Saul and Ananias
Acts 9:10 – 9:22
Jeff Hughes – June 21, 2003
Calvary Chapel Aggieland
I. Introduction
a. Last week, we saw Saul as he had an encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. Saul was stopped in his tracks while he was on a mission to go round up a bunch of Christians there.
b. As we covered last week, Damascus was about 140 miles from Jerusalem, about a six or seven day journey. Damascus by the way, is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the face of the earth.
c. It is the current capital of the nation of Syria, and it was a major trading city in the ancient world. Josephus records that the city was founded by Uz, the grandson of Shem, and the great-grandson of Noah. Job was from “the land of Uz”.
d. We see the city tangling with the Jewish nation many times in the Old Testament, as they used their trading power to hurt the nation.
e. Our study this morning will focus on two main themes. First, the faithfulness and obedience of a man named Ananias, and how he risked his life to obey God.
f. Second, we will look at God’s grace and forgiveness really walked out, as Saul is miraculously healed of his blindness and get baptized as an outward symbol of his inward change.
g. But first, let’s pray, and ask the Lord to bless our study this morning.
II. PRAYER
III. Illustration
a. Alexander the Great and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city. Alexander, standing outside the walls, raised his voice and demanded to see the king.
b. When the king arrived, Alexander insisted that the king surrender the city and its inhabitants to Alexander and his small band of fighting men. The king laughed, “Why should I surrender to you? You can’t do us any harm!”
c. Alexander offered to give the king a demonstration. He ordered his men to line up single file and start marching. He marched them straight toward a sheer cliff. The townspeople gathered on the wall and watched in shocked silence as, one by one, Alexander’s soldiers marched without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths!
d. After ten soldiers died, Alexander ordered the rest of the men to return to his side. The townspeople and the king immediately surrendered to Alexander the Great. They realized that if a few men were actually willing to commit suicide at the command of this dynamic leader, then nothing could stop his eventual victory.
e. Are you willing to be as obedient to the ruler of the universe, Jesus Christ, as those soldiers were to Alexander? Are you as dedicated and committed? Think how much power Christ could have in our area with just a portion of such commitment.
f. Ananias was a man that was that obedient to God. Ananias’s faith and obedience was used bring Saul into the fold of the church, and as we will see in the coming weeks and months, this is a turning point for the church.
g. God’s will was to use Saul to reach the gentiles like no one else in the church could. Growing up in Tarsus, a Roman citizen, a fluent speaker of Greek, and a Jew was perfectly equipped by God to be all things to all men so that people would come to Christ.
h. God forgave Saul for his sin. That is amazing to me. A man who hunted Christians down and had them killed had his slate wiped clean. Guys, that is grace. God’s grace is so abundant, when I see something like what happened to Saul, I get a glimpse into just how abundant it is.
i. We will look at these two themes – grace and obedience as we continue along in our journey through the book of Acts. Acts is just past John, and right before the book of Romans in the New Testament. We will pick up our study starting in chapter 9, verse 10 today, and so follow along as we read.
IV. Study
a. Intro
i. 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. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
ii. Lots of really good stuff here for study this morning. God’s grace toward Saul was overwhelming. But think about how Ananias must have felt.
iii. Man, that must have been overwhelming. How do you go and minister to a man that has killed your friends, people you’ve fellowshipped and shared your life with? He asks, “Are you sure, God?” God’s answer is you becha.
iv. Today, we will look at the servant God used to reach out to Saul. In our message today, we will look at six points – the fitted follower, the flawless plan, the fervent prayer, the faithful servant, the fortifying of Saul, and last, the fiery preacher.
v. Our first point comes from verse 10. We see God calling Ananias.
b. The Fitted Follower (Acts 9:10)
i. 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."
ii. Here we are introduced to a man named Ananias. No relation to the Ananias that we saw back in chapter 5, that was struck dead by God along with his wife Sapphira for the sin of hypocrisy.
iii. This Ananias didn’t try to pull a fast one; he was just patiently waiting and serving the Lord.
iv. Ananias was in the right place at the right time to be used. Often times, what determines whether or not God will try to use us in a certain situation is availability.
v. God wants to use us. Especially if we happen to be in the right place at the right time. Ultimately, though, the availability question comes down to us rather than God.
vi. The question ends up being “Will I be used?” Are you willing to step outside our comfort zone to sever Him? Almost every time God asks me to step out, it is outside that comfort zone that I build up around me.
vii. God speaks to Ananias. God called his name. Ananias had a vision. Ananias was willing. He answered the question as to whether he would allow God to use him.
viii. The whole scene of God speaking to Ananias is very similar to another situation when the Lord called Samuel in First Samuel chapter 3. Let’s take a look at that.
ix. 1 Then the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, "Here I am!" 5 So he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. 6 Then the Lord called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you did call me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ’Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel: "Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.
x. God called to Ananias, but, he knew the Lord. He had that personal relationship with Jesus, and Ananias recognized God’s voice. He listened, as God revealed His plans. We see this in verses 11 and 12.
c. The Flawless Plan (Acts 9:11-12)
i. 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.”
ii. God’s directions were clear. Ananias was to go immediately to Straight street, to look for Saul of Tarsus who was praying in the house of a man named Judas.
iii. Saul had seen a vision from the Lord as well. The Lord told Saul that a man named Ananias was coming to lay hand on him, and Saul would receive his sight.
iv. First off, I notice a contrast here. The contrast is between they way the Lord appeared to Saul on the road and how the Lord appeared to Ananias.
v. Saul had a shocking, overwhelming encounter with God, and he was struck blind. Ananias on the other hand, was quietly seeking the Lord, and listening. God spoke softly to Ananias, because He knew that Ananias was listening for God’s directions.
vi. God tells Ananias about Saul’s vision to reassure him. Saul was a very dangerous man, and God let Ananias know that He was taking care of Saul.
vii. So, why does God use Ananias? There’s nothing to indicate that he was extra holy or anything, he was just available, and God loves to use us to work out His plans. Ananias was in the right place, with the right willing heart, and God was going to use him.
viii. God used Ananias because he was an ordinary man. If Paul had been ministered to by an apostle or a prominent person, people might say Paul received his gospel from a man instead of Jesus
ix. God’s plans were perfect. He is God after all. One last thing I want us to note before we move on is this. Ananias was to go to Judas’ house.
x. Ananias and Judas were names that permanent black marks on them. Ananias being synonymous with his greed and hypocrisy, Judas being synonymous with betrayal.
xi. Judas means “praise”. Ananias means “God is gracious.” God was about to pour out an abundance of grace upon Saul, and He was going to use Ananias to do it. But, Ananias had to get over his fear and questions first. We see this in verses 13 through 16.
d. The Fervent Prayer (Acts 9:13-16)
i. 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. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
ii. We see here that Ananias had a few reservations about be bopping on over to Straight Street to hook up Saul.
iii. This is not so surprising. No doubt that Ananias and all the believers in Damascus had heard that Saul was on his way, and what Saul intended to do once he got there.
iv. We aren’t told, but the chances are good that Ananias had relocated from Jerusalem to Damascus to escape the persecution of the church that was going on there.
v. The believers likely held prayer meetings to seek God’s will about what to do concerning Saul. Maybe some folks fled there as well, but Ananias stayed put. He waited and listened.
vi. When God spoke to him, he asked questions. That’s how prayer works, it’s a two-way street. Ananias had some reservations, and rightly so. He asked the Lord if he heard Him right.
vii. He just kind of reminds God – “You know who this guy Saul is, right? He’s done a lot of bad stuff, God.” Ananias is asking God, “Are you really sure?” “I don’t want to get thrown in jail God.” Like God needs advice from Ananias, but He is patient with Ananias, He is gracious.
viii. But God answers Ananias with a reassuring answer. He tells Ananias about Saul’s calling, what God’s plans for Saul are first, before He tells Ananias about Saul.
ix. He tells Ananias about how He has called Saul to be the messenger that He has chosen to take the gospel first to the gentiles, and then to kings, and lastly to the nation of Israel.
x. Verse 16 is an interesting one though. God tells Ananias that He will show Saul how many things he must suffer for His name’s sake.
xi. Okay, what does that mean? Saul was saved. Saul was called to spread the gospel to the gentiles. But, Saul would certainly suffer for the gospel.
xii. Later, in 2nd Corinthians chapter 11, verses 24 through 27, we read this from Paul - 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-
xiii. This was a man that suffered for the gospel. He suffered day and night for the gospel’s sake, from his conversion until an ax took his head from his shoulders.
xiv. You would think that a person that suffered like this would be kind of down, right? Let’s look at his resume’ as a minister.
xv. His sermons were often over the congregation’s heads. His opinionated views alienated his colleagues. Coworkers found him boastful, even arrogant. A physical disability drove him to over-function in ministry. The first two congregations he pastored rejected his leadership, and, unable to still their internal strife and bickering, he went on to a third. By measures of success, his ministry was a failure. This was the ministry of Apostle Paul.
xvi. But, he strove on. He wrote fully 2/3 of the New Testament, but still, he must have thought that he was a failure as a minister. He even says that. He calls himself “The least of the apostles”, and “the chief of all sinners.”
xvii. But, God used this man like no other. God showed His power through this man, and Paul tells us this about his experiences in 2nd Corinthians chapter 12 starting in verse 7–
xviii. lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
xix. The key to Saul’s success would be his suffering, the pain that he would bear while carrying his cross in pursuit of Jesus.
xx. But, before all of this happened, God used another faithful man to come and minister to Saul, and we see this in verse 17.
e. The Faithful Servant (Acts 9:17)
i. 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
ii. Ananias drew strength from the Lord’s commands, and he went to go minister to Saul in the house of Judas. Saul is sitting no doubt, blind, praying. Ananias comes in, and lays his hands on Saul, letting Saul know that he was there, and he speaks to Saul.
iii. The first thing I want us to notice here is that Ananias calls him brother Saul. Not killer Saul, or bad guy Saul. Ananias accepted the word that the Lord had given him concerning Saul, and that he was a believer.
iv. Acts chapter 22, verses 12 through 15, Saul gives us a little more insight into this event. He says - 12 Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ’Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ’The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
v. Ananias was faithful in what God had laid out for him to do. The fruits of his faithfulness strengthened and encouraged Saul, who was no doubt wondering just what the Lord would do.
vi. Saul sat fasting and praying, blind. His entire focus would have been on what had happened to him on the road to Damascus and what the Lord had told him.
vii. But, obviously, the Lord had spoken to Saul too during all of this. Saul had gotten a vision from the Lord about a man named Ananias coming to lay hands on him, and that he would receive his sight back from the Lord.
viii. Before we move on to our next point, I want to visit one thing that we learn from Ananias’ and Saul’s faith, and that is this: Faith in God involves service and sacrifice towards God.
ix. God filled Saul with the Holy Spirit that day. The Spirit had already been at work in his life, convicting him of sins, and convincing him of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but he was empowered that day for service, and what a life of service it was.
x. Saul was at a low point it his life right then though. God had broken him. He sat in a room blind, helpless and waiting on God. There’s a lot to be said for that. Before we are saved, all of us are blind and waiting on God.
xi. Saul had to be built back up in order to be used for service of the king. We see Saul being built up in verses 18 and 19.
f. The Fortifying of Saul (Acts 9:18-19)
i. 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
ii. Saul’s eyesight was restored to him immediately. That is miraculous in its own right, but what’s even more amazing to me is that the first thing Saul wants to do after receiving his sight is to get baptized.
iii. This is a total transformation in Saul’s life. Just days earlier, he hated the Christians, and was hunting them down to kill them. But today, he is getting baptized, he is identifying with the very people that he had hated.
iv. That’s what God’s forgiveness can do to you. It can turn you around 180 degrees. Saul joined in fellowship with the very people that he hated, and his former friends became his instant enemies.
v. Then we see Saul enjoying the fellowship of the other believers as he receives food and was strengthened by them. He remains in Damascus to fellowship with the brethren to have his physical needs ministered to.
vi. The church that had been on edge waiting for Saul’s havoc was now giving him a homecoming not unlike that of the prodigal son. The fellowship must have been fantastic.
vii. They were praising God for not only His provision and faithfulness, but the church at Damascus got to see God’s grace play out in a large way.
viii. First John chapter 3 verse 14 says this - 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
ix. One of the marks of a believer is that they want to be in fellowship with other Christians. God puts other believers in our lives to encourage us, to counsel and teach us, and to keep us accountable for our actions.
x. So many times I look back at my life and I am thankful for the people that God has put me in fellowship with. People I have served with, laughed with cried with. People to just share life with.
xi. Being a Christian is an amazing thing. My sins were forgiven, and my life was changed. But, as an added bonus, He gave me some people to share the experience with, people to help me along the way.
xii. That’s what Saul was enjoying in Damascus there. He stayed with them several days. Remember back in Acts chapter 3, when the people were living with all their goods in common and everyone was provided for?
xiii. Saul was getting a taste of that right then. I am amazed when I run into people that have this idea that they can make it on their own as Christians.
xiv. They don’t go to church, they don’t read their Bible, they seldom pray. They say things like – “I can get close to God on the golf course or hunting.”
xv. The Bible tells us that there will be people like this, and that this kind of mentality is not a good thing. Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and 25 tells us this –
xvi. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
xvii. There are no Lone Ranger Christians. We are supposed to band together for support and encouragement, just like Saul was getting in Damascus.
xviii. We aren’t told how many days Saul spent getting encouraged, getting strengthened, but it was probably a little while. He had to get adjusted to his new life as a Christian. But, once Saul regained his strength, he set out to do what God had told him to do. We see this in our last point today, in verses 20 through 22.
g. The Fiery Preacher (Acts 9:20-22)
i. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
ii. Saul goes out trying to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Son of God in the local synagogues. Add to the crowd of shocked Christians all the shocked Jews who got to hear Saul, the guy being sent to Jerusalem to stomp out the church telling them that Jesus was the Son of God.
iii. Saul was supposed to be on his way to destroy, but God had other plans. Saul had no idea when he left Jerusalem what would happen. The transformation of Saul’s life was complete.
iv. Now, Saul was being used by God as an instrument in the hands of God. The synagogues were in an uproar, because here was Saul, a zealous Jew by anyone’s standards, preaching the same gospel that he had set out to quiet.
v. Saul was strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and was one of the foremost Jewish thinkers of the day. The other Jews in the synagogue were no match for him; he knew the scriptures better than they did.
vi. He proved to them that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus was the long awaited Messiah that the nation of Israel had looked for His coming for so long.
vii. This is interesting to note, because the deity of Jesus was not a big part of Peter’s earlier sermons. Jesus’ deity was foremost in Saul’s mind though, after having been through what he had gone through on the road to Damascus.
viii. As we will see next week though, Saul’s preaching and teaching were not readily welcomed by the Jews. Saul was the foremost Jewish thinker of the day, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, and one would think that he would be the most equipped person to continue taking the gospel to the nation of Israel.
ix. But that’s not what God thought. God had a slightly different order to the directions He gave to Saul, and we saw them back in verse 15 – the Lord said to Ananias - Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
x. As we see through the book of Acts, Saul is primarily charged with taking the Gospel to the gentiles, and after his arrest, we see him testify before kings, and the Jewish nation at Jerusalem.
xi. Saul met some stiff opposition to the gospel at Damascus, and his Jewish hearers would want him dead, but the Lord uses the church to deliver Saul out of Damascus as we will see next week as we continue our study through the book of Acts.
xii. Point Summary - There are two things that I want us to take away from this message. If you don’t take away anything else, take this:
1. God uses faithful, available people.
2. God’s grace and forgiveness can cover any sins.
xiii. I‘d like to close with a short story.
h. Conclusion
i. Imagine two country clubs. The first has a strict set of rules and only allows in people who have earned their membership. They have to accomplish something, obtain superior wisdom, or fulfill a long list of demands and requirements to qualify for entry. Despite their best efforts, lots of people just won’t make the grade and will be excluded. In effect, this is what other religious systems are like.
But the second country club throws its doors wide open and says, "Anybody who wants membership is invited inside. Rich or poor, black or white, regardless of your ethnic heritage or where you live, we would love to include you. Entry is based not on your qualification but only on accepting this invitation. So we’ll leave the matter up to you. You decide. But remember, we will never turn you away if you seek admittance." That’s what Christianity is like.
ii. Saul got to see what it was like in the other country club when Ananias came to visit him. He got to experience the fullness of God’s grace and mercy, and enjoy the benefits of Christian fellowship.
iii. The question this morning is, do you want to join the country club where the doors are open wide?
i. Let’s Pray.
V. Closing Prayer
