The Comfort Zone
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This morning we are picking back up in our study of the book of Acts.
If you’re new to MCF, it would be helpful for you to know that we practice a form of preaching called Expository Preaching. What that means is, we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to understand what the Bible means and is saying in our lives today.
Currently, we are doing that through the NT book of Acts, and to date we have covered the first 8 chapters.
And in many respects that’s what chapter 1-8 has been all about. It started in chapter 1 as Jesus laid out the mission. Recording Jesus’s words, Luke writes:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
It then continued in chapter 2 as the first disciples received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. An empowerment that allowed them to speak and share the gospel with a supernatural boldness and ability. In chapter 4 Luke writes:
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
From there we watched as the message of the Gospel moved from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and then at the end of chapter 8 was presented to an Ethiopian Eunuch who just happened to be from a region of the world known as “The ends of the earth”.
All that to say, chapters 1-8 have provided us with a Biblical template for gospel expansion. A template that involves spiritual empowerment along with a willingness to take the gospel from where we live to the ends of the earth.
So, if you are new too MCF, I would encourage you to go online to www.mcf.life where you can listen to past messages leading up to chapter 8.
Today, however, we are picking back up in chapter 9 as Luke continues to introduce us to and unfold the story of a man named Saul. But before we get further into the story, let’s take a moment and recap what we’ve learned so far about Saul.
A man who from the beginning days of the church was determined to put an end to it.
#1, we know early on Saul hated the early church and was responsible for the death and murder of the first Christian Martyr, a man named Stephen.
#2 we know following the death of Stephen Saul led a great persecution against the church.
#3, we know along with the persecution, Saul was willing to travel great distances and go to great lengths in order to destroy the early church. Beginning in chapter 9, Luke writes, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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.” (ESV)
, who surprisingly would become one of the most influential Christians to walk the face of the planet. Because as we learned last week, later on in his life, Saul would eventually become known as Paul, a man we know today as the Apostle Paul. The man responsible for writing 13 of the 27 books of the NT.
Finally, and surprisingly, we know eventually Saul will become one of the most influential Christians to walk the face of the planet. Because as we learned last week, eventually Saul will become known as Paul, a man we know today as the Apostle Paul. The man responsible for writing 13 of the 27 books of the NT.
So, a good question would be, “What was Saul’s initial problem with the church? And why was he so determined to take out Christians?”
So, a good question would be, “What’s this guys problem? Why is this Saul guy so determined to destroy the early church?”
Well, as we learned last week, there were a couple of motivating factors for Saul.
Number 1, As a young man, Saul was a member of a group of religious leaders known as the Pharisees. A group of religious leaders who had devoted their lives too keeping and enforcing the religious laws and traditions of Judaism.
You may recall, this is the group that gave Jesus the most trouble in the gospels and along with the Sadduccees were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.
And it’s this group, along with another group known as the Sadduccees, who were ultimately responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.
All that to say, Saul’s one of these Pharisees.
But Saul isn’t just a typical Pharisee, he’s what you might call a radical Pharisee. In fact, years later as he looks back on his life as a Pharisee, he makes this observation about himself:
14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
Saul says, “Yeah, I was out there. I was the radical nut job in my posse”. Which supports his radical movement against the early church as he goes to extreme measures to protect his beliefs and take people out who threaten them.
So, why does Saul feel threatened by the early church?
And that’s why Saul is persecuting the church. He’s so committed to what he believes, he’s willing to go to extreme measures to protect his beliefs and even take people out who would threaten them.
That leads us to second motivating factor for Saul.
Number 2, Saul is threatened by the teachings of the early church, primarily because what the church is teaching goes against everything he has put his hope in.
For example:
The church is teaching that Jesus is the promised Messiah and deliverer of Israel. And Saul doesn’t believe that for one minute.
The church is teaching that Jesus is the promised Messiah, but Saul doesn’t believe that. For Saul, Jesus was a problem that needed to be taken care of.
The church is teaching that not only is Jesus the promised Messiah, but that He rose from the dead, is God, and that if a person wants to be right with God, they have to put their faith in Jesus and make Him Lord of their life. And for Saul, that’s about as blasphemous as it gets.
The church is teaching that in order to be right with God, a person must put their faith in Jesus and make Him Lord of their life. And for Saul, that’s about as blasphemous as it gets.
You see, the church is striking at the heart of Saul’s belief system and worldview.
Because Saul’s hope isn’t in his need for a savior. Saul’s hope is in the law. Saul’s hope is in the traditions. Saul’s hope is in his religious lifestyle.
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
But the church is teaching the law won’t save you. The church is teaching the rituals won’t make you right with God. The church is teaching everybody is a sinner in need of saving. And Saul isn’t about to have it. He’ll put an end to this false teaching if its the last thing he does.
Paul says when he was Saul the Pharisee, his hope and salvation were in keeping the law, observing the rituals, and keeping the traditions. And he thought it did it perfectly.
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
But the church is teaching the law won’t save you. The church is teaching the rituals won’t make you right with God. The church is teaching everybody is a sinner in need of saving. And Saul isn’t about to have it. He’ll put an end to this false teaching if its the last thing he does.
And as we learned last week, it’s really not the church or the Christians Saul has the problem with. The person he has the problem with is Jesus. Because it’s Jesus’s claims that ultimately threaten what he believes. Because it was Jesus Himself that said:
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
So, that’s why Saul is so adamantly persecuting the church.
And what was true then is still true today. Because at the end of the day, that’s why Christians are still persecuted for their faith. We are persecuted and hated because what we proclaim threatens what the world has put its hope in.
It threatens their hope in material possessions.
For example, they are persecuted by the world because the message of the gospel threatens the worlds version of hope, happiness, and salvation.
In addition to that, they are persecuted by religious people, because the message of the gospel threatens the hope many have put in rituals, traditions, and religious living.
Threatened because the gospel makes the audacious claim that the only way a person can truly be right with God is through a faith based relationship with Jesus.
So, as a result, those who stand for the gospel become a threat to those who refuse to believe.
That’s why Jesus said:
18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
It was true then, an it’s true today.
But the good news of the gospel is this. Despite the world’s hatred for Jesus, that doesn’t stop Jesus from loving those who hate Him.
Because as we learned last week, nobody is beyond Jesus’s ability to save, regardless of their past or what they’ve done, the grace of God is bigger than our sin.
So, while Saul was determined to extinguish the flame of Christianity, Jesus was determined to light the flame of faith in Saul, and as we saw last week, Jesus did it by inviting Saul to a good old fashioned “Come To Jesus Meeting”. A meeting where Jesus introduced himself to Saul and invited him into a relationship with Him. We read about it last week. Listen again to how Luke describes Saul’s come to Jesus meeting:
Acts 9:
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.”
Luke says on his way too ipersectue Christians, Saul encounters the glorified Jesus. An encounter so spectacular that it literally knocks him to the ground and leaves him blinded. Luke goes on to write:
Acts 9:
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.
Luke indicates this come to Jesus meeting had a spiritual impact on Saul, leading him to a moment of complete brokenness.
A moment where Saul recognizes Jesus is who He said He is.
A moment where Saul recognizes he’s not only guilty of rejecting God, but of killing innocent men and women.
A moment where his religious world came crashing down.
And again, what was true for Saul, is true for all of us. The fact is, at some point if you haven’t already, you’re going to have a come to Jesus meeting.
A meeting where Jesus introduces Himself to you and invites you into a relationship with Him.
A moment where you are presented with a decision.
A moment when your false hopes are challenged.
A moment where you either make Jesus Lord, or you continue to reject the truth and live for yourself.
My prayer is that like Paul, it will be a moment of brokenness for you, a moment were you humble yourself and recongize that Jesus is Lord.
So, that’s where we left off last week.
Saul the Pharisee had a come to Jesus meeting.
As a result he’s been humbled and broken
And now he’s waiting in Damascus for further instructions.
So, what happens next? We’ll get to that in a moment.
But before we do, I want to begin by building some framework for the next portion of this story. And to do that, I want to begin by asking you some questions that I think will help us get our arms around our passage for today.
So, with that as our starting point, I have three questions I’d like you to consider:
Question #1 - Have you ever been in a situation where somebody asked you to step out of your comfort zone?
And when I say comfort zone, I’m talking about the safe place or places you tend to live most of your life in:
The places where you pretty much know what to expect day to day.
The places where the risk is low and the outcome is always what you expected.
The places where fear or uncertainty are never a factor.
The places where you feel at ease and in control of your environment.
Have you ever been asked to step out of that place?
For example, maybe getting up in front of people and giving a speech or making a presentation is out of your comfort zone. But then your boss asks you to get up and give a presentation in front of your peers at work. And now you find yourself on a platform standing outside of your comfort zone.
Or maybe you’re not one given to social interaction, but then there’s that annual Christmas party your expected to attend. And now you find yourself drinking eggnog out of your comfort zone.
Have you ever been in a place like that? A place that stretched you? I know I have.
Years ago, I asked one of my ministry leaders to lunch, and so he suggested we eat at a restaurant I had never been to. I said, “Great, meet you there.” But when I arrived at the restaurant, he had gotten there ahead of me and had ordered our meal. And what I hand’t realized about the restaurant is that it was a sushi restaurant. And at that point in my life, because I’m from Colby, Kansas, I had never had sushi. And so no sooner had I arrived, the waitress brings out this giant platter of raw fish. And there I was, eating out of my comfort zone and trying to hold the fish down.
I think we’ve all been there, right? In that place where we’ve had to step out of the familiar and into the uncomfortable.
This leads me to a second question:
And what was true for Saul is true for all of us.
Question #2 - Have you ever had somebody ask you to do something that wasn’t just out of your comfort zone, but appeared to be scary, dangerous, or maybe even life threatening? Something that caused you to say, “Are you serious?”.
You may recall from last week
For example maybe your not a fan of heights, but then somebody asks you to jump out of a perfectly good airplane at 12,000 feet while wearing a back pack with strings attached to a giant sheet. It’s called skydiving. And you say, “Are you serious? No way. Not me. I’m not jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. I don’t want to die!”
Or maybe somebody asks you to go Shark Cage Diving in South Africa. Never heard of it? Check this picture out. I don’t know about you, but I’d be like, “Are you serious? Not me. I don’t want to be fish food!”
Personal Example: Years ago when I was working on my family farm, my dad bought a curvet building kit. I’ve got a picture of one to put on the screen. It’s a building that looks something like this that can be used to store grain, equipment, or whatever you want to put in it.
And so when my dad told me about the kit, and showed me what it would look like, I asked the obvious question. I asked, “Whose going to put it together?” And much to my surprise, he said, “We are.”
So, I said, “But dad, how are we going to do it? We don’t have the equipment to build it. We don’t have a construction or boom lift in order to reach the peaks.”
And he said, “I have it covered. I built some scaffolding we’re going to use to stand on while we put it together.” And then he showed me this.
And I said, “Dad, Are you serious! I don’t want to die!”
I think we’ve all been there, right?
One more question:
Question #3 - Have you ever noticed when you step out of your comfort zone, and conquer the fear, that’s when you grow the most and end up having the greatest impact.
That’s true, right?
For example, when you jump out of that perfectly good airplane at 12,000 feet, in that moment you conquer one of your greatest fears. And now that you’ve conquered that fear, you have a confidence you didn’t have before. You’ve grown. Because if you could do that, then what couldn’t you do, right?
Something that was out of your comfort zone. Something you were afraid of, has now brought growth into your life.
Not only that, but when you step out of our comfort zone and conquer your fears, not only do you grow, it typically has a profound or positive impact in your life and sometimes on those around you.
No, you didn’t want to give the presentation, but because you did, you challenged your co-workers. You brought new ideas to the table that will make the company better. You’ve now made a lasting impact not only on those present, but future employees who will benefit from your ideas.
No, I didn’t want to build the curvete building. No, I didn’t want to stand on that scaffolding. But I did. And now every time I go back home and see that building, it’s a reminder that if I can do that, then I can do anything. It’s a reminder that because I was willing to overcome that fear, I’ve made a lasting impact on my dad’s farm as each year he fills it with grain from the harvest.
Do you see what I’m saying? When we step out of our comfort and into our fear, that’s where we grow, that’s where we have the greatest impact.
Now, at this point, you might be wondering, Pastor, I’m tracking with you, but where are you going with all this?”
I ask you to consider these questions, because as we come back to our passage today, Luke is going to introduce us to a new character in the story of Saul.
A man who was was asked by God to do something completely out of his comfort zone.
Something that could be characterized as dangerous and life threatening.
But something, if done, would have a profound influence and lasting impact on generations to come.
That being said, as we move into our text this morning, I have three goals:
First, we’re going to read through the passage and find out who this man is and what he was asked to do.
Second, as we walk through the passage, I’m going to give some explanation and make some observations as to what is happening.
Finally, we’re going to look at how this story applies to our lives today.
So, to get us started, let’s pick back up in chapter 9 as Saul sits blind in Damascus awaiting further instructions. Beginning in verse 10, Luke writes:
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.”
Acts 9:10-
Luke begins by introducing us to a disciple named Ananias who lives in the city of Damascus. The city Saul had come to in order to persecute Christians. The city where Saul now sits blind.
He goes onto tell us that probably while sleeping, Ananias has a vision or dream where God gives him some a specific mission.
A mission that involves Ananias going to a specific location, to find a specific person, in order to pray that this person would receive their sight back.
In a way, it’s a Mission Impossible Ethan Hunt moment as Ananias receives an extremely delicate and important mission. The only thing missing from the conversation is, “This vision will self destruct in 5 seconds.”
So, before we go any further, there are a couple of things I want you to notice about what Luke has just told us.
First, when Luke introduce us to Ananias, it’s an introduction to somebody that at this point is a nobody. In other words, Luke doesn’t point us to a popular known Christian or disciple like Peter, or John, or somebody like that for this mission. This isn’t Tom Cruise or some known church preacher.
He doesn’t say, “Now there was a disciple at Marysville named Pastor Brad or Jacob”. He doesn’t say, “Now there was a disciple that puts on World Crusades named Billy Graham”. He doesn’t say, “Now there was a disciple who meets in a mega dome named Joel Olsteen”.
No. He says, “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.” Whose that? Exactly. He’s just an unknown Jewish Christian who happens to live in Damascus. The city where Saul has come to persecute Christians. The city where Saul now sits blind.
We’ll get to why that’s important in a moment.
Second, I want you to notice how this unknown disciple is ready and willing to be used by God. Because Luke says as soon as God calls His name, Ananias speaks a unique phrase. He says, “Here I am, Lord”.
You see, what we have to understand is the phrase, “Here I am, Lord” is a phrase used throughout scripture by those who are ready, willing, and available to be used by God.
For example, in , when God calls Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, listen to how Abraham responds:
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Abraham is ready and willing to be used.
We also see a form of this phrase in when God calls the prophet Samuel into service. In we read:
10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
1 Samuel
Samuel says, “I’m ready, sign me up!”.
The point being, when God calls Ananias, his response alone tells us a lot about this unknown individual. It tells us this is a man who wants to be used by God. This is a man who is ready to be used by God. This is a man who is just waiting for God to activate Him for service.
Third, while he’s ready and willing, Luke says what God has asked him to do is definitely out of his comfort zone. Something that Ananias wasn’t expecting and appears to be extremely dangerous and life threatening. Something that probably caused him to stop and say, “God, are you serious?”
How do we know? We know because of his response. Listen to what Luke goes on to tell us as Ananias responds to God’s instructions:
Second, Luke says the Lord spoke to him in a vision. More than likely the word vision here is meant to imply a dream state. Meaning, the Lord spoke to Ananias while he was sleeping, through a very vivid dream.
Acts 9:
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.”
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.”
Acts 9:10
Ananias says, “Wait a second God. I’m not sure I heard you correctly. Did you just say you want me to go visit the man who has been persecuting and killing all the Christians in Jerusalem? The guy that has authority from the chief priests to hunt down and arrest anybody who follows you. Did I just hear you say, you want me to go where he is, identify myself as a Christian, and then pray for him? God are you serious?”
That’s what Ananias is basically saying. So, how does God respond? Luke writes:
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.”
Acts 9:15
God says, “Yes Ananias, you heard me correctly. I want you to go to Saul, the man who has been killing your friends. The man who has come to Damascus to arrest someone like you. I want you to go to him, pray for him, and lead him to faith in me, because I have a great purpose and plan for his life.”
Wow, that’s definitely outside of the old comfort zone, wouldn’t you say? That’s definitely a life threatening and dangerous mission Ananias is about to go on. Sounds more like a kamikaze mission.
Think of it like this. This would be like God speaking to a Jew hiding in Berlin during WW2. And God says to the Jew, “I want you to go to Nazi Headquarters, find Hitler, and pray for him, because I have a great plan and purpose for his life?”
And the Jew says, “God, Did I just hear you right? Did you just say you want me to go find Hitler, the guy who has sent most of my friends to concentration camps. The guy who has been hunting down and killing my family and friends. Did you just say you want me to leave the security of my hiding place, go find him, identify myself as a Jew, and pray for him, because you have a great plan and purpose for his life? God, are you serious?”
That’s how crazy this would have sounded to Ananias.
So, what does Ananias do? Does he decide its best to stay in his comfort zone?
Does he attribute the dream to the pizza he ate the night before? No. Luke writes:
“So Ananias departed and entered the house...” (ESV)
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.”
Luke says despite the uncomfortable and dangerous position this would put him in, Ananias is obedient, trusts the Lord, and goes to Saul.
And upon finding Saul he does exactly what God told him to do. He reveals who he is and why he came. Because as he enters the house, Luke writes, “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.’” (ESV)
“In other words, Ananias says, “Saul, I’m a Christian, and Jesus sent me here to pray that you would be healed and to lead you to faith in Him.
In other words, Ananias says, “Saul, my name is Ananias, I’m a Christian, and Jesus sent me here for two reasons. First, to pray that you would be healed of your blindness you recieved on the road to Damascus. And second, to lead you to faith in Jesus so you can experience the new birth and be filled with the Spirit.”
Mission accomplished. So, how does Saul respond? Well, apparently Saul offers no resistance. Why? Because what Ananias has just said has already been revealed to Saul. Maybe you didn’t catch it, but listen again to the instructions God gave Ananias back in verse 11. Luke writes:
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.”
Notice, when Jesus gives Ananias his marching orders, he tells him that Saul knows he’s coming. That it has already been revealed to Saul in a vision he had that a man named Ananias was going to show up, pray for him, and restore his sight.
All that to say, Saul offers no resistance because all of this is confirmation to Him. He’s been waiting for a man named Ananias to show up who is going to pray for him so he can be healed. And now he’s here.
Luke writes:
So, what happens next? Luke writes:
“And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight.” (ESV)
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.
In other words, Ananias’s job was to pray for Saul’s healing and lead him to faith in Jesus.
Acts 9:18-19
Luke says as Ananias prays for Saul, whatever had caused Saul’s blindness falls from his eyes, and in a miraculous moment, he receives his sight back and puts his faith in Jesus.
How do we know he put his faith in Jesus? We know because Luke writes, “Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.” :18b-19 (ESV)
Luke says following his healing, Saul officially puts his old life behind him and puts his faith in Jesus, which is symbolized by the NT pattern of water baptism. Exactly what we did here this morning. In fact, it could this moment of faith and baptism that later inspired Paul to write in 2 Corinthians 5:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Because in this moment, the old Saul has died and the Apostle Paul, the man who would write 13 of the 27 books of the NT, the man who over the centuries will and has inspired millions of people to put their faith in Jesus, has been born, and the Christian world will never be the same again.
So, at this point, a great question would be, “How does this story and this event apply to you and me?”
In closing, I’d like to suggest it applies in a two key ways:
The first way it applies is this:
Application #1 - When God’s plan sounds crazy, we have to trust that God has a Grand Plan.
We see this demonstrated through the story of Saul. A plan that begins with a come to Jesus meeting on the road to Damascus.
A plan that continues through two separate but connected visions given to both Ananias and Saul. Two people who have never met, one a nobody, the other a known persecutor of the church.
Two people who receive separate instructions, instructions meant to turn one of the greatest persecutors of the church into one of the greatest champions of the church.
Instructions meant to turn one of the greatest persecutors of the church into one of the greatest champions of the church. A plan that a man would never conceive. A plan that would set the church up to reach the unreached. Listen again to what the Lord says to Ananias when he questions God’s plan:
A crazy plan that a man would never conceive. A plan that would open the doors wide for gospel expansion. Listen again to what the Lord says to Ananias when he questions God’s plan:
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.
Acts 9:
God says, “Ananias, I know it doesn’t make sense and it sounds crazy, but Saul is the man I’m going to use to reach people that haven’t been reached yet.”
In other words:
He’s the one who will build a foundation for gentile salvations.
He’s the one who will stand before kings and proclaim the gospel.
He’s the one who will challenge his Jewish brothers and sisters to turn from religion and embrace relationship. Saul is part of my grand plan Ananias, so stop questioning it and go.
And what was true then is true today. The fact is, God is still working out His grand plan of salvation through those who follow Him. And unfortunately, sometimes His plan and His ways don’t always make sense to us. In fact, sometimes it seems crazy. And the truth is, we struggle with that. Why do we struggle? I think we struggle for one significant reason.
We struggle because most Christians fail to live with a gospel focus.
#1, we struggle because most Christians fail to live with a gospel focus.
And what I mean by that is, instead of living our lives for the advancement of God’s kingdom, we tend to live our lives building our own kingdoms.
The Apostle Paul cautions us against that. Listen to what he says in :
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:
Paul says, “If you’re a Christian, then live by looking up. Live with a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly perspective. Don’t get caught up in the distractions of this life. Don’t get caught up in the desires of this life. Live your life and set your attention on the life to come. Make God’s plan your plan. Make reaching people for Jesus a priority.”
Because at the end of the day, that’s God’s grand plan. To save as many people as possible before Jesus returns. That’s what we are striving for. That’s what our lives are to be committed and dedicated to.
And I’m telling you right now, if you start viewing and living your life through that lens, how God’s working in your life and what He’s doing in the world around you will start making more sense. For instance:
Geographically, why God wants you to move, will start making more sense.
In your workplace, why that person you can’t stand is in the cubical next to you, will start making more sense. Because it could be God wants you to share your faith with them. It could be you’re the one who is going to reach them.
Why you didn’t get the promotion and they did, will start to make more sense. Because it could be, God’s not done using you or your going to have more opportunity to be used in the position your in.
Why this job and not another, will start to make more sense.
In your personal life, why the accident took place will start making more sense. Because it could be God wanted to work through the accident.
For example, I shared last week how the death of Brooke Berringer led me to Christ. But I wasn’t the only one. As a result of the testimony of his life, thousands of people have come to faith in Jesus. To be honest though, at the time, his death didn’t make sense. It was a crazy tragedy. But fast forward 20 years, and it makes a little more sense. Brooke was God’s chosen instrument to lead people to Jesus.
Do you see how this works? That as Christians, what’s happening in our lives isn’t random, but instead it’s part of a bigger plan.
I’m just telling you, if you start living your life with that perspective, what’s happening in your life will start making more sense.
This leads us to a second application:
This leads us to a second application:
Application #1 - God has a plan for your life.
The fact of the matter is, God is looking for people like Ananias who are willing to say, “Here I am, Lord”.
You see, that’s what I love about this story. The fact that God didn’t use a mega apostle like Peter to reach Saul, or a famous Evangelist like Billy Graham, or even a local pastor. No, he used a guy nobody knew. An unknown Christian living in Damascus. A man who was ready, willing, and available. A man who when called upon said, “Here I am, Lord”.
And what was true then, is true today. The fact is, God is still looking for individuals like that.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Marysville.
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.
Acts 9:
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Blue Rapids. He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Frankfort. He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Seneca. He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Wymore. He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Home City. He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Beattie. He’s looking for an unknown disciple who is willing to say, “Here I am, Lord, use me.” He’s looking for someone like you to do something great for Him.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Blue Rapids.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Frankfort.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Seneca.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Wymore.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Home City.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple living in Beattie.
He’s looking for an unknown disciple who is willing to say, “Here I am, Lord, use me.” He’s looking for someone like you to do something great for Him.
Now, you might be thinking, “Oh I don’t know about that pastor. I’m just a nobody. Why would God want to use me? How would He use me? I’m not sure my involvement would really make that much of a difference?
looking for individuals in communities like Marysville, Blue Rapids, Waterville, Home City, Frankfort, Hanover, Wymore, Beattie, Washington, and Seneca who are willing to say, “Here I am, Lord, use me”. People like you.
Let me ask you this, “What if Ananias would have had that attitude?” What if Ananias would have lived with the perspective that, “I’m a nobody from Damascus that God could never use.”
What a tragedy that would have been for Ananias. Because not only would he have missed out on being used by God, but he would have missed out on leading one of the most influential leaders in church history to Jesus. The man who would eventually write 13 of the 27 books of the NT. Ananias would have missed out on impacting this world for Jesus in a monumental and significant way.
Here’s the deal. You’re not a nobody from nowhere. You’re a somebody that God wants to use in a significant way. But for Him to use you, you have to be willing to say, “Here I am, Lord”. You have to be willing to say, “God use me”.
And if you’re willing to say that, who knows what God will do through you. Who knows what you’ll accomplish for God’s Kingdom. Who knows how impactful your life and witness will be.
But I can promise you this, it will be something great, and it will be something that has a significant impact for God’s kingdom.
One final Application:
I want you to think about that. God used a man nobody knew to lead one of the most influential leaders in church history to faith in Jesus.
Application #2 - God’s plan for your life will always take you out of your comfort zone.
And the truth is, if Ananias would have
The fact of the matter is, in order to do great things for God, we’re going to have to be willing to step out of what’s comfortable.
For Ananias to lead Saul to Jesus, Ananias had to step out of his comfort zone. He had to be willing to put himself out there. He had to be willing to trust God in a way he maybe never had before.
And what was true then, is still true today. The fact of the matter is, in order to do great things for God, to go where God wants you to go, to accomplish what He’s called you to do, it will require you to step outside of your comfort zone.
For example:
It’s going to require you to talk to that person sitting next to you at work. The one who doesn’t know Jesus.
It’s going to require you to invite that person to church. The neighbor who lives next door to you.
It’s going to require you to share your faith.
It's going to require you to take a step you’ve never taken before. To maybe go somewhere you’ve never been. To do something that almost seems crazy.
It’s going to require you to trust God in a way you never have before.
And I know what some of you are thinking. You’re thinking, “I don’t know pastor. That sounds scary. What if they laugh at me? What if they say no to the invite? What if they make fun of my testimony?”
Here’s what I would say to that. The truth is, they may laugh at you. They may say no. They make fun of you. But who cares. You’re not living for what they think. You’re living for what God thinks. Your job is to be obedient. That’s it. And then let God take care of the rest.
“Ok pastor, but what if I take the wrong step? How do I know when it’s really God speaking to me to step out? How do I avoid doing something stupid or that could cause harm in my life? Or what if He doesn’t speak to me? Will I have a vision like Ananias? Will God make it that clear to me?”
Here’s what I would say to that. If your prayer is, “Here I am, Lord”, it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” God is going to speak to you and use you. And I don’t know when that will be. But what I can tell you is when He does speak, you’ll know.
Sometimes the voice will be a stirring in your spirit. Something that says, “It’s time to Step out”.
Sometimes it will be an open door that was once closed. And you’ll sense the peace to step through.
Sometimes his voice is an opportunity that wasn’t there before.
Because in that moment, something in you will begin to stir. Doors will begin to open. Opportunities will begin to present themselves.
Sometimes it will be an opportunity that wasn’t there before. And God’s hand will lead you through.
And sometimes, it will be an actual voice. The voice of a friend, a mentor, or a pastor as they confirm what you already know God is saying to you. ‘
A voice that begins to speak when all of a sudden, your co-worker asks you a spiritual question. A voice that begins to speak as a new opportunity comes your way.
Let me give you a personal example of how this works:
In 2003 I was on staff at a large church in Springfield, MO. The church I had dreamed of working at. The church I thought I would spend the rest of my ministry career at.
But after 6 years of ministry there, I started sensing an uneasiness in my Spirit, and I knew change was coming.
But if I’m honest, I didn’t want anything to change. Want to know why? Because I was comfortable. Because I liked my comfort zone. So, you know what I did? I ignored the stirring. So, do you know what God did? He decided to speak to me in another way.
It happened on a Tuesday morning in 2009 as I sat in our weekly staff chapel and watched a DVD message by Pastor Craig Groschel called, “Stepping Into Your Pain”.
And as Craig spoke, the pain he was describing was what you might call “purposeful pain”. The pain that comes when you step into God’s plan for your life. The pain that comes when you step out of the comfortable and into the uncomfortable plan that God has for you.
The message hit me between the eyes, and As I walked out of staff chapel that day, I could clearly hear God’s voice say to me, “It’s time for you to step into your pain.” And I knew exactly what that meant. tIt meant it was time to leave my comfortable ministry position in Springfield. So, guess what I did? I kept ignoring the voice.
So, God used another voice. This time an audible voice. It was the voice of my wife, because she was sitting in that staff chapel as well. And it wasn’t long after that staff chapel that Denise said to me, “Brad, I think God is calling us to leave Springfield”. And you want to know what I said? I said, “Denise, I don’t want to ever hear you say that again. Be quiet.”
So, God used another voice, not a fun voice, a voice I’m going to call the voice of discomfort. Because when you ignore the voice of God, here’s what happens. God turns up the heat. And begins to make what’s comfortable uncomfortable.
And so over the course of the next several months I became more and more uncomfortable and miserable, to the point I didn’t even want to go to work. To the point where I had to finally listen to the voice, and be willing to step into my pain.
And so on a Tuesday afternoon, in the summer of 2010, I walked into my pastors office, and without knowing where I was going or what I would do, I resigned my position.
To be honest, it was the hardest, scariest, but easiest thing I’ve ever done.
Now, you might be thinking, “Pastor, ok, how does that work? That sounds crazy. That sounds a little kamakaze mission. How can that be easy? To resign with no job. How did you know that’s what God wanted you to do?”
I knew because the night before that meeting, as I sat in turmoil praying and dreading the meeting, my phone rang. I could see on the caller id it was a friend of mine who I used to work with at the church. He’d left about a year before that and I hadn’t talked to him sense. So I answered.
He said, “Hey Brad, I was just thinking of you, and I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but I felt like the Lord wanted me to call and tell you something. He wants you to know when you decide to leave your position there, you don’t have to worry about where you’re going, He’s going to take care of you. He has a plan for you.”
My friend had no idea I was meeting with my pastor the next day. No idea i was contemplating resigning. But God did, and It was in that moment, the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone left me as I felt a supernatural peace come over me.
No, I didn’t have a job lined up. No, I didn’t know what the future would hold. But what I did have was a promise. A promise that God would provide and that He had a plan for my life. And what I didn’t know is that eventually His plan would lead me hear. To a place called MCF. And I’m so glad I listened. Because had I not listened, not only would I not be be here, but I would have missed out on all that God wanted to do in and through me in a place called Marysville.
Listen, I don’t know what God’s plan for your life is. I don’t know what stepping out of your comfort zone means for you. All I can tell you is, if you follow the Lord’s voice, you don’t have anything to fear. He will take care of you. He will guide you. And your obedience will lead to greater kingdom impact.
Now, I will say this, sometimes God’s’ voice is silent. Sometimes there is no stirring. Sometimes there is no peace. Sometimes the door doesn’t open. Sometimes the opportunity doesn’t comes. And what I’ve found to be true is when God is silent like that, He’s speaking loudly. And what He’s saying is, “Wait”.
And sometimes God’s’ voice is silent. Sometimes there is no stirring. Sometimes there is no peace. Sometimes the door doesn’t open. Sometimes the opportunity doesn’t comes. And what I’ve found to be true is when God is silent like that, He’s speaking loudly. And what He’s saying is, “Wait”.
You see, for some, the challenge is waiting for God’s voice to speak. They’re so eager to be used or go that they end up taking a step when it isn’t time. And that can be just as harmful as ignoring the voice.
So, a great question would be, “Where do we go from here What do we do with what we’ve learned this morning?”
Well, it kind of depends on where you’re at.
For some, maybe as a Christian, you’re at a place where it’s time to recognize that God has a plan for your life. That you’re not here just to live for yourself and attain the American Dream. But that God has a Kingdom plan and purpose for your life. That through you, your gifts, your talents, and your resources, God wants to do something great. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
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What Paul is basically saying here is that we are to live looking up. Living with an eternal mindset versus a temporal. Living knowing that God has a plan and purpose for your life.
You might be wondering, “What does that plan entail?” I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you. And neither will you unless you ask.
So, maybe for some today, it’s time for you to quit living horizontally, and to look up and say, “Here I am, Lord”. And then who knows what God might want to do in and through you.
And then there are some today, and it’s not that your not willing and available, your problem is that you’ve become comfortable. Comfortable with your lifestyle. Comfortable with your income. Comfortable with your friendships. Comfortable with your routines. Comfortable in your faith journey. Comfortable with your job. You’re just comfortable.
And please don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable. But if you’re not careful, your comfort will make you stale. Your comfort will keep you from moving into all that God has for you. Because I hate to tell you this, but the Christian life isn’t designed to be comfortable. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” Meaning, discomfort comes with the territory. Because it’s in discomfort that we grow. It’s in discomfort that we learn to depend on God more. It’s in discomfort that God begins to do his greatest work in and through us.
But for that to happen, you have to be willing to step outside of the comfort zone.
What does that look like for you? I don’t know.
Maybe it’s something as simple as sharing your faith with a co-worker.
Maybe it’s walking across the street and inviting your neighbor to church.
Or maybe it’s something more significant. Maybe it’s a change of occupation. Maybe it’s a move to a new town. Maybe it’s something that stretches you further than you’ve ever been stretched.
Example - Caleb’s Journey
Started coming to church a few years ago because his girlfriend said she’s break up with him if he didn’t.
Ended up putting his faith in Jesus. Got baptized.
Over the past two years, he went to school to become a diesel mechanic.
After finishing school, got a great job, bought a home.
But over the past year has felt a stirring. Maybe feels called to ministry. Not sure what that means or what he’s supposed to do.
He and I took a trip to Springfield to Evangel.
During that trip Caleb recognized his calling.
Came home, put his house up for sale, and it sold within three days.
Will start attending Evangel this Fall.
Believes God has called him to Missions work and that God is going to use his Diesel Mechanic trade to help him do that. Believes all along God had a plan and purpose for his life. He had to be willing though to step into his pain and out of his comfort zone. His comfort zone being Marysville, KS, all he’s really ever none.
So, that’s what it looks like for Caleb. So, what does it look like for you? What comfort zone is God asking you to step out of.
Maybe for you, it’s the comfort of a mediocore Christian life. Maybe it’s time to stop playing church and start living for Jesus. Maybe it’s time to recommit your life to Jesus today.
Maybe for some, it’s the next step in your faith journey. Maybe it’s to get water baptized. Maybe that’s a step you’ve never taken, and the reason you’ve never taken it is because its out of your comfort zone. It’s out of the comfort zone of your upbringing. It’s out of of the comfort zone of what people might think.
Maybe it’s time to step out of your comfort zone and into the water. Maybe it’s time to let go of the pride, let go of the fear, let go of the tradition, let go of whatever is holding you back and step into what God has for you.
I can’t think of a better day for you to do it. We have the tank, we have the water. It’s time for you to step out of your comfort zone and take your next step.
And the truth is, it will look different for you, but what will be the same is in order to Go and do what God has called you to do, you’ll have to be willing to step out of the comfort zone you’ve been living in.
Finally, there are some here today, and the truth is, you don’t have a relationship with Jesus. But as I’ve spoke this morning, there’s been a stirring in your spirit. A voice that is speaking to you, calling you, and inviting you. A voice that is telling you there is more to life than you know. A voice that promises peace and hope. That voice is the voice of Jesus. He’s crying out to you. He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to give you the hope of eternal life. But for you to know him, you have to respond to the voice. You have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and step into a relationship with Him.
And again, I can’t think of a better day for you to do that. To be like the Apostle Paul, who in one moment put his faith in Jesus, and in the next was baptized.
That can be you this morning.
Instructions - Worship song and Baptism.
Let’s Pray
What if the step I take is the wrong step? I don’t know if I can do that. So, maybe I should just stay put, where it’s comfortable, where I know I’m safe.”
Here’s what I would say to that:
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.