Embracing Our Identity Through Christ's Transformative Touch

Today, the invitation is to see Jesus as He truly is: not only as the suffering servant once seen on the cross, but as the risen, reigning King, radiant in glory and power. In worship, we are drawn into the presence of this living Christ, who is enthroned upon the praises of His people and who alone is worthy of all honor. The Father’s heart is to call each of us—personally and intimately—into His presence, to receive the fullness of His love, acceptance, forgiveness, and the gift of belonging in His family. This is not a distant or abstract invitation, but a call to come close, to drink deeply from the only true well, and to be transformed by the touch of the Master’s hand.

The story of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 is a powerful reminder that our value and purpose are not determined by our past, our achievements, or our failures, but by the touch of Jesus. Saul, once zealous but misguided, was radically changed when he encountered the risen Lord. In that moment, all his passion and knowledge were redirected by the Master, turning him from an enemy of the church into a chosen instrument for God’s purposes. Likewise, the often-overlooked disciple Ananias was used by God to bring healing, restoration, and commissioning to Saul. This shows that God delights in using ordinary people—those who are simply available and obedient—to accomplish extraordinary things.

To be an instrument in the Master’s hands means surrendering our own agendas and allowing Jesus to play His melody through our lives. It means recognizing that our true worth comes from His touch, and that our calling is to carry His name, His presence, and His power to the nations. This requires a living relationship with the Lord of the Word, not just knowledge of the Word itself. It means being continually filled with the Holy Spirit, who empowers, refreshes, and leads us into all that God has for us. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be the conduit of His touch—through prayer, the laying on of hands, and the ministry of the Spirit—so that rivers of living water may flow from us to a thirsty world. The challenge is to remain sensitive to the Spirit, to value what God values, and to be willing to go wherever He sends, knowing that in His hands, our lives become instruments of healing, hope, and transformation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True Value Comes from the Master’s Touch Our worth is not defined by our achievements, failures, or the opinions of others, but by the transformative touch of Jesus. Like the old violin in the poem, our value is revealed when the Master takes us in His hands and brings forth a melody only He can play. This truth frees us from striving for approval and invites us to rest in the identity and purpose He gives. [57:34]
• 2. Zeal Must Be Surrendered to the Lord of the Word Passion and knowledge, even of Scripture, can lead us astray if not surrendered to Jesus Himself. Saul’s zeal was sincere but misguided until he encountered the living Christ. It is not enough to know the Word of the Lord; we must know and love the Lord of the Word, allowing Him to shape our understanding and direct our actions. [80:18]
• 3. The Holy Spirit is Essential for Life and Ministry The ongoing, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit is not optional but vital. He is the one who fills, empowers, and leads us, making us effective instruments for God’s purposes. To love, honor, and walk with the Spirit daily is to experience the fullness of what Jesus died to give us, and to become a source of living water for others. [86:22]
• 4. God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes Ananias, an otherwise unknown disciple, played a pivotal role in Saul’s transformation simply by being available and obedient. God delights in using those who may feel insignificant or overlooked, inviting us to participate in His redemptive work. Our willingness to say “Here I am, Lord” can have eternal impact far beyond what we see. [72:35]
• 5. The Church is the Instrument of Christ’s Touch to the World The ministry of the church is not peripheral but central to God’s plan. Through the laying on of hands, prayer, and Spirit-empowered ministry, the church becomes the means by which Jesus heals, restores, and sends His people. To touch the church is to touch Jesus, and to be part of His body is to carry His presence and power to the nations. [90:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:22] - Worship: Jesus Enthroned
• [42:48] - Vision of the Risen Christ
• [44:02] - Assurance in the King
• [48:09] - Prophetic Word: Streams of Living Water
• [51:43] - Introduction to Brad
• [53:05] - The Father’s Invitation
• [55:34] - The Old Violin: The Master’s Touch
• [58:56] - Our Value in Christ
• [60:51] - Saul’s Encounter with Jesus
• [64:04] - Instruments in the Wrong Hands
• [67:42] - Jesus and His Church
• [72:35] - Ananias: Obedience and Impact
• [79:38] - The Lord of the Word vs. The Word of the Lord
• [86:22] - The Holy Spirit: Our Empowerment
• [90:52] - The Church as Christ’s Instrument
• [94:48] - Prayer and Commissioning

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1–20 (ESV) — But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Observation Questions

1. What was Saul doing before he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus? ([01:00:51])
2. How did Jesus describe Saul’s actions, and what was Saul’s response to Jesus? ([01:01:30])
3. What was Ananias’s initial reaction when God told him to go to Saul, and how did God respond to Ananias’s concerns? ([01:02:45])
4. What happened to Saul after Ananias laid hands on him? ([01:03:26])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says our value is not defined by our achievements or failures, but by the touch of Jesus. How does Saul’s story illustrate this truth? ([57:34])
2. Ananias was an ordinary disciple, yet God used him in a pivotal way. What does this suggest about how God chooses and uses people for His purposes? ([01:12:35])
3. The preacher said, “Zeal must be surrendered to the Lord of the Word.” In what ways can passion for good things (even Scripture) become misguided if not surrendered to Jesus? ([01:20:18])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit for life and ministry. Why is the ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit described as “vital” and not optional? ([01:26:22])

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared us to the old violin—our true value is revealed when the Master takes us in His hands. Are there areas in your life where you feel undervalued or overvalued? How might seeing yourself through Jesus’ eyes change your perspective? ([57:34])
2. Saul was passionate and knowledgeable, but his zeal was misdirected until he met Jesus. Is there an area in your life where you are “zealous” but may need to surrender your passion to Jesus for His direction? What would that look like practically? ([01:20:18])
3. Ananias was hesitant to obey God’s call because of Saul’s reputation, but he chose to trust and obey. Is there someone in your life you find it hard to believe God could use or change? How might God be inviting you to be an “Ananias” to them? ([01:12:35])
4. The sermon said, “The church is the instrument of Christ’s touch to the world.” In what ways can you be part of bringing Jesus’ healing, restoration, or encouragement to others in your church or community this week? ([01:30:52])
5. The preacher challenged us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. What is one practical step you can take this week to invite the Holy Spirit to fill, empower, or lead you in a fresh way? ([01:26:22])
6. The story of Saul and Ananias shows that God uses ordinary, available people for extraordinary purposes. Is there a step of obedience or availability God is prompting you to take, even if it feels small or unseen? ([01:12:35])
7. The sermon described the Father’s invitation as personal and intimate, not distant or abstract. How can you make space in your daily life to respond to God’s invitation to come close and “drink deeply” from Him? ([53:05])