Text: Acts 9: 10-16
Introduction
For the first twenty years of his life, he lived exuberantly and was considered by his friends to be a master of revelry. Not until after being captured and imprisoned for nearly a year while fighting in Assisi’s battle with the neighbouring town of Perugia and then setting off to battle again did Francis turn to spiritual matters. On his way to war, Francis became sick and had to return home. During this time he began to seek God’s will for his life.
Stopping by a run down chapel, He experienced a vision that would change the course of his life and the lives of countless others. He heard the voice of Jesus coming from the crucifix, saying “ Go repair my house, which you see, is falling completely to ruin.”
Taking the message literally, He began to repair the church as well as two others. Eventually the full meaning of the Christ’s message impacted His heart. Shedding the trappings of his material possessions, including the approval of his earthly father, he devoted himself to obeying the commands of his heavenly father.
Denouncing wealth and embracing the cross and teachings of Christ, he preached a message that shocked some and drew others. Before long two brothers began following Him and then their number increased to twelve. He sent the twelve out, and soon there were a thousand, and then five thousand. The simple and radical message of the gospel was touching and changing lives. His message was even preached to the animals, whom he called to join with man in the worship of their creator.
Today, there are one million of his followers worldwide
This is none other than Francis of Assisi. Francis was a history maker and world changer. Through a life that was yielded to God destiny and a willingness to obey God, Francis became a lamp in God’s hand, shinning the light of Christ in an age of darkness.
When it comes to the book of Acts, most preachers will preach about Peter, Stephen, Philip and Paul. However today I want to share with a Character who seems to be insignificant, but God used him to unfold another chapter in the history of the church. Let us go to our bible in Acts Chapter 9:10.
AC 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
AC 9:11 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,
AC 9:12 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.”
AC 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
AC 9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
AC 9:15 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;
AC 9:16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
AC 9:17 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.”
1.There is none who is insignificant in God’s eye (Acts 9:10)
Ananias. Who is Ananias? Ananias was known as a disciple at Damascus and that is all we know about him from the book of Acts. In Church History not much is known about Ananias except that he evangelized in Damascus and later in Eleutheropolis and was martyred sometime in the 1st Century.
Ananias seemed to be an insignificant character in this drama, yet God used him to unleash a spiritual giant who will one day blaze the gospel right into Europe.
Have you heard of the powerful evangelist and revivalist called Charles Finney? It was said that very often revival fires already started even before Finney reached a town or a city to conduct his revival meetings. The world knew who Finney was.
But have you heard of Daniel Nash? When he died the papers did not report on him. The elite of his day took no notice of him. His grave lies on a neglected cemetery of New York near the border of Canada.
Father Nash is the power behind Finney’s ministry. He would go to a place 2-3 weeks before Finney arrived and prayed for the outpouring of God. He was satisfied to be the hidden vessel. The world credited the revival to Finney, but it never affected him.
It is interesting to note that within four months of Father Nash’s death Finney left the evangelistic field to take a Church in New York City. His prayer partner in taking the enemy by storm was gone. He whose prayers and been the strength of the campaigns was now in his eternal home and the loss of power was felt.
Insignificant? I am sure Daniel Nash received a grand reception as he walked through heaven’s gate.
2.A simple step of obedience leads to Significant History (Acts 9:17)
Sometimes we think about doing great deeds for God. “I want my whole school to be saved.” You dream of being like Peter, standing in the school one day and addressing a thousand of the students and seeing a multitude coming to the Lord. That’s very cool, if it is God’s will for you.
However it is even more important that a simple step of obedience can lead to significant history being unfolded.
Ananias was asked to go and minister to Paul. Of course he had to overcome his initial prejudice against Paul, after all Paul was a murderer and a persecutor of the church. But let me tell you, Ananias never realized that that simple step of obedience will lead to Christianity spreading into Europe and Asia Minor and eventually affecting even the Roman Empire.
That is why it is important for us to obey God and take simple steps of obedience from day to day. For as we obey and as we take actions, history will unfold in such a great and awesome manner.
Conclusion
Do you feel that you are insignificant? God is telling you there is none here who is insignificant. If you are willing to place your life in the hands of God, He will be committed to see His purposes in you fulfilled.
Have God been speaking to you to take a step of obedience by you have not obeyed? Do you know that by your procrastination and disobedience to the voice of God, you are hindering God’s purpose from being unfolded in your life? God will choose others when you persist in rejecting the command of God.
