Kingdoms Collide Part 15: Victory in Adversity

INTRO

Acts 9:1–19 (ESV)

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 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.

1) Like Saul...Consider Reality (v. 1-9)

Saul and his companions were passionate in their pursuit to preserve their belief in God…but their passion and confidence was misplaced.

While Saul thought he was serving God, he was actually relentlessly pursuing God’s people with the intent to destroy.

One interaction with Jesus changes Saul’s understanding of reality.

Before Saul’s understanding of reality, he was spiritually blind, but could physically see. Once confronted by Jesus, he could spiritually see, but was physically blind.

What a gift! Saul was learning physically and spiritually what dependence was. Anyone in Christ needs to know firsthand how to be dependent on God.

Far too often, we are like Saul.

While we are not actively pursuing the Church to destroy it, we can be blinded to the reality that we are denying and rejecting Jesus by how we live and engage the culture around us.

We often don’t experience spiritual victory because we are blinded to the reality of where we stand in spiritual adversity.

If we are not careful, we can be in a place where we have good intentions, but we must ask if our intentions are biblical and Christ-driven!

If we want to experience spiritual victory, we must first consider where our lives are at in reality.

2) Like Ananias...Confess Your Concerns (v.10-16)

Learn from God in expressing your concerns…don’t make your concerns into excuses.

As you consider what is the reality of your life, also be willing to confess your concerns to the Lord so that you can learn what is the reality of your concerns.

Far too often our concerns are excuses of why we can’t, but God sees beyond the concerns and therefore beyond the excuses.

Also, understand where true authority lies.

Ananias was concerned of the authority of the chief priests…yet God, who holds all authority, was calling Ananias with even greater authority.

3) Like Both Men...Conform to Obedience (v. 17-19)

Ananias wasn’t going to wait and see how it panned out. He entered the house and immediately addressed Saul as “brother”.

Saul has turned from pursuing destruction of Jesus to pursuing Jesus!

Ananias and Saul both experienced victory through adversity by submitting to obedience to Jesus.

CLOSING

We all face adversity in our lives, especially spiritual adversity. Far too often we fail to grow spiritually because we refuse to see the reality of what is actually happening.

IF WE WANT TO HAVE TRUE VICTORY WE MUST CONSIDER REALITY, CONFESS OUR CONCERNS, AND CONFORM TO OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

WHAT IS THE TRUE REALITY OF WHERE YOU CURRENTLY ARE IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT IS GOD WANTING YOU TO SEE SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE SPIRITUAL VICTORY?