EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO BE OBEDIENT Three Unsung Heroes ACTS 9

Ice Breaker: Who was your hero as a child? today? What is your definition of a hero?

BACKGROUND: Acts 9 records the conversion of Saul, one of the greatest conversions in the history of the church and literally changed world history. But there is another storyline that runs through Acts: the unsung heroes who were simply obedient to what God called them to do — and as a result were part of Saul’s conversion.

THE BIG PICTURE: Do you know any unsung heroes, those who labor tirelessly with little fanfare or appreciation, who are just being obedient when nobody knows? We’ve all called to be unsung heroes, working for God knowing our reward is from above!

DIGGING DEEPER:

1. STEPHEN: As we’ve seen, Stephen was plucked out of being a deacon in the newbie growing church to being put on trial in front of the Sanhedrin. His impassioned sermon led to his death, but it had an effect on Saul/Paul, who was there listening. The seed of Paul’s salvation was planted by Stephen, and was fulfilled on the Damascus Road.

Acts 7 tells us the last thing Saul heard as Stephen was dying: 59. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

• What role did Stephen play in Saul’s conversion? • Have you ever known someone who was hostile to Christians? How did you respond? *Look at people who oppose your faith as needy people — not as enemies. • How would you react if someone hurt you because of what you believed? How do Christians suffer today for Jesus? • How many risks do you take in being a follower of Jesus? Would you be willing to die for Him? Are you really willing to live for Him?

2. ANANIAS

Acts 9 Saul had just seen the light on the road to Damascus — and heard Jesus speaking directly to him. 10. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11. And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12. and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13. But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. 14. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15. But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name. 17. And Ananias went and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

God called Ananias to go to Saul, and pray over him, for he would be God’s vessel to the Gentiles. Ananias’ initial reaction is totally understandable; Saul had been the worst persecutor of the Church. But he was obedient to the call, and because Ananias did his job, Saul could begin doing his. • What role did Ananias play in Saul’s conversion? Why was both his reluctance and obedience understandable? • Have you ever encountered an unbeliever who was scary, yet you knew God brought them into your life for a purpose? How did you respond? What was the result? What can you do to overcome the fear of doing what you know God wants you to do? • How would you have felt in Ananias’ place? Would you have been comfortable calling Saul “Brother Saul”? What does this show about Ananias? • When have you, like Ananias, obeyed the Lord even when you had doubts? What happened? • Who has played the role of Ananias in your life? To whom does the Lord want you to be an Ananias? • We have a choice every moment of every day: to be obedient and walk in His will for our life...or not. What do you choose?

3. BARNABAS

Acts 9 26. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly int he name of Jesus. 28. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

The church in Jerusalem initially didn’t believe that Saul had become a believer. It was Barnabas who took him to the apostles and vouched for him. Imagine what could have happened had Saul fallen away because he had been rejected by the Jerusalem church. • What role did Barnabas play in Saul’s conversion? • What can you do to become a Barnabas to new believers? *come alongside, encourage, teach, introduce them to other believers • Who has been a Barnabas to you? How? When have you served as a Barnabas?

CONCLUSION: So many Christians want to be Paul, standing up boldly and proclaiming the gospel. But who will be Stephen? Ananias? Barnabas? Not everyone can be Paul or Simon Peter, but we all can be an unsung hero. Just obey God, and know that He has a place for all of us to be used for His glory. • Who are you most like: Stephen, Ananias or Barnabas? How? How can you grow in each area? How does each one of these unsung heroes encourage you? • When have you felt the Holy Spirit nudging you? What did you do? • How does God’s Spirit lead us? Why is it important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit? How can we learn to recognize God’s voice? What can you do to listen to the Spirit’s guidance today? What holds you back from obeying God? • What is the potential danger in ignoring the Spirit’s leading?