me to Alaska — and later here — He did significant preparatory work in our hearts.

Acts 10:9–16

A. God prepares not only the hearts of those who hear, but also the hearts of those He sends.
B. Peter’s openness toward Gentiles had already begun — staying with Simon the tanner, followed now by the repeated vision.
C. This is not the first positive interaction between Jesus and a Roman centurion.
Luke 7:2–10
D. God gave Peter his next step when Cornelius’ servants arrived.
Acts 10:17–23a
E. God prepared Peter specifically to welcome Gentile converts and to proclaim the gospel to Cornelius and his household.
F. What will you do if God calls you to share the gospel with someone you would normally avoid? God will prepare your heart — but will you obey?

Main Idea

God sovereignly prepares both the participants and the circumstances involved in gospel ministry.

III. God Empowers Those He Sends and Those Who Hear to Respond in Obedience

It is one thing to hear God’s Word; it is another to obey it.

James 1:22–25

But obedience does not happen in our own strength.

John 14:15–17

The Spirit — our Helper — empowers obedience and evangelism. Charles Spurgeon once said,

“There are two present when evangelizing: you and the Holy Spirit. You are never left alone.”

Acts 10:23b–29

A. Jewish legalism had added laws God never commanded — including restrictions on associating with Gentiles.
B. Legalism remains dangerous and prevalent today.
C. Israel was always intended to be a blessing to the nations.
Genesis 12:3
D. God prepared Peter through visions, Jesus’ teaching, and prior experiences.
E. Cornelius also responded in obedience to what God revealed to him.
Acts 10:30–33
F. Remember the main idea — God prepares both people and circumstances.
G. God is behind the entire evangelistic process — then and now.
H. If you want a genuine experience with God, listen, trust, and obey Him.

Main Idea

God sovereignly prepares both the participants and the circumstances involved in gospel ministry.

Homework for further study:

Romans 8:18–39
(Read, Reflect, Respond in Prayer, Rest)