Introduction God Speaking
Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the ways that God shows up in our lives. Throughout the book of Acts, Luke the writer, gives accounts of Jesus literally showing up in peoples lives. The way that he talks about these CONTACTS as if they were nothing big or out of the norm says a lot. Namely that it was expected. Jesus liter- ally shows up in peoples lives in throughout the book of Acts. When I say literally I do not necessarily mean physically, but in a real sense. They heard Jesus. Jesus. They saw Jesus. The Holy Spirit made God alive in their experience.
I believe that God wants us to enjoy these same kind of CONTACTS today. I believe that He wants to show up in our lives in a very real and literal sense. Jesus is alive and active today in our world. The Holy Spirit's presence makes Him real to us today.
This week a young person asked me: "Pastor when you and others say God spoke to you, how does He do that? How do you know it is God speaking and not just your thoughts." Great question, many people have this same question. First of all, let me say that I believe God speaks to everyone. The One who created you and loves you knows how to speak to you in a way that you can hear and understand. He does not only speak to a few "special and spiritual" people. He speaks to anyone who will "hear His voice."For me usually it is somewhere between a thought and a feeling. I guess technically feelings are thoughts, but it is more than just a cognitive function. There is something in the way that it comes that I know it is not me, usually because it has an "divine other- ness" about it. The voice or thought doesn't sound like t.v. or music or me or people.
I pray that you today will hear God's voice speaking to you.
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Introduction God Working
Last week I talked about God alway at work. “My Father is always working, and so am I.” (JN 5:16). The circumstances of life cannot stop God's work. In fact, God uses the circumstances of life to further His plan. When persecution broke out towards the Christ followers and they were scattered from Jerusalem God continued and in fact expanded His work. Phillip, one of the seven deacons, a normal person, went to Samaria and God used him to perform miraculous works. Moreover many were coming to faith in Jesus and getting baptized. Then God led Phillip to an encounter with an Ethiopian who would take the gospel to this country. I am amazed and blessed to see God work strategically through someone who is willing to be humble enough to leave the crowd and the acco- lades for the precious encounter that God has in store.
God wants to work in each of us and through each of us. ---
Acts 8:14–17 14 When the ... the Holy Spirit.
I am passionate about today's topic. It is my desire to see the fullness of what God has for each person to be established in their life. And I believe God wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you can have the fullness of your CONTACT with God.
Phillip had been preaching and many were converted and baptized in water. "There was great joy in the city" of Samaria (vs 8). The apostles heard this great news and sent John and Peter. When they arrived they laid hands on them and prayed for them to re- ceive the Holy Spirit.
This is very significant for a couple of reasons. #1 It showed acceptance. The Samari- tans and the Jews were not real close to say the least. But this gesture of laying hands on them and praying is a sign of acceptance into the faith. In other instances in Luke's writings we see people filled with the Spirit though no one laid hands on them. In the two instances we will look at today however they laid hands on the people to be filled
with the Spirit. #2 This shows that the Holy Spirit is for all believers. He is an integral part to our CONTACT with God. He gives us power to be witnesses.
In this account we see that the Holy Spirit is essential to the believer. I am not saying that you aren't saved if you haven't received the Holy Spirit. Don't make that jump. I am simply saying that John and Peter saw this as an important part of the Christian walk.
Also we see that the Holy Spirit is noticeable in the believers life. There was something that Simon witnessed when he saw people receiving the Holy Spirit. There was some sort of evidence. Most of the people of my tradition say this was speaking in tongues, a common occurrence when people were filled with the Spirit it Acts. Luke doesn't men- tion anything specific here. I don't want you to get caught up on what will happen, just that something will happen that is noticeable, something that is powerful and impacting. ---
Believe, Baptized and Filled With The Spirit
In the past few weeks people have been making decisions to follow Jesus. It is my prayer that this is a weekly occurrence around New Hope. Last week almost 20 were baptized in water. What a beautiful thing it is to see people follow the Lord's command and example to be baptized in water.
Baptism Video
For you that have come to faith I want to say congratulations. I want to encourage you to build your faith. You can grow best by building three things in your life, prayer, reading your Bible, and fellowship. This three legged stool will help you be strong in your faith.
But I also want to encourage you to be filled with the Spirit. This gift of the Holy Spirit is what will give you power. He will guide you into all truth. He will give you an incredible prayer language. There is so much that is available to you.
Two weeks ago as I was praying early in the morning God spoke to me about this morn- ing. At the end of this service I am going to be obedient to what God laid on my heart to do. I will be praying for anyone who would like to be filled with the Spirit. Throughout this week I have been praying and fasting for this time. I believe God has great things in store for us.
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Risky Don't You Think?
Some things are worth taking the risk. Risk has to be managed, right? Have you ever thought about the risk that God has taken? Consider this, the entire fate of humanity and God's plan is found in the Church, the people of God. God paid the ultimate price for the salvation of people by sending His Son to earth to identify with us, and to take upon himself the sins of the world. He died so that we might have life eternally. This gift, this grace, this life is offered to us freely. When we receive this gift we are ushered into God's family! Awesome! Right? Now this message this heart, this life is entrusted with men and women. The Hope of the World Jesus Christ has been given to the Church. Now the hope of the world lies within normal people. This is God's plan. Sound's risky doesn't it?
What if people fail? What if people are killed? Surely, there is another plan? No this is it. This is God's plan. What makes the plan work is the Holy Spirit dwelling in and empow- ering men and women to be the witnesses of God's work through Jesus Christ.
--- Acts 9 Chapter 9 ... regained his strength.
Chapter 9
Saulʼs Conversion
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lordʼs followers.* So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the syna- gogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusa- lem in chains.
3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someoneʼs voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he
* 9:1 Greek disciples.
was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.
10 Now there was a believer* in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “Iʼve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers* in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my nameʼs sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saulʼs eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul stayed with the believers* in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he be- gan preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 1
In Acts 9, Luke tells us that Saul has been given authorization to go and arrest those who are following in the Way. He can bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. Along the road to Damascus, Saul comes into CONTACT with the living Lord Jesus Christ. He sees a great light. He is knocked from his horse. And he hears a voice from heaven say- ing "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?"
* 9:10 Greek disciple; also in 9:26, 36. * 9:13 Greek Godʼs holy people; also in 9:32, 41. * 9:19 Greek disciples; also in 9:26, 38.
1 Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (3rd ed.) (Ac 9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
He literally came into CONTACT with the LORD. No he didn't know who the Lord was. He thought he was working for the LORD but instead he was persecuting the LORD. When He was persecuting those who followed Jesus He was actually persecuting Je- sus.
Just a side note, isn't it great to know that God feels that way about you? When you are being persecuted, He feels the pain.
Jesus revealed the truth to Saul that He was the LORD. Saul is converted and led into the city where he prayed for 3 days.
Meanwhile God spoke to Ananias and told him to go and pray for Saul. Now Ananias was just a normal person, but God called Him to take a huge risk and go and pray for the persecutor. You can imagine the conversation that followed. Ananias was obedient and went and laid hands on "brother Saul". Again note that Ananias Laid hands on Saul. He accepted Saul into the family. The persecutor was welcomed into the Family of God. Then he prayed that Saul would be filled with the Spirit and something like scaled fell from Saul's eyes and he was able to see again.
You know this is the only thing we know about Ananias. But consider this. He was the one whose obedience changed the course of the world. Through Saul the good news would be carried to the Gentiles. Because Saul was filled with the Spirit, He would have the power to proclaim the good news to those who needed it so desperately.
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My Turn
As I mentioned earlier, God spoke to me 2 weeks ago to take some time at the end of this service and lay hands on you that would like. I will pray that God will fill you with His Spirit and that He will empower you to do that which He has called you to do.
Today I get to be like Ananias, Pastor Matt will join me as well. We have been praying this week and fasting that God would fill you with His Spirit to empower you to be His witness. God wants you to be filled with the Spirit. He wants you to be able to have the boldness right words to speak. Maybe there are some scales that need to fall so that you can see again. I don't want us to put God in a box and say that He has to do this or that, but I do know that the Holy Spirit will come in a real way.
This morning we are going invite you that would like to come to be prayed for to come to the front, to this altar. We will come and lay hands on you and pray for you out of obedi- ence to the Lord. And He is going to do something amazing in your life for His kingdom to go forth in power.