Metamorphosis - June 26th, 2011

Date: June 26th, 2011

Speaker: Pastor Kevin Snyder

Title: Metamorphosis

Ministry Appreciation Sunday

INTRODUCTION

What a great story of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. And it is a story that echoes another amazing biblical story of transformation.

It is the story of the conversion of Saul in Acts 9.

1. BEFORE

Acts 9: 1- 9 (NKJV)

Then ?a?Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ?2? and asked ?b?letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

?3? ?c?As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ?4? Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, ?d?why are you persecuting Me?”

?5? And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ?1?It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

?6? So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

?7? And ?e?the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. ?8? 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. ?9? And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Who was he before Christ?

a. Passionately Angry Man

150 miles to spread persecution
Mentored by Gamiliel but didn’t listen to his advice
Acts 5:35

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

In his autobiographical account he describes himself this way

1 Tim. 1: 13

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

“violent” – sadistic joy in hurting people”

b. Opponent

the Osama bin Laden of his day who sought “death to all Christians”
In his “holy war” against followers of the way he found himself fighting against God…resorted to terrorism. He was a man who had religion but not a relationship with Jesus.
In King James Version refers to “why do you kick against the goads” (picture of oxen pulling plow. Bar put across back to prevent the animal from kicking back at the operator.

c. Inwardly Troubled Man

Picture is of a man who just kept fighting and kicking at this bar…kicking is only hurting himself. But just fighting against himself.

2. DEFINING MOMENT

One day around noon there came a defining moment.

A moment where the rest of his life would be defined.

What happened?

a, A “God-Thing” Happened

Whatever happened definitely broke into Saul’s consciousness and got his attention. He couldn’t write it off as a coincident. God smacked him upside the head and demanded his attention.

Well, God definitely got Saul’s attention.

There was a divine intervention – a blinding light and a confronting voice of Jesus Christ – knocks him to the ground.

In Acts 22 we read that his partners saw the light but didn’t hear the voice. But in this event Saul is given a vision of the risen Christ.

Encouraging message we can derive from that is: God is at work. He cares about his lost kids even more than you do, and he is at work in trying to get their attention. Life has a way of bringing us to those defining moments….those crossroads where we choose we choose our direction…whether we are going to surrender to Christ or “keep kicking against the goads”

b. God brought in a sold-out Christ-follower to assist.

Acts 9: 10 – 14

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

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. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Ananias was just an ordinary believer. He wasn’t a super-saint. He wasn’t going to be famous like Saul. In fact,this is the last time we hear about him in Scripture. He was just a minister seeking to use his God-given gifts, listening obediently to thewhispers of the Holy Spirit.

Was he afraid ? Yes
Was he intimidated ? – Yes
But his faith and obedience trumps his fears. He says “yes” to the whisper of God to go talk to Saul.

We never know what God will do with that humble obedience.

Billy Graham

A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, in 1858 led a Boston shoe clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an evangelist and in England in 1879 awakened evangelistic zeal in the heart of Frederick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church.

F. B. Meyer, preaching on an American college campus, brought to Christ a student named J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman, engaged in YMCA work, employed a former baseball player Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.

Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, North Carolina. A group of local men were so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach.

In the revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard the gospel and yielded his life to Christ.

Billy Graham …

Evangelist Billy Graham and his associates preached to 53,561, 970 people at crusades and rallies from 1947 to 1977, according to records available from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association staff.

There were 1,626, 886 inquirers who recorded decisions at the crusades and rallies during the same period.

The total does not reflect the thousands of decisions made by persons hearing and seeing Graham on radio and television.

That was Ananias. His obedience resulted in a man coming to Christ who would go on to become the most influential preacher and theologian in the history of Cnity next to Jesus Christ.

Summary

Somewhere in the partnership between the Holy Spirit and Ananias God performs this amazing metamorphois in Saul.

3. AFTER

The text describes 4 transformations that happen in Saul as a result of this encounter with Jesus Christ

1. He Sees Differently

Acts 9: 18 – “something like scales fell off his eyes”

The scales not only physically came off his eyes but it would seem like this is a symbol of the scales that came off the eyes of his heart. His perspective changed.

He describes this change in …

2 Cor. 4:3,4 (NLT)

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

i.e.

“even a rose was redder “ and a”sunset prettier” than before

2. He Is Given A New Identity.

Have you ever noticed how you are pre-conditioned to a name by your experiences of the past. If there was some bully in your life named “Bob” you have a negative connection to that name. New person has to change the image.

Sometimes our past behavior causes us to carry an image that is hard to live down in our name. We are seen through our history under that name.

Maybe that is why in some African cultures when they become Christians and are baptized they are given a Christian name.

i.e.

On vacation I read a biography by Gilbert Tuhabnye entitled “The voice in My Heart: A Runner’s Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and forgiveness.” It is the story of a great runner from the country of Burundi and how he lived through the racial genocide and is a story of faith and forgiveness.

Anyways, when he was confirmed in the Catholic church he was asked to choose a Christian name. Some one he aspired to live like. He read about a lot of biblical characters but in the end chose Gilbert after a saint that he read about and wanted to emulate.

When Saul emerges back on the scene as a minister in Acts 13 he is given a new name: Paul.

It represent a new identity.

He is a new person. The image associated with his old name no longer applied.

He was a new creation. The old had passed away , the new had come.

i.e.

Neil Anderson – prolific Christian writer who has written much about how we live out of our identity – who we see ourselves to be. If you think you are a duck you act like a duck. If you think you are a a worthless, sinner who keeps falling,…if you see yourself through the old labels you will live that way.

He believes that many Christians live beneath their privilege and live defeated because they do not grasp who they are in Christ. Their new identity. In his books he frequently points out that when someone comes to Christ 33 changes occur in who they are. 33 changes in their identity.

Let me show you that identity:

(Anderson: Victory in Christ)

I am accepted…

I am God's child ~ John 1:12

As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ ~ John 15:15

I have been justified ~ Romans 5:1

I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit ~ 1 Corin. 6:17

I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God ~ 1 Corin. 6:19-20

I am a member of Christ's body ~ 1 Corin. 12:27

I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child ~ Ephesians 1:3-8

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins ~ Colossians 1:13-14

I am complete in Christ ~ Colossians 2:9-10

I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ ~ Hebrews 4:14-16

I am secure...

I am free from condemnation ~ Romans 8:1-2

I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances ~ Romans 8:28

I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God ~ Romans 8:31-39

I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God ~ 2 Corin. 1:21-22

I am hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:1-4

I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me ~ Philippians 1:6

I am a citizen of Heaven ~ Philippians 3:20

I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me ~ 1 John 5:18

I am significant...

I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life ~ John 15:5

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ~ John 15:16

I am God's temple ~ 1 Corin. 3:16

I am a minister of reconciliation for God ~ 2 Corin.5:17-21

I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm ~ Ephesians 2:6

I am God's workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10

I may approach God with freedom and confidence ~ Ephesians 3:12

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ~ Philippians 4:13

THE MORE YOU REAFFIRM WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity

"Many Christians refer to themselves as sinners saved by grace. But are you really a sinner? Is that your scriptural identity? Not at all. God doesn't call you a sinner; He calls you a saint -- a holy one. If you think of yourself as a sinner, guess what you will do: you'll live like a sinner; you'll sin. Why not identify yourself for who you really are: a saint who occasionally sins ... Satan will try to convince you that you are an unworthy, unacceptable, sin-sick person who will never amount to anything in God's eyes" (Victory Over the Darkness, pp. 44-45, 56).

3. His Direction Changes

After this encounter with Jesus…this defining moment there is a 180 degree turn in his life.

He goes from opponent to promoter.

He goes from persecutor to preacher.

He goes from going with the current to going upstream.

There is a complete U-turn in his life.

Being a Christian isn’t about just praying a prayer and continuing down the same self- centered, sinful life you were. It’s about direction change. It’s about seeking to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. To love like he loved. To live life with purity and integrity.

We don’t get to make up our own definitions and standards for being a Christian. I mean everyone and their dog in our day seems to claim they are Christian. It isn’t our claim or some prayer….it’s about heart direction change. It’s about life direction….value choices, behavior choices.

John says it as clear as it can get:

1 John 2:5,6

This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

4. Changes His Character

After this encounter we see a different man emerge from the pages of Scripture. We see a humble man, a loving man, a man with courage and incredibly faith and hope. It’s hard to believe the before and after pictures are the same guy.

And unlike the previous changes that are instantaneous, this character change happens gradually. As Christ permeates into the various rooms of his life we progressively see the aroma of Jesus Christ sfting out of his life.

5. His Friends Change

This isn’t change he makes but it happens.

Acts 9: 23 – 25

After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

His friends turn on him. They feel betrayed. He no longer joins them in the old activities and that makes them mad.

On the other hand, those who feared him now embrace him (v. 26 – 30)

This defining moment began to change his environment, his world…his relationships.

Transition

Those transformation stories are what ministry is all about.

It’s why we as a church exist.
It’s what we live for…work for…pray for.
It’s what motivates us.

Is it not the reason that we will …

Give up that evening to lead that group…meet with hurting person
To go work at the Center on Monday nights or Friday night
To give up that evening to work with a group of youth
Give up a spring break to coach at an Upwards camp.
Work at maintaining the church or Center to enable people to do ministry and enable it to happen effectively.
Is that not the reason we will work in that nursery so parents can be in service
Is that not why we take time to choose those songs, and pray and practice, and seek to work the sound and do the graphics.
Is it notwhy we will give 10% of our income and more when needs come along.
Is it not why some of you gather every couple of weeks to pray, and meet with me on sun morning to pray.
Is that not why we greet people and usher with the desire that maybe that warm smile and handshake can cause someone to sense tangibly the love of Christ?
Isn’t that why we serve? Make sacrifices?

We do it because we want to be a part of making those stories ones that are repeated over and over here in our presence and around the world.

We do it because we have been recipients of such a story and want to pass it on.

Nothing worse than when as a church we forget that. When we lose sight of why we exist, of what is our goal. You see, when we lose sight of that we become casual. Our role isn’t very important. Doesn’t matter if I miss my part…won’t matter.

Friends, why we do this is more than just about having more people in church…

It’s more than just meeting a budget…
It’s more than just about than our enjoyment …
It’s more than just helping the pastors…
It’s more than just learning about the Bible…
It’s more than just fulfilling a duty…
It’s about being transformed and being a part of that transforming mission of Christ in our world.
It’s about being a part of God’s chosen instrument, his church, to change the trajectory of people’s lives . It’s about being a part of the most significant cause that we can ever give our time, our money, and our lives too….the opportunity to be a part of the transforming stories of people…families…communities.

That’s why we do it.

4. LIFE LESSONS

a. Never Under-Estimate God’s Reach And Transforming Ability.

Sometimes we think our journey has taken us outside the realm of God’s grace and love. We think we can’t be forgiven. We can’t be changed.

We think sometimes we have strayed for too long, gone too far away , failed too many times to ever receive God’s grace & mercy and transforming power.

Friends, that problem resides in us, not in God. If he can reach the “worst of sinners” he can change you.

And sometimes we think that way about some people around us – family members, spouses, friends, co-workers. We get discouraged and doubtful that God can ever reach them.

But may this story remind us that God has ways of bringing people to those defining moments…so don’t quit praying….loving…caring….

b. Listen to the Whispers of God

You never know the fire you may light when you obey that whisper. God may use you like Ananias to touch a leader.

And don’t despise the small things.

Sometimes we want “Apostle Paul jobs” & ministries. We want to touch multitudes, have the stage, do something big and significant. And some of you God may be calling you to that. As Nelson Mandella once said “There is nothing honorable or God-glorifying about determining to stay small.”

But sometimes God has a small, behind the scenes role for you. Maybe the greatest thing you will do in your life is influence someone who goes on to do far more than you.. i.e.

Baby Dedication - maye God has his hands on one of those babies and the most significant role you have is to love and nurture them for greatness in the kingdom of god. Maybe God has you for an Ananias or Barnabbas role.

Listen and obey the whispers of God…don’t despise the ones that seem small and below you. The whisper to go talk to someone…to phone someone…to go and pray for someone….you never know what God will do with that.

c. Don’t forget the purpose for serving

Don’t lose sight that we live, breathe, give, serve, sacrifice to be a part of making those stories of transformation an everyday reality.

Conclusion

Let me wrap this up into 4 action points:

1. Decide

Where are you at today?
Are you a seeker or even a fighter?
Has God been trying to get your attention?

Maybe today is your defining moment. God has been working…trying to get your attention and maybe today is the day to quit fighting.

Maybe today is the day to make a “Saul to Paul” move…

To surrender control of your life to Christ…to quit opposing and fighting him to joining ranks with him in his mission of transforming this broken world into something better.

Remember it’s more than just a prayer. It’s a life direction decision. It’s a decision of who you are going to follow. Deciding to be a follower of Jesus.

But that decision can happen in a simple prayer:

2. Pray

Maybe there is someone in your world who is far from God right now. They are fighting and they look unreachable. They are out there with saul & Duaine wade’s Mom.

Reaffirm your belief that Christ can reach them by lifting a prayer for them yet again.

3. Say “Yes”

Maybe God has put a whisper in your heart.

Maybe you have felt discouraged, quitting a ministry…. But deep down you feel a nudge, a whisper to keep going

Maybe you have heard the whisper to get involved today.

Maybe feel intimidated, fearful, inadequate…but say “yes” like Ananias

And maybe there isn’t anything specific but today why not lay the groundwork -. Say “od, whateer you have for me, whatever you need me for….I want to let you know I am willing. My heart wants to say “yes” to your will and call on my life.

4. Say “Thanks”

One of the changes that happened in Paul was he never lost sight of who lifted him. In Corinthians he “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”

And he never lost sight of the influence others had on him.

Every letter he wrote he always began with a “thank you’ portion. He thanked God for them – for their love, their faith, their perseverance, …

If you have experienced the transforming grace of Christ in your life you owe a lot to some “Ananias’ in your life. People who prayed, loved, befriended you, modeled Christian life for you. If you’re a parent you owe a lot to those other parents and peoplewho will give their time and energy to help bring about a transforming story in your kids.

This morning I want you to do a little inventory for a moment of people in your life that you need to thank and show appreciation.

Express a prayer of thanks.

And if you have noticed some faithful Christ-follower giving themselves in ministry encourage them today. Let them you noticed their faithful activity.

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a Acts 7:57; 8:1, 3; 26:10, 11; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:13

b Acts 22:5

c Acts 22:6; 26:12, 13; 1 Cor. 15:8

d [Matt. 25:40]

1 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go

e Dan. 10:7; John 12:29; [Acts 22:9; 26:13]

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Ac 9:1-9

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 5:34-40

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Ti 1:13

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 9:10-19

Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. 2 Co 4:3-4

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 2:5-6

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 9:23-28