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The Opening of Spiritual Eyes
Greeting
My, what church we had on Sunday morning!
And, excellent job, everyone on the Around the World Dinner for MTM!
I’ve recently felt just like a stream of things I felt like God has dealt with me about.
I’m going to talk about it.
And maybe you’ve heard these scriptures before.
Maybe you know all about it… but… it doesn’t hurt to hear the word twice.
As a matter of fact, sometimes all we need is to hear the word again.
I believe it’s Ps. 62 that David said “once have you spoken, Lord - and twice have I heard this.”
Text
Title: The Opening of Spiritual Eyes
Saul’s Journey
Disclaimer
There is much more we would like to know about the persons and details of this event.
What was the Jewish Christian community of Damascus like?
What was Ananias’s background, and whatever happened to him after this incident?
When did Saul receive the vision about Ananias’s coming and how?
And (chiefly), What was the “scaly substance” that fell from Saul’s eyes?
I’ve got a firm answer on all of this: I HAVE NO IDEA.
I want to talk to you about what happened here, but I also don’t want you to get the wrong idea.
And it’s for that reason that this point in my notes, I’ve added a note that says: “Give Disclaimer.”
So here’s the disclaimer: I don’t believe that when someone is converted that scales come off of their eyeballs.
Although, I’m sure some snakehandler somewhere would love to get the chance to take this scripture out of context.
And I am NOT trying to make more out of the scales than what actually is - which is, we have no idea, only the Lord does.
But what I do want to do is make some comparisons.
I want to compare what happened with Paul to what happens in conversions every time they happen.
And what it means for us today.
A Birthing
Let me start at the beginning.
At the BIRTH of Saul.
You didn’t know that Saul’s birth was in scripture, did you???
There was a birthing that took place.
A common theme within Acts 6 is the pairing of being “full of faith and the Holy Ghost” or full of “wisdom and the Spirit”.
This is particularly connected to Stephen, who from these two things performed “wonders and signs” (Acts 6:8) by the hand of God.
You cannot afford to continue only with wisdom or only with the Spirit.
It is the will of God to walk in fullness of both!
Stephen’s wonders were by BOTH.
So, they “were not able to resist” the wisdom and the Spirit Stephen had. That’s important.
It’s almost like they are getting a glimpse of something they don’t fully understand.
So, curious but also intimidated, they got together some men who would come forward and accuse Stephen of blasphemy.
(Just like they had done with Jesus)
And you know, for a person who walks in wisdom and Spirit such as Stephen did, it would seem that the only way for the enemy to level an attack on him is to get the people to believe a lie.
But still yet, God continued to use this to get glory.
Scripture says in the middle of the accusations the whole council turned around and saw Stephen’s face appeared like an angel.
Again, it’s like they are witnessing a glimpse of something.
The high priest, after hearing the accusers, asks Stephen, “Are these things so?”
And this is the point where Stephen starts preaching.
He talks about Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Egypt, the Red Sea parted, and then about Israel rebelling and making the golden calf.
The tabernacle afterward...
… and coming to his conclusion, Stephen says this...
In the midst of this rebuke, Stephen speaks the main charge against them that has held them back so many years: resisting the Spirit.
Fully submitting to it is the only way to really be led by it.
He went on to say:
They laid down their clothes (most translations say “coats”) at the feet of a young man named Saul...
Very next verse says:
All of these spiritual glimpses that the council and men from the synagogue were getting… Saul was getting also.
“Not able to resist” Stephen’s wisdom and Spirit… the angelic glow of Stephen’s face… every glimpse, Saul was present, even in his evil state.
And I believe that the clear anointing and the boldness and faith that Stephen walked in that day… helped give birth to Paul.
This was a transition in the book of Acts, highlighting the presence of Saul.
He was there.
Twice, we’re told.
He saw.
He got a glimpse of something.
In a way, Stephen birthed Paul the Apostle.
He wasn’t the only one… but he was involved…
So, I ask the question today: What are you birthing?
I know that you were born again, but who have you been a part of being born again???
You’re more invested into something you’ve helped birth before…
Maybe Stephen never realized or could think that Saul would one day become the Apostle Paul after this horrible scene… but I sure do thank God that Stephen never stopped being the Stephen God wanted him to be!
I just wonder when I’m around other people in this world what all manner of glimpses they get into the spiritual realm by the way that I am? Can I tell you that those glimpses add up!!!
Conversions start with a glimpse!
Let me tell you something… I need some people to get a glimpse of the glory of God off of me!
An Encounter that Altered His Sight
And then… after the glimpse… there is an encounter.
Let’s take a trip to Damascus for a moment.
Again, Saul’s sight has been affected by the glory of God.
Now, there in the city of Damascus, is another man.
I want you to notice how God sets things up.
Multiple people, here, are all involved in Saul’s spiritual journey.
All used of God.
So here is this other man, by the name of Ananias.
God speaks to Ananias and says, “I want you to get up and go to Straight Street.
And at Judas’s house, there is this guy named Saul I want you to find.
And he’s been praying.
And I gave him a vision of you coming into there and laying your hand on him in prayer that he could receive his sight.”
And, it’s funny, in all honesty and sincerity, Ananias was like, “God, I have heard of this Saul already.
This is the guy who has killed Bro.
So-and-so and maimed and tortured Sis.
So-and-so.
And all of the priests have given him authority to do whatever he wants to us.
I just want to make sure it’s the same guy…”
God responds:
“I’m going to show him some things...”
“I’ve been giving him glimpses…”
But in order for God to really give you an about face and put you into the work and lifestyle He wants for you, he has to change your sight!
Things that once made you mad will amaze you!
Things that once seemed normal to do will feel out of place!
All throughout my early school years, I struggled with headaches.
Couldn’t figure out what it was.
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