The Hound of Heaven

Simpsons Update

Making Disciples from our Neighborhoods to the Nations

Prayer

Pray for them and for the sermon

Introduction

Deer hunting at my uncle’s cabin every year

One year my dad and I were turkey hunting...

Full camo at the foot of a tree, not moving

The hero is Sanger Rainsford - a celebrated big-game hunter. He is heading down to South America to hunt the jaguar when he accidentally falls for his speeding yacht and ends up.

My Dad was making sounds of a female turkey who might be interested in a big strong man.

He swims toward a foreboding island in the distance when he knows he will find people because he heard gun shots coming from the island.

He discovers a palatial chateau inhabited by a Russian Nobleman, General Zaroff. General Zaroff knows of Sanger Rainsford because of his reputation as a successful big-game hunter. He invites him to dinner and then a strange conversation begins concerning a “new animal on the island.”

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire 15: Saul: the Hunter Hunted

When Rainsford inquires as to the identity of this “new animal,” the general answers, “It supplies me with the most exciting hunting in the world. No other hunting compares with it for an instant. Every day I hunt, and I never grow bored now, for I have a quarry with which I can match my wits.”

When Rainsford’s face shows great bewilderment, the general explains, “I wanted the ideal animal to hunt. So I said: ‘What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?’ And the answer was, of course, ‘It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason.’ ”

“But no animal can reason,” Rainsford protests.

“My dear fellow,” the general responds, “there is one that can.”

“But you cannot mean—” Rainsford exclaims.

“And why not?”

“I cannot believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a grisly joke.”

“Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting.”

To his growing horror, Sanger Rainsford, the great hunter, learns that he is Zaroff’s intended game.1

The Hunter became the Hunted

On an infinitely highly level, that same is true in our text this morning in

We will meet Saul, a blood thirsty hunter

We will also see that the hunter is being pursued himself to his horror and then to his eternal delight.

As we study Saul’s experience, we’ll learn how the divine hunt is conducted. We’ll see the internal workings of God’s providence as he draws people to himself.

Hunting the Hunter (v 1-2)

Read

Saul is on the hunt

But...

Seems to indicate that time has passed since the death of Stephen and yet Saul’s thirst for destroying Christians has only intensified over time, not lessened.

Breathing Threats...

This doesn’t mean that he was breathing threats but an action of beathing in - as though the threatening and slaughter had come to be the very breathe that Saul breathed, “like a warhorse who sniffed the smell of battle.”

Saul is Being Hunted

Captured by Christ (v 3-9)

Two Responses to Jesus

Saul

Saul - “Who are you”

Ananias - “Here I am”

Captivated by Christ (v. 10-19)

Conclusion