Absolon Kent

Did you pray this morning?

Saul had a plan and a destination, but it was interupted by Jesus.

No one truly encounters Jesus and remains the same.

Transformation begins. Attitudes start changing.

Jesus changed Saul before he sent him out to work.

God told Ananias what to do.

Thank God for the change; Thank God for the interuption.

The text tells us:

1. What community is - A large crowd doesn't always match community (v 1-2). Community isn't always the crowd.
2. Community cares enought to carry - Community will help you carry your cross. Love is action (v 3). Sometimes community comes with a cost and you have to carry someon else on thier mat. Sometimes, you have to help them take the roof off. Real community gets you where you need to be.
3. The fith of the community facilitates healing. Communal faith facilitates healing (v 5). Jesus cared about his soul and made sure the whole man was healed (body and soul).

Where Jesus is welcome, transformation is inevitable.

The greatest encounter we can have in life is with Jesus Christ.

1. He recognized Jesus (v 6);
2. He cried out to Jesus (v 7);

How does Jesus change us?

1. Jesus confronts what controls us (v 8-9) - We never know the man's name; only his condition. We are more than our condition. Jeus comes to confront our condition.
2. Jesus changes what confines us (v 15) - Jesus is a change agent. He specilizes in transformation.
3. Jesus commissions who he changes (v 19) - He doesn't change us just for the sake of change.

With persistant fiath you will never leave empty handed; you will leave with something.

If you arfe going to leave with something:

1. Make some noise (v 22) - Speak up; ask for help. We can not heal what we dod not reveal.
2. You can't let teh silence stop you or let the hate halt you (v 23) - What do we do when it seems like God isn't responding? What do we do when what we asks for does not line up with God's timing? While you are waiting there may be obstacles trying to stop you. Those who walked with Jesus sought to turn her away.
3. You have to righly respond to the reality of rejection (v 24) - Jesus initially told her "No." - She showed wisdom.