Transformed: Saul to Paul, A New Identity

Main Theme: Jesus gives Saul a new identity—and He does the same for us.

Date: 3 May 2026

Introduction:

I am not sure if you all know this or not, but public speaking is the number one fear for much of the world. People have nightmares about it.

So naturally when Breandan called me and asked me to preach a sermon so he could go to Florida for a conference, I said… you dialed the wrong number… you must have meant to call Pastor Eli, Chris Burgos, or Zack Daniels.

He's like no, I think it would be really good for you and our church if you would preach a sermon. I'm like HOW?

Just kidding…

Obviously, Breandan sees something in me that I do not. And I'd be willing to bet the farm that Jesus sees something in me that I do not.

In all seriousness, my name is Bob MacDowell, I am an elder here at Reclaim Christian Church for just under 5 years. And as an elder I must be capable of teaching.

Let me read 1 Timothy 3

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Prayer: Opening prayer.

We have been learning about examples of transformational encounters with Jesus. Breandan spoke about the Apostle Peter, the 3000 converts on the day of Pentecost, and Philemon.

Overview: Application first

The main point from scripture we should take away from today’s message is that Jesus wants to transform all of us and give us all a new identity in Him.

Often times we take on identities from things we do or things we are involved in.

For some, it’s their career, but what happens when you lose your job?

For some, it’s their family or their children, but what happens if we should lose them?

For some its in their hobbies or abilities, Say you are a talented musician, and your identity is in the music you make, but what happens when you lose your fingers or hands and can’t play.

Jesus wants us to have our identity in him and our identity in Him doesn’t change.

When we are saved, we are new creations. The old is gone and we are born again into God’s family. All born again believers are given gifts from the Holy Spirit to equip us to be used for Jesus’s kingdom and His glory.

I want to propose that the most worthwhile thing that any of us can do is to find out what gifts God has blessed each one of us with and to learn how to use those gifts to glorify God and to serve His purposes.

I can personally testify that I have never experienced a sense of joy or fulfillment or satisfaction that I have been experiencing since I have been devoting myself to get to know God and to be used for His purposes.

You can do this by praying to God. Ask him to tell you, and He will. I have found that often these gifts are revealed to us by others, so you need to be in community with fellow brothers and sisters either is small groups or some form of discipleship or study.

The fact that you all woke up this morning and drew breath means that He is not done with any of us yet and there is time for Him to use all of us.

OPENING — A NEW IDENTITY

Church, please hear this clearly:

No one truly encounters the risen Lord Jesus Christ and remains the same.

Some Examples:

Some encounter a curated impotent Jesus who wouldn’t hurt a fly, who never judges anyone. That is not the real Jesus. Often these people are not affected by encountering this inaccurate form of our Lord. For these people the change is usually minor because their view of Jesus is so small.

Satan was in the presence of Jesus, and he didn’t stay the same, in fact he chose to go in the opposite direction.

The Christ rejecting world encounters Jesus and follow the path Satan took, they reject him.

Those of us that accept Jesus’s love are profoundly transformed. Jesus works in each follower. He doesn’t just repair the heart; he gives them a heart transplant. A new heart.

Scripture tells us:

2 Corinthians 5:16–18 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

There are moments in life that change everything, where nothing is ever the same again.

And in the New Testament, in my mind the one story that illustrates that kind of transformation is the Apostle Paul.

As many of you know, before he was Paul… he was Saul.

He was a man driven by zeal. Convinced he was right. Actively persecuting the church of Jesus Christ.

But then—he encountered the risen Lord…

And everything changed.

The name Saul means “prayed for”, or “desired one”, Jesus gave Saul a new identity as we will see.

And today, we’re going to see how—and what that means for us.

I. PAUL BEFORE CHRIST — ZEAL WITHOUT TRUTH

Paul describes his former life like this:

Philippians 3:5–6(ESV)

“circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”

The Apostle Paul speaks of his heritage in Philippians 3:5-6, emphasizing his strict adherence to the law and his zealous persecution of Christians. Imagine a young man, raised in a strict environment, excelling in every expectation placed upon him. He checks every box of success according to the world’s standards. Paul’s story reminds us that outward accomplishments and conformities don't equate to true righteousness. It’s what’s in the heart that matters and that can only be fulfilled through Christ.

Saul had everything or so it seems:

· The right heritage

· The right training

· The right reputation

He was educated under Gamaliel.

Gamaliel was a respected Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin in the first century. Known for his wisdom, he was a teacher of the law who commanded great respect among the people. His significance is seen in Acts 5:34-40, where he advises caution to the Pharisees in dealing with the apostles. Gamaliel urges the council to consider whether their movements were truly from God and if they were the Pharisees would be guilty of fighting against God Himsslf. This highlights the importance of discernment and the weight of influence that wise counsel can carry in the face of conflict.

Saul was A Pharisee of Pharisees. A man of influence, intelligence, and discipline.

But here’s the key:

He had religion… but not relationship.

And his zeal, disconnected from truth, became dangerous.

Let's look at the first Martyr Steven.

Acts 8:1–3(ESV)

“Now Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem… But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

Saul was:

· Religiously elite

· Extremely zealous

· MAN he was misguided

A person can be sincere… and still be sincerely wrong.

II. THE ENCOUNTER — WHEN HE MET JESUS

Saul is on the road to Damascus.

Filled with anger. Driven by purpose. Convinced he is doing God’s will.

Come with me to envision this scene. Saul is probably on foot with a letter from the Jewish leaders giving him permission to bring followers of Jesus back to Jerusalem in chains.

What does angry walking look like?

I can pick angry driving because sometimes that's me.

But angry walking escapes me.

Acts 9:3–5(ESV)

“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”

Example:

Have you ever been talking smack about someone or gossiping about someone laying it on thick. Then you turn around and that person is standing right behind you.

I have experienced this…

But church hear this.

Don’t miss this:

Jesus says, “Why are you persecuting Me?”

When the world persecutes Christians they are in fact persecuting Christ himself.

And in one moment:

· His worldview collapsed

· His pride was shattered

· His identity was exposed

· The man who thought he saw clearly…

· Now realizes he was blind.

And church—this still applies today.

· There are people all over the world suffering for the name of Jesus.

· One Christian research group estimates over 380 Million believers are persecuted—not for doing wrong—but for belonging to Christ. That number is greater than the entire population of the U.S.

· 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide.

· 1 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Africa.

· 2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia.

And yet—they remain faithful.

Why?

Because their identity is no longer rooted in this world, it’s in Jesus Christ.

III. THE SURRENDER — GOD BREAKS THE OLD IDENTITY

Acts 9:8–9(ESV)

“Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So, they led him by the hand… And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

· The strong man becomes dependent.

· The confident man becomes broken.

· Why?

· Because Jesus is stripping away Saul’s self-made identity.

· Then God says something incredible:

Acts 9:15(ESV)

“he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel”

Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus profoundly illustrates God’s ability to choose unlikely instruments for His mission. Anyone can be transformed and called to serve God’s purpose. Just as Paul went from persecutor to preacher, our own lives can change dramatically when we submit to God’s calling, showing that He truly can use anyone for His glory.

· God declares who he now is.

· His identity is no longer achieved—it is assigned by Jesus Christ

Saul's new name Paul means; small, little, or humble.

III. THE TRANSFORMATION — A NEW MAN, A NEW IDENTITY

Saul is healed. Filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptized.

Acts 9:20 (ESV)

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus… saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’”

· Everything changes:

· The persecutor becomes the preacher

· The destroyer becomes the builder

· The enemy becomes the servant

· Saul becomes Paul.

And listen to how he now sees himself:

1 Corinthians 15:9–10

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

· Imagine a blank canvas being transformed into a masterpiece. This is what happens when we accept Christ into our lives. Our old selves are covered by His love, and we are made new. This transformation isn't just superficial; it reaches into our very hearts, reshaping our desires and actions. Just as the artist sees potential in the canvas, God sees potential in each of us, and through His spirit, we can live a life that reflects His grace and purpose.

Philippians 3:7–8 (ESV)

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

· Paul didn’t improve his life…

· He surrendered it.

· Jesus asks us to do the same.

V. THE MISSION — A LIFE POURED OUT

Paul becomes a chosen instrument for Jesus.

· He Writes much of the New Testament

The Apostle Paul is credited with writing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. His letters addressed specific issues in early Christian communities, enlightening us about theology, Christian living, and the challenges faced by the Church. Understanding his contributions helps us grasp the foundational teachings of Christianity today, demonstrating how profoundly his words have shaped beliefs over the centuries.

· Plants churches

When we think of the early church, we can look to the Apostle Paul as a pioneer. He established numerous churches across the Roman Empire, including those in Galatia, Philippi, and Corinth, Ephesus and Thessolinica. Each of these churches faced unique cultural challenges and celebrated diverse gifts from God. Yet, Paul’s letters to them offer insights into how they could grow in faith and unity. Today, we’re called to consider our church's foundations and how we can build a community grounded in God’s word, just as Paul sought to do.

· Preaches boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

But he also suffers greatly:

The apostle Paul endured immense suffering throughout his ministry. He was shipwrecked three times, beaten with rods, and stoned—left for dead. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, he lists these hardships, painting a picture of relentless trials in his pursuit of spreading the Gospel. His experiences remind us that true dedication to God can lead through a path of suffering, serving as a call to resilience in our faith.

And yet he says:

Acts 20:24 (ESV)

“But I do not account my life of any value… if only I may finish my course… to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

That is identity.

Christ wasn’t part of his life—Christ WAS his life.

VI. YOU CAN’T STAY THE SAME

Church, here’s the reality:

· Transformation is the evidence of truly encountering Jesus Christ.

· Saul was one man before Jesus…

· And a completely different man after.

So let me ask you:

How many of us are the same person we were before Jesus?

If there is no change…

We must ask:

Have we truly encountered Him?

But I would be willing to bet that most of you that have decided to follow Jesus can point to many examples of how drastically your lives have changed than from before encountering Jesus.

And His work is not finished, Jesus is working in each of our lives every single day.

Paul’s escape is one that we all can emulate in various ways as we walk with the Lord.

Personal testimony

To close today’s message, I want to share with you a bit of my personal story.

I want to preface this before I begin, that this story isn’t about me per se, while I am directly involved in this story, this story is about Jesus Christ, the one who has performed almost all of the work in my story and my aim is to give Him the credit.

There are only 2 people in this room that knew me B.C., that is before Christ. The first is my wife Kara, and the second is Jesus himself.

See, I was living in sin without even realizing the weight of it. I spent my time partying, playing sports, whether softball or football. I was chasing after the things of the world. I was caught up in every sin you could name, and honestly—I had no real understanding of how lost I was.

At one point My marriage was all but over, my wife and I were separated. I was lost in despair and sadness, having no direction, figuratively drowning.

But fourteen years ago, everything changed because Jesus intervened.

I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I was baptized right here, when this church was still High Acres Christian Church. And God, in His grace, placed people in my life—specifically Jim Wegner, Kevin Daniels, and Breandan—who discipled me and showed me what it truly means to follow Jesus. These men poured into me; they sacrificially gave of themselves and invested in me. And this continues for me even today. Iron sharpens iron.

Church if you have not been discipled, then I encourage everyone of you to sign up for discipleship. If you want to grow in your faith, I strongly suggest it.

At that time, I had no idea what God had in store for me.

But over time God began to work in my life:

Jesus gave me a hunger for His Word—I couldn’t get enough of Scripture. I studied it at church, I read it at work, and contemplated it in my spare time.

Jesus led me into a life of prayer, I was continually asking that He would use me for His purposes and for His glory. Caution, Be careful what you ask for! He may just answer that prayer and you just might end up on a stage teaching….

Jesus placed within me a deep love and passion for His Word.

Jesus gave me a heart to serve.

Jesus gifted me in evangelism; I would share Jesus with anyone who would listen; not caring what they thought about me. I baptized family members, including my mom, my coworkers, my friends, even a patient I evangelized to at my job at Griffin Hospital, and as many of you saw, I even had the blessing of baptizing my son here last week. Amen God is good.

And then, in God’s timing:

I was invited to serve as an elder here at Reclaim. A great honor to be sure but one with great responsibility. I did not feel qualified or worthy of such and honor, but I met the qualifications laid out in first Timothy, and my wife encouraged me, and Jesus stretched me and nurtured me and grew me.

I was asked to preach—not once, but twice—and I said no both times.

Why? Because of fear… and insecurity… and the weight of what it means to stand and preach the Word of God.

But when I was asked a third time, something was different.

I realized that this might be God answering the very prayer I had been praying—that He would use me for His glory.

And I had to ask myself:

Would I really stand in the way of God’s work? Would I resist the very answer to my own prayer?

So, in faith—not in myself, but in Jesus—I said yes.

And that’s why I’m standing here today.

Not because of who I am… But because of what Christ has done in me.

All to the glory of God and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I never dreamed at any point that I would be helping lead Jesus’ church here in Ansonia, I would have never guessed that God would call me to stand here and preach a sermon today.

But part of faith is almost never knowing God’s plans for us but to remain faithful and allow God the use us by the power of the Holy Spirit for His purpose.

My advice. Don't put limits on God and His plan for you, in fact get out of His way and allow Him to accomplish His work in you.

So, my heartfelt prayer for all of you today is to ask Jesus what He wants to do in you and through you.

Again, Do not try to box God in. Ask Him to be glorified in you. Then, do not get in His way, let Jesus through the Holy Spirit shape and mold each of you. Allow His new identity to become manifest in your spirit, body, and lives.

Jesus is not finished with anyone of us, including me.

Our hope is not in vain.

FINAL APPLICATION & CHALLENGE

Ask yourself have I truly encountered Jesus?

I ask Are you saved?

And if you are—

What have you done with it?

This is not a guilt trip but a sincere question we all must ask ourselves.

Do you feel unqualified? Do you feel unworthy?

Perfect!

Because God doesn’t call the qualified… He qualifies the called.

Every believer has been given a purpose. Every believer has been given a role. Every believer matters in the body of Christ.

You are not insignificant. You are not forgotten. You are not unusable.

God has given you a new identity… And a mission to walk in.

Seek the Lord. Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit. And step into the identity God has given you.

CLOSING DECLARATION

Church, hear this and let it settle in your heart:

Saul had a name… Saul had religion

But Paul on the other hand had a new identity in Christ.

And through Jesus Christ—

WE ARE NO LONGER WHO WE WERE… WE ARE WHO HE SAYS WE ARE.

AS CHRISTIANS, WE ALL HAVE A NEW IDENTITY IN JESUS CHRIST.

Closing Prayer and invitation.