Pastor's Ponderings: Tuesday Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles 9:10-18 (December 2, 2025)

December 2, 2025:  Tuesday Bible Study on Acts 9:10-18

Good morning my dear friends in Christ. This week brings us to the second Sunday of Advent, and we are reminded once again of the powerful gift that our Heavenly Father has prepared for every one of us. This week is Gospel Music Sunday at our 10AM worship, and we will gather for our traditional Chili Luncheon after the service. You may bring a dish to share. Please be reminded that our warming cabinet in the kitchen is not working, so any warm food you bring needs to be in an electric warming appliance of some kind. We do have two microwaves in the kitchen. I hope that you will be able to join us this week. It will be great to see you. May each of your days in the week ahead be filled with the joy of Heaven in our coming celebration of new life.

Yesterday, we considered a Pharisee, Saul, who was journeying to Damascus to search out, and arrest, the new Christians who were there, taking them back to Jerusalem to stand trial before the Sanhedrin. They must have all felt just like the immigrants in our country who are being sought out by ICE and the Border Patrol to be arrested and sent out of the country without any opportunity to have standing and safety through the guarantees of the Constitution for all people who are here from other nations.  Saul's reputation certainly preceded him. He was known to be ruthless, at least until the humbling inbreaking Word of Christ, and that fierce storm during which Saul lost his vision. In a few minutes Saul became a needy and helpless person, who had no choice but to depend on the Word of Jesus to keep going, and later receive instruction for what was to come for him. Apparently, Saul was guided to the home of Judas. Evidently the rumors of Saul's coming to Damascus had reached deep into the hearts of the people who believed in Jesus. Fear of him was rampant in the new Church.

To one of those who feared Saul, Ananias, Jesus spoke giving him direction for caring for Saul. Ananias was filled with worry over Saul's power and hatred toward Christ's newest believers. But it wasn't just Saul Christ was calling to a new life, Ananias was called too, to serve in the face of danger and be bold in his newfound faith. It should be clear in this passage that it isn't just the big ones, in terms of power, who Christ is seeking to do His work in the world, it is everyday believers, who never dreamed that such faith challenges would be set before them, who are called too.  The Church would never have survived for 2000 years if it wasn't for the faithful living and serving of Her members. We already knew about Stephen serving, but here in this passage we encounter one of the everyday folks who never dreamed that their faith to serve might be severely tested. We must look into our own hearts of faith, knowing that often faith is no easy road of comfort and peace. Sometimes we too are called forward to serve in the world where the strength of what we believe may be challenged. I promise you that the faith we share in Jesus Christ will be sufficient for any circumstance which we encounter. By the Spirit, faith's adequacy will always be enough. Let's face it, Saul was humiliated in his loss of sight, and direction to do harm to the new Christian believers. When Ananias came to him, we can only imagine Saul's hesitation, but at this point he must have truly been ready for the news and vision release that Ananias we bringing to him. Of course, our Savior knew how Saul would respond. Saul's life of hostility was transformed to be filled with the grace of the Savior. Baptized, having received the Spirit, Saul was now a new man, who would take a new name to establish his new character. One thing we must take note of was the condition of Saul emotionally and physically. He obviously had not eaten and had spent several days trying to figure out how he might possibly move forward to live with no sight. Baptized and fed, Saul began entry into the new life which Christ had given him and planned for him to use showing the transformation in Christ that had taken place.

I will be with you on Thursday for the Psalm study. Joy in Christ be yours today and always.

Pastor Kim