This week’s scriptures are: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalms 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19
Please pray with me:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that the words of this sermon are YOUR words, and not mine. I pray that the message here touches those that need to be touched. I pray that those receiving this sermon remember that all Honor and Glory are yours, Lord, both now and forever. Amen and Amen.
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
When the telephone rings, we usually answer it. Sometimes we have to check caller ID, to see who it is. What do we do when God calls? How do we respond when the Devil calls?
Satan has spent centuries calling us and our ancestors. He's gotten good at making humans believe the lies he's telling us. Sometimes he calls us down roads of death and destruction.
In today's readings, Satan was calling Saul and leading him down such a road. He had Saul convinced that he was doing good. That's why Saul went to the High Pries to get the authorization to have Jesus' disciples arrested.
Yet on his way to Damascus, Jesus called him. He had to ask who it was, because he didn't recognize the voice. They weren't friends. In fact, Saul had been doing everything he could to go against Christ and to deny Him.
Yet when He called, Saul answered. And just like Christ spent three days in the grave, Saul ended up spending three days without sight. He had to be lead around in darkness. Saul had to be shown the way.
Christ called to Ananias and he answered. Ananias knew of Saul and all that trouble he'd caused those who followed Christ. Yet he did what Christ told him to do. He answered the call.
So Ananias came to Saul and spoke the words that Jesus told him to speak and Saul saw the light. He even proclaimed Christ as Lord in the town. He answered the call.
Many times our callings are to do things that seem natural for us. Some are called to sing, some to preach. Some are called to evangelize, while others are simply called to be helpers. None are more important callings than others. You see, we're all called to do something that's for the betterment of mankind.
No matter what we're called to do, we ARE called to love Christ and to follow in His footsteps. Everyone of us are called to love one another. We're called to spread the word of God. We're called to love God with our WHOLE heart and our whole BEING.
By answering the call, everything else will fall into place. We'll find that we are not called to do anything that is difficult. For you see, the hardest thing we have to do is answer. God will do the rest.
God changed the heart of Saul. He changed the direction Saul was going in life. All Saul had to do was answer the call.
What is it you're being called to do? Is it to reach out to that homeless person on the corner? Or are you being called to write that next best selling novel or song? Maybe you're being called to mentor a child that has a bad home life.
What ever you are being called to do, answer that call! Differentiate between God's calling and Satan's calling. God will lead you to happiness and eternal life. Satan will lead you to heartache and eternal damnation.
Two phones are ringing. Two voices are calling your name. Satan, the liar - the false call. God the loving father - the true call. Both want you to do something.
Who will you answer? Will you answer the true call?
Amen. Amen.
May the reading of this sermon bless you. May God be with you and you with Him, until we meet again.
Amen. Amen
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