In Every Nation We Are Witnesses

Acts 10:34-43

Scripture Reference

Acts 10:34-43

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.) That word I say unto you, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Introduction

Title: “In Every Nation We Are Witnesses”

Preacher: Bro. Stacey Shiflett

This sermon comes from Acts chapter 10, the powerful account of Peter and Cornelius. The passage reminds us of a central truth: the gospel is for every nation, and the responsibility to proclaim that gospel rests primarily upon God’s people. Bro. Stacey calls the church to a renewed passion for missions and soulwinning, a recognition of the Holy Spirit’s power, and a personal commitment to be where the lost are—both near and far.

Praise the Lord. Amen. Well, it’s good to be saved. You’re already standing, so go ahead and open up your Bible to Acts, chapter number ten.

Quote from Preacher

This opening remark from Bro. Stacey captures both his warm pastoral tone and his urgency to get into God’s Word—an invitation for the congregation to engage their Bibles and hearts together.

Outline

Power Required for Missions
1. Promise of Power
  Acts 1:8 shows that the work of evangelism and missions is fundamentally supernatural: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…” Human effort and human intellect alone are insufficient. The Book of Acts demonstrates that kingdom growth flows when believers are filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2. Practical implication
  Prayer, dependence, and seeking the Spirit’s empowerment must precede and accompany our outreach. We should not be discouraged when door-knocking, tract distribution, or mission efforts meet resistance; spiritual opposition is expected. Persisting in prayer and in bold obedience opens the door for God’s power to work.
People Responsible for the Work
1. The Church’s Stewardship
  God entrusted the gospel to the Church (not to angels, not to government programs). Cornelius saw an angel but was directed to seek a preacher. The task of proclaiming Christ belongs to saved people—those who have tasted of the Lord’s goodness and can testify.
2. Personal responsibility
  Bro. Stacey stresses that every saved person is called to be involved. If you are saved, the Great Commission applies to you. You may serve in many ways—door-to-door visitation, inviting friends, giving to send missionaries, praying for the lost—but you cannot delegate your personal obedience solely to others.
3. Why the saved must engage
  Lost people cannot win lost people. Evangelism is birthed from the experience of salvation. It is a people-to-people work: hearing, believing, and preaching (Romans 10:14–15). The “disconnect” in reaching the nations is often us—not the unreached. We must be the bridge between the message and the lost ear.
Places to Reach
1. Every Nation, Every Tongue
  Acts 1:8 and Acts 10:35 remind us that the gospel is not restricted to the Jewish people—“But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.” We must have a global vision: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth.
2. Local and global at the same time
  Being missions-minded requires balance. Some churches are inward and never reach their own neighborhoods; others give to foreign missions but ignore local neighborhoods. Biblical missions embraces both the local street and the distant nation. God calls us to minister where we live and to send those whom God calls overseas.
3. Practical challenge
  Bro. Stacey’s church moved from 43 countries to 168 countries supported—an example of faith and intentional stewardship. Yet he reminded listeners that some nations still await a gospel witness from the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. This calls for prayer, giving, and sending.
Examples in Acts 10 That Teach Us How to Reach the Nations
1. Cornelius’ heart (seeking and sincere)
  Cornelius was devout, generous, and prayerful—but lost. God noticed a sincere seeking heart and sent an angel to point him to the gospel. The Lord honors genuine sorrow for sin and earnest seeking; yet outward piety does not save—only faith in Christ does.
2. God uses ordinary means—preachers and people
  The angel didn’t give the gospel; he pointed Cornelius to a preacher. God uses human instruments to deliver His message. That should humble and embolden us: we are God’s chosen delivery system for the truth.
3. Obedience over hesitation
  Peter’s threefold vision confronted his prejudices. He hesitated—“not so, Lord”—but the Spirit commanded, “Arise and get thee down.” When the Spirit says arise and go, we must obey. Too often Christians offer excuses—”I’ve never done that”—and so miss God’s work. Obedience transforms the mission field.
4. The harvest is real—people respond
  Cornelius packed the house and God saved the whole household when Peter preached (Acts 10:44-48). There are receptive hearts even among the devout or the deeply religious. When God’s Word is clearly presented by a Spirit-empowered witness, people can and do come to Christ.
Obstacles and the Needed Remedies
1. Fear and prejudice
  Peter’s partiality nearly kept the Gentiles from the gospel. Remedy: repent of our prejudices and submit to God’s Word and Spirit.
2. Passivity and complacency
  Cornelius “immediately” acted when told to send for Peter—but often God’s people delay. Remedy: quick obedience, faith-promise giving, and active involvement in evangelism.
3. Spiritual blindness in the world
  People can be devout and lost; formalism doesn’t save. Remedy: clear gospel proclamation—Christ’s substitutionary atonement, His resurrection, and repentance and faith alone in Christ.
Conclusion: The Great Commission Applied
1. We are the witnesses
  Acts 10:39–42 affirms that the apostles were witnesses and were commanded to preach. That command still stands. Every saved person is a potential witness and every church is a sending and receiving body.
2. Obey the Spirit’s call
  When He says, “Arise and go,” get up. It might be down the street or across the ocean, but the voice is the same. The harvest requires our feet and our mouths combined with prayer and the Spirit’s power.

Summary

Acts 10 shows us that God’s mercy crosses national and cultural lines, that the gospel is intended for every nation, and that the responsibility to deliver that gospel is entrusted to God’s people. Bro. Stacey reminds us that spiritual power from the Holy Ghost is essential, that saved people are the instrument God uses, and that we must reach both our local neighborhoods and distant nations. Cornelius’ sincerity, the angel’s direction to find a preacher, Peter’s vision, and the household conversion all combine to teach practical lessons about urgency, obedience, and the priority of evangelism. The core call is clear: in every nation we are witnesses.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree.

Quote to Ponder

This quotation from the sermon (Acts 10:39 quoted as Bro. Stacey used it in the message) centers us on the apostles’ role as eyewitnesses—reminding us that personal testimony about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is the foundation of evangelism.

Application for the Week

Here are practical, actionable steps you can take this week to embody “In Every Nation We Are Witnesses.” These are suitable for young adults and all church members seeking to grow in obedience and fruitfulness.

Pray specifically for the lost
Set aside 15 minutes each day this week to pray for the unreached nations and for missionaries your church supports. Use Acts 1:8 as a guide—pray for power, for witnesses, and for the regions your church targets.
Be ready to obey the Spirit
Practice a simple readiness prayer each morning: “Lord, if you say arise and go today, I will go.” If the Spirit prompts you to call, text, invite, or go out with a soulwinning team—do it immediately. Make obedience your first response, not your last.
Invite one person to church
This week, invite at least one unsaved friend, co-worker, or neighbor to a service. If you can’t invite someone in person, send a message inviting them to an online service or a mission conference event. Remember Bro. Stacey’s point: the church often waits for people who will not come unless invited and brought.
Participate in one outreach event
Join your church’s visitation, tract distribution, or local outreach this week. If your church has no scheduled outreach, organize a simple team to walk a neighborhood, pray at doors, and leave Gospel tracts. If fear or inexperience holds you back, partner with an experienced believer and follow their lead.
Faith-promise or begin consistent giving to missions
If you already give, increase your prayerful faith-promise this week. If you don’t give yet, try a small, regular gift—even a modest monthly gift helps. Trust God practically: when His priorities become yours, He provides.
Share your testimony briefly
Prepare a two-minute testimony about how Christ saved you. Practice it until you can share it clearly and lovingly. Use it when opportunities arise—on the job, with friends, or during an outreach. Testimonies are powerful and personal witnesses.
Study Acts 10 with a friend or small group
Read Acts 10 again this week in the KJV. Meet with one or two believers to discuss: What resisted your obedience? Where is God calling you to arise and go? Conclude with a plan of one tangible step you will each take this week.

Take these steps not as legalistic duties but as Spirit-empowered opportunities. The harvest is ripe; the Master’s command remains: go and preach. If the Holy Spirit prompts you to “arise and go,” respond in faith. The angels pointed Cornelius to a preacher—today, God points people to you. Be a faithful witness where you are and for the nations.

May God bless you as you obey.