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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Brother Saul
A few weeks ago my wife told me
that she and her team were getting prepared to teach their Sunday school class
about Saul and his conversion on the road to Damascus. This is one of my favorite passages of Acts,
so I immediately pulled it up on my phone and read the story again. I have read this passage no less than 100
times, maybe even more than that, for as a bible quizzer I committed the entire
book of Acts to memory and that takes a lot of reading. Yet, as I read it again, I was overwhelmed by
something that I had never considered or realized.
Saul was a serious problem for the
early church. Acts chapters 8-9 states
he was “breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” and that he made “havoc of the church.” He persecuted them, raided their homes,
arrested men and women and put them in prison.
Remember the church that began so powerful and glorious in Acts chapter
2? A few chapters later Saul has scattered that church throughout all Judaea
and Samaria. Only the apostles and a few
others remained strong and in Jerusalem, and many paid a serious price for doing so--the
ultimate case being found in Acts chapter 8 where Saul facilitates the stoning
of Stephen. Most of us forget or have
never realized that Saul was responsible for Christianity’s first martyr. Stephen, full of faith and hope, was killed
just as his ministry began with Saul looking on. This seems to add more insult, as Saul never
stooped to get his hands dirty, never threw a stone, but was forever behind the
scenes igniting the elders, high priests and people to carry out his desires to
crush the church. Where I come from we
call this person a snake! Saul hated
the church, what it stood for, and was determined to destroy it. Soon after Stephen’s death, he travels to
Damascus to continue his work against the church where he is struck down by the
Lord and chastised for persecuting the church.
Immediately Saul realizes that he is in the presence of God and has
committed grievous crimes. He asks, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This fierce and determined man, now
physically blinded from his encounter with Jesus, is led by his hand into the
city where the Lord has told him he will be instructed further.
Up to this point, as I read on my
phone, this was an all too familiar passage.
However, in the next few scriptures God really talked to my heart. For three days Saul is in the city; he is
blind, neither eating or drinking, and awaiting instruction. The Lord appears to Ananias, a disciple in
that same city, and tells him, “Arise,
and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of
Judas for one called Saul, of Taursus: for, behold he prayeth, and hath seen in
a vision a man names Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him, that he
might receive his sight.” Ananias
immediately objected: “I have heard by
many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem,”
or as we might say today, “Do you know realize who this is? Do you know what he
has done” or “Do you know this guy’s reputation?” Ananias wanted no part of it. However, the
Lord makes it clear that Paul is chosen “to
bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel.” Before Kings?
It is clear that Saul is not just chosen but special.
Ananias leaves and goes straight to
where Saul is, puts his hands on him, and says two words that literally jumped
off the page and punched me in the heart…..”Brother
Saul.” I could continue on and tell
you of how Saul received his sight, was filled with the Holy Ghost, baptized
and immediately began to preach Christ in Damascus, but I realized that all of
that began with two words. “Brother Saul.”
It’s important that we consider
that Saul had been three days blind, not eating or drinking. Three days realizing that he was responsible
for persecuting not just the church, but God himself. How many times did he replay in his mind the scene
where he held the coats of the men that threw stones at Stephen until he was
dead? How many times did the faces of
men and women that he put in prison play before him? In those three days he had come to the stark realization
that he was an instigator, a punisher of the innocent and a murderer. Yet in those three days, God also showed him
a vision of a man coming in and laying hands on him, a vision of his sight
being restored. While Saul was reliving
his terrible past, God was simultaneously giving him vision for his
future. And it began with a man. A little known disciple named Ananias who
called him brother. It stands to reason
that Saul may have even been on his way to arrest Ananias himself. He had in his possession letters from the
high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus.
Ananias, fearful and wary of Saul because of his reputation, walked in
and called him brother. Had he just said
Saul, it would have announced “I know who you are and what you have done.” However, he added one word… “Brother,” and made
it perfectly clear that it didn’t matter who Saul was or what he had done. Ananias immediately created a bridge for Saul
to pass over from the place of his mistakes and regret into the purpose that
God had chosen him for. “Brother” did
not just state that how Ananias felt about Saul but how Saul could feel about
Ananias. “Brother” said that his
mistakes, his past did not matter to Ananias, only Saul’s future. Thus, Ananias offers a powerful lesson for you
and I. Our past failures do not separate
us--they join us together. We are brothers; I am yours and you are mine. You can trust in me. My hands will heal you.
My hands will help you regain your sight. My hands will help you discover your
purpose.
As I reflected on this encounter
between Saul and Ananias, my mind was flooded with the names and faces of many
people--brothers, sisters, friends, and family.
All of them had made mistakes, failed and stumbled...as we all do. God has long since forgiven them. Yet, the nature, severity and sometimes broad
publication of their failures have exiled them from our forgiveness. I
wonder if they are feeling blind, alone, and guilty. Are they trapped in an irrevocable existence
of reliving their mistakes and failures while hungrily nurturing a tiny dream
of restoration? Is God whispering to
them that He still has a purpose for them?
Are they waiting on the hands of a brother?
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Register Now For Kidz Music Camp
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All hands on deck for an unforgettable journey full of adventure, humor, and inspiration at Royalwood Church's Kidz Music Camp as we perform "Captain Noah & The One & Only Zoo Cruise For Twos!"
This children's musical retells the Biblical story of Noah and, with heartwarming emotion, appeals to everyone! You won't want to miss this exciting event!
Kidz Music Camp Details:
When:
Monday, July 29th - Sunday, August 4: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Who:
For children ages: 5 years - 12 years
Cost:
Early Registration (June 2 - July 21)
$30.00 for 1 childRegular Registration (July 22 - July 29)
$20.00 for each additional child (not to exceed $70.00 / family)
$35.00 per child
Snacks and t-shirts are provided with registration. For more information, contact Tanna Dial or Click Here to register!
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