Good morning,
This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.
What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.
This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.
1) SAUL’S CONVERSION (ACTS 9:1-20)
A. SAUL BEFORE CONVERSION (1-2)
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
B. SAULS CONVERSION (3-18)
ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS (3-6)
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
SAUL’S OBEDIENCE (7-9)
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
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Saul was an ungodly man. His sole purpose in life was to eliminate the believers in Christ. He was very successful at his job. Many were apprehended, detained, and ultimately destroyed. Although he knew the old testament scriptures, he failed to understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies.
However, once he encountered Jesus personally, it changed his life completely. The change was immediate. He went from being a hater to a lover of Jesus. He was obedient to what Christ told him to do.
Do we humble ourselves before Jesus? God can not use men and women who think they know more than God. He wants us to be pliable, moldable, and obedient.
Will God be willing to use us to reach others for Christ?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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