Week Four: 08/27/23

Series: Sweet Dreams  

Title: Dangerous Dreams

Bible: Acts 9:10 – 19

Big Idea: “One Person in Christ is Priceless”

“One Person in Christ is Priceless”

Acts 9:10 – 19 (NLT) 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

God uses the Nobody

1 Corinthians 1:26 – 29 (NLT) 26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Emotions are an Unreliable Filter

Proverbs 29:11 (NLT) 11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

“In the journey of life, emotions are great companions but terrible leaders.” Judah Smith

Hebrews 13:6 (NLT) 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Extraordinary & Ordinary Events Similar Results

John 9:16 (NLT) 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

One Person in Christ is PRICELESS

John 14:12 (NLT) 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

John 15:5 (NLT) 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

“The dream God has for your life is bigger than any dream you’re dreaming.” Unknown

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa

Clarifying questions:

Head: What do I know now?

Heart: How does this change me?

Hands: What do I do now?