Sermon Notes 09-28-08

September 28th 2008 The Book of Acts “Conversion: Then What?”
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.”Acts 9:7-10

When a person first decides to join the team, get in the game—you never know the price of being a “starter” or “First-String” player!

Illustration: I watched my grandson “start” this year as the right guard of the Arroyo Grande Eagles football team!
He looked great in his uniform! He was as big as his opponent!
His number, #72, stood out and I could see him wherever he went.
BUT: Because I played football for AC Davis High School, in Yakima Washington, I knew about the weight-lifting sessions, I knew about the running of wind-sprints until you would through up!
You see, in football, as well as any other game you decided to get into, YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE PREPERATION; WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN THE GAME, UNTIL YOU START THE TRAINING!

Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus but he did not start living the Christian life in all its fullness and potential power for quite a number of years after that. He had many lessons to learn first.
When Jesus was here on earth in the flesh, he said to his disciples on one occasion words which many of you know by heart: "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." (Matthew 11:28). Then he added: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls..." (Matthew 11:29 RSV).
Those two verses mark two separate stages in Christian development—

First: “Come to me all you who labor” Have you ever been so tired that you mistaken your “Tiredness” for your lack of relationship with the Lord?
Second: “Take my yoke”—only then will you find “rest for your souls…” To Get In The Game—you have to push the Blocking Sled! “Take MY YOKE!”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time!

It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”Acts 9:8 “8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.” Paul was not ready for “Prime Time!” He had a lot of things to learn!Paul needed to be “…led by the hand”—each of us needs to be “led!”
Paul was “blind”—he had “scales” on his eyes!
We need to understand that there was a period during which Paul was being taught how to take the yoke of Christ upon himself.
Acts 9:19 “For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
Have you ever seen a “rookie” take to school?
Paul needs to learn of the “Yoke!”
Before you can “Get In The Game”—you have to go to school!

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!

A. Acts 9:10 “10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.”“Ananias”—who is “Ananias?” My name—“Phil or Phileo” means Love—generally meaning “Lover of the Brothers!”
Ananias’ name means: äéˆð€ð‡ç’ khan-an-yaw'; Jehovah’s favored.

God had favored Ananias—it is believed that he not only placed his hands on Paul’s eyes and he was healed but it is believed that he also Baptized Paul into the New Testament Church!
“Ananias” was just like you and me: Acts 9:11-14 “11The Lord told Ananias, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
What? Go to this killer’s house—that sounds crazy!

It takes an obedient student to learn the lesson! 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
Jesus says to Ananias’ opposition statement: v15 “15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

You may feel that you can’t teach—but you are right now!
Illustration: My son Scott went to the beach with me when he was very young, and as I was walking along the beach, little did I know that he was jumping along in my footprints. Scott had lunch with me the other day and he told me how he was trying to raise his children just the way I had raised him. Pretty scary!

D. Ananias responded to the call: Acts 9:17-19 “17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and 19after taking some food, he regained his strength.”
Teaching comes through obedient: “17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!
3rd It Will Bring Results!

The taking of TIME; and the learning from a TEACHER means: WE WILL GET GOOD RESULTS!

Acts 9:21 “21All those who heard him were astonished and asked,” If you will take “TIME” to be “TAUGHT”—you will get “RESULTS!” Are you Teachable?
Saul the “Maniac Murder” became what God had meant for him to be all his life!Paul—“Saul” said latter in his life: Galatians 1:1 “15But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace,”
You see: You and I were chosen before we were born to be His!
David always knew that God had chosen him to do great things for the Lord!

Psalms 139 1O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. 3You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. 4You know what I am going to say before I even say it. 5You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.6This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! 7I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! 8If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. 9If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, 10even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me. 11If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. 12For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. 14Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!17-18How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. 24Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Points to Ponder:
1st It Takes Time! It takes time to become “all God wants you to become!”
2nd It Takes A Teacher!
3rd It Will Bring Results! The taking of TIME; and the learning from a TEACHER means: WE WILL GET GOOD RESULTS!

Video: “A Student’s Unspoken Plea” See www.hccsm.org for video