Acts 9

The Rise of Paul

Recap

Now the way was spreading out from Jerusalem beyond Samaria

The Way - Christians (the way of the Lord or the way to salvation) the way to live your life

Acts 9:3–4 NIV

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul was acting on his conviction about the Law, Yet he did not see the fulfilment of it.

Jesus had to intervene

Now we may all not experience a road to Damasus moment, blinding light, Jesus' voice a miraculous sign that we are going to read about today.

But our lives are like this story. after we reflect on this journey for Saul we are going to have a moment to listen to God on which of the key characters in this story God wants to get our attention with today.

Because like Saul in this moment, the truth is there comes a time that we have to humble ourselves and allow Jesus to intervene. To stop living life the way we desire and live for God. Jesus brings Healing and life, we saw that last week with Samaria.

Is there a part of our life that Jesus needs to intervene in? Are we actually doing the opposite of what God has asked of us?

Jesus said the way you would know we are his disciples is by the way that we love one another, not by the way we throw stones.

With Love comes truth and that is something we are going to see Saul who becomes Paul devote his life to. At the end of Acts 7 Saul is left holding the coats of those murdering Stephen.

This moment is the beginning of a life spent loving others with the truth that would lead to suffering.

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary h. The Conversion and Call of Paul (9:1–19a)

The book of Acts does not gloss over the fact that faithful witness to Jesus is a costly task in terms of the suffering that it may cause for the bearer of the good news.

Yet again we see Jesus saying I will be with you as he aligns Himself with the people Saul is going after. why do you persecute me (when he is persecuting Christians)?

And that he will be with Saul later we hear what is Sauls calling

Acts 9:15–16 NIV

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Following God is not an easy road but it is a worthwhile one because of our relationship with God.

How do you relate the to Trinity of God?

Hands

God is a hand around us - he wants to embrace us (different to my picture in the OT but it is there) Garden, Father.

Jesus is a hand up - pulling us out of darkness and into the light, hand in hand he knows you and is in it with you.

Holy Spirit is a hand on your shoulder - guiding you, communicating God’s will to you and giving you the words you need to glorify God.

The 3 are 1

Jesus here is giving Paul a hand up - out of a wrong desire to harm others to reveal the truth of God who suffers for us to bring freedom and life. in Jesus. Is the Story of Paul something you need to take note of for your life today?

Do you need a hand up from Jesus out of darkness and into the light?

Do you need to turn away from a behaviour that is hurting others?

Do you need Jesus' hand with you today?

If we turn our attention to Anania we see the Holy Spirit guiding him

He is with Anania giving him directions on how to help Saul.

literal directions - straight street v11

This moment shows us how significant following a prompt can be in someone else's life.

2 things here

Fearing others

How relatable is it to fear the prompting?

Acts 9:13–14 NIV

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

I know in my heart that God wants me to reach out to this person but what will they think?

Matthew 28 and Luke 12 tell us to not fear man because they can kill the body and not the Soul - so Fear God more than man for God who can cast the soul to hell.

What ...

This may sound opposite to what I said about God being love but I am referring to a statement that in these moments we fear others.

We fear what they think of us if we follow the Holy Spirit's prompt, what will happen to us …

Those chapters I referred to if you read on they say that you do not need to fear man or God because you are precious to him.

All are Redeemable

This is my second point that all are redeemable.

Ananias questions if the man he is being asked to help, Saul is correct because isn’t this the man that is against you?

Do you have someone in your life that you feel is so far from God or is aggressively against God?

The truth here is there are story’s of those that come to know the truth - Donna’s story

There are some still on the journey and we feel the suffering in our hearts and we desire for them to know the love of God.

There are some who never humble themselves and continue to fear what man thinks of them rather than open their hearts to know how precious they are in God's sight.

So if we are prompted to go to them we need to listen

Is the Story of Ananias something you need to take note of for your life today?

Do you need a hand on your shoulder from the Holy Spirit to guide you?

Do you need to act on something the Holy Spirit has been telling you for a while?

Do you need the Holy Spirit's hand on your shoulder with you today?

returning to the chapter

Paul cannot hold back from sharing this revelation with people

His reputation proceeds him

People feel threatened by Saul's words

He escapes in a lift - inspired a project

Galatians 1:16-24 Paul fills in the blanks - v23 many days = 2 years

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary i. Paul Begins to Preach (9:19b–31)

1) Paul did not confer with men after his conversion nor go to the apostles in Jerusalem, but (2) departed to Arabia and then returned to Damascus; then (3) three years later he went to Jerusalem for a visit lasting a fortnight during which he saw only Peter and James, and at this time he was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea; thereafter (4) he went to Syria and Cilicia.

Comes back to Jerusalem for 14 days but is not accepted, fair enough.

But there is a Barnabas - He listens, takes a risk - and is a great encourager.

We all need and to be a Barnabas

I love people that I see are like Barnabas’

I had one in my life who encouraged me to be more on fire for God and that is why I will always encourage us to have people in our lives that are walking with us and encouraging and challenging our faith in God and that you are being that for someone.

Barnabas’ are like the hug from God, the hands around us that embrace us for who we are, like God they know us and their encouragement goes a long way.

Here at Newstead, I see a lot of Barnabas’ and we need to take the risk he does here to mentor and encourage the next generation.

When others feared Saul's reputation, Barnabas was willing to cross the room sit with Paul and connect with him. Later we read of this partnership continuing and releasing Saul into Paul.

So is there someone you need to give a hug to today? (literally or figuratively)

Is the Story of Barnabas something you need to take note of for your life today?

Do you need a hug from God, to be embraced and know how much he values you?

Do you need to give someone else that encouragement?

Do you need God’s embrace today?

As we conclude

Paul actually returns to the group of people Stephen had responded to except this time he escapes. and steps off stage

Acts 9:31 NIV

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Who from today's reading do you feel aligns with where you are at right now?

Saul - getting a hand up

Anania’s - Getting a hand on the shoulder

Barnabas - being the hand that embraces others

2 minutes of quiet reflection and then I will pray

In reflection is there anything I need to do with today's message or anyone I need to tell?