From Persecutor to Preacher

This morning I want to remind you that the most important connection that you will ever make is the connection you will make with Jesus Christ.

Today I want to show you a conversion that would change the course of Christianity forever. This conversion is about a man who we first became aware of when he is found at the stoning of Stephen holding the coats of the religious leaders that were stoning Stephen. His name at this point is Saul. It will later be changed to Paul.

A month ago we voted to change the name of our church from Cliff Terrace to Connect Church. The most important connection that you can make is to make a connection with Jesus Christ. We want to help you make that connection. This morning I hope that you will hear the story of Paul and you will begin to think about where you are in your relationship with Jesus and if you have not made a connection with Jesus then we hope you will connect with Jesus this morning. Saul made a radical connection with Jesus. Look at Acts 9 beginning at verse 1.

Acts 9:1–2 NIV

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Saul’s Destructive Mission

Saul thought what he was doing was good. He was a pharisee and he was passionate about it.

Human intentions that we may think are good are not better than God’s purpose.

When you don’t have a good understanding of what you are to do, your zeal will lead to destruction.

There are people that do things in the name of God, that are misdirected and they lead to destruction.

Acts 9:3–9 NIV

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Saul’s Divine Encounter

Saul has a radical encounter with Jesus.

It is the power of Christ that can radically redirect our lives.

When we look at the blindness that came over Saul, it is a representation of Saul’s spiritual state. It would take a miracle for him to see again. Jesus was the only one that could restore his sight.

When we are lost in sin we are spiritually blind. It is only when we make a connection with Jesus that our eyes can be opened and we are changed.

We need God to interrupt our life and change us on the inside so that we can follow the way that He wants us to go.

Acts 9:10–19 NIV

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 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. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Saul’s Preparation and Healing

Ananias had heard about the reputation of Saul. It scared him to go and talk to him, but the Lord told him to go. He had a connection with Jesus. If you will get connected with Jesus He will use you to make connection with others. You will see lives transformed.

Even though Ananias was afraid, he had enough faith to be obedient to pursue God’s plan for even our enemies.

God is calling each of you to make connections with those outside these walls. God wants us to love the unloveable. God wants us to reach out to the unreachable. We must tell our story and make connections with those that are lost, even when it is uncomfortable.

Acts 9:19–22 NIV

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Saul’s Proclamation of Christ

Verse 20 says, “At once he began to preach in the synagogue that Jesus is the Son of God.”

This was a radical change that took place. Paul went from someone throwing people in jail for preaching Christ, to him preaching Christ himself.

There was not question that Christ had changed his life.

We need to boldly share our faith. We need to tell our testimony. We need to tell our story. We need to tell about the connection that we have with Jesus and we need to encourage others to make connections with Jesus as well.

It is time for change and transformation to take place.

Acts 9:23–25 NIV

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

Saul’s Trials and Escapes

So after Paul makes a connection with Christ, his former allies are now becoming his enemies.

When you choose to follow Christ it can lead to some opposition, but God will provide for you.

When you become a believer you need to prepare to face opposition and know that no man can destroy the plans that God has for you.

Acts 9:26–31 NIV

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 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.

Saul’s Acceptance by the Church

The disciples were skeptical at first of Saul. Barnabas steps in and vouches for Saul.

It is important that we show grace to one another. There will be people that you would have never imagined getting saved, you may even be a little skeptical. We must show grace to one another because we are all in this together.

When we look at the life of Saul, we see a radical transforming power of Jesus Christ at work here. If God could use Saul, a persecutor, He can use anyone.

If you haven’t already, you need to let Jesus transform your life. You need to make a connection with Jesus.