What If You Don’t Want To? (AM Sermon Notes)
GIST: We might not want God’s calling, but we always need it.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:10-23
This morning we’re picking up where we left Saul...three weeks ago! (Missing two weeks of Sunday services with snow was crazy!) If you recall, we witnessed this killer of Christians having a humbling and life changing encounter with Jesus. Today, we’re going to see what happens to him next, but we’re also going to be introduced to a man named Ananias. Both men are given clear directions from God, but neither of them would have wanted to do what He eventually calls them to. Let’s keep that in mind as we read Acts 9:10-23.
“10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at 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 instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. 23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,”
I won’t drag this out unnecessarily here. As I mentioned in opening, both of these men are given a clear directive from God. However, neither of these directions would have been even remotely appealing at first glance. So here’s our gist for this morning: we might not want God’s calling, but we always need it.
I. WE MIGHT NOT WANT GOD’S CALLING
The first point to note here is that the callings both men received where uncomfortable. What they were asked to do did not correspond with their expectations.
Ananias didn’t want to approach that kind of person. (10-14) We have to put ourselves into his shoes here. Just try to imagine this. He is a believer from Damascus. Saul, who has a reputation as the man who is ravaging the Church, has come to Damascus with written orders to arrest Christians. Just knowing that had to have filled the local congregations with fear. Then, Ananias gets a vision from God. Imagine his excitement. If you’re in a time of absolutely devastation and fear, what more could you want than a direct encounter with the Lord? But what does God say to him? ‘Get up and go into town and heal Saul.’ What?! I think we can all relate to Ananias’ response. ‘Hold up, did you really mean Saul of Tarsus, the Christian killer? Surely, there’s been a mistake.’ Clearly, he was hoping God meant another Saul. He didn’t. In fact, His response was to say, ‘Go. I have a plan for this Saul.’
This challenged Ananias’ expectations about with whom he was to share the Gospel. It took him off guard. And, surely, it had to have scared him.
Saul’s experience wasn’t much different. In God’s response to Ananias, Saul’s future and calling are laid out, as well. “15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
Saul didn’t want to live this kind of life. (15-16) Remember, he had been the Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a prominent member of the highly influential Jewish ruling body. He was young, zealous, and on a mission--a mission that didn’t involve being blinded on the road to Damascus or being called to suffer for the sake of the one he sought to destroy. Nonetheless, even by the end of this chapter, we’ll see this suffering realized. Just peek ahead at verse 23, “When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,”. This wasn’t what he wanted. We’ll talk more about how God disrupted Saul’s plans when we look at the next passage. For now, let’s just note that this powerful persecutor would not have been looking to be persecuted.
Both experienced the call of God. Yet, it wasn’t what they expected. They weren’t looking to be stretched; they just wanted to be used. You might feel the same way. That’s why, as simple as this might sound, we have to remember God’s calling might not be what we initially or instinctively want. But→
II. BUT WE ALWAYS NEED IT
Let’s take just a few seconds to look at the aftermath of these men being called by God. Even though their callings were not comfortable, the results the their obedience were more than worth the cost.
Before we look at the significance of this relatively short event in Ananias’ life, I want to point out how he was preparing beforehand to be used by God. This might seem a bit disconnected here, but it’s important to see that→
Ananias was ready to listen. Look back at verse 10, “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." We’re introduced to him as just a disciple. But that’s awesome! I want to live my life in such a way that I can be remembered as nothing more than a disciple of Jesus. Also, he was a disciple who was ready to listen when God directed him. God said his name, and he immediately responded with, “Here I am, Lord.” That’s the response! ‘I am here. You are Lord, the one in control, the one in charge. I’m listening for your command.’
Why did he has this disposition? Because he had an intimate relationship with the King. How about you? Most of us would claim to want to hear from God, but are we listening?
That’s what prepared him for this calling. This is how he reacted to the calling that challenged his expectations. →
Ananias trusted and was used to break through a major barrier. Look at verse 17, “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Let me just make a few observations here.
1. He calls Saul brother. This term can be applied in a lot of different ways. However, it always implies a kind of connection between the speakers. In the immediate context, the term is used to describe the other Christians who help Saul escape persecution in just a few verses (9:30). Ananias was terrified of this man. In fact, let’s just take it a step further than fear. Ananias would not have liked this man. Until directed by God, he would never have wanted anything to do with this guy. Why the change of heart?
2. Jesus did all the changing! Why is there a bond now between two men who would have despised one another just a day before? Well, Ananias explains, “the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me...”. Jesus changed both Saul and how Ananias looked at Saul.
3. Ananias came to pray for more than physical healing. Jesus used this not only to return Saul’s sight, but to fill him with the Holy Spirit. We’ve talked about this before. He’s being equipped for service. With the benefit of hindsight, we now know this service will be HUGE! Ananias didn’t know that. He just knew Jesus changed him, so he went against societal expectations and got to be a part of something incredible.
What about Saul? His obedience to this unexpected calling was also amazing. First, we see that→
Saul experienced grace. Look at verses 18-19 “18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.” He once was blind, but now he can see! This isn’t just indicative of his physical condition. He, like all of us, was blind to his sin and hopelessly lost. Jesus came in, and now he can see. His life has purpose and direction, so he gets up, gets baptized, eats, and then→
Saul shocked people by proclaiming this same amazing grace. Again, let’s just read that passage from 19b-22, “For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.” Talk about transformation! He was the killer, the hunter, the one determined to bring down any belief in Jesus. Now, he’s proving to his former allies that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Savior they all need!
In short→ Lives were changed because these men followed God’s uncomfortable calling.
TAKEAWAYS
1. We should be prepared to be used by listening and trusting. If we want to hear from God, then we need to be listening to Him. We need to be in His Word, not searching for what we want Him to say, but longing to know what we need to hear.
2. We need to share the Gospel with arms wide open and eyes firmly fixed on the cross. Ananias was shocked when Jesus told him to go to Saul because this was a man fundamentally opposed to everything the Church stood for. Do you know people like that? Can you picture someone in your mind who you believe hates Christians, or at the very least, wants absolutely nothing to do with Jesus and His church. Ok, try and share the Gospel with that person. Don’t let personal prejudices stop you from sharing Jesus. There is no one outside of the reach of Jesus. There is no one who He can’t use. There is no one we shouldn’t be sharing the gospel with.
3. Potential earthly consequences shouldn’t hinder our pursuit of sharing of the only thing that matters eternally! Don’t let fear stop you from proclaiming Jesus. By now, you all probably realize I have verses I come back to often. Most of them speak to standing firm no matter the circumstances. Here’s one of my favorites, "16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
4. Don’t worry about the reactions of others. We’ll see next time that Ananias’ risk wasn’t immediately appreciated by the apostles in Jerusalem. They didn’t believe Saul was the real deal. Saul shocked people (for a good reason), but it still led to them wanting to kill him. HOWEVER, it also led to salvations.
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