THE EARLY CHURCH (16)

WHAT IS LAKING?

Pray

Recap chapter 8

Acts 8:1–3 CSB

1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

Saul list

Attended church regularly

He was a church leader

He was zealous for the work of the church

He had a door to door ministier

The high priest trusted him

So what was laking in Saul?

Acts 9:1–9 CSB

1 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 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. 3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. 8 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. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

“threats and murder”

He asked for extra authority to travel and persecute

The ambush

Jesus invented the flash bang

Acts 9:5–6 “5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” It is hard kicking against the goads. What do you want me to do?

Jesus immediately gave a command to Saul “GO”

Saul was blinded

Saul obeyed the command given to him by Jesus.

Saul had a chose to obey or not.

I believe Saul felt the need to fast in this time.

Acts 9:10–19 CSB

10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Ananias went and entered the house. 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 may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.

The battle between what you know and what Jesus tells you to do!

Ananias knew that Saul was no good!

Jesus says that Saul was His chosen instrument.

Ananias obeys the LORD

Saul was baptized

Saul gathered with the disciples for some time.

WHAT WAS SAUL LAKING?

Saul list

Attended church regularly

He was a church leader

He was zealous for the work of the church

He had a door to door ministier

The high priest trusted him

Saul had religion but not Jesus, his religion had bought him a first class one way ticket to HELL and he didn’t even know it.

Make sure today that you don’t just have religion but that you have a relationship with Jesus.

Acts 4:12 CSB

12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”