This morning, many men desire the praise of their fellowman.  It is in man's sinful nature to desire worship, adulation, and glory.  However, the creation is not to be worshipped, but rather, the Creator is the only One that has that honour and right.  Many people today worship the preacher, much like Cornelius tried to do here with the Apostle Peter. Unfortunately, some men today would let the man continue to worship him unlike Peter who told Cornelius to rise up upon his feet. 

Cornelius is a devout man that fears God.  We are told that his prayers and supplications had been heard by the Almighty.  So, we do not have to wonder about the state of his heart.  The Lord has obviously been there already and changed it from stone to flesh.  Already the Spirit of the Lord has blown upon him, called him out of nature's darkness into the marvellous light, and he is a new creature in Christ.  However, we find that this born-again child of God is in a gross state of ignorance.  He cannot delineate between the treatment of the servant of God and the Lord Himself.   

Obviously, this is a clear state of gospel ignorance, which shows that a child of God can continue in error before, during, and even after the gospel minister's presence has been there.  The gospel brings life and immortality to light, and our understanding is greatly enlightened when the power of God moves a minister to speak in much demonstration of the Spirit and power.  The praise of men should not be the motivation of the minister, nor should his preaching lead the congregation into "preacher worship."  Some men do not preach in favour of this worship, but they do not nip it when it comes either.  A man of God should always be diligent to be as the angel in Revelation that told the Apostle John to, "See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."  To Jesus Christ alone belongs the glory in the churches world without end.  Amen.

In Hope,

Bro Philip