Easter 3 (2)

Acts 9:1–19 NIV

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

I think we all know people who have chosen to have knee replacement surgery. One common theme is the amount of suffering that they go through for this. It begins with suffering from knew pain and other complications in the joint because of injury or disease. After all, you would not choose to have some replace your knee if it were completely healthy. So in time the person decides to have the procedure done. The procedure itself would be extremely painful without anesthesia. But thew worst suffering takes place after the anesthesia wears off and the therapy begins.

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. Growing up on a small farm we had as many as 300 chickens in each chicken house. At first they were allowed to be outside in a fenced in area during the day. But although the fence kept the chickens in, it apparently did not keep the fox out. When my father realized what was happening, he enlisted the help of his brother-in-law. Uncle Ronnie’s mission was to exterminate that which was a threat. He discovered where the den was, set up a sniper’s nest, and one by one shot the cubs with his M-1 as they emerged from the den. He was successful. This was my first memory of how someone would be enlisted to get rid of a threat. As I grew older, I learned about more sinister attempts to eradicate a perceived threat. I learned how in the 1800’s men would exterminate the bison in the plains states to remove resources from the Native Americans. I learned how the Dodo bird became extinct because they were slaughtered. I learned how Nazi Germany attempted to remove the Jewish people from Europe by means of the “Final Solution.” History has many other examples of how people would hunt down animals or other people in order to exterminate them.

Your surgeon will take several steps to evaluate your pain. The first step simply involves talking with you and discussing your pain. Pain can have many different qualities, and the type of pain described can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

While pain when rising—known as start-up pain—usually resolves within a few months, other types of pain may suggest a more serious condition. In some cases, the location and timing of the pain can help a doctor pinpoint the underlying cause.

Persistent startup pain can be a sign of a loosening implant.Pain when navigating stairs suggests a kneecap problem.The sudden appearance of pain suggests a fracture or injury.Pain accompanied by swelling, redness, and fever are strong indications of an infection.A deformed kneecap is a sign of a patellofemoral problem.

Your surgeon will then want to examine the knee. A physical exam can help identify infection, stiffness and alignment issues. Ensuring that the mechanics of the knee replacement are sound is important. Just like having the proper alignment in your car, it is important that the knee replacement is properly aligned and balanced.

Because of the suffering this common surgery can cause, one might ask, “Why suffer?” Well, the answer is obvious. The temporary pain as a result of the surgery is worth enduring compared to the desired outcome. It is true with many other surgeries (or going to the dentist for that matter). We are willing to suffer if we believe that the suffering will not last and that which causes us to suffer will produce good results. Exercise would be another example.

But at other times it is a cruel tragedy. Certain species were hunted into extinction. Beautiful natural places have been destroyed for the resources located there. Killing other people because they don’t agree with our political, social, or religious views can not be tolerated. We have been reminded of this recently by events taking place in Sri Lanka, China, and the ongoing attacks by Islamic Jihadists.

The life of St. Paul reminds us of how at one time he was among those who persecuted Christians with the goal of making them extinct. Even though a member of the Sanhedrin had cautioned against this (cite), it wasn’t long until his opinion was thrown out and that same group of people sanctioned an attempt to capture and kill Christians with the goal of stopping what was first know as “The Way.”

As Christians, we must be aware that Jesus himself teaches us that his followers are going to suffer.

St. Paul himself would later confess his mindset during this time.

Matthew 10:21–36 NIV

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

1 Peter 4:14–16 NIV

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Application: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” We may think we are doing the right thing and others may even agree and support us, but if it not according to God’s will, it is wrong.

But in these passages about suffering is also the hope that suffering will result in a much better outcome.

The book of Acts is a record of the early years of the Christian church. The narrative begins with a tremendous success story on Pentecost. But soon after that persecution breaks out.

Peter and John are arrested for healing a lame beggar.

The apostles are put on trial before the Sanhedrin and threatened to keep quiet.

Stephen is martyred.

Acts 8:1–3 NIV

1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Saul is referred to for the first time in the book of Acts in connection with the death of Stephen, But it would not be the last. Starting in chapter 9, we have repeated references to him either as “Saul” or the more well-know “Paul”. He is also the author of 13 New Testament books.

The conversion of Saul is well known among us a Christians. It is a turning point in the history of Christianity. He who once persecuted the church did more to advance Christianity than any other apostle.

Review the details.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 1. The Salvation of Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

Fifth, the poking in the arresting. “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). This referred to a pole with a sharp piece of iron on the end used to poke oxen to get them moving. To kick against this poking only further aggravated the poking discomfort. This reference portrays the fact that Saul was having trouble with his conscience and with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. Saul was a tormented soul from all his persecuting.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 1. The Salvation of Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

• The asking in salvation. In response to this arrest by Christ, Paul asked two very significant questions. First, the who question. “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5). This is where salvation starts—we must know who Jesus Christ is. Second, the what question. “What wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). Once we find out Who Jesus is, the next question should about doing His will.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 1. The Salvation of Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

Second, the what answer. “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6). These orders were not spectacular, but they still teach us, for they remind us that God reveals His will a step at a time. If you want to know more of His will, do what you already know to do even if that is a simple task. God does not reveal everything at once and requires obedience for us to learn more.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 1. The Salvation of Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

• The acquiescence after salvation. Paul acquiesced to the commands of Christ which gave evidence that he was converted on the spot. Obedience confirms salvation. Lack of obedience gives justification for doubting one’s conversion claim. First, the dignity of obedience. “Arose” (Acts 9:8). While this describes a literal change of position, it also symbolically says that when you start obeying God, you will rise in character. Second, the difficulties of obedience. “When his eyes were opened, he saw no man; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus” (Acts 9:8). Paul was blinded temporarily by this light and that made it difficult for him to obey the orders to “go into the city” (Acts 9:6). God’s commands will face difficulties, but do not reject the command for that reason. As we will see next, God will give us help to overcome the difficulties and hence obey. Third, the directors for obedience. “Led him by the hand” (Acts 9:8). Paul’s accomplices, though still persecutors, helped Paul to do the will of God by leading him by the hand into Damascus. God can make the devil help His work, if He so desires. Fourth, the destination of obedience. “Damascus” (Acts 9:8). Paul entered Damascus a good deal differently than he had anticipated. Instead of coming in power to persecute, he came in weakness and converted. The power of the Gospel is greater than any power man has created.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 1. The Salvation of Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

This would mean more testing for Saul. You may go “without” many things in this world if you would follow Christ.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 2. The Strengthening of Paul (Acts 9:10–19)

• The communication. God paid no attention to the complaint of Ananias but rather told Ananias to “Go thy way” (Acts 9:15) which was the way that God had prescribed, and then God communicated to Ananias a few details about Paul’s future. First, the service for Paul. “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul was going to have quite a ministry for Christ. We know from further Scriptures that Paul was the greatest missionary who ever lived. Ananias would not have those Scriptures and could only see it by faith. Second, the suffering of Paul. “I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). Going before the Gentiles, Israelites and especially before “kings” sounds exciting, but it would not happen apart from the “suffer” part. Many only see the glory in God’s service, but they do not see (or do not want to see) the price for the glory of service, so when the suffering part comes they quit. Some of Paul’s suffering is listed in II Corinthians 11.

Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts 2. The Strengthening of Paul (Acts 9:10–19)

• The confessing. “Arose, and was baptized” (Acts 9:18). The great persecutor now confesses Christ through baptism which in those days would forever stigmatize Saul and make him an outcast among the unconverted Jews. In our land baptism seldom does that to folk today.

Several things stand out from this account.

1.Jesus is alive! Paul did not just have a vision but a real life encounter with the risen and ascended Savior. Jesus came to his greatest threat and changed his heart and his actions. From then on Paul was dedicated to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. (Cite examples)

Application: Jesus comes to us in his Word and not only commands us to preach the gospel, he sends the Holy Spirit to inspire us to live for him.

2.God’s purpose for Paul was greater than his own choices. Paul thought he was doing the right thing but it became clear to him what he was to be doing.

Paul did not know immediately what his next 30 years were going to be like. We have the same knowledge of our futures. Thirty years ago I was a young pastor full of hopes and dreams. I did not know where I would serve the Lord throughout my ministry, what people I would meet, how the congregations would thrive or manage to survive. When I stood on the lawn of the parsonage with my two good friends and my brother then I did not know that some day I would be responsible to mow that lawn and more importantly to serve these congregations. I did know that I hoped to preach and teach. I hope that I would be spared any suffering as a result of being a Christian. (Perhaps I though that I was exempt from the warnings Jesus gave to his disciples).

God had a plan for Paul which was very different than Paul’s.

Paul’s plan was to get rid of Christianity.

God’s plan was to use Paul to advance Christianity powerfully through the middle of the first century AD and to use him to write down God’s Word which continues to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness so that we may be prepared for every good work.

Paul accepted this new mission with great determination.

2 Timothy 1:6–12 NIV

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

2 Timothy 2:8–13 NIV

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 3:10–15 NIV

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Now we may look at this and agree that Jesus had a plan for Paul and that he did suffer greatly to proclaim the gospel and that in the end he was blessed. But what does that have to do with us today? Well, Paul teaches us that his case is not unique. He predicts that Jesus’ goal for him is the same for us.

Jesus saved us from our sins by his death on the cross.

Jesus calls us to believe in him through the Gospel (Maybe not as dramatically as Paul but Jesus has called us.)

Jesus has a plan for our lives which involves using the gifts we have together to spread the gospel and to lead godly lives.

When we do this we can expect opposition.

We must be willing to suffer trusting that God will deliver us safely to his heavenly kingdom.

Challenge: How willing are we to sacrifice our own plans and submit to God’s plan and promise for our lives?

Application: We may have many goals in our lives or as a congregation of Christians. But what is our real purpose? Jesus inspires us to follow him.

3. Christianity cannot be stopped. Jesus’ promise that the gates of Hades would not be able to overcome it is true. Give examples of how other movements may have been stopped but contrast that to how Christianity has grown and continues to grow even now.

Acts 5:33–42 NIV

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Easter 3 (2)

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