The Role of an Ananias!
I don't think i've ever heard a sermon preached on Ananias. Barnabas, yes...but, not Annanias. It's interesting, but whenever i think of an "encourager", i think of Barnabas...and, that he was. Barnabas was a guy who reached out to Paul and took him in. But, he wasn't the only one to reach out the Apostle Paul...nor was he the first! No, this disciple named Ananias was God's front man. He was God's pioneer! He was God's greeter, in a way...Paul's first impression of Christian hospitality and acceptance since his recent conversion. What kind of welcome would Paul receive? Would he be forgiven and loved? Would he be shown grace and mercy? Well, it would rest upon Ananias to show him...and what do we find?
We read from these verses in Ch. 9, that Ananias wasn't really that excited about his mission to reach out to the Apostle Paul :) V. 13 tells us that Ananias answered the Lord, "I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon Your name." Now, when i put myself in Ananias' shoes, i completely understand and would have done the same thing! I would be convinced that this "enemy of the church" was just using this salvation story as a way to get more info or to get closer access to believers. After all, Paul was the last guy whom you'd think would turn to Christ! He was just, and i mean just, putting Christ-followers in jail! But Ananias listened to the Lord...above all logic and reason. What a man of faith! So, Ananias arose and went the house where Paul was staying and laid his hands upon him and prayed for him. With his prayer came a restoration of Paul's sight and a filling of the Holy Spirit! Then Ananias baptized Paul! It seems that Ananias brought Paul some food and ate with him, as well. Then, without much detail, v.19 says that Paul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus, which must have been initiated by whom? Ananias!
Now, while we don't read anything else about this guys' life after this, Ananias played one of the most significant roles in the life of the Apostle Paul (and subsequently, the history of the church)! He was Paul's first touch! He was the first one to lay hands on and pray for Paul! He was the one whose prayer brought physical healing and the filling of the Hole Spirit in Paul's life! He seems to be the one who baptized Paul, and the one who introduced him to other Christians in Damascus. Wow! Ananias would have a huge part to play in the life of one of the most important Christians in history...and, it was all in the way that he faithfully welcomed Paul into the Body of Christ!
Practical thoughts from his life: 1) Don't underestimate the power or importance of a "welcome"! How we welcome people into the Body of Christ is very important! This front line ministry is truly that of first impression. And, as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make one! Will a person receive acceptance or rejection? Grace or judgment? A cold handshake or prayer? It could make all the difference in their life... 2) Don't underestimate the power or importance of prayer! God may not always tell us what is going to happen if we do, but God can use a simple prayer for someone else to bring about physical healing, emotional encouragement, or spiritual revival! Your prayer for someone else could literally change their life, if not their day :) 3) Don't underestimate the power of God at work behind the scenes! God first gave Paul a vision that Ananias would be coming to pray for him, then he called Ananias to do it! God was at work behind the scenes, preparing Paul's heart to receive the ministry of Ananias! Who knows that when we get a stirring to approach or welcome or pray for someone else, that God has not been working in their lives, preparing them for you! We must trust those prompting of the Lord, those stirrings to step out and reach out in love!
God, help me to be more like Ananias! Help me to be one who welcomes others, one who is willing to touch and pray for others, and one who understands and trusts that You are working behind the scenes...preparing them for me to come! Speak to me today and i will follow You!
We read from these verses in Ch. 9, that Ananias wasn't really that excited about his mission to reach out to the Apostle Paul :) V. 13 tells us that Ananias answered the Lord, "I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon Your name." Now, when i put myself in Ananias' shoes, i completely understand and would have done the same thing! I would be convinced that this "enemy of the church" was just using this salvation story as a way to get more info or to get closer access to believers. After all, Paul was the last guy whom you'd think would turn to Christ! He was just, and i mean just, putting Christ-followers in jail! But Ananias listened to the Lord...above all logic and reason. What a man of faith! So, Ananias arose and went the house where Paul was staying and laid his hands upon him and prayed for him. With his prayer came a restoration of Paul's sight and a filling of the Holy Spirit! Then Ananias baptized Paul! It seems that Ananias brought Paul some food and ate with him, as well. Then, without much detail, v.19 says that Paul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus, which must have been initiated by whom? Ananias!
Now, while we don't read anything else about this guys' life after this, Ananias played one of the most significant roles in the life of the Apostle Paul (and subsequently, the history of the church)! He was Paul's first touch! He was the first one to lay hands on and pray for Paul! He was the one whose prayer brought physical healing and the filling of the Hole Spirit in Paul's life! He seems to be the one who baptized Paul, and the one who introduced him to other Christians in Damascus. Wow! Ananias would have a huge part to play in the life of one of the most important Christians in history...and, it was all in the way that he faithfully welcomed Paul into the Body of Christ!
Practical thoughts from his life: 1) Don't underestimate the power or importance of a "welcome"! How we welcome people into the Body of Christ is very important! This front line ministry is truly that of first impression. And, as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make one! Will a person receive acceptance or rejection? Grace or judgment? A cold handshake or prayer? It could make all the difference in their life... 2) Don't underestimate the power or importance of prayer! God may not always tell us what is going to happen if we do, but God can use a simple prayer for someone else to bring about physical healing, emotional encouragement, or spiritual revival! Your prayer for someone else could literally change their life, if not their day :) 3) Don't underestimate the power of God at work behind the scenes! God first gave Paul a vision that Ananias would be coming to pray for him, then he called Ananias to do it! God was at work behind the scenes, preparing Paul's heart to receive the ministry of Ananias! Who knows that when we get a stirring to approach or welcome or pray for someone else, that God has not been working in their lives, preparing them for you! We must trust those prompting of the Lord, those stirrings to step out and reach out in love!
God, help me to be more like Ananias! Help me to be one who welcomes others, one who is willing to touch and pray for others, and one who understands and trusts that You are working behind the scenes...preparing them for me to come! Speak to me today and i will follow You!
