Sunday Mornings Message: 25th of August 2024
Emma Kalin
citywest YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlAYP7MTPo8
Introduction:
We’re diving into the story of Ananias and Saul of Tarsus. We'll explore how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things and how our response to His call can lead to significant outcomes. Let’s open our hearts to what God might be saying to us through this passage.
Read - Acts 9:1-18 (NKJV)
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptised.
NOTE: A goad is a long, sharpened stick used to prod oxen when they were hitched to the yoke. Not wanting to be jabbed again with the stick, the ox would kick against it. It would soon learn that it was better to accept the direction of the farmer than to kick against the goad.
Discussion Points:
What stands out to you in this passage?
How does the encounter on the road to Damascus impact Saul’s life?
God Uses Ordinary People to Work the Extraordinary:
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NLT
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
We don’t know much about Ananias from this small passage of scripture but the apostle Paul later in Acts (chpt 22) described him as a devout observer of the law who was highly respected by all the Jews living in Damascus.
We don’t know how he came to Damascus, or what happened to him afterward. In the passage of scripture just read he is identified as a certain disciple.
A certain disciple – not an apostle, a prophet, a pastor, an evangelist, or an elder.
God didn’t actually need to use Ananias for Saul to receive his sight back and to be Spirit filled. God had already worked powerfully in Sauls life while travelling to Damascus.
But God loves to use ordinary people who are willing servants to fulfil His extraordinary works. When hearing God call his name in a vision Ananias’ response is a perfect response to God “here I am Lord”.
Questions:
Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something ordinary that seemed insignificant?
How does knowing that God uses ordinary people impact your view of your own role in His work?
Faithful Obedience:
Read: Luke 11:28 NIV
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it”
When God told Ananias what he wanted him to do Ananias’ response was a hesitant pause, wavering for a moment because the reports about Saul were not good at all for anyone who was a disciple of Jesus. He even reminded God that it's his saints that Saul is persecuting and everyone who calls on His name.
It would probably have been natural for Ananias to hesitate considering the circumstances, yet despite his initial hesitation, he moved from that and was faithful and obedient to the word of the Lord. If we don’t watch it hesitation can hold us back from entering into what God has for somebody else.
Ananias’ act of obedience and step of faith launched one of the most influential apostles into his calling and purpose. A small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. You never know what is on the other side of your “here I am Lord”.
So many times when God asks us to do something that is contrary to reason, counterculture to the current environment and challenge what is so obvious it can have the greatest significance. Our perspective is so limited and small, but Gods is so vast and so wide, his perspective captures what has happened in the past, is now happening in the present and beyond into eternity.
This is the God we can trust, rely upon and lean into knowing that he has our future in his hands.
Questions:
What are some common reasons we might hesitate when God asks us to step out in faith?
How can we cultivate a heart of obedience in our daily lives?
Motivated by Love:
Read: 1 John 4:16 TPT
And we have come into an intimate experience with Gods love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them. By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgement because all that Jesus is now, so are we in this world
We live in God's love and let His love rule and be sovereign over your life so that fear will be cast away. The reality is that our God loves us. When we accept the reality of His love for us, then our fears do not control us.
Reports were all throughout the nation of Saul and his murderous threats, who had a track record of persecuting Christians. What the believers were concerned about, had happened. Saul was in Damascus.
Ananias had experienced Gods love and was abiding in Him and abiding in love. Ananias knew God, trusted God, loved God. There was no room for fear. This is evident by Ananias’ actions. He obediently goes to Straight Street, enters the house, finds Saul, lays hands on him and says “Brother Saul.....”.
That statement “Brother Saul” and the act of laying his hands powerfully communicated the love of God.
Saul could not see him. Ananias used his voice, words and actions to show Gods mercy.
God has a purpose, and we have a choice
Ananias responded in faith and love.
In all that God asks us to do, he has a purpose. He can see the bigger plan.
Ananias was an instrument used to restore physical and spiritual restoration to Saul
Questions:
How can experiencing God’s love change the way we respond to His calls or challenges?
In what ways can we show God’s love to others in our own acts of obedience?
Conclusion
Read: Acts 22:14-16 NIV
“The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.”
So, what are you waiting for?
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