SERMON NOTES — Sunday, June 21, 2020

GATHERED & SCATTERED: “The Church of BOTH Conversion AND Conversation”

Acts 9:1-19 NIV

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 holy people 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 proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to 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.

“Our culture has created a crisis where conversion involves confrontation.” “Christ has created a church where conversion involves conversation.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” - James 1:19 NIV

NEXT STEPS: 1. What is one conversation I need to have with God? 2. What is one conversation I need to have with someone else?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Week of June 22-27

“GATHERED AND SCATTERED” (The Book of Acts)

MONDAY Acts 9:20-31

TUESDAY Acts 9:32-43

WEDNESDAY Acts 10:1-9

THURSDAY Acts 10:10-23

FRIDAY Acts 10:24-43

SATURDAY Acts 10:44-48

PRAYER FOR THIS WEEK: Holy and Gracious God, we thank You for being the God of BOTH Conviction AND Compassion, Who speaks BOTH Truth AND Love, And Who calls us to do the same. Help us to be BOTH “quick to listen, slow to speak, AND slow to become angry”, In BOTH our encounters and conversations with You, AND our encounters and conversations with others this week, So that we might be BOTH transformed AND agents of Your transformation, in our church, in our family, in our community, and in the world around us. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, AMEN.

OBSERVATION (“What?”) What is one thing that I observed in the passage?

IMPLICATION (“So What?”) What does that mean for me and my life?

APPLICATION (“Now What?”) What am I going to do about it?