LIFE & WORK SERIES:
People are worth the
investment of time & effort
___
Acts 9:10-31
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___Have you ever been confused, hurt or in need? We cry out to God asking him to answer our prayers. If he delays in answering, we often wonder if he has forgotten us.
___Paul met Jesus on the Damascus road, but he lost his sight. For three days Paul waited on a word from God. He prayed and fasted, but nothing happened. What Paul could not see was God's work across town in the heart of Ananias.
___Sometimes God's answer to prayer is delayed because of the unwillingness of another 
person to do his will. The focus of this lesson asks us to place ourselves not in the position of Paul, but of Ananias. Are we willing to invest our lives in others?
___ People need help (Acts 9:10-12). God directed Ananias through a vision to go to Saul. The direction was complete with the homeowner's name and address (v. 11). God informed Ananias that Saul would be expecting him so that Saul could regain his sight. God often includes people to do his work.
___ People have potential (Acts 9:13-17). Ananias was not thrilled with the prospect of helping a man known for his animosity towards Christians. In fact, Saul's very presence signified possible arrest and imprisonment for himself and others. However, God had other plans. God had chosen Saul as a mighty messenger (vv. 15-16). God saw potential in Saul (who became Paul) just as he saw potential in Simon (who became Peter).
___We tend to focus on the exterior qualities of a person, whereas God sees the heart. We may observe belligerence, rebellion, misdirection or unsociable qualities, while God discerns something quite different. God directed Ananias to move beyond the externals and see Saul as God saw him. Ananias obeyed, welcomed Saul as a brother, and brought healing to him. God uses us in a similar capacity as we look for the unrealized potential in others and remain faithful to God's call to ministry.
___ People grow in effectiveness (Acts 9:19b-22). Saul's preaching was effective immediately, primarily because people witnessed the tremendous change in his life (v. 21). He proclaimed what he formerly persecuted. However, Saul continued to grow. He not only proclaimed, but he also drew conclusions from Scripture that were powerful enough to baffle the Jews (v. 22). One's testimony remains a great tool for evangelism, but Saul developed other weapons for his arsenal. Mature Christians have the task of investing in others so that they, too, become more effective in sharing the gospel.
___ People need a friend and advocate (Acts 9:26-28). When Saul returned to Jerusalem, the other disciples feared him and refused to believe that a genuine change had affected his life (v. 26). Such a reaction was understandable given Saul's previous history in that city (Acts 7:58; 8:1, 3; 9:1-2). However, Barnabas vouched for Saul. He convinced the believers that Saul's change was real, and he helped assimilate Saul into the Christian community at Jerusalem. Likewise, many people need help in becoming part of a local church. They are worth our investment of time and effort.
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