01-27-2019 - When God Saves a Hater - The End of the Road

For over 1500 years the church celebrated the January 25th “Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul… A Man who Was a Clear hater and Starts his life-journey on a very different road...

No Man May Reach the Kingdom of God by his own power, purpose or persuasion

No Person may be saved by starting and remaining on a path of their own choosing

No One is accepted by God based upon money, merit or measure of their stature or status

Every human being who would be saved must come to the end of themselves… and even then the end must not be of their own choosing - they must come Face to Face with the Holiness of God, Relent from their own devices, Repent of their wickedness and Receive the Gift of God - Salvation through Jesus Christ.

For some, the journey is short, and they meet Jesus early in life… for others the path to the end of themselves is long and arduous (as was the life of Paul) but at long last they reach the end of themselves and relent, repent and receive.

Unfortunately, for most, meeting Jesus is still an appointment not for the saving of their soul but a face to face that ends in their eternal DOOM...

What Happens When God Saves a Hater?

Today, we look at the Marvelous Deliverance of the Apostle Paul, The Hater becomes a Saint, His Road Ends at JESUS

Let us turn to Acts Chapter 9

Acts 9:1–22 NLT

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” 22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

Acts 9:1-9 Saul RELENTS From His Chosen Path

A Path of Destruction fueled by Hatred

A Path opposed to “the Way” (Jesus)

A Path that ENDS at JESUS

Acts 9:11-12 - Saul REPENTS

Reluctant Response by Ananias

Saul is praying (act of repentance)

The Proof of Repentance “So Ananias departed, entered the house and laying hands on him he said, BROTHER SAUL… then he arose and was baptized...”

Acts 9:17-18 - Saul RECEIVES the GIFT of God

Receiving God’s Gift of DELIVERANCE RESULTS in (v. 20 & 22) “and immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogue, saying, “He is the Son of God” …But Saul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by PROVING that Jesus was the Christ”

Paul’s Path fueled by Hatred Ends…

Paul’s Path Powered by the Holy Spirit Begins...

Final: How do we know that Paul made the right decision? Did that from which he Relented and the Sin from which he repented, and the Reception of Jesus as Lord and Saviour really end up as the correct choice?

Listen to the Words of Paul in 2 Timothy

2 Timothy 1:7–12 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.