CAN GOD CHANGE SOMEONE-EVEN IF THEY DON’T WANT TO BE CHANGED?

What are the little pet peeves that drive you crazy?

For example: People who get into the 10 item or less line at the store when they clearly have 50 items.

People who sneeze but don’t cover their mouths.

2. These little things people do annoy us, and we wish they would change their habits.

But change is hard.

3. When someone else asks you to change, what is your initial reaction?

Today we’re going to be grappling with the question about change. And not just little changes of annoying habits, but true heart change.

Acts 9:1–19 KJV 1900

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 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. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 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. 6 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. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 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. 11 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, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 9:1-19

4. What are the first questions that come to mind?

What catches your attention?

Saul wasn’t your typical guy. In he gives a glimpse of some of his achievements and reasons for confidence in himself.

His Jewish pedigree was impeccable. He was born of the tribe of Benjamin, meaning he could trace his lineage back hundreds of years to Benjamin. The brother of Joseph.

He was a Pharisee, one of the Jewish elite, and kept the law so well that he was considered “Faultless.”

His passion for protecting the Jewish teachings and law was so, great he was willing to persecute others who taught something he viewed as heresy.

4. Why do you think Jesus used such dramatic means for changing Saul?

Acts 9:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Acts 9:

5. What do you think Jesus meant by this Statement?

Just before the events in today’s passage from Acts , Stephen, known as the first Christian martyr, had been stoned by members of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest judicial council in the Jewish community.

The stoning, which led to the persecution of other Christians and caused disciples to scatter to other cities, had been witnessed and approved by Saul.

Acts 9

Acts 8:1 KJV 1900

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The disciples fleeing to the other parts of Israel wasn’t such a bad thing, as it allowed them to tell others about Jesus who otherwise might not have heard about him. But this dispersion from Jerusalem wasn’t enough for Saul, as he was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.

Acts 9:1 KJV 1900

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Saul was determined, he was willing to make a six-day journey of approximately 140 Miles on foot to Damascus to root out followers of Jesus.

Often we pray for a quick and striking change in either ourselves or others, but God’s way isn’t always as dramatic as Saul’s experience.

On the outside it appears that Saul was intent on the desire to stamp out those who followed Jesus, yet he was quick to change when confronted by Jesus himself.

It’s possible his heart was already being prepared for this encounter in his recent experiences, specifically Stephen’s message and death.

6. Which do you think shows the power of Jesus more?

Which

An experience like Saul’s?

Or a transformation that might take years?

7. You’ve heard the terms disciple, and apostle but do you know what they mean?

Are they they same?

They Aren’t

An apostle is literally “A messenger or envoy”

In the Bible, these are the 12 men who followed Jesus.

They saw Him

Talked to Him

Where sent by Jesus to “Make disciples of all nations.

Paul (Saul) is also included as an apostle as Jesus spoke to him specifically and called him to be a messenger to the Gentiles.

Anyone calling themselves an apostle today is a lier and should be counted as a false teacher.

Because one would have to see Jesus and talk with Him.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Nothing is wasted in God’s economy?

Meaning; nothing in your life is wasted.

God will use every experience in some way.

Either to change you or to change others.

Saul thought he was defending God by arresting followers of Jesus, throwing them into jail, and approving of their deaths. As in the case of Stephen.

He wasn’t looking to change.

He was satisfied with what he was doing.

Fully believed he was serving God by his actions.

Yet when Jesus appeared, he made it clear that instead of helping.

Saul was actually hurting Jesus.

Jesus said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

By hurting Christians, Saul was hurting Jesus.

But by His grace, Jesus changed Saul.

8. Can God Change Someone-Even If They Don’t Want To Be Changed?