Certain Disciples

Greetings,
Please read the following passage. Acts 9:10-25
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.''
11. So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12. "And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.''
13. Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14. "And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.''
15. 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.
16. "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.''
17. And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he 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.''
18. Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19. And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
20. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?''
22. But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
23. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
24. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.
25. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

I'm especially focused on verse 17:
a. Ananias (the certain disciple) went his way and entered the house
b. "His way" was the way the Lord had commanded him ("He has sent me")
c. The results were "and the Lord confirmed His Word with accompanying signs" - Mark 16:20

Ananias, "just" a certain disciple; not a big named guy, not someone with a "big ministry", nor someone who was in the "five-fold ministry" (that we know of). Just a certain disciple with whom the Lord could speak, lead and direct, command and expect obedience. Remember Proverbs 3:6, "in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Now it seems that Ananias was a little hesitant about the guy he was supposed to go see. Who wouldn't be, based on what had been happening. It's a good thing to note; the Lord doesn't tell us everything about every situation dealing with everyone. He expects us to trust Him enough to simply hear His voice and do what He says. And because of this "certain disciple" and the obedience he demonstrated to the Lord and His purposes, God was able to take His "move" to a NEW LEVEL!

If you would read further down in Acts 9 to verse 31 you'd read: "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. " I see Ananias "walking in the fear of the Lord" in his obedience to the Lord. It was Ananias' fear of the Lord that gave him the ability to overcome the fear of man. It was his desire to please the Lord in everything that allowed him to not be so concerned about what man would do to him. Isn't that the way "certain disciples" are supposed to be?

God's plan, of course, will and does include the "5-fold" ministers - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. He has set them in their respective offices of ministry for the perfecting, equipping of the saints so that the saints (or, certain disciples) can do the WORK of the ministry (helping, serving, relieving, exhorting, healing, etc.) and thus bringing edification or the building up of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11,12). But the church won't multiply until the "certain disciples" walk in the fear of God and believe that God's will is more important than their own.

Look back through the passage in Acts 9. Here's what the "certain disciple" was involved in AFTER Saul (Paul) was healed and filled with the Spirit:
1. He spent some days with Saul (Saul spent some days with the disciples...)
2. He helped Saul escape the evil one's plot to shut up the voice of God that Paul was beginning to preach. Once again, see how important it is for "discipleS" (plural emphazised) to be working together for a common, God-given purpose. See that the work of "certain disciples" will effect what happens afterward. It would take MORE than 1 or 2 disciples to let a man down a wall in a large basket.

How many times do we have to fail to accomplish our God-given task because we don't have enough workers working together? How long do we have to wait for "certain disciples" to understand the fear of the Lord and live their life on purpose for His purpose? How much time will be wasted? How many people will be lost in the mean time? Why can't we just get on with God's plan and act like the world is at stake?

I've made up my mind and settled my heart. I am a disciple - first and foremost. Whether anyone knows me, other than the Lord Jesus, or not; I am His "certain disciple". In all my ways I choose to acknowledge Him and He directs my paths. There may be someone I am sent to that I don't understand, like, or even trust. But because I am a disciple, HIS disciple, I choose to fear the Lord rather than man.

Saints, let us find ourselves always where we're supposed to be, doing the work that "certain disciples" do. We will find ourselves right smack in the middle of God's move, with the accompanying signs and wonders. Amen!

Pastor Jan