Introduction: Does prayer work? Can Jesus save someone through prayer? Will you pray for someone who is not a CHRISTian today? Cornelius was a seeker of God but not quite a “Sealed and Saved Servant” of the Lord. He was PRAYING and FASTING with the light he had (he was not born again at the time). But his conversion came about by a believer in Jesus Christ who was also PRAYING and FASTING, namely, Peter. God the Holy Spirit hunted down Cornelius and captured his heart along with his whole family.

You see, God was working on both ends – on Cornelius and Peter to orchestrate His will.

Please take note how it was accomplished.

1.When God the Holy Spirit is working on one End! (Acts 10:1-5) – “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”

Although Cornelius was a God-fearing man, yet he had not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ….that He died for our sins on a cross but arose victoriously from the grave and offers forgiveness and eternal life through faith and trust in Him. The bottom line: Cornelius was obeying the light that he had, but desperately needed more light!

Since prayer is a cycle which circles from earth (birthed by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people), and ascends to heaven where Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us – and then as our Great High Priest answers the prayers according to His will and purpose – and He then sends the answer back to earth however He chooses.

Does hearing this make you want to pray more?

That leads us to discover how the Lord answered this “Heart Cry” from Cornelius. And then we can witness the lesson Peter learned about sharing the “GOSPEL” to the unclean race called Gentiles.

Do you believe the “GOSPEL” is still the Power of God unto salvation?

2.When God the Holy Spirit is working on the other end! (Acts 10:9-16) – “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

Did you notice that Peter was obedient to the Holy Spirit? In fact even before he was directed to go and preach the gospel to Cornelius, he was spending time – daily disciplines – with his Lord.

That was the key to him being used by the Holy Spirit. Don’t you want to be used for God’s glory? Just when you think someone will not or cannot be saved, our Lord surprises everyone. Aren’t you glad that He did not give up on YOU! Praise the Lord!!

Please pay attention how God works to save a whole family. Can He still do it today? Yes!

3.Household Salvation occurs! (Acts 10:19-21, 44-45) – “19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?”

“44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

If we are going to see the conversions of people we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Think with me for a moment….Jesus knows “where” people are in relation to Him and “how” to get them to His WORD in order to SAVE them through His REDEEMING blood.

Grant it. He can do it without us, yet He chooses to use us because of His great LOVE. Don’t you want others to experience FREEDOM from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin?

4.How God the Holy Spirit brought it all together! (Acts 10:30,31) – “30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.”

Did you hear that?

The Lord REMEMBERS.

By the way, He has not forgotten you or me! He REMEMBERS our tears, our needs, and our prayers for others. Doesn’t that BLESS you?

Conclusion: Who do you need to pray for right now? Will you do it? Don’t procrastinate. Follow through. Try PRAYER and FASTING. Be ready to join the greatest work on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit in converting men, women, boys and girls to faith in Jesus Christ.

There is a CROWN of REJOICING awaiting at the Judgment Seat of Christ. See you there!