Sermon Central
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The Man Who Obeyed God Series
Contributed by Richard A. Bradley on Mar 21, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: What makes it possible for us to obey God? From the example of a man who chose to obey the Lord we learn 3 vital principles of obedience.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ananias
“THE MAN WHO OBEYED GOD”
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.
In the New Testament we find three men named Ananias. The first man, along with his wife tried to deceive God. Needless to say, God was not fooled. Ananias’ lie was bad enough but his greater sin was his attempted theft of God’s glory. As believers we must never do what we do to bring attention to ourselves. Ananias’ judgment teaches us a valuable lesson about telling the truth.
The second Ananias in the New Testament was the first Ananias’ polar opposite. Rather than putting himself in a position to be judged this Ananias put himself in a position to be used by God. Many believers today are asking why God is not using them. Maybe God is using them all He can but not all He could.
We learn three valuable lessons from this Ananias about Christian service. How was Ananias able to do what he did for the Lord?
1. ANANIAS WAS ABLE TO OBEY GOD BECAUSE HE COULD HEAR HIS VOICE (v. 10):
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."
It goes without saying that before we can do the will of God we first have to know the will of God. Generally speaking, we can know God’s will by studying His Word. However, when it comes to God’s particular will for our lives, like Ananias, believers must live close enough to the Lord to hear His voice.
Ananias was able to obey God because He knew what the Lord wanted him to do. The Lord is much more likely to speak to someone with whom He is in fellowship. Are you living close enough to God these days to hear His voice?
2. ANANIAS WAS ABLE TO OBEY GOD BECAUSE HE FEARED THE LORD (vv. 13-14):
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."
How do we really know that Ananias feared or had respect for the Lord? Based on his conversation with the Lord it’s likely that Ananias certainly feared Saul of Tarsus. After all, Saul had developed quite a reputation. According to Ananias everyone was talking about how much harm he had done to the church of God before meeting Christ on the Damascus Road.
The point here is that we know Ananias had a greater respect for the Lord than he feared Saul because Ananias did what the Lord asked him to do. This was likely the last thing Ananias wanted to do. How much respect for God can we have if we only do those things for Him that have no degree of difficulty, only things we want to do? When was the last time you did something for God you really didn’t want to do?
3. ANANIAS WAS ABLE TO OBEY GOD BECAUSE HE WAS WILLING TO DO WHAT HE TOLD HIM TO DO (vv. 15-17):
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.
