Good Deeds are Good but not Good Enough

Rev. Enoch Thompson | June 9 2025 | Acts 10:1-8

KEY VERSE: “⁴The angel answered, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. ⁵Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter." Acts 10:4-5 (NIV)

MESSAGE: 

All religions prescribe acts of kindness and promote pious acts of prayer, fasting, meditation and sacrifices of differing kinds. In the case of Cornelius, it was noted about him, “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10:2 (NIV). Not only could this be said about Cornelius and his family, but God Himself, through the angel, confirmed that “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” Acts 10:4 (NIV). Certainly, if anyone could be said to be pleasing God, then and now, Centurion Cornelius was one of such.

But the text does not stop at the impressive religious nature of Cornelius. God acknowledged the efforts of Cornelius and commended him, only to insist that good deeds that seem so pleasing were not enough to please God and achieve the salvation of the souls of people. This is so since “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” Isa 64:6 (NIV). Cornelius was to send for Peter, who, as we shall later see in the chapter, would tell Cornelius and his very religious family, relatives, and friends the Good News about the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and the free salvation available to all who believe in Him (Acts 10:39-43).

Good deeds are good, but good deeds without Jesus cannot save the soul of anyone!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you accepted the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross as an act that was done to make you acceptable before God? You need to, so that your good works will begin to count for eternity.

PRAYER:

Dear God in Heaven, I declare that my good works of piety cannot save my eternal soul. I embrace the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as my only basis of receiving acceptance before you. Please help me share this truth with others, including even the most devout people who do not know Jesus. For His dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 160: 1 Samuel 23 - David Saves Keilah

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 DAILY word study: MEMORIAL OFFERING

The term “memorial offering” in Acts 10:4 comes from the Greek word μνημόσυνον (mnēmosynon), which means a remembrance, a memorial, or a record. It conveys the idea of something that causes one to be remembered, especially in the sight of God.

Cornelius’ prayers and almsgiving were described as a mnēmosynon—not just good deeds but acts that drew divine attention. His giving and devotion didn’t earn him salvation, but they stood as a testimony before God, prompting divine engagement. This reflects how God remembers even the unseen offerings of the heart when they are done sincerely. But the story also makes clear: remembrance isn’t the same as redemption. Acts of piety are not substitutes for the gospel of grace.

Reflection:

Are your spiritual actions done to be remembered by others, or by God? And if God remembers them, are you responding to what He asks beyond devotion, like faith in Jesus?

𝔹𝔸ℙ𝕋𝕀𝕊𝕋 Daily Devotional | AUDIO VERSION | JUNE 9 2025𝔹𝔸ℙ𝕋𝕀𝕊𝕋 Daily Devotional

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