Act 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest Act 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Act 9:4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Act 9:5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Act 9:6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Act 9:7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Act 9:8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Act 9:9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Act 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Act 9:11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, Act 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.” Act 9:13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. Act 9:14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Act 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Act 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Act 9:18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
We all have frame of reference that guides us-
Saul- Religious Judaism
Ananias- Safety and security
We can learn from these two about Biases based on environment
Information can change viewpoint (Saul learned who he was talking to)
Obedience trumps personal bias every time (Ananias chose to bey God and go against his own biases.
When our biases stop kingdom growth, our biases need to be checked.
Three truths that will always be according to God’s Word
People are never the enemy. Satan and his influence are
Assuming truth other than God’s truth leads to destruction
The Holy Spirit presents the most compelling argument
GO IX - “Compelling Arguments"
Acts 9:1-18
November 1, 2020 • Paul Barnard
GO XIII: The Truth About Sharing Your Faith
December 13, 2020 • Paul Barnard
*Act 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. Act 17:17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.* Sees something wrong and feels the need to change it *Act 17:18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. Act 17:19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? Act 17:20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Act 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.* *Act 17:22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. Act 17:23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.* Identify with people *Act 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, Act 17:25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.* *Act 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, Act 17:27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, Act 17:28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’* *Act 17:29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”* *Act 17:32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” Act 17:33 So Paul went out from their midst.* *Act 17:34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.* The truth about evangelism- Relational Personal Spiritual
GO XII - "Unity for Opportunity"
November 29, 2020 • Paul Barnard
The Philippian Jailer Converted Act 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, Act 16:26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. Act 16:27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Act 16:29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Act 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Act 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Act 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Act 16:34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. Act 16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” Act 16:36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” Act 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” Act 16:38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. Act 16:39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. Act 16:40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. Dealing with injustice: Flesh- Cover ourselves-how will this affect me? Emotion rules us-Anger and fear will cause us to react Cause damage to the kingdom-What will Christians be known for. Spirit- Worship-Vs 25- Learning to thank God for opportunity Watch- Look for the opportunity Work-Take the opportunity What injustice are you willing to experience for the opportunity to serve?