The Road of Faith

Intro

Paul Trivia

What was Paul’s name before his conversion? Answer: Saul

What occupation did Paul have? Answer: Tentmaker (Acts 18:3)

Which book of the New Testament records Paul’s missionary journeys? Answer: Acts

Who baptized Paul after his conversion? Answer: Ananias (Acts 9:17–18)

In what city did Paul preach on Mars Hill (the Areopagus)? Answer: Athens (Acts 17)

Which epistle was likely Paul’s last written before his death? Answer: 2 Timothy (written in prison awaiting persecution)

What phrase did Paul use to describe the gospel in Romans 1:16? Answer: “The power of God unto salvation.”

Did Paul write most of the New Testament?

No, Luke did @ 37,932 words. Paul wrote 32,400 words

Did Paul write the most New Testament books?

Yes, 13 of them

Opening Thoughts

Roadblocks(v. 1-19)

Saul here was living his life the way he normally does, before his world got flipped upside down

He is going about his normal day when all of sudden the Christ blocks his path to get his attention and it is such an encounter he will be forced to wrestle with it the next three days

Could you imagine what Paul was thinking during that time. The words of Christ resonating with him. The fear he would have waiting to hear what he was to do, would be to follow Christ, would it to be punished by him? What Old Testament Scriptures would have been flooding his mind?

When Saul of Tarsus fell to the ground on the Damascus road, the light from heaven blinded his eyes—but it did not blind his mind. For three days he sat in darkness, fasting and praying, and I suspect the Scriptures he had memorized since childhood began preaching to him.

As a Pharisee he knew Deuteronomy 28: “The Lord will strike you with blindness.” Saul had to ask, “Am I under judgment?” Isaiah’s words would have echoed in his soul: “Woe is me, for I am undone.” The man who thought he saw clearly was now literally blind. Isaiah 6 would have cut deep—“Make the heart of this people dull, and blind their eyes.” Had he been fighting God all along?

But in the darkness, mercy would have whispered too. David’s words—“Have mercy on me, O God.” Isaiah’s promise—“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Jonah’s lesson—that God shows mercy even to His enemies.

By the time Ananias laid hands on him, Saul was already a broken man. The blindness did not convert him; the Scriptures did. God took three days to tear down Saul’s righteousness so He could raise up Paul the apostle.

And church, that is how God still works. Before He opens our eyes, He often shuts down everything we thought we saw clearly.

Church God still puts roadblocks in people’s way. He still puts in a place where we have to wrestle with his truths.

He may strip control from us, letting our pride lead to our destruction (Proverbs 16:18)

Job loss, financial hardship, abilities

Health Crisis

Psalm 39:4 ESV

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

When sin requires a deep consequence or is exposed

Numbers 32:23 ESV

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

When life comes to a screeching halt

As we reflect on these instances you may be thinking is that not cruel of God? It is far from cruel, it is acts of great mercy to step into your world to disrupt you so that you have to face his truths and make a decision.

Not only does he disrupt our lives, He sends people to speak truth and hope into the disruption, exactly what Ananias did