What's God Up to Now?

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This is a sermon based on Acts 9 which relates the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

In the Scripture reading that we heard a few moments ago, we are reminded of the miraculous conversion of Saul, who later became known as Paul. One of the observations that I made some weeks ago regarding this passage of Scripture includes the idea that God is always at work in our world, whether we realize it or not. Our perspective on things really does affect our outlook and hopes for the future.

I recently came across this little story regarding “perspective” that I thought was worth sharing.

Former Undersecretary of the Interior John C. Whitaker [tells the story] of an eighty-five-year-old woman who has lived her life in one spot in Nova Scotia. The population there swells to nine in summer and stays steady at two during the winter.

Whitaker, who has been fishing there every year since he was twelve, flew [up from Washington] one day. Miss Mildred welcomed him into her kitchen and said, "Johnny, I hate to admit I don't know, but where is Washington?" When Whitaker realized that she wasn't kidding, he explained: "That's where the president is. That's like where you have the prime minister in Ottawa."

Then she asked how many people lived there, and Whitaker said there were about 2 million. She said, "Think of that, 2 million people living so far away from everything." (Illustrations Unlimited.)

This lady felt as though she had everything a person could want or need, so it was cause for sadness to think of 2 million people who didn’t have what she had. Of course, their perspective would be entirely different from hers.

In this Scripture lesson today we see an example of things that are going on in different parts of the world and we learn that our little perspective is only a fraction of God’s activity in the world.

Let us take the next several minutes to consider some observations about this account that hopefully will teach us some important life lessons.

1. I believe that God intends for us to understand Paul’s conversion story in light of the events recorded in the previous chapter. This is based on the fact that the first verse in chapter 9 starts with a conjunction.

“And” (KJV); “then” (NKJV); “Now” (NASB); “meanwhile” (NIV, NLT & NRSV)

Grammatically, conjunctions make a connection or tie between two separate thoughts or texts.

It seems as though the author (Dr. Luke), purposely wanted his readers to see the events of chapter 9 in light of chapter 8.

There are a couple of points that seem to come to mind as a result of this fact.

A. It means that no matter what circumstances and events are going on in “my world,” there is always something completely different happening in other places.

Notice the stories covered in chapter 8:

·       Final details of Stephen’s martyrdom (vv. 1-2)

·       Great persecution breaks out against the church (vv. 1, 3)

·       “Revival” breaks out in Samaria (vv. 5ff)

·       Conflict with Sorcerer (vv. 9-24)

·       Conversion of Ethiopian (vv. 26-39)

Immediately after describing all these events taking place in Samaria, Luke continues by saying, “Meanwhile, Saul is still breathing threats and murder against the disciples…” (cf. 8:3; 22:4; 26:10-11) While God is doing wondrous conversions in Samaria, Saul (and the enemies of God) are carrying out persecution against believers. And, vice versa.

The lesson I take from this is just a reminder that whatever is happening in “my world” or the circumstances that I am familiar with, is only a very narrow view of what is really going on in the world.

When things are going great, I tend to forget that others may be experiencing tremendous suffering and attacks from Satan. (Which means that I need to be alert to his devices and the possibility that circumstances will change soon. I also need to be sensitive to the plight of other Christians and remembering them in prayer, etc.)

When things are going badly, I tend to forget that God is still working great wonders and miracles in other places. (Which means that I need to remain optimistic and remember that God can “step in” at any time and drastically change the situation through miraculous conversions, etc.)

I’m sure that my perspective and assessment is very limited, but let me share an example of what I’m talking about:

State of the American church vs. the state of the African church.

“In the twentieth century, the Christian population in Africa exploded from an estimated eight or nine million in 1900 (8 to 9%) to some 335 million in 2000 (45%), marking a shift in the “center of gravity of Christianity” from the West to Latin America, parts of Asia and Africa.” (http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/2001-now/the-explosion-of-christianity-in-africa-11630859.html)

My point is: I need to guard against allowing my mind to become focused only on what is happening around me (either good or bad) and realize that God is still on the throne and actively working out His divine purposes.

B. The connection between ch. 8 & 9 also seems to purposely highlight the conversion of Saul as just another example of God’s work in changing lives. In ch. 8, we have the account of Samaritans being converted, (these people that were always considered outcasts by the Jews). Then we have the account of a sorcerer being converted (including some interesting twists in the story). We have the account of an Ethiopian eunuch being converted.

Now, along with all these “foreigners” coming to Christ, here is a zealous Jew that is arrested by the Lord and literally “brought to his knees.”

I recently shared a report in prayer meeting of some recent crusades in predominantly Muslim countries where thousands of Muslims were converted and baptized. Several Imams reported seeing “visions” of Jesus that prompted them attend the crusade and be converted.

2. In reading the account of Saul’s conversion, I observed that Jesus identifies with the martyrs.

(v.5) “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” (Cf. this with Jesus comment in Matt. 25:35f “I was hungry… naked… in prison….”)

If Jesus is persecuted when His people are persecuted, this must mean that He is always with His people. “Lo, I am with you always…”

3. I observe that when Saul asks for instructions about what he was to do, the Lord only tells him one simple detail. (v. 6)

The Lord does not give Saul a long list of things to do; just one.

God will lead us one step at a time. Our job is just respond and move ahead as He leads us. Our responsibility is simple obedience to each step or command and then He will follow up with further instructions.

Generally speaking, God will not give a person further instructions or “new light” until he / she has obeyed what God has already told them.

Conclusion:  What is God up to now? The same things He always has been:

·       miraculously changing lives and “invading” our world in order to bring people to Himself and redeem lost humanity;

·       constantly walking with His people in times of blessing and in times of severe suffering; &

·       faithfully instructing His children step by step in accordance to His divine will.

Knowing these facts about God’s activity should give each of us a “Blessed Assurance.”  [p. 572] The song’s talking about personal assurance of salvation, but I think we can also have His assurance regarding other issues like we’ve been talking about today.