04.11.2021 | SUDDENLY
SUDDENLY
Acts 9:3 – “As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.”
Suddenly – A God-ordained breakthrough that occurs in a Kairos moment of time but often preceded by months or years of fervent intercession and divine orchestration.
Luke 2:13 – “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.”
Acts 2:2 – “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
2 Chronicles 29:36 – “Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly.”
Malachi 3:1b – “And the Lord, who you seek, will suddenly come to His temple…”
Acts 9:3 – “As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.”
How can we experience the “suddenlies” of God? How can we help others experience a “suddenly” from God?
1. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Acts 9:4 – “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a Voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’”
Acts 9:5a – “And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’”
Matthew 16:15 – “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”
John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Revelation 1:17b-18 – “Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’”
Acts 9:5b – “Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.’”
Acts 9:6a – “So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’”
Acts 9:6b – “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’”
2. BE WILLING TO BE CHANGED
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.”
“Jesus had turned him completely around.” – Robertson
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”
Revelation 21:5a – “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’”
3. HEAR AND OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD
Acts 9:10 – “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.’”
Acts 9:15-16 – “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.’ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name’s sake.’”
Acts 9:17 – “And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him 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.’”
Acts 9:18 – “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.”
There are “suddenlies” God has prepared for you, but there are also “suddenlies” God has prepared for others that He wants to work through you.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you experienced a “suddenly” from God? If yes, can you share what happened?
2. Have you experienced God working through you in someone else’s “suddenly”?
3. Could you describe how it feels to know that God has worked though you to touch someone else?
4. What are some of the things that hinder us from experiencing the “suddenlies” of God in our own lives, or from being a vessel of the Holy Spirit in the “suddenlies” of others?
5. Has the Lord ever asked you to do something that seemed foolish or difficult to understand at the time? Did you obey? What happened if/when you obeyed?