Overview:
Has God ever called you to obey a seemingly impossible command despite your reluctance or fear? In Acts 9, we read how Ananias faced a choice: believe and go or hide and disobey. Because he obeyed, his own faith deepened. Ananias ushered into God’s family one of the church’s most dynamic and influential leaders, the apostle Paul. Listen in as Pastor Chuck Swindoll describes God’s unexpected assignments that come with the journey of faith and how small acts of obedience can lead to world-changing outcomes.
Message Summary:
In “The Memorable Faith of a Forgotten Hero,” Chuck Swindoll turns the spotlight onto Ananias, a “certain disciple” in Damascus whose name is often overshadowed by the Apostle Paul. While Saul was the “captured rebel,” Ananias was the courageous servant called to go to the very man who had come to arrest him. Swindoll explores the natural hesitation and honest dialogue Ananias had with God, highlighting that true faith isn’t the absence of fear, but obedience in spite of it. This message underscores the importance of the “supporting cast” in God’s plan, reminding us that God often uses ordinary, available people to perform the extraordinary task of welcoming a new brother into the family of God.
Message Key Facts:
- The Availability of Ananias: Ananias was described simply as a “disciple,” not an apostle or a famous leader, illustrating that God uses available people rather than just those with prominent titles.
- Honest Dialogue with God: When instructed to find Saul, Ananias expressed genuine concern (“Lord, I have heard from many about this man”). Swindoll points out that God welcomes our transparency and process when we are given difficult assignments.
- The “Brother Saul” Moment: The first words Saul heard from a Christian after his conversion were “Brother Saul.” This represents a radical demonstration of instant acceptance and the power of grace to dissolve past enmity.
- A Strategic Instrument: Ananias was the human link through which Saul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit, proving that “forgotten heroes” are often the bridge to major spiritual breakthroughs.
Message References:
- The Introduction of a Forgotten Hero
- Why we must appreciate the “quiet” believers who work behind the scenes.
- Scripture: Acts 9:10 (Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias).
- The Terrifying Assignment
- God’s specific instructions to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street to find Saul of Tarsus.
- Scripture: Acts 9:11–12 (“Arise and go… for he is praying”).
- The Hesitation and the Reassurance
- Ananias’ logical fear and God’s revelation of Saul as a “chosen instrument.”
- Scripture: Acts 9:13–16 (“He is a chosen instrument of Mine”).
- The Touch of Grace and Acceptance
- The physical laying on of hands and the first words of fellowship.
- Scripture: Acts 9:17–19 (“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus… has sent me”).
