ANANIAS - A Message in the Night
ANANIAS
- A Message in the Night
The call of God is the most amazing engagement. While we may have dreams, visions and missions for God, even at that we should not limit or preempt God on the details of His call. Ananias was available to serve God and he let nothing interfere with that service. He was willing, and he was obedient. He did what God told him, even though it seemed like a strange - even dangerous - request. We may not always understand the things God asks us to do for Him, but if we are willing and obedient, God will use us.
Ananias was a disciple or follower of Christ.
He was apparently in close communication with God, for he readily responded when the Lord appeared to him in a vision.
He was obedient. Acts 22:12 confirms that he was a “devout” man, and “of good report.”
Apparently, his Christian witness was well known, and he was respected among the Jews who knew him.
“to be used of God”: surrendering your life, talents, and will to act as an instrument for God’s purposes, bringing glory to Him rather than yourself
Character: Christian conduct
2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, know ye not your own selves, how that Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate."
Romans 12:1-2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
1 Peter 1:15-16: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Colossians 3:2: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." -
1 John 3:3: "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
2 Timothy 2:21: "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
“The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him.”
“It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus.”
“A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.”
“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”
“The degree of usefulness in the hand of God depends entirely upon the measure of self-abandonment.”
“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God… such alone will shake the gates of hell.”
“A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men.”
Spiritual condition must align with obedience to God:
Even when God calls you to a task that seems risky or uncomfortable, readiness to obey is a mark of being in a suitable spiritual condition.
Integrity and reputation matter in being used by God:
A “good report” among peers and spiritual peers signals credibility; integrity under pressure enables others to receive your ministry.
Readiness to serve in humility:
Ananias’ quiet, humble service - delivering a life-changing message to Saul-shows that God uses faithful, low-profile obedience as a vital instrument.
Spiritual discernment and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit:
Being “devout” includes willingness to be led by the Spirit, not just by religion or tradition.
Ananias responds to a direct divine invitation and acts.
Face your fears and doubts, choose immediate trust over self-protective reasoning when the Spirit prompts you.
Guard your character daily - avoid hidden sin, compromise, or inconsistency that could undermine future service.
Cultivate a posture of service even in small, unseen roles; resist the lure of prominence or recognition.
Develop daily rhythms of prayer and practice to sharpen sensitivity to the Spirit’s prompting; practice quick, faithful obedience even when the “why” isn’t fully clear.
What type of person can God use?
Who is a devout person?
What does it mean to be of good report?
Attributes: - any distinctive feature, characteristic, or property of an object that can be identified or isolated quantitatively or qualitatively by either human or automated means
2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Colossians 3:12: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."
Joshua 1:9: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Proverbs 10:9: "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known."
“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible—what a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”
“The man who is obedient to the Spirit will never find himself in conflict with God’s will.”
“The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else.”
Devotion to God / Spiritual integrity:
A genuine, God-centered life provides a stable foundation for faith under pressure and makes a believer trustworthy to others when they speak or serve.
Obedience to God even when it’s risky - What it is:
Courageous obedience demonstrates trust in God over fear or comfort, enabling God to work through us in uncertain or dangerous situations.
Integrity and credible reputation:
A credible reputation opens doors for ministry and enables others to hear the message or receive help without suspicion.
Receptivity to the Holy Spirit and willingness to act:
A Spirit-led church and individual are better equipped to participate in God’s redemptive work in a complex world, adapting as God directs.
Establish daily disciplines (Bible reading, prayer, humility) that expose and root out hypocrisy; maintain integrity in private as well as public life.
Practice quick, faithful obedience in small, everyday prompts (gentle nudges from the Spirit, prompted acts of service) to build readiness for bigger calls; develop discernment to distinguish genuine divine prompting from rash impulse.
Live consistently with your professed beliefs; avoid compromising situations that could damage trust; seek opportunities to serve in ways that build a reliable track record.
Develop prayerful sensitivity to the Spirit—slower to rationalize, quicker to respond. Create habits that foster immediacy in obedience, such as Regular prayer, spiritual prompts, and community discernment.
Through a still, small voice (to Elijah);
Through a dream (to Joseph);
Through angelic messengers (to Lot);
Through the word of a prophet (to Ahab).
Spiritual condition and receptivity of the one receiving the message obviously played a great part in how they responded.
God speaks: - Have you heard from God, Can you still hear Him? – Do you still hear from on every matter?
1 Samuel 3:10: "And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose, and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child."
Joel 2:28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."
Daniel 7:1: "In the first year of Baasha king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters."
Luke 1:11-13: "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him"
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
John 16:13: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak"
Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Amos 3:7: "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
Matthew 17:5: "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
Proverbs 15:22: "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."
Acts 13:2-3: "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,"
God speaks through direct audible or spoken instruction:
At times God spoke plainly and audibly or through a direct word to a person (e.g., voices in Scripture, Jesus’ voice from heaven at times).
When decisive guidance is required for major life decisions or spiritual responsibility, a clear word from the Lord ensures obedience and action.
God communicates through angels or messengers:
Messengers can deliver timely assignments, warnings, or encouragement when human channels are limited or when God chooses to emphasize urgency.
God reveals through the Holy Spirit within Scripture and conscience, and through circumstances:
The Spirit-based inner witness helps believers discern God’s guidance in everyday decisions and in pursuing or refraining from certain opportunities.
How have you been responding to God’s messages?
Good example: Ananias’ response and subsequent obedience.
Cultivate ongoing practices (regular Bible study, prayer, discernment) to differentiate spiritual prompting from personal preference, and remain teachable when God redirects.
God does not let us down or forsake us when we do something He has called us to do.
Fear and anxiety are not necessary if we are obedient to His call.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Notorious reputation: Everyone has a story and history – don’t let your story stop you
“God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
“Our weakness is not an obstacle but an opportunity for God’s power.”
“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.”
“All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power.”
“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
Handling anxiety when invited to serve beyond your comfort zone:
Expect initial fear or hesitation when God calls you to reach out or serve someone you deem risky or unlikely to respond well (like Ananias with Saul).
Trusting God’s purposes beyond human reputation:
Recognize that God can use imperfect or unlikely people and break down social or reputational barriers to accomplish his plans.
Verifying guidance through biblical wisdom:
When a sense of calling comes, pray, test it against Scripture, seek wise counsel
Courage to act despite potential personal risk or cost:
Recognize that faithful service often involves personal risk, discomfort, yet obedience will release God’s transformative work.
Name your fears honestly, then take a concrete, small step of obedience instead of waiting for perfect certainty. Build a habit of responsive obedience even in the midst of anxiety.
Let go of how others might judge your efforts. Focus on faithfulness to God’s leading, and seek to align your actions with Scripture and the Spirit’s prompting, not popular opinion.
Develop a routine for discernment: Scripture alignment, counsel from mature believers, and observable fruit in outcomes. Resist impulsive decisions that lack accountability.
Willing, submissive, consecrated.
“Heard the voice of the Lord”: God initiates the call
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
Respond with readiness to serve:
A quick, spontaneous willingness to say “Here I am” when God calls, even if the task is surprising or costly.
Cultivate daily routines that invite God’s direction (prayerful listening, Scripture reading) so you recognize His call more readily.
Embrace humble availability:
Recognize you are a vessel for God’s purposes, not the source of the power or glory.
Prioritize God’s mission over personal preference when making decisions.
Practice “What would you have me do here?” in conversations, workplace, and responsibilities.
Move from hesitation to action:
Overcome hesitation with proactive steps when God lays a burden or assignment on your heart.
Set a timeline for taking that step and report progress to a mentor or group.
Practice courageous conversations where you might be asked to take a risk for the gospel or truth.
Remind yourself that God equips those He calls; pray for boldness and rely on the Spirit’s leading.
Align personal life with God’s mission:
Obedience isn’t just about one task; it’s about a life aligned to God’s purposes across relationships, work, and daily living.
Audit your time and energy: are you investing in activities that advance God’s kingdom or primarily self-interest?
Could God have used these men if they had not exhibited (Willing, submissive, consecrated) this spirit?
Contrast your responses to that of Jonah’s.
Create a personal “go” list: a few avenues you’d be willing to serve in if God called you today.
To minister or to be a servant to others is opposite of the general feeling prevalent in the world.
But Christians are not of the world even though in the world.
The Christian who is truly willing to be used by God in any capacity will do whatever the Lord calls him to do, even though the task may seem:
-difficult (Nehemiah);
-dangerous (Ananias, Paul and Silas);
-unspectacular (Philip in the desert), etc.
Great: excellent, wonderful, terrific, awesome, fantastic, superb, lovely, beautiful; - things that are very good, large, or important
Mark 9:35: "And Jesus sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
Luke 22:26-27: "But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth."
Matthew 18:3-4: "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 16:24-26: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it."
“The way to rise in the kingdom is to sink in ourselves.”
“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve.”
Greatness through servant leadership:
True leadership in God’s kingdom is measured by willingness to serve others, not by status, power, or personal gain.
Greatness is defined by sacrificial service for the good of others.
Be willing to be “the slave of all”:
Embrace a posture of radical others-centeredness, even when it costs comfort, status, or convenience.
Servanthood is not just a role but a lifestyle.
Exemplify love in service across boundaries:
True greatness in God’s kingdom crosses social, cultural, and economic barriers
-serving those who are different from you, not just those who are easy to help.
Seek opportunities to serve people outside your comfort zone or typical networks
Enumerate some of the ways you might be called to minister to others.
List some specifics that might not be positions greatly desired.
Prioritize quiet faithfulness
Anchor service in love for Christ and others, not in craving recognition; practice joyful, self-forgetful giving.
Personal meanings for:
-steadfast
-unmoveable
-abounding in the work of the Lord
What are the qualifications for one who wishes to be used of God?
Steadfast: Firm in commitment - resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering - firm and determined in a belief or a position
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.”
“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Steadfast in faith and perseverance:
A steadfast posture means staying grounded in truth, consistent in devotion, and enduring when results aren’t immediate.
It’s not passive; it’s a deliberate, steady commitment to follow Christ over time.
Remind yourself of God’s promises, journal “small wins” in faithfulness.
Unmoveable in conviction under pressure:
An unmoveable stand means holding true to biblical convictions even when culture or peers push for conformity.
It’s resolute integrity in belief and practice.
Always abounding in the work of the Lord:
Active, generous, and purposeful service in Jesus’ name - using gifts, time, and resources to advance God’s kingdom in everyday contexts.
Practice “abounding” by taking initiatives
Confidence that labor is not in vain in the Lord:
Hopeful perseverance grounded in the assurance that God honors faithful labor, even when visible results aren’t immediate.
It reframes outcomes by faith, not merely by immediate visible success.
Document and review “fruit” beyond numbers (lives touched, growth in others, quiet acts of faithfulness).
Practice gratitude and worship after service or challenging tasks to keep motivation anchored in God’s worthiness, not mere accomplishment.
Regular reflection on God’s faithfulness in the past; cultivate a habit of gratitude
Reinforce disciplines and revisit the why behind your steadfastness.
Review core convictions, seek wise counsel, and practice humilit
Tie every act of service to discipleship goals; ensure you’re serving with wisdom
Remind yourself of God’s promises
1. Hark! the voice of Jesus calling,
"Who will go and work today?
Fields are white, the harvest waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?"
Loud and long the Master calls out,
Rich reward he offers free:
Who will answer, gladly saying,
"Here am I, send me, send me."
And the foreign lands explore,
You can find the needy nearer,
You can help them at your door.
If you cannot give in thousands,
You can give the widow's mite,
And the least you give for Jesus,
Will be precious in his sight.
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say he died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked,
With the judgment's dread alarms,
You may lead the little children,
To the Savior's waiting arms.
"There is nothing I can do,"
While the lost of Earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task he gives you gladly;
Let his work your pleasure be.
Answer quickly when he's calling,
"Here am I, send, send me."
@AFM SEARCH Lesson 76
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