2. Looking to God

Acts 9:1-19ap. 1012

A God-Centered LifeSelf-Centered Life God-Centered Life

• Is focused on self - Places confidence in God

• Is proud of self & accomplishments - Depends on God – His ability & provision

• Is self-confident - Focuses on God & His activity

• Depends on self & abilities - Humble before God

• Affirms self - Denies self

• Seeks to be acceptable to the world - Seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness

• Sees things from human perspective - Seeks God’s perspective in every circumstance

• Chooses selfish, ordinary living - Chooses holy and godly living

1. Our WILL (and God’s)

Do I have to be God-centered before I can experience God?

Why do I want to experience God and know his will? Do I want to experience God and know His will so that I can

prosper, my life can be blessed, and so that I can enjoy peace, success, happiness, etc?

- OR -

Do I want to know God’s will and experience Him so that I can do His will and make whatever changes are necessary to live fully for Him?

1. Our WILL (and God’s) ...

Phil 2:13 “God works in you to will and act ...”

God will not override our resistance,

He will overcome our weakness

When we open up our lives to God (time, money, focus) He will do radical things in and around us.

2. Paul (Saul)

A major player on the religious scene (Gal (1:14; Acts 22:3)

Jesus appears to him and speaks to him (Also Acts 22:3ff, 26:4ff)

Notice: Paul is opposing God

God intends to use him

God speaks to him

God completely interrupts his life

3. Ananias

Not a notable figure socially or historically

An astonishing instruction – Paul was a known persecutor (v 13-17)

An amazingly challenging ask from God.

Ananias went back to his life of daily faithfulness.

His vision/instruction was confirmed by Paul’s vision (v 12)

He had to act first to get the confirmation!

God can Interrupt our lives

He will speak to us – in many forms

We are to align our wills and lives to Him

God will not override our resistance,

He will overcome our weakness