Three Points and an Altar Call -or- Life Isn't That Easy

Last week we entered Acts 9 to see the conversion of Saul and that's really all we analyzed. We didn't truly dissect the passage and take it apart or get too deep theologically. We simply focused on the moment of salvation and made an effort to find some similarities between Saul's experience and our own. So, we are going to cover the whole chapter today. You'll notice that it is broken into three parts. We get a mention of Peter in the last section, which is pivotal, because these two major pillars of the church will eventually meet up. What we will attempt to do this morning is pull a major point out of each section and bring it to a head as we wrap up. But, it may not be that simple. There is much to read and see and understand. I'm just preparing you. I may get sidetracked here and there. 

First off, lets reiterate what we know. 
Saul gets a wake up call. He thinks he is doing God's will. He finds out he is not. But, instead of it all going south for him, he is redeemed. God shines his light on Saul and repurposes him. Let read it again.

Three days. Could you sit with something like this for that long?
Not being able to see. Not knowing if you were ever going to see again.
That's what Saul is subjected to and has no choice in the matter. 

But, put yourself in the shoes of Ananias and set Saul aside.
We like to parallel with the main character in a passage like this and that what we did last week.
If you are a believer, if you have this faith and are currently living it, then imagine being told to go see someone you know to be the enemy of those beliefs? Someone who has been persecuting others and killing them, imprisoning them, arresting them. Would you go? Would you listen to the voice sharing that inspiration or would you write it off? It's a bunch of nonsense. I'm getting killed over something like this. I'm know what I believe and I'm keeping it all to my self. Thank goodness Ananias listened. The world would not be the same without all of the Apostle Paul's letters and influence he has on the New Testament world. And, it happens because one guy listens. Would you be that person? Would you take your faith into a difficult place and uncomfortable circumstances? Or would you keep it to yourself? 

Lets see what happens next.

Well, it's evident that Saul has no intentions of keeping this faith to himself. He gets right out there. But, that's what he was doing in the first place. He was right out there in the mix and the mess. All that has changed is his emphasis. He gets new direction and order from Above and he gets right to it. 

But, again, lets take our focus off Saul. We know what he is doing. 
Lets put ourselves in the shoes of those believers in the scene. That's where our toes should feel the most parallel. Being in the shoes of those who are already established in the faith. Now here comes someone knew. And we know their backstory. We know where they've been and what they got into before they supposedly entered this life of faith. Do we trust it? Do we believe it? Will we support them and be there in their time of need?

Seems like an oddly tagged moment stuck on to the end of a chapter. Seems like it has nothing to do with anything else we read about Saul. Sometimes our scriptures just get broken down that way. But, Peter is here for a reason and Luke is guiding us to a meet up between these two pillars of the church, Peter and Paul. 

There's a couple of pairs of shoes we could put ourselves into here.
Are we willing to b put into Peyer's shoes and be used of the Lord in a strange setting? These people come for him and just want him to fix everything. He doesn't know them. He's never met them. But, this shouldn't be unfamiliar ground for Peter. He's been here before. He has walked with Jesus right into settings like this and seen Jesus do the unimaginable. Now it's Peter's turn. 

How about Dorcas? There have been women groups over the years named for just this simple remembrance. A woman who did good for others. "Dorcas Circle" is a name given to many such groups who have served and shared and given of themselves for other causes. Could we be like Dorcas? 

Maybe this week we spend a moment just thinking and seeking how we can be of use to the Lord in the lives of others. It's not about being the next Saul/Paul. Many of us aren't called to be the next champion of the faith. Maybe all we are being called to do is simply share and be available. Maybe it's some small need that has to be met. Just let the Lord know you are here and available - for Him.