Mission Weekend: What happened on Straight Street? (Acts 9: 8 -13)

Rev Irvin Rutherford

Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. (Acts 9:8-13)

There are 3 great births in history

  1. Jesus
  2. John the Baptist
  3. Saul who became Paul (great missionary for the redeemer)

Here is the story of how Saul became a great missionary for God.

1.A brave man was willing to go there

Ananias was willing to go where God called him to. His response to God’s call was, “Here I am, Lord.” That is the response of a missionary. Ananias was a brave man to go to meet Saul, a man who was persecuting the believers of Jesus.

God’s plan of redemption for men and women requires us believers to go like Ananias and even as in this story, to be like Judas, who opened his home to Saul in hospitality. Redemption is one-on-one, it is like Ananias going to Straight Street to see Saul.

There is a difference between cursing the darkness and bringing light into the darkness. We are called to bring light into the darkness.

2.A rebellious man was praying a desperate prayer

Paul, a religious man, knew what prayer was but he didn't know what a desperate prayer was.

We need to know what it is to pray desperate prayers again.

There was once Rev Irvin was asked by a mother, who was desperately praying for her son, to go to the hospital and pray for her son. When he arrived there, he saw a man with red shoulder length hair, a pack of 4 cigarettes boxes on the side table and he had a book on his chest titled, “Why I am not a Christians”. There were tubes and wires on the young man, and since he was asleep, Rev Irvin touched his hand to pray for him. The young man woke up and refused prayer when Rev Irvin told him why he was there. But Rev Irvin said he would still pray as he was there because of the young man’s mother’s request. The young man then said he would believe if after the prayer he could walk out with Rev Irvin. Rev Irvin closed his eyes to pray and he felt the mother’s desperate prayers, he felt God’s desperate prayer for this lost young man. With tears running down his face, he opened his eyes and saw that the young man was also crying. The young started pulling out the tubes. Rev Irvin, quickly went to the nurse’s station to informed them of what was going on and left. A short while later, when he was driving, he received a phone call. It was the young man. He had checked himself out of the hospital and was at a phone booth, healed. Today this young man is serving the Lord.

God answers and is still answering desperate prayers. Are we coming before God with desperate prayers for our families and our nation?

3.A man was finding the will of God for his life

God has a purpose for every individual person, for every people group. We need to find His purpose for our lives.

That’s what Saul was doing waiting for God’s purpose for his life. That’s what God told him to do.

Before the Great Commission, there was the Great Love (Luke 23:34),the Great Compassion. This all came before the Great Commandment.

4.A man was being welcomed into the family of God

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.””. (Acts 9:17)

Ananias said, "brother Saul" despite his negative thoughts of Saul. He welcomed Saul as family. This must have had a great impact on Saul. As you read the many letters that Saul wrote in the New Testament, you will see that he treated others as family.

That's what the church is all about. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are redeemed and forgiven by Christ. Likewise, we are to show others the path to redemption and to forgive and accept them.

5.A man was being filled with the Holy Spirit

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.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.” (Acts 9:17-19)

The Holy Spirit is not only for the signs and wonders and for those in full time service or missionaries.

He is with us in our everyday ordinary life, through our joys and our struggles. He is our guide and comforter. To look after us, and to reveal the deep things of God to us.

6.A powerhouse for missions and evangelism and was raised up

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.(Acts 9:20)

Straight way from straight street, after being refreshed physically and receiving the Holy Spirit, Saul went out to preach of Jesus Christ.

This is the result of Ananias’ obedience to go to a place and see a man who was a danger to the believers of Jesus. Saul spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ far and wide. He planted many churches, taught and disciple many believers.

There are times when God’s call for us makes us uncomfortable or even take us to a dangerous place. Are we willing to go? Who knows, you may be the person to find another Saul.

Sermon summary and prayer points contributed by Prudence Tay.

Prayer Items contributed by Loong

SERMON: What happened on Straight Street

Pray:

  • We as Christians will encounter God on a personal level.
  • We will know the purpose of our lives and we will be willing to obey God’s calling.
  • Many will respond to the call for mission works to the various mission fields in the country and around the world, be it short term or long term.
  • Many will sign up for MCPP I (Missions Candidate Preparation Program I) to get themselves ready.
  • Many will accept the challenge to adopt unreached people groups.
  • We will get involved in missions, be it becoming missionaries or supporting via prayer and offerings.
  • We will all seize opportunities to share the good news.

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. (1 Chronicles 16:23)

MINISTRIES & EVENTS: Step Up

Pray:

  • We will be ready to step up to greater callings in the different ministries.
  • We will be faithful to serve one another with humility and passion.
  • We will meet a need when we see it, not worrying about whether we have the gifts or the calling or whether it’s the right season.
  • We will prepare the leaders and also avail ourselves when there is a need.
  • There will be a person (or two) ready for succession at every level.
  • We will have the right motivation in our serving, that we know we are serving God and nor man.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

MALAYSIA MY NATION: 2016 Budget

Pray:

  • The government will listen to the people and take necessary steps to help the people.
  • The government will identify unnecessary spending and eliminate them.
  • The government will have the interest of the people in mind.
  • The government will come up with a reasonable budget and get the support of the private sectors and the people.
  • Together, the people of Malaysia will weather the current financial storm.

For lack of guidance a nation falls,but victory is won through many advisers. (Proverbs 11:14)

A TRANSFORMED WORLD: China’s influence to the world

Pray:

  • China, as the world’s number one economy, having unseated United States, will play a positive role in the world.
  • They, with over 5000 years of culture and history will help inculcate good values.
  • A change landscape in the world influence will help America to reconsider their position and their role.
  • The China ruling party’s commitment to eradicate corruption at all levels will bear fruit and will be a positive role model for all nations.
  • China, with its rapid growing churches will be a fertile land to spread the Gospel.

By justice a king gives a country stability,but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. (Proverbs 29:4)

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