Reaching Out: The First Breakfast - 9 Of 14 Series

April 26, 1998

Acts 9; John 21

Our God is a bridge builder. In all his thoughts and actions toward us he is reaching out to let us know that in this vast and mysterious universe we are not alone. In the first pages of scripture God is seen as looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden, calling, reaching out. The final words of Revelation are reaching out words: "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come! And let anyone that hears say, 'Come!' And let anyone that is thirsting come! Whosoever will, let them take of the water of life freely.'" Those are bridge-building words!

God wants his people to be bridge builders as well. If we want to be better friends to God we can learn from Him to reach out. It is God-like not simply to "win souls," but to "be there" for others with God's caring love.

Our scriptures today tell the stories of two bridges being built. The first story is about a man who had already met Jesus, but now he was potentially the loneliest man in the world. If Saul became a Christian his old friends would hate him— even kill him. But Saul had been so vicious the Christians felt they could never trust him. For three days Saul of Tarsus sat in a daze in a house on Straight Street absolutely in the dark. Then along came a bridge builder named Ananias, who lived in the ancient city of Damascus, Syria.

It is easy to read the Book of Acts and see the stars. Peter and Paul dominate the action, and there is no doubt they were the stars- they were great! But it is also easy to read the Book of Acts and overlook the bridge builders. If it weren't for a praying church, and a house prayer meeting, and a big-hearted disciple named Barnabas, and faithful martyrs like James and Stephen there wouldn't have been any stars. When God was reaching out to Paul he used a bridge builder named Ananias.

Ananias was in touch with God; he was "connected." God called his name: "Ananias!" The answer came back immediately! "Present! Here I am!"

"I have an assignment for you! Over at Judas' house on Straight Street is a man named Saul. He needs a man like you!"

Ananias loved and trusted God. He could (in a sense) argue lovingly with Him. "Is this really what YOU want me to do? You know who this Saul of Tarsus is!" God gave him assurance; this was what Ananias was to do.

Ananias was absolutely obedient when he knew it was God's will. There was no hesitation once it was established: this is God's will! Sanctifying grace will do that for you— it takes the "Shall I do God's will?" question, and replaces is simply with "What IS God's will?" It is already settled that there will be obedience!

Ananias carried through in spirit as well as letter. "Brother Saul!" And before Ananias was through Saul-Paul was "connected" to the believers. Another bridge-builder took over later, a man named Barnabas. If there had not been a bridge builder, a person to "reach out", Paul could not have become the great missionary he became.

God needs great men like Peter and Paul. But in his providence he doesn't anoint many apostles. There simply aren't many Billy Grahams and Chuck Colesons. And maybe the church has as many as it can use. They are the "stars." But the church desperately needs more men and women like Ananias of Damascus, and Barnabas the Son of Consolation. It needs people who are willing to build bridges— to reach out with God's love, to go one-on-one with people who are trying to find their way. We have some people like that right here this morning! Thank God!

(I was blessed this morning as I thought of people in this church who have been bridge builders: Carol Mann, Loretta Fish, Lois Howard, Esther Sanger; I thought across the years to people who have been for me like Barnabus and Ananias: Walter Edsall, George Anderson; you have had them, too; maybe you have been there for others as well . . .as a church we are called to that sort of ministry.)

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The second reaching out story is a fishing story. Well, it starts out about fish, but it sort of ends up about sheep. It is one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. It is a sort of add-on after the climax of the Gospels and Thomas' confession of Jesus: "My Lord and my God!" and John put it there to show how Jesus is at building bridges.

The disciples had gone back to Galilee as Jesus had told them. No Jesus. After a few days Peter declared, "I'm going fishing!"