Sermon Central
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No Impossible Cases Series
Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 17, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: God’s timing is always perfect. In Galatians 4, Paul expressed that idea when he wrote “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…” So we know that God chose the time when Jesus was to come into the world, and that it was the ex
No Impossible Cases
Introduction
God’s timing is always perfect. In Galatians 4, Paul expressed that idea when he wrote “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…” So we know that God chose the time when Jesus was to come into the world, and that it was the exact right time.
God is sovereign; that means that He is in control. He has a plan, which was made before the world was created, and He works out the details of His plan in our lives. Nothing surprises God.
We know from our Bible studies, thus far, that the Early Church was growing even though it was meeting with opposition. The stoning of Stephen as described in chapters 7 and 8 sets the scene for the experiences we examine in chapter 9. There are three great lessons that are taught in this chapter:
1. There are no impossible cases with God.
2. God permits His people to share in what He is doing.
3. Discipling new converts is exciting.
Our scripture for today is Acts 9:1-19. I’ll read it to you from the New King James Bible.
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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.
The Church was just beginning, but it had already been pushed out of its comfort zone. Times were tough for these new Christians. They were in a situation where they must totally depend on God. But that is a good position to be in; because people who depend on Him learn He is worthy of their trust. However, Satan can turn up the heat just as he did for the Hebrew children. He can cause hardships and discouragement for the people of God, but God takes care of the details. He doesn’t just have a plan for mankind; He has a plan for each of us and He knows everything that happens in our lives.
Remember these two words: “but God.” Everything turns on those two words. We may meet with hardships and discouragement, “but God,” will work out the details to accomplish His purpose for us. Satan stirred the mob up into a bloody frenzy as they stoned Stephen, but God opened the heavens. Satan put Paul and Silas in Jail, but God gave them a song.
