Sermon on :10-19 Preached at Pleasantville UCC on Sunday, July 5, 2020 by Rev. Pastor Melissa

Have you ever been through a test of your performance? One that required you question your own thought process or that of someone else, God perhaps? What we hear today reveals that sometimes we need to get out of our own way and trust in the Way or the path God has for his people.

Today, we are again traveling on the road to . Each week this summer we continue to learn about people who created a big impact for God and the growth of the early church.

Saul’s conversion is often the main focus for today’s text. His significant transformation over three days and vision from God, included blindness and regaining his sight with new eyes. The changes to Saul were real and profound.

Another man’s life was changed too. This is the second of three person(s) who have the same name. He seems to be a quiet yet powerful presence, or what you may call a supporting character. It is thought that the Greek name of Ananias is of the same form as the Hebrew name Hannaniah meaning “God is gracious”.

Today Ananias is the unsung, or undercover hero. Unsung means doing great things with little or no recognition. We learn about his vision and interaction with God regarding Saul. As it turns out this was no small task. Ananias of Damascus, a -follower, provided the avenue for a significant part of Saul’s transformation. Letting the Holy work through him at Judas’ house through a prayer. Some churches have different traditions and here at Pleasantville we usually do a laying on of hands in support of one who is ordained in ministry as an elder, deacon or pastor, and also when one is commissioned such as our confirmands and those going on missions. A coming together to pray over someone for the future work God has called a person to.

I am not sure which man, Ananias or Saul, would have been more surprised or perhaps even stunned by the change that God orchestrated. This is a short story and one with great impact.

Having a deep relationship with God, Ananias’ hesitation is relatable to the need to trust in God’s way. This trial to go without knowing many answers or having proof one will be safe reminds me of the quote “leap of faith.” Requiring proof of assurance is often not a given in life. From what he knew on the ground about Saul, God was leading Ananias directly into harm’s way. There are described throughout scripture, though this was not one of those times. Today’s message may rather be described as one fulfilling his commission to go and serve God. He stepped out of his “box” or comfort zone to do this.

Coming from Damascus, just the place where Saul had planned to go and arrest Christ- followers, it is important to remember that this group of people who followed were continually spreading a message contrary to what was being taught in the temples. And for the same reasons Christ was crucified, Saul thought these people needed to be stopped. God had other plans for him.

Saul became a believer through Ananias and God later changes Saul’s name to Paul. This is the same Paul that Pastor Hilary mentioned a few weeks ago that would become the true 12th disciple. The Apostle that did not walk with Jesus, though went on to do wonderous things for the Lord and the life of the Church as it expanded.

Through the writings of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the people throughout the land, his connections were invaluable. Thirteen of the are attributed to Paul beginning with Romans which directly follows Acts, continuing through Philemon.

God calls on Ananias to do something bold. Going into situations that make us uncomfortable is a familiar feeling, and sometimes cause us to question our direction.

Jesus blinded Saul on his way I believe to get his attention. Saul had to then be reliant on his men to help him reach Judas’ house. There he sat, fasting for three days until Ananias of Damascus came to him. When Ananias laid his hands on Saul, his eyesight was regained. A physical and spiritual transformation experience.1

The same man, who persecuted believers, is now dependent on one to see again. And see he does. In scripture we have read about visions. Visions were a way for the divine to communicate and they are vivid apparitions which are different from dreams. It is said that visions can be used to strengthen a believer in times of trial which seems to be the case with this Ananias. Usually appearing during awake hours, visions are often said to be life changing in a rather dramatic way.

The Apostle Paul will go on to be the recipient of a few revelatory experiences throughout his ministry. Paul, as he will soon be known, is someone who was set apart and not ashamed to share God’s power for salvation for all believers. Jesus eventually sent the Apostle Paul to preach the to the Gentiles, and he encouraged a mindset that focused on living a life worthy of the gospel.2

We could overlook Ananias, as we revel at the work God does in the Apostle Paul. Ananias is a true hero, and I imagine his life also transformed as he leaned on God’s strength to go and pray over a man. The power of the Holy Spirit that moves among brethren is present when two or more are gathered. To bear witness to a changed life through the laying on of hands is a moment one does not forget too easily.

1 Abarim Publications. com, the meaning of the name Ananias. 2 Taken from a quote from N.T.Wright - ― N.T. Wright, Paul: A Biography

Have you ever gone into a situation where you felt you would be the least effective in completing said task? God revealed to me 15 years ago that my journey of faith was to include youth during a worship service. As new lay minister some two years later, my specialty was talking, learning and growing with young people. Having three children gave me a commonality where I could bring relevant information to gathered youth conversations. And then after much prodding, I went back to seminary to earn a degree, not just audit a class. God are you sure you want me to do this? And a collected mind turns into an anxious mind. Expanding my comfort zone includes going from the box that held a toaster to a refrigerator sized box. I have left my small town to travel and minister with different people abroad and beyond my wildest dreams. And thanks be to God we can look at our journeys and see a God who is gracious at work in our lives guiding us to live as we believe and share it abundantly.

This weekend we celebrate our freedom and independence as a country. Our unsung, or undercover heroes of our time, are people who do what they do quietly and with purpose without much recognition. Those who do what they do every day to lift up and care for one another without a second thought of putting others first. These include and are not limited to those in the armed forces, nurses, police officers, school bus drivers and food service workers, firemen and women, emergency workers, cleaners and janitors, and teachers.

Today as we reflect on Ananias and the Apostle Paul, we also lift up the faithful who came before us in our communities of Christ-followers and those who followed the Way of our LORD. People who through their trials and journeys we learn their stories of how God brought them to a different kind of freedom. To know, rejoice, love, and to trust in the Way the Holy provides for us as a united faithful people.

That is our Ananias today. A who taught us the means of mercy and following the way of our God. What is God calling you to do today?

May it be so. Amen.