"Here I Am, Lord"
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I. Introduction: Highlighting Significance
I. Introduction: Highlighting Significance
“One of the things I love about God’s Word is how often we encounter background characters of incredible significance.”
Introduce ANANIAS as a PRIME EXAMPLE from Acts 9.
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II. Ananias: A "Nobody" in the World’s Eyes
II. Ananias: A "Nobody" in the World’s Eyes
LIMITED SCRIPTURE REFERENCES to Ananias (Acts 9:10, Acts 22:12).
Described as “a DISCIPLE”
and “a DEVOUT MAN according to the law,
WELL SPOKEN of by all the Jews.”
**NEARLY NOTHING in LOGOS BIBLE RESOURCES** ONE PARAGRAPH!
BACKGROUNDIEST CHARACTER!
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III. The Context of Ananias’ Call
III. The Context of Ananias’ Call
TODAY’S READING/ RECAPPING SAUL’S CONVERSION...(Acts 9:1-9).
POWERFUL STORY
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SAUL’S STORY = INTERTWINED W/ ANANIAS’...
Read: Acts 9:10-19
Acts 9:10–19 (ESV)
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.
A. ANANIAS’ READINESS
“HERE I AM, LORD”
ABRAHAM, JACOB, MOSES, ISAIAH
“AT YOUR SERVICE”
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B. ANANIAS’ CALL/CHALLENGE
GO MEET W/ SAUL
**C.C. RELATABILITY of TOUGH CALL!!**
SAUL?!?!?! CAN YOU IMAGINE?
God’s Assurance: Saul is a “CHOSEN INSTRUMENT” (Acts 9:15-16).
SO WAS ANANIAS...
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Faith-Filled Obedience: Ananias goes without further debate (Acts 9:17).
(V17) CALLS SAUL “BROTHER” ACCEPTING HIM into FAITH-FAMILY!
PRAYS/HEALS HIM
BAPTIZES HIM
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V. The Impact of Ananias’ Faithfulness
V. The Impact of Ananias’ Faithfulness
ANANIAS = CRUCIAL to PAUL’S LIFE
Speculation: CHAPEL… FUTURE BISHOP?? WE DON’T KNOW.
ALL WE KNOW FOR SURE—IMPACT on PAUL.
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HIS SIMPLE OBEDIENCE HAD MASSIVE—ETERNAL IMPACT.
CONSIDER PAUL’S INFLUENCE:
STARTING CHURCHES
WRITING LETTERS
**CREDITED to ANANIAS’ ACCOUNT**
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VI. Application for Us
VI. Application for Us
Takeaway: God may call us to impact just one person, not thousands, hundreds, dozens—and that’s enough.
Examples:
A MOTHER RAISING CHILDREN— WHO IMPACT the WORLD.
A MANAGER LEADS COWORKER to CHRIST…Sparking a chain of influence.
SEMINARY PROF
TEACHING PASTORS
WHO TEACH CONGREGATIONS!
God’s plans & ways are beyond our understanding
PERHAPS WE’RE CALLED to BE BACKGROUND—THAT’S OKAY, GREAT EVEN!
OBEDIENCE = SUCCESS—NO MATTER the SCALE.
OUR HEART SHOULD BE: “HERE I AM, LORD”…AT YOUR SERVICE.
FOLLOWING:
READINESS & FAITH-FILLED OBEDIENCE of ANANIAS.
Discussion:
Discussion:
ANY EXAMPLES from SCRIPTURE/PERSONAL LIFE...
....of SIGNIFICANT IMPACT DOWN the LINE from BACKGROUND PEOPLE?
