I Need New Vision

Acts 9:1–22 NKJV

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 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.” 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.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 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. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 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.” 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. 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.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 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. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 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.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Vision doesn’t always make sense or feel safe.

Vision is made complete by obedience.

Acts 9:17 ESV

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.”

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

God’s vision for you -- whether it’s small or big, for today or the rest of your life -- are you

trusting him?. Yes, it might seem risky and oftentimes it goes against our natural way of

thinking, but IF it in fact it is God, God calls us to trust him like Ananias did. Obedience

without trust is only compliance, and trust without obedience isn’t real trust. But

having a heart that trusts God’s goodness and acts on that trust is the kind of obedience that

honors Him.

Here you have Ananias not just obeying, but trusting that God has his best interest in mind

and not just his interest but millions of others as we will find out through the rest of the story.

Vision returns more than it costs.

Saul becomes an amazing communicator of the Gospel. The very church he tried to destroy,

he is now working to build! It’s an incredible story of redemption! But it cost something. It

cost Ananias stepping out and obeying God’s vision for him. He had to overcome his fear,

and his belief that Saul was not a good choice to be a church leader. He took the risk to trust

and obey God, so what was the pay off?

A New Beginning - New Year, New You Sermon Series Outline | 48

That seed of obedience sown by Ananias would grow into fruitful ministry. Saul would later

be renamed Paul and would write more than 1⁄3 of the New Testament. He would start many

churches and give us the theology we have today that impacts churches and lives all over

the world!

I bet you that Ananias had no idea his trust and obedience would be so important to this

story playing out. Yes, his obedience cost him a little bit, but it would bring about a huge

blessing.

Application: The cost of telling the truth, will reap the benefit of trusted relationships. The

cost of loving your spouse like Christ loves you and me, will reap the benefit of a blessed

marriage. The cost of forgiving will reap the benefit of freedom in your own heart and mind.

The cost of obeying your parents will reap the benefit of blessing in your life.

What’s God's vision for your life? It could be to start something. It could be to stop

something. It could be something that will change the world, or just today. It’s time to trust

God’s vision, obey God’s vision, and watch what God does with your obedience!

1 Timothy 1:13–14 NIV84

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.