Saul & Ananias

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.