“The Church You’ve Always Longed For – Anticipates a Great Future”

June 26, 2011 Acts 9:1-19  Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)
(adapted from material by Rev. Robert Moss, First Church of God, St. Joseph, Michigan)

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

•    ‘Corporal Bruno’s’ about-turn: saving not destroying lives

GOD INTERVENES IN UNUSUAL WAYS

•    Saul’s submission to surprising Damascus Road vision
•    Jesus present and passionate where His people are persecuted

GOD CHOOSES UNUSUAL PEOPLE TO PUBLISH HIS NAME

•    Ananias’ reasonable hesitation to God’s selection
•    God uses unexpected saints to move the church ahead
•    widespread sense of spiritual need today: it’s how we’re wired

GOD GIVES UNUSUAL POWER

•    Ananias prays for Saul’s physical healing as well as spiritual strengthening
•    electric source meant for more than just illuminating lamps
•    Paul realized the mystery of Christ’s power available in the midst of suffering
•    life hid with Christ a ‘continuous unfolding’

HE TOOK THE STING

•    bee not a threat when dad disarmed it: parallels Christ’s intervention