God's Transforming Power (Acts 9:1-22
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And Saul approved of his execution...
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Introduction: Many of you tonight believe and have experienced Jesus’s transforming power in your life. Your life is different, however, there are some people in your life you deem as nonredeemable. You would say, “Yes i believe Jesus can transform, but not him/her” They have hurt me, they are horrible people, they mock my faith and slander me behind my back.”
But tonight, our passage will show and I want to argue that
Main Point: Jesus can transform his vilest enemies into his most valuable instruments
Outline:
I. Vile Enemy (v1-2)
a) Saul’s character
II. Valuable Instrument (v3-22)
a) Saul’s Encounter (v3-9)
b) Saul’s Commission ( v10-16)
c) Saul’s Transformation (v17-22)
Exegesis:
I. Vile Enemy (v1-2)
a) Saul’s character
Look with me first at the passages on top of your outlines then we will look at the first 2 verses of our text.
And Saul approved of his execution...
But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
In chapter 8
Approved of Stephen’s execution
Ravaging the church (injuring or harming) the church
Dragging people off into prison
Chapter 9:1-2
Threatening to murder Jesus’s disciples (both men and women) emphasized in chap 8 and 9.
Wanted warrants /extraction papers to openly persecute and kill “The people of the Way” AKA Christians.
Horrible right? Well, Saul though he was doing this for God. From a young child he was taught the OT and about this Messiah that was to come with his military power and authority. However, this Jesus guy from Nazareth one of the poorest cities was not it! Plus he died and never raised an army against Rome. To Saul these Christians were blaspheming God! So he went after these blasphemous Christians that deserved death!
The intensity reminds me of when Javier was tracking down Jean Val Jean (Gene val Gene) in Les Miserables. Both Javier and Saul considered themselves righteous representatives.
In reality, both were trying to imprison those more righteous than they were
So this Saul was a vile enemy of Christ. He wanted to see Christians suffer and see them die.
But friends,
Main Point: Jesus can transform his vilest enemies into his most valuable instruments
II. Valuable Instrument (v3-22)
a) Saul’s Encounter (v3-9)
b) Saul’s Commission ( v10-16)
c) Saul’s Transformation (v17-22)
A) Saul’s Encounter (v3-9) Who does he Encounter?
v4-6—> Jesus identifies with his people (Saul why do you persecute me) What did that mean to the original audience?
v7-9—> Saul is blinded and those with him heard and saw what happened. (Luke the writer is saying go ask them!)
Saul encounter’s Jesus the protector of his people. Jesus humbles Saul. He not only blinds him, but tell him where he needs to go. Displaying who really is in control!
B) Saul’s Commission ( v10-16) How is he commissioned?
Ananias's hesitation
Notice what Saul is doing—> v11 Praying
How does Jesus respond to Ananias hesitations?
v15-16 (I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name!!
imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
Application:
All instruments will suffer! Just like a drum must be beaten for the sound to come our so must God’s people
Main Point: Jesus can transform his vilest enemies into his most valuable instruments
C) Saul’s Transformation (v17-22) How is he transformed?
He encounter’s Christ receives the Holy Spirit and is Baptized!
Does it end there? NO.
V20—> He immediately Preached the Gospel
Christian—> You were Saul (break down the Gospel)
Non-christian—> You are Saul (Break down their depravity and show the Gospel)
Main Point: Jesus can transform his vilest enemies into his most valuable instruments
Small Group Questions
In what ways does Saul's transformation challenge your understanding of who can truly encounter Jesus?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you were too far gone to be redeemed? How does Saul's story encourage you?
