David Diga Hernandez - God's Anointed: Paul the Apostle

This is the season; now is the time. If you’ve been saying to yourself, «I want to do something for God. I want God to use me for the glory of His Son, Jesus,» but you just don’t know how to take that next step or where to go from passion to destination, we’re going to begin a new series titled «God’s Anointed.» In this series, we will look at the great men and women of God who were anointed and used with the power of the Holy Spirit. We will glean truths from their lives that apply to the call of God on our lives as well. Steven Moctezuma is here with me, as usual; he’s going to lead you in worship, and then we’ll dive right into this lesson. I truly believe now is the time. You’re not watching this by accident—God has called you; God wants to use you; God has anointed you. He’s given you a purpose, and I believe this series, particularly starting with this message, is going to position you to be used by God in ways you never thought possible.

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This love is so deep; it’s more than I can stand. I’m melting in your peace; it overwhelms me. I truly sense the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and I’m excited because I believe that God wants to use your life. Many people write to me all the time, asking what the next step is that they need to take. They tell me that they want to be used by God and that they believe God has put gifts in them. They feel that God has called them to preach the Gospel, to teach, to serve, to work in the ministry, and to simply minister as believers. All believers are called to ministry in one way or another. I’m thrilled because I finally get to go through, piece by piece, detail by detail, and share biblical truths gleaned from the lives of powerful men and women of God that will bless your life, guide your life, and transform your life. I genuinely believe that this series will position you to be used by God. I’m excited for you because I know there’s an anointing on your life. In this lesson, we’re going to be looking at Paul the Apostle, so go with me to Acts chapter 9. I am truly thrilled to be teaching this, and I hope you can sense that coming through. I’m expecting God to do something with this message. I’m anticipating that there will be a transformed life—something is going to happen for you and to you as you go through this series with me, and it’s going to be powerful. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is here; He has anointed this, and I can sense it. So, go with me to Acts chapter 9, and we’re going to read from verse 1 down to verse 19. We will read all the context, then go through it verse by verse to pull out truths that you may have missed. We will look at who was formerly Saul, now Paul the Apostle, and see how God used him. Alright, so go to Acts chapter 9, beginning at verse number one. The scripture says, «Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath, and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.» So he went to the high priest and requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them, both men and women, back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, «Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?» «Who are you, Lord?» Saul asked. And the voice replied, «I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.» The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one. Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, «Ananias.» «Yes, Lord,» he replied. The Lord said, «Go over to Straight Street to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul; he is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.» «But Lord,» exclaimed Ananias, «I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem, and he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.» 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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.» 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.» Instantly, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward, he ate some food and regained his strength.

So, number one, I want to look at verses one and two. This is where we see Saul uttering threats against the believers. He was persecuting the Church; he was locking them up in prisons, putting them in chains, and coming against them for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul was passionate about what he was doing. So, number one: the call of God is about God’s will, not your dreams. I know I have said in the past that your purpose is linked with your passion, and I still believe that God will give you certain passions that will be used in the call. God will give you certain gifts, desires, and abilities that He has intentionally placed in you so that you might use them to accomplish the work He has specifically assigned you to complete. I believe your purpose is indeed linked with your passions, but while your purpose is linked with your passions, your passions are meant to serve the call.