1. Know who Jesus Is
Acts 22:1 ESV
“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
Acts 22:3 ESV
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
Acts 22:4-5 ESV
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.”
John 15:15-16 ESV
I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
John 16:24 ESV
“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
2. Do what Jesus Says
Acts 22:9-10 ESV
“Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’”
Acts 22:11-13, 16 ESV
“And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”
3. Go where Jesus Sends
Acts 22:17-21
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him (Jesus) saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
1st God is not obligated to get your approval on His plan for you.
2nd God knows everything and many times that takes you outside of
what you are able to understand.
3rd God’s clearest direction comes in His presence.
Acts 22:17b-18a
“I...saw him (Jesus) saying to me”
Acts 22:17-18
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him (Jesus) saying to me...
“Those who cannot believe the work to be true, because of the extraordinary degree and the way it is happening, should consider how it was with the unbelieving ruler in Samaria, who said, “Look, if the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” Elisha said to him, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it”....I would encourage those who sit back and watch, thinking its more wise to watch and analyze rather than to participate, because they are waiting to see how things turn out – to see if what is happening is really making any “Real” difference in the lives of people – to consider, whether this will justify themselves not experiencing and recognizing the powerful Presence of God when he wonderfully and graciously comes into the Church and City. Most likely, many people who are “waiting”, don’t know for what they are waiting for. If they wait to see a work of God without difficulties and stumbling-blocks, it will be like a fool waiting for all the water in a River to run by before they decide to cross. A work of God without stumbling-blocks is never to be expected. “For offenses will inevitably come” There have never been any great demonstrations of God’s power that He has done in the world, without many difficulties attending it.”
- Jonathan Edwards, Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God
