Saul, A Man Blinded in Order to See

During this summer series we are taking a step back into the past and learning about people who encountered the King Jesus Christ

We are discussing a man many of us are familiar with tonight and my favorite conversion story in the Bible, Saul of Tarsus

We are going to learn about a man who went from killing Christians, to suffering with them, from persecuting Christ, to proclaiming Him

Philippians 3:4–6 KJV 1900

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

We all know the story, but tonight we ask the question, what does it take for a murderous, wicked Pharisee to become a passionate servant of the Christ?

Saul’s Opposition to the King (Add Acts 9:1-2)

Acts 9:1–2 KJV 1900

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Saul had so much zeal for his false way of life that he was willing to kill anyone who opposed it, it didn’t matter if they were men or women, young or old, if you went against his way of life and followed Jesus, you were his enemy.

In Acts 22 we get an even deeper picture of this relationship that Saul had against the church

Acts 22:3–5 “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”

Saul was willing to travel over 140 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus in order to kill Christians, he was devoted to this evil way of life.

SO how does this apply to our lives today? Simply put, sincerity does not equal truth. Just because you or your loved ones firmly believe in something does not mean it is God’s truth.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Genesis 37:33 “And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.”

It is entirely possible today for people to believe things that are just not true (Seth Ferguson Aunt with her son dying story)

Just because you feel one way or another does not give you the right to act on that impulse

Jeremiah 17:9–10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

(Marriage, divorce, remarriage; Matthew 19:9 “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”

drinking; Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” and 1 Thess 5:6-8

modesty changing at the beach; 1 Timothy 2:9–10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”

instrumental “worship music” Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

The King Confronts Saul

Acts 9:3–6 KJV 1900

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Could you imagine with me for a moment that you got to meet Jesus, for most of us we would look forward to that moment, but for Saul this must have been a frightening experience.

As we just read he was actively persecuting the Christ by persecuting His church 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” so Saul answers very humbly, calls Jesus Lord and asks what he should do

Many in the religious world would stop us here and say that you don’t need to DO anything to become a Christian, but friends that isn’t what the Lord Jesus said, He said, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

After Saul had a personal encounter with Jesus, and called Him Lord twice, he still needed to do something? That is correct and tonight we will learn what exactly that is.

Whenever we encounter the King today we do that through His Word,

I have noticed in our assemblies there are times we will pray and everyone gets very quiet, bows their head, and is extremely reverent and respectful,

but when the Word of God is being preached, we think it is the perfect time to get up and use the restroom, grab a snack, check our phone, or ask our friends and family what is for lunch.

I hope this doesn’t mean we are more respectful when talking to God through prayer than we are when He talks to us through the Bible

Psalm 138:2 “... For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

The King Sends a Messenger

Acts 9:10–12 KJV 1900

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Ananias is playing a role in all of this as a hesitant but faithful disciple, sometimes we will find ourselves in a position where we are hesitant to share the gospel, but God is looking for obedience, not emotion.

1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.”

God uses people to deliver His gospel to the world, His gospel is His power to save mankind:

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Romans 10:13–15 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

We have to be willing even today to obey the Lord and Seek and Save that which is lost.

Saul Obeys the King

Acts 22:16 KJV 1900

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Baptism was the moment that Saul had his sins washed away, and although much of this religious world denies this, Mark 16:16 is still in my Bible, just as it was 2,000 years ago when my Lord said it and settled it.

Saul did not delay, once he heard the preacher share the good news, he got up, was baptized, was added to the Lord’s church, and began a new life

Saul’s faith led to action, he wasn’t saved on the road when he met Jesus, or when he called Him Lord, or when he repented, or when he fasted, or even when he prayed, Saul was saved when he was baptized into Christ.

There are folks that teach that we are saved a number of ways but Paul was clear that we are: Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Galatians 3:26–27 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

A Changed Life

Acts 9:20–22 KJV 1900

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Notice that Saul didn’t just become a Christians and keep it to himself for the rest of his life.

Paul went from persecutor to preacher, he was truly walking in newness of life

This is an experience that is open to all people everywhere

you do not have to be perfect, you just have to be willing to Encounter the King

He will change your direction, passion, and purpose, you simply just need to obey Him

The King’s Mission

Acts 26:16–18 KJV 1900

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

This was Jesus’ purpose for Saul of Tarsus, there is also a prophecy in the long ago from Isaiah 42:6–7, about the coming Messiah, Jesus the Christ

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, And will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, To bring out the prisoners from the prison, And them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

Saul’s mission is to carry forward this same work; to open eyes and turn people from the darkness to the light.

This walk of faith is not just a personal transformation, it is a call to restore others. We are saved so that we can in turn go about saving others

Psalm 51:12–13 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

Just as Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that Isaiah delivered, He calls us to participate in that fulfillment as well.

This isn’t just a moment of salvation, it is a launch of a mission that begins with King Jesus

You and I are a part of that mission, continuing what God started in Isaiah 42 and passed to Paul and the rest of the church in Acts 26

Isaiah himself even has his own encounter with the king

Isaiah 6:1-8, he is convicted (woe is me), cleansed (coal touches his lips), and commissioned (here am I send me)

Just like Saul, he

Encounters the divine King

Is humbled and changed

and is immediately sent on a mission.

I need you to know three things tonight:

You can be sincere and still lost to a devil’s hell

Jesus still calls people personally through His gospel message, the one you are hearing right now.

Encountering the King demands a response, will you turn away from Him, or response in faithful obediance?

Have you truly encountered the King, if not, why don’t you come forward, whether you have sin you need to repent of, prayers you need, or salvation that you require, why won’t you come tonight?