Sovereign Circumstances (part 2)

Last time in part one we learned of “God’s purpose in our suffering.” This purpose is two-fold. God desires our growth and He gives us gospel opportunities.

Here we find Paul right in the middle of a gospel opportunity. As he takes advantage of it, he teaches us some powerful lessons.

Today we will learn of “God’s Purpose In Our Story.”

I love hearing how God brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite stories is of a faithful lady who taught piano lessons to some neighbor children. The children’s father was in prison. She didn’t worry about that. For years she taught them. Then they moved across town. This was a rough city. So she would take a bus into the rough part of town so she could keep teaching these children. As she taught them, she would tell them about Jesus, eventually she even gave her bible to one of them. That little boy grew up, joined the military, moved around, got married, had children and lost children. But all that time, he kept that Bible with him. It wasn’t until he was 40 years old and had gone through tragedy, that God finally brought that man to himself. And so he sat down, and wrote a letter, thanking a little old lady for the Bible she had given him. As far as I know, that man still carries it today. Much worn, and recovered, but still going strong.

That little old lady didn’t know how God would use her sacrifice. She was just faithful in making it. That boy didn’t know how precious that Bible would be become. He just kept it with him. As I have talked with that man over the years, I have heard him praising God for how each trial, each hardship, each broken heart, brought him one step closer to Jesus.

Beloved, God has a purpose for your story. Everything you are going through can and will be used by God for His purpose and glory.

Today we get to hear Paul tell his story. He is going to show us how God can use our story as a witnessing tool.

We will learn three specific parts of our story that God uses.

God has given Paul a gospel opportunity and he is taking advantage of it.

Your story will only be used as you share it.

With God at the center, our story becomes a tool to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Part #1…

1. God Will Use Your Conversion 21:40-22:11

We are about to see Paul give his personal conversion testimony.

This is one of those verses that demonstrates the awkwardness of some chapter and verse divisions.

Paul has asked for permission to speak to the people. The tribune has granted permission and now Paul get’s their attention. The “Hebrew language” referred to here would be Aramaic.

I want to remind us of where we ended last time. Paul has been falsely accused, beaten, and now arrested. He is about to speak to those who were responsible for his mistreatment.

We have seen this attitude in Paul before, if there is a crowd, he is going to preach the gospel. Even if that crowd is gathered to see him dead!

vv. 3-21 – Paul gives his personal conversion testimony. He is recounting his commission by God and gets to the part where God is sending him to the Gentiles when the crowd flips out.

He is also defending himself against the accusations and rumors that he has turned from his Jewish heritage and now teaches against the Jews.

Paul is going to use this opportunity he has been given.

Your best witnessing tool is your personal salvation testimony.

Has anyone else ever struggled with thinking that your conversion story wasn’t cool enough?

I mean, I wasn’t saved out of drugs or alcohol. I didn’t have years of sinning and then a glorious transformation. I was 4 years old. There were times growing up where I felt like my salvation story wasn’t very good.

I have since come to understand that the power of a testimony is not what someone is saved out of. The power of a salvation testimony lies in the God who has redeemed us! That our almighty, holy, righteous, and just heavenly Father would save any of us! That is where the power lies.

And so we recognize that God will use our conversion, our salvation testimony.

Paul gives us a pattern to follow here. When sharing our conversion there are two ideas we need to convey. We need to share what brought us to the point of conversion as well as the conversion itself.

Idea #1…

a. Present the path of conversion 21:40-22:5

As Paul shares his testimony, he begins by describing how God brought him to Himself.

READ v. 40

This is one of those verses that demonstrates the awkwardness of some chapter and verse divisions.

Paul has asked for permission to speak to the people. The tribune has granted permission and now Paul get’s their attention. The “Hebrew language” referred to here would be Aramaic.

I want to remind us of where we ended last time. Paul has been falsely accused, beaten, and now arrested. He is about to speak to those who were responsible for his mistreatment.

We have seen this attitude in Paul before, if there is a crowd, he is going to preach the gospel. Even if that crowd is gathered to see him dead!

Here is a question for all of us to ask ourselves, “Would I preach Christ to a hostile crowd?”

READ v. 1

Paul identifies himself with his fellow Israelites with the use of the terms “brethren and fathers.” He is speaking with respect and familiarity.

Paul tells them he is going to make his defense.

Defense – ἀπολογία (apologia) defense. The speech act of attempting to prove some act or belief to be reasonable, necessary, or right; especially occurring in a court of law.

Defense – ἀπολογία (apologia)

This is where we get apologetics from. It is a defense of our faith. Demonstrating why what we believe is reasonable and right. We give evidence that would stand up in a court of law.

Paul is giving his defense because he wants them to understand why he teaches and acts the way that he does.

READ v. 2

Hearing Paul speak in Aramaic, they all hush to listen to him.

READ v. 3

Paul begins with his identity as a Jew. He covers his birth place, Tarsus, because, as he previously mentioned to the tribune, it was a city of some importance.

PUT STRICTNESS in word doc

Paul begins with his identity as a Jew. He covers his birth place, Tarsus, because, as he previously mentioned to the tribune, it was a city of some importance.

However, though born in Tarsus, Paul was raised in Jerusalem under the instruction of Gamaliel. We met him in ch. 5 where we learned he was a teacher of the law held in respect by everyone. He was prestigious enough to command the whole Sanhedrin and they listened to him even though he was not the high priest.

Under this famous Jewish teacher, Paul was taught the law with exactness and precision (strictness).

Why is Paul going into all this? He wants his audience to understand that what he has been teaching doesn’t arise from a gentile education. Nor does it come from ignorance of the law or customs of Judaism.

Paul kept the law with such passion that he could have been called a zealot.

He followed God as best he knew how.

READ v. 4

This demonstrates the extent of Paul’s zeal and passion.

Persecuted – διώκω (diōkō) pursue; persecute (for beliefs). To subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs.

Persecuted – διώκω (diōkō) pursue; persecute. To persecute (for beliefs) v. — to subject to systematic harassment and attack due to one’s religious beliefs. Finite verb, aorist, active, indicative, first person, singular.

Persecuted – διώκω (diōkō)

Paul was so zealous, so committed to what he had been taught to believe, that he harassed and attacked all who opposed him!

He arrested people, saw them imprisoned, and sought their death!

READ v. 5

Paul says, “look, the high priest can confirm what I am saying. So can the whole Sanhedrin!”

All the Jewish leaders knew about Paul!

They had given him letters granting authority to arrest those in Damascus who followed Christ. He was to bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and imprisonment or execution.

Paul is giving us a glimpse of his pre-conversion character. He was dedicated and passionate. But he was also lost.

Paul’s point is that someone like him doesn’t just randomly change their mind. Something drastic and dramatic must have occured to transform this man!

Paul’s point is that someone like him doesn’t just randomly change their mind. Something drastic and dramatic must have occured!

He is about to spell out what happened. But before we get there I want us to pause and think for a moment.

How did God take us from being unbelieving heathens, to Christ following saints?

What was the process?

For me as a young boy it was the example of my family. I observed the peace they displayed even in the contemplation of death. What was the process for you?

That is what Paul is describing for us here. How did he get from persecutor to follower, from destroyer to builder and defender?

As Paul looks back over his life he sees the sovereignty of God in bringing him to Christ.

That process, that story, has now become part of Paul’s gospel presentation. This is how we get people’s attention. We share our story with them.

Your best witnessing tool is your own testimony.

As God gives gospel opportunities, this is what we share. We share the process we went through as God drew us to Himself, saved us, and is now conforming us to the image of Christ.

Presenting the path of conversion is the first part. We take people through how God brought us to the point of making a decision.

Idea #2. We…

b. Present the presence of conversion vv. 6-11

This is where we present the actual event of our salvation. Now, some people don’t know the exact moment. That’s okay. Share what you remember, share when you became confident of your salvation. This is your testimony. It is personal. There is only one requirement of a salvation testimony. You must understand and be able to articulate the gospel. If you were to stand before Christ and He were to ask why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?

For me, I plead the blood of Jesus Christ! Christ died for my sins. There was nothing I could do to save myself. The penalty for my sin was death. But God in His love, grace, and mercy, sent Jesus to take my place! I put my faith in Him and Him alone. He died and He was buried, then He rose again. That is my hope! I don’t trust in my goodness because it is inconsistent, I don’t trust in my giving because I don’t give it all. I don’t trust in my church attendance because I sometimes miss. I trust in Jesus! I trust in Him alone! This is the only essential element in a salvation story, Christ.

Paul is about to share his salvation story.

READ v. 6

We saw this same testimony recorded by Luke back in chapter 9. As we read through it now, you will notice a few differences. This is Paul telling his story with a specific purpose in mind.

Remember, he has been accused of teaching against the Jews and of being against the Law and everything else Jewish. He is preaching to them, but he is also giving a defense.

When we read something multiple times, different things strike us. As I read this it hit me how bright this light had to be in order to call it a great light from heaven when the sun is high overhead.

READ v. 7

This is an accusation. Paul is being accused of persecuting someone. This someone has sent a great light from heaven and is now speaking.

Naturally, Paul is curious.

READ v. 8

This is a natural question. Having been accused of persecuting someone, it is good to find out who they are.

The response leaves no doubt. There is no way to mistake what is being said.

Through persecuting those who follow Jesus, Saul has been persecuting Him.

Paul now has some realizations. With this light and voice coming from heaven, he must conclude that Jesus is there. If Jesus is speaking to Paul from heaven, He must be who He claimed to be!

Paul’s world is crashing down! That is the effect the gospel has on us!

READ v. 9

Those with Paul see the light but don’t hear the voice.

Paul is having a divine appointment.

This is no accident!

READ v. 10

Paul asks Jesus what he should do. He is told to arise and go to Damascus where he will learn what God has called him to do.

This reminds me of Abraham. Go and I will tell you where you are going after you leave. Paul is told go, and you will get your job assignment later.

This is how all of us are to go. Go, then God will give you your job assignment. Obey first. Get moving first.

Paul is going to find out what has been appointed for him.

Appointed – τάσσομαι (tassomai) designate; determine. To be assigned, conceived of as being put into place or position.

Appointed – τάσσομαι (tassomai)

Paul is going to be given an assignment by God. A task to be completed, a job to do.

But first he must get to Damascus.

READ v. 11

Paul had no way of knowing if he would ever see again. Yet he is willing to travel to Damascus, in obedience to the Lord, where he will be given an assignment.

Paul had intended to arrive in Damascus with zealous wrath and round up the Christians! Instead, he arrives in Damascus humbled, blind, and now one of those he once hunted.

This is Paul’s conversion.

He met the resurrected Lord and knew immediately that everything Jesus taught was true.

Jesus was the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus is God in human flesh.

Jesus is the only sacrifice for sin.

Through faith in Jesus Christ alone, any sinner can be saved.

How did your personal salvation experience play out?

None of us will have something as dramatic as Paul!

The absence of drama or physical deliverance does not lessen the power of our testimony.

The entire point of sharing a personal testimony is that it is personal. This is the story of how God brought you to Himself. Never be embarrassed of, never apologize for it. Rather, rejoice that the sovereign Lord of the universe chose you before the foundation of the world and called you by His grace!

Witnessing proclaims God’s grace.

Paul describes the depth of his depravity. Paul doesn’t sugar coat it, he clearly owns his sin. Why? So that God’s abundant grace is made plain!

When we share our salvation testimony, it is essential that we emphasize the grace of God.

None of us saved ourselves. We are saved by grace through faith.

As we share that with others, God uses our conversion.

There is a second part of our story that God uses.

Part #2…

2. God Will Use Your Calling vv. 12-21

Salvation is not the end of our story. In so many ways, salvation is the beginning.

Salvation is what everything that comes before it is building up to and it is what everything that comes after is influenced by.

Paul has recounted how he came to Christ. Now he will recount the assignment he was given.

Each of us has an assignment, a calling from God that He uniquely equips and gifts us to fulfil.

As we seek to share Christ with others, He can and will use this calling. He will also use it for His purpose in others ways.

Paul is going to share with these people what he was called to as well as how that call played out in his life. These are things we can do as well.

First…

He is recounting his commission by God and gets to the part where God is sending him to the Gentiles when the crowd flips out.

a. Describe the content of your call vv. 12-16

Paul moves from the story of his conversion right into his calling.

READ v. 12

Paul refers to Ananias as devout. He wants his audience to realize that Jewish Christians are not lawbreakers! They are devout Jews who have realized that the Messiah has come!

This isn’t just Paul’s opinion, all the Jews living in the area thought this of Ananias.

READ v. 13

Through Ananias Paul is given back his sight. We have mentioned this before, but I love that Ananias calls him brother.

If we were to go back to we would find that Ananias knew exactly who Saul was and why he was coming to Damascus. Yet out of obedience he still went and gave the murderer back his sight. He called him brother, knowing God had saved Saul and made him Paul.

This is the power of the gospel. The gospel transforms!

But that’s not all Ananias did.

READ v. 14

Ananias has a message for Paul. He is the one who will inform Paul of his assignment.

There is no record of this speech in .

Paul has been chosen.

Chosen – προχειρίζω (procheirizo) choose for oneself; select. To appoint, to assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to someone.

Chosen – προχειρίζω (procheirizo)

There are three things for which Paul has been chosen.

First, To know God’s will.

“Know” here refers to experience. Paul would experience God’s will.

Secondly, To see the Just One.

Who would “the,” definite article, Just One be? Jesus! The only righteous one.

Translated literally this would read “see the Righteous”. John describes Jesus this way in his first epistle.

(S).

1 John 2:1 NKJV

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Jesus is the only one who is righteous. Paul got to see Him. Not here on the road, but afterward according to . Paul was taught the gospel by Christ Himself in the wilderness.

Paul would also hear Jesus’ voice. This has already happened.

Thirdly, To hear Jesus’ voice. This has already happened for Paul and would happen again.

All of these things are going to happen to Paul for a purpose.

READ v. 15

This word “for” has the idea of “because.” This is the purpose.

His witness. Paul belongs to Christ and will testify of Him!

This is Paul’s assignment. To speak of Christ to all men. To tell them all that has been revealed to Paul.

Paul will experience God’s will, he will see Christ, and he will hear Christ speak. These things he will then share with others.

Look at (S).

Galatians 1:11–12 NKJV

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This is what Paul preached. What he was taught by Christ.

Ananias continues.

READ v. 16

I love this question. What are you waiting for? Get busy!

This is one of those verses that some use to try and teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. We need to carefully consider what is said.

Paul is told to be baptized and wash away his sin. It does not say that he is baptized to wash away his sin. This begs the question, What cleanses us from sin? The blood of Christ!

(S).

1 John 1:7 NKJV

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Peter says we are bought with the precious blood of Christ ().

So it is not baptism that washes us from our sin, it is the blood of Christ.

Back in , the verse actually supports this. The phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” refers back to the washing away of sin. It is calling on the Lord, placing our trust in His finished work that cleanses us.

Paul, standing before people who moments before were intent on beating him to death details his conversion and his calling.

Explaining our calling gives us an opportunity to proclaim Christ.

We tell people we are called by Him to preach the gospel and then we tell them what the gospel is.

Which is exactly what we will see Paul do, next week.

Conclusion

At the heart of this passage lies two things both of which appeared on our first slide (S).

God is sovereign over the circumstances of our lives.

Paul knew this. Because Paul believed that he was not in the midst of this crowd by accident, Paul was looking for the opportunity God had prepared for him.

Do we believe that God is sovereign over our circumstances?

Are we looking for gospel opportunities?

Look at the slide again (S).

God has a purpose in our story.

When Paul looked back on his life, he saw the hand of God leading and guiding him. Because he had this perspective, he was able to use his story as a powerful evangelistic tool.

Do we believe that God has a purpose in the story of our lives?

Will we use our salvation story to share Christ with others?

Part of Paul’s story is also part of ours.

We have been called by God to proclaim Jesus Christ.

That calling is universal. Some of us, like Paul and myself, have the privilege of doing it as a vocation.

Those not called to vocational ministry are called to proclaim Jesus Christ in whatever context He has placed them in.

Are you a plumber? Share Christ. A secretary? Share Christ. A student? Share Christ! A stay at home mom? Share Christ!

This is the bigger picture. Christ has you were you are to share Him with those around you.

There are no accidents!

God is sovereign over your circumstances and He has a purpose for your story.

Wherever you find yourself this morning, whatever your story; preach Christ.

Acts After you have described the content of your call…

Acts 21:40–22:16 NKJV

40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, 1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

After you have described the content of your call…

b. Describe the course of your call vv. 17-21

This is how your calling has played out in your life. That’s where Paul goes next.

3. God Will Use Your Citizenship vv. 22-29

God has you where you are for a purpose

a. God uses it in distress vv. 22-24

v. 22 – Interesting that their response is so strong to Gentile salvation when it has always been God’s plan.

When does God use our citizenship? When it will bring about His purpose.

Paul’s distress here, the threat of scourging, can be avoided through his citizenship.

b. God uses it for deliverance vv. 25-29

God is playing the long game. The temporary use of Paul’s citizenship frees him from facing physical pain. But God is ultimately going to use Paul’s citizenship for a far more important purpose.

We’ll learn about that in ch. 25.

In the present moment, God uses it to deliver Paul from scourging.

v. 25 – Paul uses his Roman citizenship again.

Conclusion

God has a purpose for the story of our lives.

There may be events and circumstances we look back on and don’t understand. We must trust that God has a purpose.

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