Central Presbyterian Church Online

Sample Sermon
Rev. Gerald Boutelle (former minister at Central Presbyterian Church - Petersburg, IL)

Ananius' Annunciation
Acts 9:1-20, Rev. 5:11-14

We usually focus on Saul's conversion, with our lesson from Acts, but I was no less impressed with the change in heart Ananius had to experience.

Have you ever had to "come to terms" with a person who was determined to destroy you?

This is the position Ananius was in. This is what God asked him to overcome.

I. Let's look at what Ananius knew about Saul. As a member of the fledgling Church in the main city north of Jerusalem, Ananius had seen some of the refugees from Saul's wrath.

A. He had been shocked when he heard that zealous Jews had in stoned Stephen. This had been the first blow for a wave of persecution that scattered Jesus' followers.

B. Saul of Tarsus emerged as the radical spokesman inciting violent protests and riots against any suspected followers of Jesus. He -vowed to pursue and hunt down any adherents of the new faith wherever they tried to escape.

C. The latest word from Jerusalem indicated this same Saul had received official authorization from High Priest, with letters of introduction, to pursue and persecute the followers of Jesus in Damascus.

II. Why Damascus? It was the devout Jew's dream and obligation to visit the Temple at least once in his life time. For those who had been dispersed to the North, the official pilgrimage began in Damascus. It was a check-in, information center. When it was heard that there was a fledgling community of Jewish followers of the Nazarene operating in Damascus, it was feared they would corrupt and infiltrate the establishedpilgrimage. The reason for having an outlying posts like Alexandria to the South and Damascus to the North was to help insure the purity of the Temple, not introduce and encourage its defilement. This rival sect must be stamped out!

III. Let's try to put ourselves in Ananius' place --

"I was not the leader of the congregation. I was just an average merchant with connections in Israel. I had followed with great interest the miracles and teachings of Jesus. I was appalled when the Jewish authorities had conspired for his death, but rejoiced when I heard it was not the end. His followers witnessed his resurrection appearances many times over. I appearances many times over. I was proud to be a part of a group that celebrated Jesus' on-going victory in Diaspora.

A. "Then one night I was singled out by God himself for a direct revelation! Jesus called to me by name. At first I thought it was just a dream, but the voice persisted while I gathered my wits. When I answered, 'Yes, I hear you,' the Lord asked me to go look for Saul of Tarsus in the middle of the market district of Damascus.

"God was only asking me to face my greatest fear--to approach my sworn enemy and certain death. Of all the things I had hoped God would reveal to me--this was not on my list! This was very disturbing. Yes, I know that Jesus was crucified for us, and we were called to take up our crosses and follow--but literally?!

B. "While I was mulling over this terrible request, God added that Saul was in a vulnerable condition...and needed my help. You can imagine the thoughts that raced through my mind in that instant. one moment I was trembling with fear for my very life, and in the next I was standing over my adversary—'GOTCHA!' But God's message dashed those thoughts too. I was not to take advantage of his helplessness I was supposed to go and lay hands on him and in the name of Jesus heal his blindness. That was asking almost more than to just approach a mortal enemy.

C. "When I regained my wits the second time, I found the courage to question God, 'Lord, are we talking about the same Saul I have been hearing about? I have seen his victims! You would not believe the terrible things he has said about anyone associated with you. People have died at his hands and he has sworn he will hunt us down to the ends of the earth. Now he has official papers to pursue his vendetta right here in Damsacus!'

D. "The Lord did not directly address my fears and apprehensions, but instead gave me a glimpse of his plan. 'You must go to him because he is to be my special instrument. He will become the greatest missionary of all time, making my name known to hosts of gentiles, even kings of foreign lands as well as all Israel.. And, yes, like me, I will show him that he must suffer for my sake.'

E. "So I was to be the human connection to God's newest and greatest Apostle. My mind was still not comprehending. Why me? This was not foolish-it was suicide. And if indeed he was helpless - why not seize the opportunity to remove this threat? But God had spoken to me. And approached this wretched, tormented shell of a man (he had not eaten for 3 days), I put my arms around him and spontaneously said 'Brother Saul?' He looked up questioningly with unseeing eyes. Later he told me that he had a parallel vision--he even knew my name. In one act I gently placed my hands on his eyes and said, 'The Lord Jesus has sent me--the same One who met you on the road--he sent me so that you might receive your sight and the Holy Spirit.' In an instant matter fell from his eyes and he could see again--at first the light was too bright. He stood up and returned with me to the other followers, and then requested baptism in the name of Jesus. After that we had a meal together and he was able to eat and his strength returned. We all marveled--was this the same man we had so feared from a distance?"

IV. It's easy for us to live only in the realm of our own ideas and efforts. We make up our mind about what we want and scheme about what we want others to do for us. But others often frustrate us because they have their own ideas and plans about what they want out of life and their job.

This (and the experience of Ananius and Saul) should bring us back to God in Prayer!

Do you believe that (If we are truly open to God's plan and the active working of the Holy Spirit) even our worst tormentor and detractor can be transformed into our loving partner in something greater than we can even imagine?

This is more than a wistful Hope. This is seeking the kingdom of God and God's glory while still living in the here-and-now. The only thing keeping us from experiencing this "resurrection power" is our lack of faith and prayer.

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