Sunday Recap - Sunday 23rd August - ANOINTED

August 25th, 2026
by Dan Powell

Anointed - James 3 – Power of the Tongue

Message Overview:

Acts 9 tells the dramatic story of Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul was one of the greatest enemies of the early church, actively persecuting Christians and seeking authority to arrest believers in Damascus. Yet while Saul was travelling with plans to destroy the church, God completely flipped the script. Jesus personally met Saul, showing that no person is too far from God’s grace and that God can transform even the most unlikely person.
Saul was a passionate and zealous man, but his passion was directed toward the wrong thing. Rather than removing Saul’s zeal, God redirected it. After encountering Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit and having his sight restored, Saul immediately began boldly proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. Our passion and boldness can be strengths given by God; the challenge is to surrender them to Him and allow Him to direct them toward His purposes.
Ananias also gives us an example of what faithful obedience looks like. Despite knowing Saul’s reputation as a violent persecutor of Christians, Ananias responded when God called him. He went to Saul, laid hands on him and greeted him as “Brother Saul.” Ananias did not simply know Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies, he put it into practice. Christianity is not only about orthodoxy, or right belief, but also orthopraxy, putting that belief into action.
Acts 9 reminds us that nobody is beyond the reach of Jesus, God can redirect our greatest strengths for His purposes, and genuine encounters with Jesus should lead us to action.

Key Scriptures:

Acts 9:1-22 (ESV)
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 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. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 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. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 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.” 11 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, 12 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.” 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.” 15 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. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 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.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

YouTube Link for Service:

Sunday Service

Group Reflection Questions:

What do you feel God saying to you?
What can you do about it?
What is an actionable plan you can put in place to help yourself respond to God?
Who can keep you accountable?