Why . . . If I can’t stand them? • 3/13/22

Perris Valley Church

Sermon Manuscript: Acts 9:10-20

Series: Acts

Title: Why . . . If I can't stand them?

Date: 3/13/22

Location: Perris Valley Church

Acts 9:10-12 (NASB)

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for 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 9:10-12 (NASB)

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

It’s okay to ask God for clarity. It’s not okay to disobey.

Acts 9:15 (NASB)

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

God always has a reason for His directions, even if we don’t understand . . . or agree.

1 Timothy 2:7 (NASB)

For this I was appointed as a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Acts 9:16 (NASB)

for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.”

Matthew 10:38-39 (NASB)

And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NASB)

Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

Acts 9:17 (NASB)

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

God’s instructions are to find, help, console, and spiritually feed our brothers and sisters . . . even if we don’t like the people God is asking us to find.

Acts:18-20 (NASB)

18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

God Transforms lives on purpose and for a purpose.