Lighthouse Community Church

I would venture to say that most Christians think of themselves as "ordinary Christians" who just try and live lives that honor God.  Many from this group don't have aspirations of doing something "special" for the Lord like being the next Billy Graham, or preaching in front of thousands, or writing books that influence many to draw closer to God.  God may not call any of us to do these things, but He may. 

Acts 9 records a man named Ananias that we do not know anything about.  He is an ordinary Jewish believer living in the city of Damascus, but Jesus calls to him and gives him a mission.  His mission is to go and give Saul of Tarsus a message.  Sounds easy, but we must understand who Saul is.

Saul of Tarsus was a feared man to those of the Christian faith for he was far from ordinary.  He was educated under one of the top rabbis, he was from a prestigious family, he had prestige as many knew of him, and he had power to enforce Jewish law, even to the point of death. 

A contrast between two different characters is established in verses 1-19.  One thing we can gather from these verses in Acts 9 is that human accomplishments mean nothing before Jesus.  This is why He uses an ordinary guy like Ananias to be His own personal messenger to Saul.

God may call you to do something special.  Will you be willing, more importantly, will you be obedient?

Jesus said to Ananias, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."

"But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.'"

Ananias balked at the command he was getting from Jesus.  We may want to balk when we are called to do something by the Lord that is a step of faith.  It could be that nervous feeling right before you share the gospel with a family member, it could be starting to be a spiritual leader of the house by initiating a time for you and your wife to pray, it could be a time to share a biblical truth with a co-worker, or it could be willingness to volunteer for a ministry that you have no experience in.  Has God called you to do something "special" recently?  Did you balk?

Let us learn from Ananias.  He had a special message from Jesus for Saul and even in the face of danger he feared the Lord more and obeyed.  Sometimes obeying the Lord takes faith, but we know that it is always the right thing to do. 

We must understand that God uses ordinary Christians to carry out His plans.  The lesson is to be obedient when God calls you to do something.  Remember, for without the obedience of Ananias, Saul would not have heard his new calling and purpose for his life, plus, he may have gone blind for the rest of his life!  Be an ordinary obedient Christian!