ACTS 9:10-12

STREET CALLED STRAIGHT.

When the will of man (you and me) comes into alignment with the spirit of God, TRANSFORMATION is always the goal.

The spirit of religion is a shift from joyful obedience in God and a transformed life, to simply doing the right things and abstaining from the wrong ones. The spirit of religion only allows for outward righteousness. It does not transform the person or the heart. Rather, it puts on a front and appearance that is no greater than skin deep. This impacts the local church by creating divisions between individuals and stealing the joy, freedom, healing, and transformation that comes through the power of God.

“THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION’S MAIN FOCUS IS CURRENT FRUIT OR LACK OF FRUIT.”

“THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION’S MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO ATTACK BAD FRUIT, INSTEAD OF CULTIVATING GOOD FRUIT.”

MATTHEW 13:24-30

 9:1-4

“As the heavenly light overwhelmed him, Saul was confronted by the true nature of his crime: He persecuted God, not man. Saul thought that he was serving God in viciously attacking Christians, but he discovered that he was fighting God. This has been sadly true through history. Often those who are convinced they are doing God a favor do much of the worst persecution and torture ever practiced.” - David Guzik 

“THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION’S MAIN BLINDSPOT IS GOD’S TRANSFORMING POWER.”

“The people of God operating in the Spirit of Religion is being in a state spiritual blindness.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 

ACTS 9:13-14

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

ACTS 9:15-19

“Ananias was an ordinary man – not an apostle, a prophet, a pastor, an evangelist, an elder, or a deacon. Yet God used him because he was an ordinary man. If an apostle or a prominent person had ministered to Saul, people might say Paul received his gospel from a man instead of Jesus. In the same way, God needs to use the certain disciple – there is a special work for them to do.” - David Guzik

“SPIRITUAL VISION IS NOT IGNORING THE BAD FRUIT. IT’S ALLOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO INTERPRET THE TRUE FRUIT.”

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what method the Holy Spirit gives you, as longs as it’s His method and not your method. 

I WONDER WHAT STREET CALLED STRAIGHT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO.

Episode ID: 1000528621483

GUID: Buzzsprout-8850023

Release Date: 12/07/2021, 19:30:00