Uno Reverse (2)

Introduction

Family uno games

Going somewhere with GPS

two reasons: accident or I know better

Maps doesn’t know why we’ve altered our plans, it just knows it’s time to reroute us to the destination.

The great rerouting of Paul’s life is so pivotal to the narrative of Acts that it is found three times, once in chapter 9, again in chapter 19 and finally in chapter 22.

We should have no doubts about the kind of transformation that can take place when God calls someone.

God can call anyone from their plan and purpose to serve His plan and purpose.

We heard from Lt. Amanda last week about the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. And the end of that chapter sets up the first verse of chapter 9, but

I want to read to you the last verse of chapter 9. Acts 9:31

Acts 9:31 HCSB

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

Wedged between these two powerful text lies our text today.

Acts 9:1-2

Acts 9:1–2 HCSB

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

The Gospel was moving exactly where Jesus commanded it to go, and it was spreading rapidly. Damascus is about a six day journey from Jerusalem, and it was apparently a place many early believers fled following the death of Stephen in Acts 7.

One Bible commentator named John Stott, said:

The Book of Acts: A Commentary (From a Lion to a Lamb)

...what Paul did to the church was similar to the “mangling by wild beasts, e.g. lions.”

Yet, the more men and women preached the resurrected Jesus, the more Saul became devoted to his plan and purpose.

There’s a really important point for us in this transformation story.

There are countless believers, men and women, whose names were never recorded who played key roles in the spread of the Gospel.

To understand the disciples’ future awe, me must first understand their present danger.

In verse 2, we see this phrase “the Way.” This phrase is only used by Saul in Acts and it predates the term Christian that we see later in Acts.

It’s really striking term to consider. Here’s Saul, living out his way. He really believed that these people were blaspheming God, as Stephen had been accused. Saul must of considered himself righteous, and maybe more than that, he was a representative of the righteous. Yet, the followers of Jesus he pursued were called the Way.

A term most likely came from Jesus’ self-description in John 14:6

John 14:6 HCSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Saul is on his way and the scene is set for an ultimate reversal card to be played.

God’s call comes with confirmation and commissioning.

Acts 9:3–4 HCSB

As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Saul was Jewish and the people with him were Jewish also. When Saul saw the light and heard a voice from heaven, for a devout Jew, this would always mean a word from God.

Now, there is no explicit statement that Saul saw Christ in this vision, but it is implicit in the light from heaven. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 9:1 Paul says

1 Corinthians 9:1 HCSB

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

And this was no ordinary light and it shone at midday. Paul’s own description in Acts 26:13 indicates its brightness.

This vision is a foreshadow of Saul’s future ministry, but it also speaks to the spiritual condition of all people without the light.

Again, a picture of Jesus confirming Himself as a light.

In verse 4, Saul hears the voice of Jesus Acts 9:4

Acts 9:4 HCSB

Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Again, we don’t explicitly see Jesus but we see His confirmation by the phrasing - Saul, Saul.

Recall, in Genesis 22: Abraham, Abraham.

Samuel, Samuel in in 1 Samuel 3.

Martha, Martha, in Luke 10.

Simon, Simon in Luke 22. This repetition is an elevation, a means by God to get our attention.

Persecuting God? Paul thought he was doing exactly the opposite - he was persecuting those who blasphemed God!

We also see, it’s not the church. Not the Way. Not the people. Not the service of the church.

The reference to ‘me’ gave Saul his first glimpse into the great doctrine of being in Christ.

Acts 9:5–6 HCSB

“Who are You, Lord?” he said. “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting,” He replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Some argue about the use of Lord in Saul’s response. Non-issue. He knew the voice was supernatural and the only thing that came to mind was “Lord.”

Need further confirmation?

Don’t miss what happens in verse 6. How is God going to further confirm the great transformation taking place in Saul’s life? With new leadership.

Saul experienced a new identification with the followers of the Way.

His life is now going to be led by the Lord Jesus. But, Saul’s metaphoric GPS didn’t immediately reroute him on this new journey. He’s gotta go to Damascus to hear the assignment.

So, we’ve seen Saul with his own direction, now he’s left with no direction - he can’t see! What is he to do?

Our fulfillment of God’s call demands transformational fellowship.

Now we will see Saul’s new direction - led to Damascus by a group of traveling companions.

Salvation means a new, transformational fellowship. It means you no longer walk in the council of the ungodly. It means that you move in the fellowship of light.

Throughout chapter 9, one of the most powerful elements is the role that others played in Saul’s transformation. Luke has a particular focus on this in verses 7-19.

Acts 9:7–8 HCSB

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. Then Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.

These men traveling with Saul heard something. In Acts 22:9, Luke writes that they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking. They heard something, but they didn’t understand.

Saul didn’t just hear the voice, he understood the voice that spoke to Him.

What of these men who took Saul by the hand?Did they think it was business as usual for Saul? Did he tell them what he experienced? We don’t know. But the fact remains these men could testify that something did in fact happen to Saul. And, without them, Saul would have not made it to Damascus. Imagine the people in Damascus seeing Saul and this crew coming in to town!

In the next section of the story we are introduced to Ananias. He never appears again in Scripture, but his role in Saul’s regeneration is profound.

Ananias had a vision and was told to go find Saul and minister to him. In verse 15, God explains to Ananias exactly why he chose Saul. And in verse 17, we see what transformational fellowship looks like between people.

Acts 9:17 (HCSB)

So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Brother Saul - can you imagine? This man knew of Saul’s reputation, yet he welcomes him as a brother, acknowledging Saul’s conversion and offering forgiveness.

The Lord Jesus has sent me - we’ve both spoken with the King in a personal way and we are in this together!

the Holy Spirit - He will be your new fuel and guide.

Saul’s willingness to accept help from others shows evidence of regeneration and sanctification.

Was it a vision that transformed Saul? Most certainly not. It was a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is the reality of Jesus’ call on your life burning for others to see?

Not everyone has a Damascus Road moment, with the light and voice calling down to them.

Acts I. Introduction: Testimony of God’s Call

The form of the call is unimportant; a sovereign God surely reserves to himself the right to contact any of us as he chooses.

What matters is whether we are aware of God’s voice in our lives.

The chorus of our closing song explain what happens in our lives when we are transformed by the acceptance of Jesus Christ.

My life, my name, my heart, my dreams, I surrender them all to the plans you have for me.

Can you say those words confidently this morning?

Is there still something that right now God is calling you to surrender?

Maybe you need fellowship at the altar this morning.