2. 9. God Intervenes
Acts 9:1-19a
p. 1012

3. The Character of God God intervening in the world directly.
Why can’t He work like this all the time?
He has a greater purpose in the lives of human beings.
He is not best revealed through mighty acts of power.
His unlimited grace best revealed by gentleness & humility

4. 1. Saul – Murderous Persecutor
“Paul” – rabid persecutor of the early church (26:9-11)
Why was he so passionately against the Christians?
Passion for God made him opposed to threats to it
Christians were Jews he thought were being led astray
He was a committed and observant Jew (Phil 3:4-7)
He was wrong.

5. 1. Saul – Murderous Persecutor . . .
Lesson: treat our understanding with caution.
God honoured the attitude of his heart (Deut 4:29)

6. 2. Ananias – Faithful Disciple
Ananias was a quiet and devout man (Ac 22:12)
Has a vision to go and heal Paul.
Ananias can’t believe his ears (v 13-14)

7. 2. Ananias – Faithful Disciple . . .
Have you ever felt God wants you to do something that is a bad idea?
“It’s not my gifting”
“Lord, I can’t take on another thing right now”
“Lord, you know this isn’t the ideal role for me”
My story Starting at UC.

8. 2. Ananias – Faithful Disciple . . .
According to Hippolytis, Ananias one of the 72 (Lk 10)
Bishop of Damascus. Martyred in Eleutheropolis
God is revealed in the faithfulness of ordinary people

9. 3. Jesus – Persecuted in His People
We all love the tables being turned on the bad guys.
Paul conversion is described 3 times (Ac 9, 22, 26)
One thing he always mentions:
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?
Jesus identifies so closely with the church:
We are Him, and He is us.

10. 3. Jesus – Persecuted in His People . . .
Why this matters:
Individualism – think church is an optional extra
Not true: Jesus is present with His people
He is with us in community (1 John 4:19-21)

11. 3. Jesus – Persecuted in His People . . .
The Church is the place where Jesus is present and can be encountered.
This is where he is.
Interesting – when persecution is fiercest … … commitment to gather is strongest
It is how God intended it to be.

12. Living It
Address our deep desire for God to work without human agency.
He just doesn’t work that way.
The last time Jesus makes a face-to-face appearance
Necessary for Paul’s call to be one of the 12 Apostles.

13. Nicene Creed: “One holy, catholic & apostolic church”
Living It . . .
Nicene Creed: “One holy, catholic & apostolic church”
Jesus appears to an ordinary disciple to heal and anoint his new Apostle.
God does not bypass His people to get His work done.
He involves us.
He will hold back until we are ready!

14. Yes, Lord. “Here I am. Send me” (Isa. 6:8)
Living It . . .
Yes, Lord. “Here I am. Send me” (Isa. 6:8)