2. 2. Looking to God
Acts 9:1-19a
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THANKSGIVING

3. A God-Centered Life Self-Centered Life God-Centered Life
Is focused on self - Places confidence in God
Is proud of self & accomplishments - Depends on God – His ability & provision
Is self-confident - Focuses on God & His activity
Depends on self & abilities - Humble before God
Affirms self - Denies self
Seeks to be acceptable to the world - Seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
Sees things from human perspective - Seeks God’s perspective in every circumstance
Chooses selfish, ordinary living - Chooses holy and godly living
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

4. 1. Our WILL (and God’s)
Do I have to be God-centered before I can experience God?
Why do I want to experience God and know his will?
Do I want to experience God and know His will so that I can prosper, my life can be blessed, and so that I can enjoy peace, success, happiness, etc?
- OR -
Do I want to know God’s will and experience Him so that I can do His will and make whatever changes are necessary to live fully for Him?
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

5. God will not override our resistance, He will overcome our weakness
1. Our WILL (and God’s) ...
Phil 2:13 “God works in you to will and act ...”
God will not override our resistance,
He will overcome our weakness
When we open up our lives to God (time, money, focus) He will do radical things in and around us.
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

6. 2. Paul (Saul)
A major player on the religious scene (Gal (1:14; Acts 22:3)
Jesus appears to him and speaks to him (Also Acts 22:3ff, 26:4ff)
Notice:
Paul is opposing God
God intends to use him
God speaks to him
God completely interrupts his life
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

7. 3. Ananias Not a notable figure socially or historically
An astonishing instruction – Paul was a known persecutor (v 13-17)
An amazingly challenging ask from God.
Ananias went back to his life of daily faithfulness.
His vision/instruction was confirmed by Paul’s vision (v 12)
He had to act first to get the confirmation!
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

8. God can Interrupt our lives
He will speak to us – in many forms
We are to align our wills and lives to Him
God will not override our resistance,
He will overcome our weakness
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.