The Chosen Are Also Commissioned

Good morning Church!

I would like to ask everyone to stand and hold their Bibles in their air and repeat after me:

“This is my Bible,

It is God’s Holy Word.

It is a lamp unto my feet,

A light unto my path,

And I will hide its words within my heart

That I might not sin against God.”

Before you are seated, let’s take 10 seconds and give God some praise!!!

Alright, you may be seated in the presence of the Lord.

Context

Our text today, comes from Acts 9:10-19.

Last week, we got to see the beginning of Saul’s life with God. Today, we are going to continue that thought as God uses another man named Ananias, to pray over Saul, restore his sight, and impart the Holy Spirit unto him. There are a couple of things that we are going to see in the text today:

Ananias’s Surprise

Ananias is a disciple from Damascus. Jesus comes to Ananias in a dream and tells him to go pray over Saul. Ananias is surprised with this request of God, seeing that Saul’s reputation against the Church has been devastating thus far.

Saul’s State

Even though we witnessed Saul’s conversion last week, Saul still has not received the Holy Spirit. He is still blind and fasting. Though He is a believer of Christ, he is still green as a gourde and does not fully understand the Gospel of Christ as of yet.

God’s Sovereignty

God tells Saul what is going to happen. God tells Ananias what is going to happen. God sends His Holy Spirit to initiate a new life in Saul. We are going to see that God is involved in the entire process.

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.

Content

Saul Is Chosen (v. 15)

Saul has been converted (vv. 11-12)

God has a plan for his life (v. 15)

Saul is going to be an instrument in the hand of God (v. 15)

When you want a beat, you play the drums. When you want rhythm, you play a stringed instrument. When you want the Gospel to be preached throughout the land, you use a man who has a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Saul is going to suffer greatly because of his ministry (v. 16)

Ananias Is Commissioned (v. 11)

Ananias is commissioned by God. (vv. 11-12)

Ananias fears Saul (vv. 13-14)

The name “Ananias” means: “God is merciful”

God called Ananias and then told him to live up to his name. Show these people that I am merciful, and that you are an conduit of that mercy.

It is not about Ananias or Saul, but rather about the Church (v. 15)

We Are Both Chosen and Commissioned

Each person who has been saved, knows what it means to be chosen. We have experienced that call of God upon our lives, witnessed his mercy and grace, admitted our sin before God, and have a relationship with Christ.

Those who have been called are also commissioned to serve. We are called into the service.

When someone comes to Christ, as Paul did, they have scales upon their eyes. They need an Ananias to come along side them, pray for them and over them, and then teach them the ways of God. They need taught about Jesus Christ. They need to understand what it looks like to be a child of God. They are a disciple who needs to be discipled. We are called to do that. We are called to teach those the things concerning God.

Peter taught thousands through the preaching of the Word and daily discipleship. Philip taught the eunuch the things of Christ from Isaiah. Ananias taught Saul the things of Christ from the Word. We too are to teach others the things of God.

Commitment

Are you a Saul?

Have you acknowledged Jesus as Christ, but are malnutritioned? Are you still waiting to be taught the things of God? Are you yet to start your ministry for Christ?

Are you an Ananias?

Maybe you are a disciple who knows what you are to do for God. But maybe you are restricting what God can do in and through certain people. Maybe you have never discipled a Saul, or a new convert, but you would if you could. Pray that God would send you a Saul. Pray that God would use you to lead others. Pray that God would prepare your heart for that in the meantime.

Are you a child of God?

If you cannot to either of these men, then you need answer the question of whether or not you are a child of God. Have you truly acknoweldged God as