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Why Have You Sent For Me?
Acts 10:24-33
Context
 Cornelius
and Peter’s visions
 Both were obedient
 What can be learned?
 Why send for a preacher?
Desire For Human Wisdom?
 Corinthians
 One
of their problems (1 Corinthians 1:22)
 Still a serious problem
 Paul’s
decision
 Only
preach Christ (2:1, 2)
 Knew other’s preferences (1:22, 23)
 Reason (1:25)
Scratch Our Itching Ears?
 Some
want this kind of preacher
 No
longer want Truth (2 Timothy 4:3, 4)
 Available for a “dime a dozen”
 Preacher’s
 Preach
platform
the Word (4:2)
 Sound doctrine (Titus 2:1)
 Expect all the Truth (Acts 20:20)
Looking To Satisfy Our Curiosity?
 Athenians
 Want
something different (Acts 17:18, 21)
 Seek “Old Paths” (Jeremiah 6:16)
 A curse to do otherwise (Galatians 1:6-9)
 Many
desire speculation
 Forbidden
(1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9)
 Never satisfied (2 Timothy 2:16; 3:7)
Cornelius’ Attitude
 The
humble want the Truth
 Cultivate
a love for Truth (Acts 17:11, 12)
 Pride brings rebellion (Acts 7:57)
 Truth
 Not
seekers listen attentively
turned away by plainness (John 6:66)
 No apology for strong preaching
(Matthew 15:12-14; Luke 11:45-52)
Why Invite A Preacher?
 Church’s
responsibility
 Uphold
the Truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
 Who will if we don’t?
 Speaker’s
 Preach
responsibility
the Word (2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:1)
 Not be intimidated (Titus 2:15)
 Paul’s example (Acts 20:26, 27)
Samuel Rogers
In those days we were emphatically a
Bible people. The Scriptures were our
daily study; we attempted to do nothing,
either as a church or as individuals,
without the divine warrant. As we were
assembled together to worship on the
Lord's day, we resembled more a school
of children, with textbooks in hand, than
a modern congregation of worshipers.
Samuel Rogers (Continued)
In fact, between the religious worship of
that day and this, there appears to me to
be almost no resemblance at all. We
occupied the time then chiefly in reading
and expounding the Scriptures, and in the
breaking of the loaf. Now the sermon is
the main source of attraction; and, in too
many instances, that is but a string of
sickly sentiments, poorly calculated to
Samuel Rogers (Continued)
impart vigor to the soul, or to edify the
body of Christ. We then delighted in
the law of the Lord; now, we delight in
the eloquence of the preacher. Then
the chief object of our worship was to
please God; now, it is to please the
multitude.
Samuel Rogers (Continued)
When I speak of these things, I am told
that the times change, and we must keep
up with the times; that such old-time
service would drive the people away, and
leave us nothing but empty pews. I
answer, that it would be better to have a
few empty pews than to have the pews
filled with so many empty heads and
hearts.
Samuel Rogers (Conclusion)
We had better fall behind the times than
to go beyond the bounds of Apostolic
doctrine. I am now, and have always
been, afraid to follow the times, lest they
lead me clear out of sight of Christ and
the Apostles. I had rather have a few
hearers and Jesus in the midst, than to
have ever so many hearers and be
without Him.” Autobiography of Samuel Rogers, p. 123
Conclusion
 Preacher-
Preach Truth
 Church- Demand Truth