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3/19/17 “IS GOD A PRIORITY?” – Pastor Shane Idleman
If you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.
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Complete Sermon Notes
Is God a Priority?
ACTS 9:8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
The purpose of Visions and Dreams – I’m cautiously careful: warn, confirm, or direct.
People get weird and we throw out the baby with the bath water.
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
The Questioner vs the Skeptic: one truly seeks answers and is trying to understand, but the other is a skeptical scoffer.
God became the priority [relationally] – he experienced God.
A true conversion changes the heart: he was that – now he is this. Not everyone has radical encounters, but everyone who has been converted should have fruit. ~ GOD IS THE PRIORITY!
“The Holy Spirit never enters a man and then lets him live like the world. You can be sure of that!” – Tozer
How can a loving God allow suffering? “I will show you how many things you must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Redemption through suffering – Jesus even ministered while dying.
Humility through suffering.
Clarity and Conviction through suffering.
Redirection through suffering [prioritizing].
….GOD BECOMES THE PRIORITY.
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
The power of unity and agreeing together.
Was Paul already a Christian for 3-days? Then why wasn’t he filled?
Converted, Filled, Baptized – “Wait until you are clothed with power.”
“I think the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry.” ~ John Piper
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues,
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By Westside Christian FellowshipIf you want to stay up on the latest audio messages from Westside Christian Fellowship, don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.
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Complete Sermon Notes
Is God a Priority?
ACTS 9:8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
The purpose of Visions and Dreams – I’m cautiously careful: warn, confirm, or direct.
People get weird and we throw out the baby with the bath water.
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
The Questioner vs the Skeptic: one truly seeks answers and is trying to understand, but the other is a skeptical scoffer.
God became the priority [relationally] – he experienced God.
A true conversion changes the heart: he was that – now he is this. Not everyone has radical encounters, but everyone who has been converted should have fruit. ~ GOD IS THE PRIORITY!
“The Holy Spirit never enters a man and then lets him live like the world. You can be sure of that!” – Tozer
How can a loving God allow suffering? “I will show you how many things you must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Redemption through suffering – Jesus even ministered while dying.
Humility through suffering.
Clarity and Conviction through suffering.
Redirection through suffering [prioritizing].
….GOD BECOMES THE PRIORITY.
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
The power of unity and agreeing together.
Was Paul already a Christian for 3-days? Then why wasn’t he filled?
Converted, Filled, Baptized – “Wait until you are clothed with power.”
“I think the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry.” ~ John Piper
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues,