Are You Standing in God’s Way?

‘Cornelius Factor’ in Reaching Muslims:

The Muslim People around the World are sincerely seeking God!
Their prayer and fasting during Ramadan is similar to the life of Cornelius in Acts 10.
Both earnestly prayed to God and did many good works to attain God’s favor.
This story reveals the 2 different Worlds of Christians and Muslims and their disposition and
and had angelic visitations which led them to Salvation.
God can reveal Himself to the Muslim people even today as we pray:

^“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.“

Acts 10:1-2

• Cornelius was a gentile but was a ‘‘devout man’ – Moslems too are very devout to their faith.
• He was a ‘God-fearing person‘ with his whole family – Moslems are god-fearing and closely knit in their faith to their families
• He gave alms generously even as many Moslems endeavor doing good works in the last 10 days of Ramadan which they believe will bring forgiveness.
• He prayed to God always – Moselms pray 5 times a day and much more during the Ramadan month. They pray all night during the night of power.

3. Angelic Visitation to direct him to Peter to hear the Gospel.

“About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”

Acts 10:3-6

• God is willing to send Angels to speak to Muslims although they don’t know the Lord.
• God assures that his prayers are answered – God is able to hear their prayer and direct them toward Him.
• The Angel directs Corneilus to Peter – Although the Angel appears to him, the Gospel has to be given through Peter.
• Peter had to be prepared through a vision to go to Cornelius – Peter’s prejudice against Gentiles like Cornelius had to be dealt with by the Lord through a Vision 3 times.
• We must pray that God will speak and prepare the hearts of Christians to love and reach out to Muslim neighbors.

Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Acts 10:34

Revival and a New Pentecost among Moslems.

When Peter partnered together with the Angelic visit with obedience and humility, the Lord brought a Revival to the whole family and region of Ceasearia.

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

• The Gentiles simply believed the Word and had a supernatural encounter.
• Moslems will encounter Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a powerful way this Ramadan as we pray.
• The Holy Spirit ‘fell’ on them and was poured out to whole communities.
• Let us believe that as we pray for this to happen during Ramadan.
• Praise God for a New Pentecost amongst the Muslims during this Ramadan!