Missions Paul

Acts 9: 24
“but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.”

You may have great plans and strategies. You may have a clear vision and know just exactly what you want to do or much more importantly what God wants you to do. However, what good is that if you have no idea what the enemy of your life is planning to do? How will that benefit you if you walk blindly into the snare of those who are against you? If you don’t know the pitfalls, the roadblocks, the dangers how will you know whether you are too near the edge of those things that can bring you down?

Saul learned of their plan.
The plan was that they would look out for him exiting the city and then when no one was watching capture him in order to kill him. They were relentless, they had people watching day and night. He was trapped inside Damascus. Knowing you are trapped is the best thing that can happen if you are indeed trapped. There is no hope for the ignorant.

Acts 9:23
“After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him”

Days of growing more and more powerful. A whole season. Many days in fact. Then it came to an end. The period of peace and openness turned to fight and closure.
Recently our workers in Nepal found that their lives were turned around almost overnight. For 9 years Nepal has been open to the gospel and we have planted many churches and sent missionaries. But last month 7 workers were arrested for gospel outreach and it has become very difficult for missionary work. But this is what missionary work involves and Saul was experiencing this for the first time.
We are all missionaries wherever we are but there are some called to go into very difficult places. One of my missionaries has had 3 death threats on his life but he keeps going undeterred.
Missions work comes in seasons. Seasons of openness and seasons of closure. We need to be prepared for both and above all we need to keep gospel sharing in both.

Acts 9:22
“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”

More Lord is a prayer that has been prayed by the many for many years. And in His graciousness the Lord has given us more of Himself to the many.
But maybe what the world needs is more of us. Maybe our prayer should be to give more to Him and more to others. To become better at our conversations with others about Jesus Christ. May it be said we have become more and more powerful.

Acts 9:21
“All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

When a person turns around not everyone can cope easily. There will always be people who do not want you to change. They have out you into a box and when you come out the box it causes them to be uncertain, shocked and astonished.
They will try and remind you of your past, “isn’t he the man who caused …?”
They will be cynical of what you are trying to do now, “and hasn’t he come to take them …”
Is that going to matter to you? Will this slow you down?

Acts 9:20
“At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”
Here we are again, immediately, at once.
There was no course to attend first. There was no 6 month sitting in church before being released. No, at once he became a preacher.
In one of our church planting countries when someone is converted to Christ they enter a community of believers where the expectation is that they will lead someone else to Christ within two weeks! That is why the gospel is thriving! Do they have all their theology sorted out. Of course not. But neither did Saul. All he knew was that Jesus is real. He is who He says He is. He is the Son of God. That is the main thing.

Acts 9: 19
“and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.”

Just eat something. Do the obvious. Saul had not eaten for 3 days and was weak. It wasn’t rocket science, he needed to gain strength, so he had to eat. Some people need to sleep. Some people need a day off. Or they need to do something relaxing. Others need to eat.

Just spend time with the right people. The right people are always disciples, people who are journeying, moving, not the ones who have arrived and know it all, but the ones who are in a learning community. Surround yourself with voices that are positive and who will affirm and encourage you.

Go on just do it.

Acts 9: 18
“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,”

It was straight away but it was difficult to explain.
We do have an immediate God.
He doesn’t just move gradually though much of our experience could be described like that.
We need to refresh ourselves in the immediate move of our God.
At the beginning he spoke and it happened.
He hasn’t stopped moving in this way.
He moves as we move. Ananias placed his hands on Saul and God moved.
Ananias was expecting God to heal and God healed.
Why can’t God do this again for you, for me, today? There is no reason. Believe for the immediate right now!
But you may struggle to explain it!

Acts 9: 17
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

He went.
Many are called but few truly go.
How did india first hear the gospel? Because Thomas went.
How did Paris establish its first church? Because Denis went.
How did Ireland become converted? Because Patrick went.
I could go on but you get the message.
Things happened because people went. They still do.
But going means risking everything. Rarely do people go with no fear. But they go nevertheless.
Can it be said of you that you went?

Acts 9:16
“I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

I will give him a global ministry.
I will make him famous.
I will hand him all he ever wanted.
I will use him in ways that will amaze.
I will provide for any and all of his needs.
This what God does for those who say YES to Him, right?
No.
Suffer is for those who are passionate for the name of Jesus.
Suffer is what happens to the obedient.
Suffer is for those who give everything.
Suffer is for those who risk their reputations.
Suffer is for those who carry a vision.
Being chosen is not for the light-hearted.

Acts 9:15
“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

So once again we see our God saying what He has and is always saying, “Go!” Today as you get ready for your day, your God is saying ‘Go!”

And to who do we go?
We go to people who may not know it yet, but who are chosen by God. He chooses before He is chosen. This is incredible grace.

And why are they chosen?
They are chosen to go to people who do not know Him and to make His name known to many. This is disciples making disciples who disciple.

It starts here with you today. Will you go? The potential movement that can come from your willingness is endless. It can begin with your approach to the unlikely and the unlovable, this is not an evangelistic event, this may just be a personal conversation. Here I am!