What Can Happen When You Fast
Acts 10:1–48
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Acts 10:1 (NIV)
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
Acts 10:2 (NIV)
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Acts 10:30 (NIV)
So 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,
1st You Could Have a Vision
Acts 10:3 (NIV)
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision.
Acts 2:17–18 (NIV)
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’”
2nd You Could Have an Angelic Visitation
Acts 10:3–4 (NIV)
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear...
Hebrews 13:2 (NLT)
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- 1st Angels can remind us of God’s Word (Acts 1:10–11)
- 2nd Angels can protect us (Acts 5:18–20)
- 3rd Angels can give direction from God (Acts 8:26)
- 4th Angels can make you invisible, blind people, and move objects (Acts 12:7–10)
- 5th Angels can bring God’s judgment (Acts 12:21–23)
- 6th Angels can encourage (Acts 27:23)
- 7th Angels can point people to Jesus (Acts 10:3–5)
Because we are Christians the angels of God are at our service; they are ‘ministering spirits’ sent forth by God to serve and to minister to you and to me. Though we are unconscious of this they are exercising this ministry. We are surrounded by them, they are unseen, but they are there, and they minister to us because we belong to Christ. We sadly neglect and forget the service of angels; but if ever you feel lonely and bereft, and feel that you do not know what to do nor where to turn, remind yourself that your heavenly Father, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, has sent angels to minister to you as He did to Him in the hours of His greatest crises and His greatest agony.
—D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans 7 Commentary
3rd You Could Have God Work in Your Life Supernaturally
Acts 10:7–10 (NIV)
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
“I contemplated the glories of the heavenly world and felt a far greater love for the children of God than ever before, I seemed to love them as my own soul. This was accompanied with a ravishing sense of the unspeakable joys of the upper world.”
—Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1
Extraordinary affections, tears, trembling, groans, loud cries, aongies of the body, the failing of bodily strength, fits, jerks and convulsions.
—Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1
Thur. [April] 26. -...Immediately one, and another, and another sunk to the earth: They dropped on every side as thunderstruck.
The Works of John Wesley: Complete and Unabridged, 1:175
The noise was like the roar of Niagara. The vast sea of human beings seemed to be agitated as if by a storm... At one time I saw at least five hundred swept down in a moment, as if a battery of a thousand guns had been opened upon them and then immediately followed by shrieks and shouts that rent the very heavens.
—Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1
4th You Could Get Directions on What to Do
Acts 10:17–20 (NKJV)
Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant... the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
5th Your Family and Friends Could Be Saved
Acts 10:44 (NKJV)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
6th Your Family and Friends Could Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:45–46 (NKJV)
And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished... For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
7th Your Family and Friends Could Be Baptized in Water
Acts 10:47–48 (NKJV)
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
8th Your Fast Could Change the Course of History
