Put People in Their Place

Theme: Seeing people through God’s eyes brings good results.
Text:  Acts 9:1-22, Acts 22:12-16

Here’s a thought: Someone has concluded, “Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.”

When a man went to McDonald's, he saw on the menu that he could order 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. He asked for a half dozen nuggets.

“We don't have a half dozen nuggets,” said the teenager at the counter. “You don't?” the man replied.
“We only have six, nine, or twelve,” was the explanation.
“I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?” the man inquired. “That's right,” the worker confirmed.

He shook his head and ordered six McNuggets.

Getting locked into seeing things or even people a certain way is easy. We meet a man who made a significant adjustment in how he saw another person in Acts 9:1-22:

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand

into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. NIV

There are three men named Ananias in the Bible. One is the husband of Sapphira, who lied about the money they were giving and lost his life as a result (Acts 5:1-5), another is the high priest before whom Paul appeared (Acts 24:1), and we meet the third one here in Acts 9.

Ananias was a disciple or follower of Jesus in Damascus, Syria (Acts 9:10). He became Paul's instructor, but we don’t know how or when he became a follower of Jesus. Ananias is mentioned by name in only two Bible passages. He is listed by Hippolytus of Rome (a third-century theologian) and others as one of the 72 disciples who were sent out by Jesus in Luke 10:1-20.

The name Ananias means “The cloud of the Lord.” The Ananias we meet in Acts chapter 9 is like a cloud because he quickly appears and disappears. Ananias is an unsung hero of the Bible! He steps onto the stage of the Biblical narrative for a brief moment, plays his part then exits to make room for the next character and the next act to take his place.

What was it about Ananias that made him so useful to God? As the eyes of the Lord ranged throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts were fully committed to him (2 Chronicles 16:9), why did He choose to use Ananias?

The Lord used Ananias because:

He Believed People Can Change

Ananias himself models change as we see him completely change his view of Saul. Protesting to the Lord that he had heard of Saul’s persecution of the church, he instantly adjusts his perspective when the Lord explains why He wants Ananias to go and pray for Saul. How striking that Ananias, whom Saul would have seized for prison and death, should be the instrument of giving him light and life. It is okay to express our doubts and questions to the Lord. He is patient and gracious.

Starting that fateful day on the road to Damascus, the transition of Saul’s identity comes in Acts 13:9, “Then Saul, who was also called Paul ...” Saul was a common Jewish name, bringing back memories of the nation’s first king and highlighting his work amongst the Jews as a Pharisee. Paul was a common Roman name, pointing out his new direction in life and ministry as a follower of Jesus Christ and an apostle (sent one) to the Gentiles.

While testifying to an angry mob in Jerusalem, Paul describes the part Ananias played in his conversion in Acts 22:12-16:

12 A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight!” And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 Then he said: “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” NIV

The background of Ananias in Paul’s testimony here in Acts 22 is basically the same as in chapter 9, although this speech emphasizes that he was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living in Damascus, which indicates that he was not one of the refugees from the persecution in Jerusalem described in Acts 8:1. God chose a man known and respected by the Jews to bring dramatic change to one of their leaders.

Someone has observed, “The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.” This is generally true; people tend to perpetuate the patterns and habits they learned in their families of origin and what they have done throughout their lives. A man will usually copy the attitudes, words and actions of a husband and father that he learned from his father ... unless he

decides to change and turn his life over to Jesus Christ and His transforming power.

Keenly aware of how much he had changed, Paul himself writes of this power years later in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. NIV

If we do not believe that people can change, we might as well give up right now – give up praying, reading the Bible and reaching out to others. I wouldn’t share this message with you if I did not believe people could change.

Someone has concluded, “Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.”

If we believe that people can change as they follow Jesus Christ and allow the Word of God and the Spirit of God to transform them, then let’s speak words of blessing over them. Let’s see them not for what they are, but let’s see them for what they will be! Let’s pray for them, encourage them and call out the best in them.

When you look at the people around you, what do you see – turkeys or eagles? The Lord used Ananias because:

He Believed People Can Change

He Did Not Live to Please People

Ananias risked alienation by the church for associating with Saul. Even though Ananias had a good reputation, he was willing to lay it down and obey His Lord. It is tempting to make our reputation an idol, allowing it to keep us from completing our heavenly assignments.

Paul says it this way in Galatians 1:10:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. NIV

The obedience of Ananias led to a divine appointment with Saul, who later became known as the Apostle Paul. Paul is generally recognized as the greatest

missionary who ever lived, and his influence stretches over 2,000 years to us here and now!

I’m done being a people pleaser - if everyone’s okay with that.

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) observed:
Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation ... and bear the consequences.

What would have happened if Ananias had said no to the Lord? God is sovereign, and He had a plan for Saul. If Ananias passed up this opportunity, the Lord would have found someone else to lay hands on him, restore his sight, see that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptize him in water. It is truly a privilege to serve the Almighty God!

In writing the Book of Acts, Luke does not go on to describe how Ananias established “Ananias Ministries International.” While the Bible does not go on to record any other words and acts of this man, tradition records that Ananias eventually became Bishop of Damascus and a martyr for following Christ.

Someone has warned, “He who builds to every man's advice will have a crooked house.”

Bible commentator F. F. Bruce suggests that Ananias “has an honoured place in sacred history and a special claim upon the gratitude of all who in one way or another have entered into the blessing that stems from the life and work of the great apostle.”

Are you willing to lay down your reputation? Will you live to please the crowd or the audience of one?

I would like to share a modern-day parable of a man looking back on his life: One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.” I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.” He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with my friends and me. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Boy, you are really gonna build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day!” He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. On graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you'll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. “Thanks,” he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat and began. “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach, but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.”

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a

little smile. “Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.” I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life - for better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for the good in others.

Put people in their place. The Lord used Ananias because:

He Believed People Can Change He Did Not Live to Please People

Seeing people through God’s eyes brings good results.