Gtcotr/ss092312
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the history leading up to the conversion of Saul of Tarsus …
· AD35/36 – 5 or 6
years after Jesus was crucified & resurrected
· Saul was most likely
30/31 years old
· Saul is committed to
the destruction of Christianity
o He is not really a
bad guy, in fact he is very committed … only
o He just has some
stinking thinking and a lot of support
· All of that is about
to change
o On his way from
Jerusalem to Damascus, 130 mile, 6 day trip
o Jesus spoke to Saul
out of a bright, blinding light
o Jesus sent Saul into
Damascus to await further instructions
· Now Jesus needs some
help … and when Jesus needs help, He chooses someone to help Him …
o Someone prepared …
o Often more prepared
than even they know or appreciate!
Acts 9
10 Now there was a certain
disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision,
"Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
11 So the Lord said to
him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house
of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 "And in a vision he
has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so
that he might receive his sight."
13 Then Ananias answered,
"Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to
Your saints in 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 vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles,
kings, and the children of Israel.
Jesus
chose one man, Ananias, even though Ananias did not want to be chosen. Jesus
wanted Ananias to go and pray for Saul/Paul because Jesus had chosen Saul for a
special mission which only he could do.
Jesus
needed something done so He chose one man to do it … He is always choosing
individuals.
Ezekiel 22:30 So I sought for
a man among them who would make a hedge, and stand in the gap before Me on
behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
God
has a “One Man” mentality. God is always looking for “one man”.
Adam,
Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Martin Luther,
Billy Graham …Who will be the next one …
Who
will be the one whom God chooses and uses to lead your family to Christ, save a
soul from hell, restore a marriage, deliver from debt, build a model family,
prepare young people for life, restructure a community, lead a nation or tell
the world about Him?
It
was Ester whom God chose in her day… Daniel in his, Deborah for her generation,
Elijah in his and then Mary was the “One” chosen to bear the Son of God, Messiah to the
Jews and Savior of the World.
Some
chosen people God places in our lives teach us what to do and some teach us
what not to do … both are valuable lessons. Eve, and even Judas Iscariot, teach
us that not all of the chosen are perfect.
Bathsheba
and Peter teach us that we can recover from our last bad decision or our most
critical mistake … and, that sinners can still be used by God.
“The devil has desired to sift you like wheat but I have prayed
for you that your faith fail not. When you return to Me, strengthen the
brethren.” (Luke 22:31&32)
When
the devil gets wind that God is about to choose someone, he gets mighty scared
and begins trying to disqualify them or get them on his side. But don’t worry,
like Jesus told Peter:
God
chooses and uses whomever He wills … has He chosen you?
1 Peter 2:9 But you are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light.
5 Marks of
a Chosen Vessel
1.
They are nobody special (except
they are special to God)
a. No form or
comeliness … (Isaiah 53:2)
b. God calls greatness
out of obscurity (Moses; David; Esther)
2.
The Chosen don’t know their
chosen until they are chosen
a. They are often not
the only people to be surprised
b. Sometimes they don’t
want to be chosen, special, called …
c. Not often believed
or embraced by friends/family
3.
God chooses people who are great in their ordinary (Jael)
a. Accomplishing the
ordinary extraordinarily well qualifies …
b. If we are faithful
over the little, we become lord over much
4.
People are chosen by God to do, not just chosen by God to be
a. The chosen are
workers not watchers
b. The chosen are not
all leaders but they all lead by example
c. Paul said, “follow
me as I follow Christ” – do what I do …
d. Jesus said, “If I do
not the works of My Father, believe Me not”
5.
God has never chosen anyone to save, deliver or bless themselves.
a. It’s never about the
chosen
b. It’s always about
others
You
never know, you may be the next one to be chosen by God …
And
… it’s God’s choice!
Our
part is to be a willing participant …
Are
you willing today?
(Numbers
17:5 "And it shall be that
the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the
complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you.")
God
has a “One Man” mentality … be the one!
