Overcoming an infamous Reputation
Acts 9:26-31 (NIV) 26 When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
As children, we are likely taught that the one thing to value and protect above almost anything else is our name. Saul was proud of his name but found a reputation once established is difficult to change.
Paul tells the church at Philipi, “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
But God…because of the sacrificial work of Jesus, we are given a new identity. However we were recognized before, we are now disciples, Christ followers, and nothing will ever be the same.
Still, Saul learned it takes time to rid ourselves of past associations. People were wary of his motives, afraid his new attitude was simply a ruse to find and persecute Christians. But a young man named Barnabus had witnessed the transformation and testified to the veracity of the change. Barnabus accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and became well known as an encourager among Christians.
May we be aware of how our words and our actions impact others, and may the light of Jesus shine through in everything we do and say.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
Saying “yes” to God
Acts 9:10-16 (NIV) 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Do you remember the game, “Pin the tail on the donkey?” Played at childrens’ birthday parties, a child’s eyes were blindfolded, he was spun around two or three times and then pointed in the general direction of a donkey’s likeness taped to the wall. He was handed a paper tail and told to “Pin the tail on the donkey.”
Unlike the game where some light filtered through a blindfold, Saul’s blindness was total and represented the darkness of sin. Ananias, fearful of Saul’s reputation, was still faithful to God’s direction and went to lay hands on Saul. And, when God opens our eyes, we can truly see.
May we follow the example of Ananias whose faith overcame his fear to follow God wherever He may lead.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have You Had.A Road to Damascus Moment
Acts 9:1-16 (NIV) 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
And not only was a man named Saul changed, but Christianity was changed forever. Saul, who had made a name for himself by persecuting Christians, was chosen by Jesus to further the gospel. And a man named Saul of Tarsus was transformed into Paul, the Thirteenth Apostle. What an example to share with those who believe they have done too much to receive salvation!
Have you ever had a “Road to Damascus” moment? Allow me to share mine. In April 1987 we had a Lay Revival where we were asked to chart our spiritual growth over the past five years. I sang in the choir, taught adult Sunday School, was at church each time the doors were opened, yet when I charted my spiritual growth, I had flatlined. So, I began to pray in earnest that God would draw me to Him.
In August I was home alone getting ready to drive to Mena to pick up Jonathan from his grandparents. Suddenly the Holy Spirit flooded the room and I fell to my knees, praising God for all He was worth. And just like that my life was changed. I started reading the Bible daily, not just to check something off a to do list, but because it became life to me. I learned the meaning of praying fervently and I got up an hour early so that I could spend time with my Lord.
My “Road to Damascus” moment has seen me through financial difficulties, out of state moves, death of family and friends, and so much more. Yet, I say with assurance, Psalms 27:13 (NIV) 13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living. my redeemer lives.”
When was the last time you remembered your “Road to Damascus” moment? It would serve us well to recall those times when God has gotten our attention and shaken us out of our stupor.
May we remember we were created for a purpose, and may we live up to that purpose until God calls us home.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Acts 8:26-35 Philip and the Ethiopian
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
The prophet Isaiah said, “Oh, how beautiful are the feet of the one carrying the gospel.” So Philip, one of the seven called by the apostles to serve, continued his evangelistic journey. Sent by an angel, he left the city and traveled down a road south of Jerusalem where he encountered a man reading Isaiah. Approaching the man, he was offered a seat in the chariot and the evangelism began.
One of my prayers in the morning is that God would send someone across my path that I can help. I have encountered people in department stores, restaurants and doctors offices, all who allowed me to pray for them. But, these were all believers It has been years since I led someone to Jesus.
We are told in Matt 28 to go and make disciples—it is a clarion call to all Christ followers to share the gospel. When I preached, my benediction each week was, “Take the name of Jesus with you and share Him with all you meet.” But how often do we do that?
In our monthly life group, our leader announced that God is moving him to help transform our group into one that will actively seek out people who are lost, bringing them into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. And my answer is, “Here am I, Lord.”
May we exhibit the love of Jesus in all we do, and may we be empowered to reach out to those in pain or in darkness, and may the Holy Spirit shine the light of truth in all of our lives.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Give Us a Pure Heart
Acts 8:9-25 9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” 24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”
25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
In reading Acts, we are told of so many inspiring events—multitudes of people repenting of their sins and accepting Jesus, and others selling possessions to share with the Church. But there are others, like Simon, who seemed sincere until his motives were revealed.
It appears Simon missed the limelight generated by his magic and thought he had found a way to recapture the crowd’s attention. How tragic. Within his reach he had the opportunity to to accept Jesus, but he chose the superficial things of this world.
May we stay grounded in the Word, remaining faithful until the end.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 