The Wonders of Oneness

May 24, 2020

Text: Acts 9:1-43 (NIV)

Main Idea: The Lord wants us to be closer than close, He wants us to be One.

I. The Lord makes us one with Himself.

Vss 4-5 “Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute Me?”

John 17:21 – Jesus’ prayer for our oneness with God. is inexplicably mysterious and unfathomably intimate.
Just like with Saul, he called each of us by name into His kingdom.

II. The Lord makes us one with His purpose

Vs. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

He went with one purpose in mind, but God had another purpose for him.
Don’t fret over finding your purpose: If the Lord can use someone’s worst intentions to accomplish His purposes. He can certainly use our prayerful best.
Instead just seek to stay mindful of His presence with You and ask Him to help you to be receptive and responsive to Him moment by moment.
vs. 11 The Lord told him, “…ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
What a story God is weaving throughout history and you and I are a significant part of it, written into the script before the world began.
vs. 16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for My name”
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Provides specific details of Paul’s suffering.
This wasn’t retribution. This wasn’t revenge or payback from God. It was liberation for Paul and for all of us.
Philippians 1:29 (NIV) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
- 2 Timothy 3:12 – All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
- Paul said “I rejoice in my sufferings…” (Colossians 1:24)
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when men persecute you… Persecution is not the blessing. The blessing is the fruit God will bring forth from it.
- Hebrews 5:8 – Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered.

III. The Lord makes us one with His people

Vs. 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered,

The Message version – Acts 9:13 (MSG) Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious.”
vs. 21 Isn’t he the man?
Galatians 3:28 (NIV) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
vs, 17 “Brother Saul”
vs. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.