Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (20)
Similar to Obedience: A risk, a blessing and a response
Similar to Obedience: A risk, a blessing and a response (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Obedience: A risk, a blessing and a response
- 4.
- 5. Can God use me? I’m serving now. Are all these worth it?
- 6. If YES,HOW?
- 7. It’s that thing called: OBEDIENCE.
- 8. Obedience: A risk, a blessing and a response ~Acts 9:1-16 Church of Singapore – Filipino Service 22 March 2015
- 9. 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.
- 10. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
- 11. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
- 12. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
- 13. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
- 14. 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
- 15. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
- 16. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
- 17. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
- 19. 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
- 20.
- 21. Obedience is a RISK • Fear of danger/bad report • Doubt • Inconvenient/Not Comfort zone It takes faith to obey It takes faith to obey
- 22. Ananias was a commoner. What excuse do you have? Ananias was a commoner. What excuse do you have?
- 23. Obedience is a BLESSING • He will give us instructions • He will give us a vision • He will give us blessed assurance Ananias was prepared for God’s work. Ananias was prepared for God’s work.
- 24. BLESSINGS: When we obey, we give people: • Hope • Refreshing • Empowerment • Purpose
- 26. Obedience is a RESPONSE to God’s love, an expression of our love to God “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is ABLE TO DELIVER US from it, and he WILL DELIVER US from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But EVEN IF HE DOES NOT (DELIVER US), we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” ~ Daniel 3:1-18
- 27.
- 28. “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart!” Nick Vujicic
- 29. Kitchie Nadal “I was ready to give up the whole music scene. At the time, I just couldn’t see my purpose in singing anymore. But that difficult time, instead of crushing my faith, God used it to really strengthen my faith.”
- 30. “Di ko man ma-inspire ang buong mundo, at least may ma-inspire man lang ako na kahit anong pagsubok na dumating sa buhay, 'wag mawalan ng pag-asa."
- 32. •Is God speaking with you today? •Is God calling you on a mission? •What specific area of weakness in your life do you need to bring into obedience to Christ? •What steps will you take to become obedient in this area? Ananias responded. Are you willing to be Ananias? Ananias responded. Are you willing to be Ananias?
- 33. Yes Lord, it’s a risk. Yes Lord, it’s a blessing. Therefore, I respond because You loved me first.
- 34. Obedience: A risk, a blessing and a response ~Acts 9:1-16
- 35. Applications • Live a life of purity and integrity • Pray more, read more • Share Jesus to others • Serve in ministry • Join: – Prayer Walk – Corporate Prayer – Halfway House Visitation – Mission Trip – Evangelistic events
Editor's Notes
- Introduction: Pictures of people whom you may or may not know… Nick Vujicic: - Inspiring the youth starting at 17. - Started Non-profit org- “Life Without Limbs”. Vujicic presents motivational speeches worldwide which focus on life with a disability, hope and finding meaning in life. Wiki.org
- Kitchie Nadal A famous singer-musician who became a Christian Has helped a lot of people, took part in organisations and programmes for kids A friend of hers said, "You'll lose count on how many lives she's enriched and it's really funny how not that many people know about what she does." http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/03/03/15/photos-kitchie-nadal-gets-married-p799-gown
- This is my friend, Mr Norman Cabanban. He used to be popular among his friends and ladies, a heartthrob if we may say. He’s good in sports and photography and fond of dogs. He basically did things in his own way. One day he had an injury that completely changed his life. His lower limbs became weaker due to the surgery and was wheelchair-bound till now. His initial reaction was to question God and rebel. He became waylaid, drinking, smoking and doing other things that is not helping his body. Several years passed, and then he came to know Christ and now inspiring others despite his situation. Now he’s is still into dog shows and photography and still hoping that better days are yet to come through God’s help.
- And even them, they are people with their own stories, but they are being used by God mightily through simple ways of serving in and out of this church. As you can see, not only in the Bible, God is using people mightily today.
- Maybe it’s your first time here, and you’re asking yourself … What about me? Can God use me? Or maybe you’ve been here for a while and you’ve been praying about your purpose, or you’ve been serving for a while and you’re wondering … Are all these worth it?
- Most of you will answer YES to this question. But the more important question is, HOW? If there is one thing the LORD is wanting from us so He can help us, it is this:
- Or should I say, that thing called Obedience.
- The title of this morning’s message is Obedience – a risk, a blessing and a response Let’s take a look at a section of the Bible that powerfully speaks on this topic. We will also take a look at a bunch of stories. People remember stories. Let’s read Acts 9:1-16 all together.
- <To be re-told by congregation in their own words while the pictures are being shown.> According New Testament Paul, a.k.a. Saul, was dedicated to the persecution of the early disciples of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem. Saul was first seen at the martyrdom of Stephen ( Acts 7:58-60 ).
- Saul was not satisfied with the work of destruction that he had led about Jerusalem. He applied to the authorities for letters to Damascus, in order to bind all of the disciples of the Lord in that distant city, and bring them bound to Jerusalem.
- As he approached the city, a brilliant light from heaven shone around him, and he heard a voice demanding why he persecuted Him.
- He asked, in reply, who was speaking to him and was told that that it was Jesus.
- Maybe with great trembling and astonishment, he asked what to do. He was told to go into the city, with the assurance that he should there receive the desired information. What did Paul do? Literally, he followed blindly.
- His associates were speechless. They heard the voice but did not comprehend it.
- They led Saul into the city where, without sight, he prayed for three days.
- Who is this Ananias? Different from Ananias, the wife of Saphira. Ananias, meaning "favoured of the LORD“, was a disciple of Jesus at Damascus.
- The Lord spoke to this disciple and told him to go and give the Paul the desired relief.
- But having heard of Saul he attempted to excuse himself.
- But He told him to go his way, assuring him that Saul was a chosen vessel to carry His name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Our texts today ends at God’s instruction to Ananias. CHECK: What was God's command to Ananias? What was Ananias' reaction? How did he finally respond?
- Let’s watch this video. <Video of Ananias healing Paul’s eyes and baptising him.> So as you can see, because of Ananias’ obedience, Paul's sight was restored and the rest of Paul’s story is written in almost half the book of Acts.
- Let’s turn to ourselves now. We must admit, Obedience is not easy. What keeps us from obeying? What are the risks? Fear of danger/bad report - Ananias heard what Saul had been doing to believers (Acts 9:13) Doubt … that Saul is coming with authority.. (and an ordinary man like him cannot go near him and do what God wants him to do.) (Acts 9:14) Present times: Inconvenient I have no time. I might face ridicule. I have not resources. I can’t speak. Comfort zone - I’m shy. I’m OK to be safe. I don’t want to get involved.
- Why obey God? Why did Ananias obey God anyway? Instructions - He will guide us, and at time with very specific tasks. (Acts 9:11-12) Vision Gave Ananias the purpose – this man will be used to proclaim … (Acts 9:15) Blessed assurance We are fully sure that God's love is enough to save us. The Holy Spirit also assures us of our trust in God, "blessed assurance, Jesus is mine“. (Acts 9:16)
- Hope/Realisation Opening of the eyes (Acts 9:18) In our times, we will help people realise that struggles are part of character development. Refreshing Baptism, food (Acts 9:18) In our times, we will help people see the goodness of God and give them the ability to enjoy life – simple things such as sleep, food, nature. Empowerment Regained strength (Acts 9:19) In our times, we will help people be empowered by real strength that is the joy of the LORD. Purpose Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Paul to be able to preach (Acts 9:20-22) In out times, we will help people access the goodness of the Holy Spirit – that He will guide is in everything we do, our personal being, and our mission.
- And in the next chapters, we can see that he was used by God mightily in proclaiming the good news. Paul began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God. Approximately half of the book of Acts deals with Paul's life and works. Testimony of Paul in Acts 22 role of Ananias: 12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
- The amazing obedience and faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Chuck Swindoll They recognise: He IS ABLE deliver them They are sure by faith: He WILL deliver them Unconditional response: Even if He DOES NOT deliver them Unprofitable relationship – I will let go, because I believe Lord you can provide, You will provide, even if you do not provide, I will obey.
- “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” “They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”
- Let me end with these few stories: Nick believes that God can use any willing heart to do his work and that God is big enough to overcome any disability. Who obeyed so that he can become what he is now? His family, friends and the many people he has encountered along the journey. http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick/bio/
- https://livethelife.wordpress.com/2006/06/15/artists-spotlight-kitchie-nadal/ Even in our daily lives and through our giftings, God can use us. Who obeyed so that he can become what he is now? Her friends.
- Who obeyed so that he can become what he is now? His sister who’s a Christian, introduced her to a pastor. The pastor followed him up for a year and he soon came to know his purpose in life – to inspire others despite his situation.
- How a lady shared to me Christ and discipled from secondary school to university. If she didn’t pursue me and helped me, I wouldn’t be here standing, serving and enjoying the joy of the LORD today.
- Reflect on the following questions.
- TURN TO GOD and say these. May the Holy Spirit empower us in our decision today.
- Let’s all remember this take home message.
- And here are some ways we can start applying what we have learned today. Maraming salamat po! ^_^