The Obscure Servant

The Obscure Servant

2013-08-11

Act 9:10-17a

There is more space in the Bible devoted to convincing Ananias than to the conversion of Saul.

·      So far as we know Ananias was not an elder, deacon, or leader in church. 

o   We know nothing about him except what passage tells.

·      He was a Jewish Christian of Damascus and was in communion with God (knew when God spoke) and was a man whom Jesus Christ commissioned as His agent in healing/baptism of Paul.  Act 9:10-12

2 complementary divine visions that informed each about the other.

·      Ananias’s vision directed him to Saul.

o   This street still exists today but called by different name.

·      Saul’s vision told him to expect Ananias's arrival.

o   When God sovereignly works, He works at both ends of line. His reaction is understandable (not refusing)…the request appeared suicidal. Act 9:13-14

·      For the 1^st time in Scripture believers are called saints which means set-apart ones.

·      Ananias had no way of knowing of Saul's conversion.

o   It is implied by Paul’s praying to Jesus Christ that he has put his trust in Jesus.

§  This is not the 1^st time Saul prayed (Pharisees prayed 9 hours/day) but it is the 1^st time Paul got through because it is dependent on God’s grace not self-righteousness.

o   No man truly calls upon Lord, except through the Holy Spirit. 

§  "Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Ghost upon the renewed heart." C. H. Spurgeon

o   Prayer to new Christian is like crying to a baby. We don't teach an infant how to cry.

§  They cry because want their supplier to be aware of their need for something but can't articulate what that need is.

Ananias did not suspect Saul’s conversion nor his future ministry. Act 9:15-16

·      Jesus Christ reassured Ananias by revealing 3 incredible facts about Paul’s future:

o   He was a chosen instrument- Jesus chose Paul long before Paul chose Him.

§  The call to ministry was not based on the whims of men but on sovereign choice of God. Gal 1:1 & 15, 1 Tim 2:7

o   Paul will present the gospel to both Jews & Gentiles & in doing so will suffer for name of Christ. 2 Cor 11:23-29, & 12:7-10

§  No prosperity theology for Paul. 

o   The call to Christ was also a call to serve & suffer.

Despite understandable feelings, God commanded “Go” & Ananias obeyed. Act 9:17a

·      The ultimate measure of faith is a response to seemly illogical commands.

·      God does not need us, but has uniquely created each Christian to be used in a tailor-made ministry

o   Snowflake principle. All uniquely gifted, placed.

·      Every Christian has specific gifts and specific ministries that Holy Spirit has designed for them to carry out within the framework of God's master plan.

o   We may never know who or what might result from our obedience.

God very selective in choosing His people to do His tasks, many are obscure. 

·      John Staupitz: Martin Luther, Mordecai Ham: Billy Graham,

John Egglen: Spurgeon    

“He was not a very learned man and he gave a relatively poor sermon.  He didn’t know a whole lot about theology or Christianity, and so he had to, because he didn’t know too much, he had to keep repeating the text.”  Spurgeon & 1 Cor 1:27

·      God called an unknown disciple named Ananias to minister to a new convert who would become the 1^st great missionary & greatest theological influence in Chrsitianity.

o   God might use you to touch a life that will, in turn, touch millions.

·      Maybe not in a prominent or highly visible role, but God has a fulfilling plan for you that will bring Him glory by building His church.

Blinded to Receive Sight

Blinded to Receive Sight

2013-08-04

Acts 9:1-9

Saul's conversion was a monumental event in church history. It is mentioned three times in Acts alone.

·      Saul was by birth a Jew, by citizenship he was a Roman, by education a Greek, & purely by the grace of God a Christian. He was then known as Paul.   Phil 3:4-9

Christianity posed a threat to Saul’s religion, so he viciously attacked “The Way”. Act 9:1-2, Jn 14:6

·      His role was not one of executioner, but of arresting officer.

o   Ironically, Paul requested letters (lit. “epistles”) to help him destroy believers, but in future he would write epistles to build them up.

·      Damascus is a 150 mile, six days by foot, journey from Jerusalem.

o   Several trade routes linked Damascus to other cities in Roman world.

·      They would persecute Christians in Damascus to prevent spread of Christianity worldwide.

o   There was overt persecution = Christians would die for Jesus Christ, and would be silenced by killing.  Mt 5:11

o   There was covert persecution = Such as silence by shaming or threatening.

§  The goal of both: to silence you.  

·      Fear of persecution causes Christians to serve the needy but not share gospel.

Paul's conversion, like the Eunuch’s, was a work of divine sovereign grace.

·      God always initiates salvation (either quietly/spectacularly) since unbelieving are dead in their sins & can’t seek. Rom 3:11-12; 1 Cor 2:14; Eph 2:1, 4; Act 9;3-5a

God's grace: the man involved in Stephen's death was the next to see the risen, glorified Jesus Christ.

·      It was not the state Saul saw Jesus Christ in here, but it is implied & later stated. Act 9:17, 27 &1 Cor 9:1; 15:8

o   Noon bright light = radiance of Shekinah (presence) glory. 1 Tim 6:16

§  It Seems he went to ground from fear/reverence, not a fall from a horse

§  He was convinced that whoever is talking is LORD but didn't know who LORD was.  

The answer was shocking…completely refuted all he had lived for & turned his religious achievement/good works to garbage. Act 9:5-9, Phil 3:7–9

·      This was his worst imaginable nightmare: Jesus Christ was alive & is the Messiah, Christianity is true, and it is salvation by grace, not religious/good works….Saul was fighting God.

o   You’re fighting God if you believe good works will get you into heaven.

§  This is not about persecuting Christian's then or now.

Saul is a graphic illustration of true repentance; a miraculous dramatic reversal-

first of one’s beliefs, then of one’s behavior.  Act 9:6-9, Titus 2:11-15

·      Change is most evident in his attitude toward Christians. Phil 1:8, 1 Thess 2:7, 19-20

·      The transformation is not so much caused by an external miracle of bright light & the voice of Jesus Christ, as internal transformation & illumination which God brought: 2 Cor 4:4, 6

o   Salvation of men rests ultimately with God & not with us.

Paul’s conversion gives hope for today: 1 Tim 1:15–16, Gal 1:15-16,

·      This is proof that no sinner is beyond the grasp of God’s irresistible grace.

o   Saul who was so utterly closed & convinced Christianity was untrue, was saved in spite of himself.

·      God sovereignly reigns even if doesn’t feel like He’s in control.  CROSS

o   We can only see God’s predestined plan in rearview mirror, not in the windshield.

o   What began as a trip with a determined goal to wipe out the message of Jesus Christ; ended up as a trip with a man devoted to taking that message to ends of earth…from persecutor to persecuted

§  Imagine Saul & his companions thoughts

·      Jesus Christ extends an abundance of grace/love/patience to humble sinners for salvation & sanctification.   Phil 1:6, Col 2:6, 1 Cor 1:28-31

o   The repetition of Saul’s name signals an intimate personal address, & reveals Jesus’ merciful love even for one such as Saul….how much more to Christians?

Ethiopia's First Missionary

Ethiopia’s First Missionary

2013-07-28

Acts 8:26-40

This is a beautiful illustration of God’s sovereign providence as He worked out all details to save 1 individual & begin evangelization of the African continent.

·      It was a seemly unwise strategy: to pull Philip from roaring revival in Samaria to reach 1 man in desert.  Act 8:5-8, 26-29, Mt 18:12

God “led” Philip indirectly to Samaria out of necessity (fear persecution) & then extraordinarily guided Philip w an “angel of Lord” (OT) & Holy Spirit (NT). 

·      Bible does not rule out special guidance for today. Ps 19:1, Rom 2:15, 1 Cor .12:8–10

·      Scripture is all we need to be saved, grow spiritually, and determine right and wrong.

o   It is also sufficient for assessing and discerning all other kinds of revelations.

·      Pray for eyes to see, and ears to hear when Holy Spirit calls to divine appointment.  Lloyd-Jones

o   Holy Spirit has never audibly spoken to me like Phillip but I have had the Holy Spirit prompt me. 

o   It is wrong think direct supernatural guidance is more spiritual than indirect.

§  Easier to determine God’s desire with direct guidance.

o   Faith trusts God when we do not see (angel/vision), & we don't need to. 2 Cor 5:7  

The key for ordinary & extraordinary Holy Spirit guidance is being Spirit-filled like Philip.

·      He obeyed the illogical command w/o questioning God & went not knowing all that God had in mind.   Just like Abraham.

o   Follow Holy Spirit’s leading, even if it seems like demotion.

Governmental power in hands of queen Candace (this was not a personal name but a title)

o   The royal son was considered too sacred to be involved in secular affairs.

·      Extremely high-placed, trusted, well-educated, wealthy Secretary of Treasury returning 500 miles home to Ethiopia reading Isaiah. After worship God in Jer.

·      God is sovereign: Isaiah 53 (all implied in text) is the best OT picture of Jesus Christ—the suffering Servant’s coming, providing a substitutionary death, resurrection, and offer of eternal life. Act 8:30-34

Humbly expressed frustration everyone reading Bible…What means?

·      Do you understand what you read in Script or just read? Ps 119:18, 2 Tim 2:15, 1 Pet 3:15

·      Pray for understanding from Author of Bible & creator of mind…then study. 

o   Spurgeon: Butterflies flit over but bees dive into flowers & receive stomachs filled w/sweetness for their hives.

Philip knowledgeable enough in Scripture to know to begin where Ethiopian was.

·      1^st Gentile convert specifically mentioned in Acts was an African who was not won by an apostle but layman/deacon.

·      Effective gospel presentation based solidly on Scripture,  and the person and work of Jesus Christ.

o   not personal testimony, stories, tracts, etc., Rom 1:16, 10:17

See how the Gospel crossed racial differences (Greek/Ethiopian), religious differences (Jew/Gentile), and vocational differences (evangelist/government worker), socio-economic differences (poor/rich) in order to save a black Gentile eunuch.

·      His physical status is highly significant. Deut. 23:1, Isa 56:3-5

o   law prohibited eunuch from entering temple & inheriting Abrahamic promises but God pursued & saved the unclean and unworthy eunuch.

it was no coincidence that at precisely a critical time they came to water. Act 8:35-40

·      After baptism Phillip was instantly transported 20 miles away & disappeared from Acts. But 20 years later we read about him in Caesarea with 4 daughters who were all prophetesses. Act 21:8-9.

o   The eunuch was viewed as father of evangelism in Ethiopia. Ps 68:31; 87:4

God sovereignly brought each of us here today.

·      Salvation is a gift of divine mercy to the guilty/unworthy, not reward for works.

o   Isaiah: Jesus Christ makes us acceptable to God & fit to dwell with Himself in glory.

·      Christians should rejoice & be open to ordinary/extraordinary leading of HS. Spirit-filled

o   Anywhere (neighborhood, gym, club) could be your passing chariot or open door that God has prepped for gospel with results that may reach the nations or forever impact your life.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones…Here again is a most extraordinary subject, and indeed a very fascinating one, and, from many angles, a most glorious one. There is no question but that God's people can look for and expect "leadings," "guidance," "indications of what they are meant to do.  If you read the history of the saints, God's people throughout the centuries and especially the history of revivals, you will find that this is something which is perfectly clear and definite—men have been told by the Holy Spirit to do something; they knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking to them, and it transpired that it obviously was his leading. It seems clear to me that if we deny such a possibility we are again guilty of quenching the Spirit.” (The Sovereign Spirit, pp. 89–90)