First Presbyterian Church

We’ve read two narratives in Acts now about people whose lives were transformed as a result of having encountered Jesus. That sounds so casual, like they just ran into him one day. The truth is, for both Paul and Ananias, Jesus broke into their lives and gave them a whole new way to view His work in people. Both men responded to their call with obedience, which said in effect, “For me, you are Lord of all.”

To call Jesus Lord means more than following Jesus’ moral influence or even his lifestyle. Calling him Lord and ordering our life around him is the result of seeing the God of heaven actually reaching down into our lives and coming to life. Jesus calls it abiding in him; living within God’s shadow. To live in Christ is to be blessed and loved in a special way.

Paul spent 14 years after his encounter with Jesus working out his theology. During that period his life completely changed. But what changed? How did he describe it? He was a law-abiding Jew, more zealous than anyone else. He gave up living by the law. What did he live by? The answer is he lived by the call of Christ, and that answer is important in our exploration of “Who is Jesus and why should we live for him?” This passage challenges us with deep theology, but it also encourages us to trust in a God who seeks goodness for us at all times. We will be blessed as we jump into it.

Enjoy thinking about these questions:

· How is your life different because of the gospel? Are you closer to the principles of Jesus or the person of Jesus?

· What disciplines of the faith do you think help you live closer to the person of Jesus?

Sermon:  Transforming Call

This week as background for our summer study of Galatians, we will continue with the second part of the story of the Apostle Paul’s call. If you recall, Saul’s companions led him into Damascus by the hand because he was blinded by the light of Christ when Jesus met him on the road. Saul was taken to a house where he remained in prayer for three days. Don’t we wonder what conversation transpired during that prayer time! Surely those three days were the beginning of a long “prayer relationship” between this man and his God.

Meanwhile, the Lord also speaks to a believer in Damascus named Ananias, and instructs him to go to Saul and heal him. Saul, of course, was quite a threat to the early believers, and so Ananias protested. He was repelled by the request Jesus made, and he felt free to voice that objection.

Do you take advantage of the fact that you may talk to God about your thoughts and feelings? Take a little time to read this story in Acts 9:10-19 and put yourself in Ananias’ shoes. Be Ananias and imagine yourself being called to this task. Speak to God about what your concerns would be. This might lead you to think of prayer in a little different light; as a time to have a conversation about spiritual things. God is always ready and willing to hear our concerns.

Sermon: People Don’t Change . . . or Do They?

Audio: Danny Velasco’s Testimony