#109 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

Cornelius – Pt. 1
 (Horn or Strong Willed and Wise)  

 

 “About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision

an angel of God who had just come in to him,

and said to him, "Cornelius!"

(Acts 10:3-4)

New King James (NKJ)

Now that we’ve finished our study on Saul of Tarsus let’s take a look at another “Great Intercessor of the Bible” named “Cornelius” who was known as a Centurion who was a part of an Italian band at Caesarea (Acts 10) Cornelius was a very devout man who feared God as well as His whole household. Just like Joshua, “If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve—the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Cornelius had decided that not only would he serve the true and living God, But so would his whole house.

You see once Cornelius found out about the True and Living God, he packed up everything and moved his entire family to the Holy Land, in order to take full advantage of this divine opportunity. Cornelius embraced fully his new life and was well known for his generosity in giving alms to the poor; which signified his true nature being self sacrificing as well as his dedication to his new faith. “There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer.” (Acts 10:1-2) Cornelius loved the Lord and worshiped God and was an intercessor who prayed continuously to God.

One day while in prayer Cornelius had a vision of an Angel of the Lord, that called him by name “One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, “Cornelius.” Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, “What do you want, sir?” (Acts 10:3-5) Beloved it is a marvelous thing when God is so familiar with your intercession that he can call you by name!

Because of Cornelius dedication and commitment to prayer God had chosen him to be a catalyst for the “Blessing of the Gentiles” the release of the Holy Spirit upon the gentiles. “Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, “What do you want, sir?”The angel said, “Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. Here’s what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea.”  As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two servants and one particularly devout soldier from the guard. He went over with them in great detail everything that had just happened, and then sent them off to Joppa.”

In the meantime God was busily at working breaking down the prejudice in his servant Peter who was a Jew and considered the Gentiles to be unclean and unholy. “The next day as the three travelers were approaching the town, Peter went out on the balcony to pray. It was about noon. Peter got hungry and started thinking about lunch. While lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the skies open u; something that looked like a huge blanket lowered by ropes at its four corners settled on the ground. Every kind of animal and reptile and bird you could think of was on it. Then a voice came: “Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.”  Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord. I’ve never so much as tasted food that was not kosher.” The voice came a second time: “If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.”  This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the skies.” (Acts 10: 9-13)

Isn’t it amazing that God had to show Peter this vision three times in order for him to grasp what He was speaking to him? I wonder how many times He would have to speak to us, in order to get our attention today?  Well I’ve run out of time and will have to continue this lesson on tomorrow so join me right here for the next lesson on Cornelius another “Great Intercessor of the Bible”

My Prayer: Father God thank you for your graciousness and loving-kindness and for faithfulness. As we study the door of entrance which you use to bring about a monumental blessing upon the Gentile race we say thank you for including us in on the wonderful boundless riches of Your love. May we never take for granted what you have done for us and always give you thanks and praise, In Jesus name we pray Amen!!!

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace! 

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