Sermon podcast from the Third Sunday of Easter, 5-1-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 9:1-20
Showing posts with label Acts 9:1-20. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acts 9:1-20. Show all posts
5/05/2019
Forward
Sermon podcast from today (5-5-9) at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 9:1-20. Blinded by the light . . . .
Video sermon preview
"Forward" podcast
Video sermon preview
"Forward" podcast
4/10/2016
4/12/2013
Another Chance
This week's Bible reflection (Ananias) asks why that fellow isn't more known in the Bible or just in Christian history. I keep asking that question and others in Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Another Chance" text
"Another Chance" podcast
"Another Chance" text
"Another Chance" podcast
4/08/2013
Ananias
He made it possible for Christianity to continue, thrive, and grow.
Without Ananias, who knows what would have happened.
And it happened because he went and prayed with . . . a really bad guy. It's recounted in this week's Bible reading from Acts 9:1-20
Ananias He has been one who followed Jesus when he was here on earth and he was continuing to be a disciple after Jesus’ resurrection. According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, he had been one of the 70 apostles sent out in pairs in mission to the surrounding areas. When they returned from their trip, they were filled with joy and said, (From Luke 10:17) “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!"
Not all Bible scholars agree that it is possible to name any of the 70 who were sent out, but the idea that Ananias had been with Jesus since before the crucifixion and resurrection makes sense in the context of this week’s Bible reading.
Ananias, who was living in Damascus, had a vision from God. In it God instructed him to go find Saul of Tarsus and pray with him so that he would regain his sight.
“Are you kidding, God? This is one bad man! This is one powerful and bad man!”
“I’m going to use him to tell others about me.”
(Likely a bit skeptical, but willing . . .) “OK.”
Ananias got another chance to listen. Ananias gave Saul another chance
I wonder why we don't hear more about Ananias. He's a pivotal person in the history of Christianity.
Without Ananias, who knows what would have happened.
And it happened because he went and prayed with . . . a really bad guy. It's recounted in this week's Bible reading from Acts 9:1-20
Ananias He has been one who followed Jesus when he was here on earth and he was continuing to be a disciple after Jesus’ resurrection. According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, he had been one of the 70 apostles sent out in pairs in mission to the surrounding areas. When they returned from their trip, they were filled with joy and said, (From Luke 10:17) “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!"
Not all Bible scholars agree that it is possible to name any of the 70 who were sent out, but the idea that Ananias had been with Jesus since before the crucifixion and resurrection makes sense in the context of this week’s Bible reading.
Ananias, who was living in Damascus, had a vision from God. In it God instructed him to go find Saul of Tarsus and pray with him so that he would regain his sight.
“Are you kidding, God? This is one bad man! This is one powerful and bad man!”
“I’m going to use him to tell others about me.”
(Likely a bit skeptical, but willing . . .) “OK.”
Ananias got another chance to listen. Ananias gave Saul another chance
I wonder why we don't hear more about Ananias. He's a pivotal person in the history of Christianity.
4/16/2010
Proclaiming Jesus
This week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc (Are you kidding?) is still present and significantly expanded as Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Proclaiming Jesus" text
"Proclaiming Jesus" podcast
"Proclaiming Jesus" text
"Proclaiming Jesus" podcast
4/12/2010
Are you kidding?
Here's this week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc:
Ananias got it. According to the tradition of the Orthodox Church, he had been one of the 70 apostles sent out in pairs in mission to the surrounding areas. When they returned from their trip, they were filled with joy and said, (From Luke 10:17) "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!"
Not all Bible scholars agree that it is possible to name any of the 70 who were sent out, but the idea that Ananias had been with Jesus since before the crucifixion and resurrection makes sense in the context of this week’s reading from Acts 9:1-20.
Ananias, living as one of Jesus followers and missionaries in Damascus, had a vision from God. In it God instructed him to go find Saul of Tarsus and pray with him so that he would regain his sight.
“Are you kidding, God? This is one bad man! This is one powerful and bad man!”
“I’m going to use him to tell others about me.”
(likely a bit skeptical, but willing . . . ) “OK.”
Ananias found Saul, prayed, saw things like scales fall off of Saul’s eyes, baptized him (The Bible doesn’t say it was Ananias that did the baptism, but it would make sense that he did) and then helped Saul begin to be the one proclaiming Jesus as the son of God.
Have you ever had a sense God was calling you to do something or leading you in a certain direction and all you really could think of in that regard was. “Are you kidding?”
What’s been unexpected about your faith journey?
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