God Is On the Move Ahead of You

In one paragraph

This sermon worked through two sections of Acts 9, following Saul's arrival in Damascus and then Peter's travels through Lydda and Joppa. Pastor Ray traced how the early church grew not through careful planning but through God moving ahead of his people, often through interruption and surprise. The two stories, one about a former persecutor becoming the most compelling voice in the synagogues, and...

Read together

1. Colossians 1 quoted to open worship, describing Jesus as creator of all things visible and invisible
2. Acts 1:8 cited as Jesus's prediction that the gospel would spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts
3. Psalm 62 named as the source of a song of gratitude sung during the offering
4. Amos 3:3 quoted as God's word through the prophet: can two walk together unless they be agreed, in a prayer for unity
5. Ephesians 2:8-10 quoted as the benediction, on salvation by grace through faith and being created for good works

Talk about it

1. The pastor pointed out that the believers in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul because they could not believe his conversion was real. Is there someone in your life you have a hard time believing God could redeem? What does that fear say about what you actually believe God can do?
2. Barnabas took a risk and vouched for Saul to the apostles when nobody else would. Who in your life has played that kind of Barnabas role for you, and is there someone right now you could play that role for?
3. The sermon noted that Peter was willing to be interrupted, setting aside what he was already doing to go help the believers in Joppa. Where in your own week do you tend to protect yourself from that kind of interruption, and what might it cost you?
4. The pastor said that whether God sent Peter to Aeneas, who seemed to have done nothing to deserve healing, or to Tabitha, who was known for her kindness and good works, the gospel went forward either way. What does that tell you about how God chooses to work through people?
5. The closing application was to present what you personally know of Jesus, whether as healer, provider or Savior, and to tell your own story. What is the part of your story with Jesus that you find hardest to share, and what holds you back from sharing it?