Christ's Chosen Instrument: Called to Serve - Acts 9:13-16

Commentary

Revd. Mark Fletcher: And as Jesus says to Ananias in verse 15, go. This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. The gospel is going global. It is to be spread. Spread across the world. And that will mean confronting the greatest and most powerful empire the world has ever seen. Paul will face up to kings and princes and rulers. And all of his strengths are required. His fearlessness. His remarkable mind. His deep understanding of scripture. His willingness to speak truth to power. All of these things are going to be essential in the coming years. The thing that is really clear is from the moment of Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ. His calling becomes clear. And it is rooted in all of his gifts and his background and his education. It is based on the very foundation of who he is. His character. His courage. And his vision. These are the things which are going to make him a great apostle. But his human methods need to be challenged and changed. He needs to learn the way of Christ. As he will later say. He needs to learn that Christ’s grace is sufficient for me. His power is made perfect in weakness. You see his character is essential. But his methods have to change. God is going to use who he is. And show him how to do it better. And he will be transformed into something. Someone astonishing. Paul was Christ’s chosen instrument to proclaim his name across the world. And so my final question is. Well what about you? We still have this calling to speak the good news in this desperate world. To speak truth to power. To challenge injustice. We still have this calling to declare a better kingdom. To speak of Jesus as Lord. And you are not called to be Paul. But you are absolutely called to bring your gifts. And character. And the resources that you have. To use for the kingdom of God. Yes you need to be humbled. Yes there are human methods that you need to unlearn. And you need to be humble. And just like Paul. There is pride that needs to be put away. But God has made you who you are. And has given you gifts. That you are called to use for good. For his kingdom. What are you called to be? What talents and gifts has God given you. That you need to use for his glory. All of us. Can be used for this kingdom. And if Paul. The worst of all sinners as he described himself. Has such a crucial role. Then you have a role too. And it will be rooted in who God has made you to be. What does it look like to offer yourself to Christ. And to be put to work for his service.