ARISE & GOAct 9

Here’s something to think about

• When we think we have all the answers to our lives is when things start going wrong• We need to stay out of it.• That's when people start getting

into the lives of others and things really start to go wrong

Let me tell you what I mean

• The story of Miss Ann & Brother Paul

When God calls...which direction do you go

• Do you start to start to follow your own direction• When God calls...do your excuses

overshadow responses

Do you ask "What will others do for me"

• Or do you ask: "What will I be able to do for others"

• It's not about you.....It's about everyone else• But in the midst of it all....you have to have

guts to make a difference

Many years ago I had a rare opportunity to meet Evel Knievel

• EVEL KNIEVEL said to me when I was 11 years old.

• "It's better to take a chance in life...to win a victory or suffer defeat...even though scared by failure as some are....never knowing a victory or a defeat because they have don't have the guts to try either"

This encounter many years ago caused me to Arise & Go

• Then years later God asked me to Arise & Go• This today is for you....from

beginning to end...and your end should be glorious.

This Scripture is the conversion of the Apostle Paul

• A Christian Killer• On his way to persecute • He's brought to his knees,

blinded and then Jesus appears to him

He's then told to Arise and Go

• Go Where?• It's Unknown

I. We were all without Christ at one time:

• VS. 1 & 2• "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings,

and slaughter against disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letter to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem."

A. All have broken commandments....all of them

• B. All of us have denied Christ, Crucified Him• C. But all of you have begun a journey• D. What will you do with the journey God

has opened up to you?• I asked the Lord to clarify my

adventures• We always seek clear answers• But I've learned that if we just accept

Him for His holiness all we need is Christ!

II. We have all traveled this road that Paul traveled

• VS. 3• "And as he journeyed, he came near

Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:"

A. Traveled on a known road

• B. Darkness of night (when things happen in your life)

• C. Seeing the light at the end is should be your goal

• D. Not looking for the negative but looking for the light

• E. Christ is there, just as He was for Paul

III. Have you fallen to the Earth lately?

• VS. 4• "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice

saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecute thou me."

A. Let God speak to you in your life

• I knew Christ...received Him in my life in 1986• But didn't know His full direction until

standing on a cliff in Ethiopia• B. Ask of Him to work in your life visually• Since that day in Ethiopia I started

seeing Him visually nearly every day of my life

• C. Seek Him for ALL in your life• If you do He will show you all you need

IV. TREMBLE

• VS. 6• "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord,

what will thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ARISE AND GO into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

A. We need to Tremble

• B. We need to be put back in line • Johnny Cash sang “I'll walk the line"• Have you been put back in line by the Holy

Spirit walking in your life?

C. Come back in astonishment each and every day

• D. We need to see below our comfort level to appreciate and see God clearly (missions?)

• When you are trembling by God's amazing ways you begin to see clearly

• You will start to realize why your life has taken the path's it has

In Other Words

• you need to get filled with the Holy Spirit • Rather than just hearing about Him • If you do this…• you will be lifted and want to go and share

Him to all people!

V. ASK: What Will You Do With Me, God?

• Vs. 6 "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, ARISE AND GO into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

A. We're afraid to ask because things may change

• B. We're afraid we really may have to do something for Him

• C. If we ask this and truly mean....we will be astonished!

• Since we made this journey our life is completely different

VI. Let Others Stand Speechless as Christ Speaks Through You!

• VS. 7• "And the men which journeyed with him

stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man."

A. If you are truly fulfilling what God wants in your life....Others will want it too

• Pastor preaches to you every week....how many take notes

• How many remember the message past Tuesday

• How many do their best to do what the pastor discussed that week

B. Do others see Jesus speaking through you

• C. Are you a walking testimony that others want more of?

• D. Maybe you need a closer relationship with the Lord

VII. You Need to Break!

• In other words....when's the last time you broke down in your relationship with Jesus?

• Get out of your comfort zone• Pray for others• Volunteer• Witness to the world• Stop being a deep puddle in the road

Vs. 11

• "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays."

• Ananias told to Arise & Go• Ananias had no idea who he was going to see• When he found out he was taken back

Even when you think you know the outcome

•Will you be able to ARISE & GO!