Awaken (The New You)

Every believer, regardless of their past, can experience profound transformation through Christ, empowering them for His mission.

After encountering Christ, Saul instantly begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, demonstrating that a new identity in Christ comes with a divine purpose. This passage illustrates the immediate activation of a changed life, showcasing God’s power to take even the most unlikely individuals and use them for His glory.

Application: This sermon encourages believers to recognize that their encounter with Christ transforms not just their identity but also their entire purpose in life.

It inspires them to take bold steps in faith, showing them that God can use their unique backgrounds and experiences to fulfill His plans.

The sermon teaches that the newly transformed believer is not only called to faith but is also empowered for action and ministry. It emphasizes that every Christian has a role in God's kingdom, reinforcing the idea that transformation moves beyond personal salvation to active involvement in spreading the Gospel.

Your transformation in Christ signifies that you are not just saved, but emboldened and equipped for a divine mission, impacting the world around you with the Gospel.

The teaching emphasizes that real transformation is visible and impactful, prompting believers to demonstrate their faith through action. Followers of Christ are called to bring their past experiences into their new mission, showcasing that God’s grace is sufficient for their journey.

You’re picking up on one of the most powerful aspects of Acts 9—Saul’s transformation wasn’t just spiritual, it was vocational, relational, and even reputational. He went from holding the coats of those who killed Stephen to being willing to take the stones himself. That’s a huge reversal.

1. Historical Context: Stoning in the First Century

Purpose: In Saul’s world, stoning was not just a punishment—it was a public statement meant to shame, silence, and eliminate someone perceived as a dangerous influence.

Process: It involved community participation, meaning the whole crowd was complicit. The goal was both execution and deterrence.

Implication: When Saul became the hunted, he was embracing a life that invited the very thing he once applauded.

2. Modern-Day “Persecution” Parallels

We don’t (in most Western contexts) face literal stones, but modern persecution takes other forms. You could draw out:

Social “stoning” – public shaming, cancel culture, ridicule for faith convictions.

Relational rejection – friends or family distancing themselves because of your faith.

Professional cost – passed over for opportunities, loss of position for standing on biblical principles.

Global reality – in many places today (e.g., parts of the Middle East, North Africa, Asia), physical violence and death are still a reality for believers. Sharing modern testimonies can help the congregation connect the dots.

3. How Acts 9 Speaks to Today

You can pull three big application arcs from Saul’s transformation:

A. A New Purpose Means a New Target

Becoming a follower of Christ doesn’t just change our hearts—it changes our direction, and sometimes it paints a target on our backs.

If we follow Jesus faithfully, we will at times find ourselves opposed by the very values we once supported.

B. Opposition Is Confirmation, Not Condemnation

Saul’s persecution didn’t mean he was out of God’s will—it was a sign he was right in the middle of it.

In our lives, being misunderstood or maligned for obeying Jesus isn’t failure—it’s fellowship with Him.

C. God Can Redeem Even Our Most Misguided Zeal

Saul’s passion didn’t disappear; God redirected it. The same zeal he had for destroying the church became fuel for building it.

Modern believers can ask: Where is God trying to redirect my passion?

4. Practical Questions for Congregational Reflection

You could build these into your sermon or small group time:

Am I willing to follow Christ even if it costs me socially, financially, or relationally?

Have I mistaken comfort for God’s favor?

What “stones” might I face for living faithfully right now?

Where might my old passions and skills be repurposed for God’s glory?

Am I praying for my enemies the way Saul was prayed for by Ananias?

5. Encouragement + Challenge

Encouragement: If God can transform Saul, He can transform anyone in our lives we’ve written off—including us in the areas we’ve resisted Him.

Challenge: True discipleship may put us in the crosshairs of the culture around us. Our call is not to seek persecution, but to not run from obedience because of it.

2. Why the Early Church Would Not Quickly or Easily Accept Saul (Paul)

a. Saul’s Reputation Pre-Conversion

Saul was known as “a Hebrew of the Hebrews,” a zealous Pharisee, educated under Gamaliel. He “breathed threats… to destroy the church,” approved Stephen’s execution, and led aggressive campaigns to imprison believers.RedditCristo Raul

b. Deep Emotional and Spiritual Wounds

Imagine Saul’s zeal fueled not merely by religious conviction but by personal conviction—he was the enemy, someone who participated in the murder of their brother Stephen. The early believers would have legitimate reason to feel suspicion, fear, or even anger.

c. Skepticism of His Intentions

The early Christians likely wondered: Is this genuine? Or a tactical ploy? Conversion is one thing—trust, especially from someone who once incited and sponsored violence, is entirely another.

d. Cultural and Theological Barriers

Many in the early church came from Jewish backgrounds and likely held deep convictions about allegiance to the Law and traditions. Saul’s former identity would have made it difficult for them to see him as trustworthy or repentant, despite supernatural signs. Only time and consistent loyalty would win that trust.

e. Gradual Recognition of Grace and Ministry

Indeed, it took figures like Ananias—called by Jesus—to go to Saul and lay hands on him (Acts 9) before some began to realize the gravity of his transformation. His ministry in Damascus (Acts 9:19–22) began to soften hearts—but that process took time.

4. Application for Teaching or a Sermon

Begin with historical grounding: Outline how stoning functioned legally and socially in the first century—stark, public, and often extrajudicial—illuminating the real threat Saul once represented.

Contrast ancient and modern “stoning”: Use history to highlight that persecution—even social or relational ostracism—is serious, not merely metaphorical.

Delve into the human struggle for trust: Ask, “Why would fellow believers hesitate to embrace Saul?” This opens space to discuss wounds, forgiveness, and transformation in community life.

Encourage reflection on transformation and reconciliation:

How do we respond to people whose pasts seem too dark for a second chance?

What does true repentance look like, and how should the church respond?

Where are we called to extend grace—and how do we balance caution with Christlike love?

5. Discussion Prompts & Application for Congregations

Why was Saul (Paul) considered more dangerous than previous Jewish “heretics”? If even rare stoning was symbolic of ultimate rejection, how might the community have felt seeing Saul—once orchestral in death—now preaching life?

What does communal stoning teach us about groups’ ability to punish sins publicly? Are there modern parallels in public shaming or social “stoning”?

How does knowing the legal restraints surprise or reassure us? While the law made capital punishment unlikely, it wasn't impossible—and yet the early church moved forward in spite of that risk.

Reflect on “transformed identity” and “new purpose.” Saul’s willingness to embrace being “stoned” contrasts with the community’s resistance to embrace him—highlighting grace, repentance, and trust over fear.

1. Proclaiming Immediate Change

Acts 9:20–22 “Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

You could focus on how Saul begins preaching boldly to those he once opposed, highlighting the immediate evidence of his transformation. This suggests that a true encounter with Christ ignites a passion and urgency to share the Gospel. Saul’s preaching confounds the Jews, reinforcing the theme that even the most unlikely individuals can be radically changed by Christ’s grace and used for His glory.

In these verses, we see Saul immediately beginning to preach about Jesus, declaring He is the Son of God. This suggests that a powerful encounter with Christ can instantly redefine one's purpose and destiny. You could illustrate how transformative an encounter with Christ can be by emphasizing Saul's boldness and new mission, encouraging believers to reflect on their own encounters with Jesus and how they can step boldly into their new identities.

2. Perseverance Amidst Peril

Acts 9:23–25 “After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.”

Perhaps explore the opposition Saul faces despite his transformation, indicating that a new life in Christ can bring about resistance. However, God’s protection in our struggles suggests His ever-present safeguarding over His people. This portion of the story illustrates that transformation does not exempt believers from trials but provides assurance of God’s guidance through them.

You might delve into Saul's trials as he faced opposition and threats on his life, noting that transformation in Christ often leads to challenges. While his life was in danger, God's protection and plan were evident. This segment suggests that believers must expect and endure trials, trusting in Christ's timing and provision. Perhaps you can underscore how the faith community played a crucial role in Saul's escape, emphasizing the importance of community support in a believer’s journey.

3. Partnership in Trust

Acts 9:26–27 “When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.”

Maybe consider the importance of seeking out community and trust as Barnabas did for Saul. Barnabas’ role emphasizes the necessity of the Church's support in embracing new believers and fostering their growth. Trust and endorsement from believers reinforce the welcoming nature of the Church, mirroring Christ’s inclusive love.

In this passage, Saul faces skepticism from the disciples in Jerusalem until Barnabas speaks for him. Maybe this reflects the importance of a supportive Christian community that embraces and encourages new believers. You could highlight the necessity for the Church to be a welcoming place where transformed lives can flourish in their new mission and calling.

4. Peaceful Strengthening Process

Acts 9:28–31 “Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.”

You could emphasize the peace and strengthening of the Church as a result of Saul’s acceptance, leading to growth and encouragement through the Holy Spirit. This transformation reflects the broader mission of the Gospel, as Christ calls us to be part of His mission—transforming lives and communities. This suggests that personal changes contribute to communal blessings.

These verses highlight how the Church experienced peace and growth as Saul continued to minister. Perhaps this illustrates the ripple effect of one believer's transformation on the broader body of Christ. You could encourage believers to embrace their new roles boldly, as their actions have the power to influence and strengthen the larger Christian community.

Every believer, regardless of their past, can experience profound transformation through Christ, empowering them for His mission.

Christ did not only come to set us free from the penalty of sin, he also came to set us free from the power of sin.

R. C. Sproul

John F. MacArthur