A New Year, A New You
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Happy 2021! My goodness, has there been anyone else out there more ready to say goodbye to 2020 than me? Let’s take a quick glance back - and I do mean quick… We went through an impeachment proceeding, an acquittal, a roller coaster stock market, first responders being viewed as criminals, and criminals being touted as saints, riots (aka peaceful protests), vacations cancelled, no TOILET PAPER, quarantines, school closures, restaurants shuttered, stimulus checks, west coast wildfires, mandatory masks, enough hand sanitizer to fill swimming pools, churches closed, churches sort of opened, hurricanes, and hurricanes, and hurricanes, online meetings, murder hornets, and last but not least, the cause of the majority of the chaos…a global pandemic caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) otherwise known as Covid-19.
Church, I’m ready for a new year! But unfortunately, I can’t promise that anything is going to change any time soon. When I try to remember what “normal” was for us, I fear that we never return to “normal”. But let me get real with you, were we too comfortable? I mean, we could go to the store and buy anything we wanted, anytime we wanted. We could enjoy a meal out wherever and whenever we wanted to eat. We could go out and enjoy shopping (except for us guys). We had stable jobs and work to sustain us. We could go to church and worship freely with other believers - yet many chose not to. Now, all those things we once considered “normal” have changed forever. Now, there have been some encouraging moments also - we have been able to spend quality time with our families, we have enjoyed many good home-cooked meals, thank goodness we can even find our favorite brand of toilet paper on most trips to the store, and many churches have upgraded their technology and are holding on-line worship. While we still have a faithful core that attends in-person when it is safe and prudent to do so, we have reached numerous on-line viewers, who I pray will consider worshiping in-person with us once we enter into a new stage of our “new” normal.
But, we cannot neglect the fact that the “new” normal may be much different than what we remember. But that’s okay also, it gives us an opportunity to look at where we were, and see if that is where God truly wanted us to be. I think many of us in leadership roles have been given an opportunity to spend quiet time with God and are content in simply being still and seeking the Lord. I have said it before, and I will continue to say it - we, as Christians in America, have been spoiled. We have the freedom to worship whenever and wherever we want. But how many of us truly look at it, not as a freedom, but a privilege to be in the presence of the Lord? To worship our Savior? To praise our Redeemer? To pray on behalf of ourselves and others in the presence of God our Creator with our intercessor Jesus Christ pleading on our behalf also? I think it’s time that we, Christians, wake up - and realize it’s not just a religion we practice, but it is truly a time of worship with the Lord.
Maybe 2020 was God’s way of giving Christians a time to reflect on how we view attending church, worshiping Him, and opens our eyes to what He has in store for us. Today, as we look at the first part of Acts 9, we see Saul, a man who was practicing - and defending - his religion, until He had a personal encounter with Jesus. It was after this that Saul was given a new vision, a new purpose, and was made a new person.
A New Vision
A New Vision
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.
Saul has not changed his ways, he is going about his devout persecution of born again believers with a vengeance. He is only following the tone of the church around him, look back at Chapter 6 when Stephen is falsely accused:
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13 and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,
Even though Stephen gives a stirring defense, reminding them of what God had told them, reminding them of the promises they had broken, even calling them stiff-necked people. And it drove them mad.
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.
Drove them mad enough to stone him, and we see at the stoning of Stephen that a young man watched their coats while they committed murder of one of God’s faithful servants. Saul would have been in his teenage years as the term man indicated beyond the age of puberty, but normally before marriage. But the first verse of Chapter 8 gives us a glimpse into this young man’s mindset - And Saul approved of his execution. This young man had a vision for his life - he was going to make a name for himself! Saul was born a Jew, a Roman citizen through birth right, had studied under one of the most well known Pharisees, and was a rising theologian himself. But look at the heart of Saul, his heart, his sight, his vision was not on spreading the Gospel or educating other Jews, but on putting an end to “Christianity”.
In Chapter 9, we find Saul, ready to continue on his journey of cleansing - and he receives a new vision.
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.
While Saul thought he had a clear vision, Jesus pointed out to him that his vision had been blurred by his desire and ambition to do the work of God without ever consulting Him. Saul thought he was doing what was right - preserving the institution of the religion in which he belonged. But church, Christianity is more than a religion - it’s more than doing what we think is right. Sometimes we allow ourselves to get caught up in the “things” of the church and forget what our true purpose is. We lose our true vision. Think to this past year, how has your church attendance changed? Have you been faithful to at least view services online, come to drive-in services, or in-person if you were physically and medically able? How has your interaction with other church members changed? Have you been faithful to tithe? How has our vision changed? I wonder at times, if Jesus were to come to us, face to face, as He did here with Saul, what His comment to us would be? Would it be “Well done”, or “What in the world have you done”? This past year has truly changed the way we have worshiped, in many ways. We went from a ringing in of a New Year and looking forward to what it would bring, and within a few months, all we have called “normal” completely changed. Our vision was change, just as Saul’s vision changed - the things he had done all these years were suddenly taken from us. We, just as Saul did, may have been blinded (or blind-sided) by this past year but I want to encourage you, just as Jesus has a new purpose for Saul, he also has a new purpose for us!
A New Purpose
A New Purpose
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.
Jesus asked Saul to do one simple thing - by faith listen, follow, and obey Him. Oh church, how would our our lives be changed today if we, by faith, would only listen, follow, and obey what Jesus is asking us to do? But preacher, I don’t quite know how God wants to use me, or what direction he wants me to take, or I don’t know if I can do this…Believe me, God has heard every excuse known to man, and I’ve heard most of them. Listen to me carefully, Saul was blind - “although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing”, yet he, through blind faith, did what Jesus told him to do. But notice the change of direction we are about to see, even though Saul was faithful to follow, there was someone else that had to be faithfully obedient too! Ananias heard the voice of the Lord in a vision, and was called to look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. But notice the response from Ananias - I have heard of him - He’s evil! He is the one that has been arresting everyone who calls your name! At no time does he question God directly, but you can tell from the statements he made he was second guessing what God asked him to do. But notice what God had already told him - He had already changed Saul’s heart. “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.” God had a new purpose for Saul - “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” God already had the details worked out, even when it seemed like an insanely ridiculous thing to do. Let’s look at what God has done here though, He took a seemingly impossible situation, changed the purpose and plans of man, and is using them for His GLORY!
Christian, how many times has we been in “that” place of our life when we are looking for our purpose and place? God I’ve worked hard all week and don’t feel like I can make it to church today, you understand. God, I just don’t know if I can teach a Sunday School class, Children’s Church, Nursery. God, I know you are calling me to follow you, but I’m scared, I’m not prepared, I’m surely not the right person for that job. Notice Saul had already changed - he was praying and seeking Ananias. Ananias was sceptical and possibly even reluctant. But, he did what the Lord told him to do. Why? For God’s GLORY!
Saul was to be instrumental in changing Christianity for eternity! When we think we are in an impossible situation - God had already prepared the way - and He can create a New Person in you.
A New Person
A New Person
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.
Ananias did what the Lord asked, even knowing he was to visit with the man who had the authority to place him in prison. He continued to follow God, even when he was afraid of the circumstances around him. Ananias was no different than us - there were concerns of what might happen if he followed the Lord. There are many of us concerned over Covid, wondering if we will be one of the statistics - one who contracts the virus or worse yet is overcome by the virus. Now I am not naive enough to not know there are valid concerns, especially with those who have weakened immune systems, those who is in a more vulnerable population, and those who have higher risk of contracting and potentially spreading the disease. While I am a firm believer of God’s protection, I am also a firm believer God gave us knowledge to know how to respond during times like these. But I encourage you to find your new purpose in the Lord! Is it to conduct an online Sunday School or Bible study? Is it to be an encourager through devotions or a care ministry? Is it to be prepared to do God’s ministry with our children and youth once we return to some sort of normal? If there is anything I can tell you, it is God has a purpose and a plan for this year, for this church, and for His GLORY! We cannot allow this virus to rob us of our joy in worshiping God, and we cannot all this virus to rob God of the glory He deserves through worship!
I know this has been a depressing period of life for most of us, but we should view this as a time for God to be showing us a New Vision, a New Purpose, so that we can be a New Person in Him!
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.
We will get through this, church! We must have the same faith that God will restore our vision, just as He did Saul. And notice what Saul did, he got up, he was baptized, he ate, and he received strength. Church, how many of us have had a miraculous experience with our Savior, but have failed to get up and follow Him? GET UP! How many of you may have even made a profession of faith, but never followed through in believers baptism? GET BAPTIZED! How many of us are longing for spiritual food? WEAN OFF THE MILK AND EAT! Be a part of Sunday School, Sunday evening studies, and Wednesday service. It is only by doing our part that we will find STRENGTH! BECAUSE, have you ever noticed there are times God will not allow us to see His will until we are faithful enough to follow Him? God has not moved during the Covid pandemic, He still sits on the Throne, and He is still in control! That should give us HOPE, that should give us DESIRE, that should give us something to WORSHIP in this upcoming year. Church, that is my desire, to find people in need of Hope, to desire to show them the way to the Savior, and to Worship Him better. My prayer is that you will desire those same things in you this year. Let’s learn to seek His vision, to seek His purpose, and to seek who we are in Him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
How has our personal worship changed because of 2020?
Has our relationship with Jesus strengthened or weakened?
What are we doing that God may not be getting His glory from?
What had God asked us to do that we are still running from?
What are we going to do differently in 2021?
Know there are many uncertainties still, but we must follow the Lord with the blind faith of Paul and Ananias, we cannot choose to sit still while a lost and dying world continues to move forward around us.