TGP: A Transformed Murderer

Intro Option 1: Transformer Showdown

Main Point: God’s grace can transform even those who are hostile to Him.

Saul experiences mercy from the Lord

Acts 9:1–9 ESV

1 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.

Q. What do you learn about Jesus when he asked, “Why are you persecuting me?” instead of “why are you persecuting them?”

Q. Why do you think God blinded Saul?

Saul experiences mercy from the Lord

Saul receives a mission from the Lord

Acts 9:10–16 ESV

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.”

Q. Why do you think God chose Saul to be His missionary to the Gentiles?

Q. Like Ananias, how do we sometimes resist doing what God asks us to do?

Saul experiences mercy from the Lord

Saul receives a mission from the Lord

Saul proclaims the name of the Lord

Acts 9:17–20 ESV

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.”

Q. Why is it important to be discipled by other godly believers?

Q. Saul went back to the very people he once identified with. Who do you need to return to and share the Gospel?

Christ Connection:

The conversion and calling of Saul is a demonstration of God’s power to save. Through an encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus, this once-hardened persecutor of God’s people began his journey to becoming perhaps the greatest missionary the world has ever known. Only the gospel can transform a public opponent of Christ into a fervent witness to His salvation.

Head: How does knowing God chose someone like Saul encourage you?

Heart: When have you doubted someone else’s conversion? What does this passage teach you?

Hands: What steps can you take to be obedient to God today?

The Bottom Line: