The Best is Ahead

Acts 9:1–8 ESV

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

I am not my past, I can make changes in the present, I’ll have a better future

Welcome

Thank you all for coming out today to hear a message that I believe will bring you hope and encouragement today.

Introduction

I am one of the Lead Pastor alongside my husband Keith at Celebration Church in Orlando, Florida. I am the mother of 3 wonderful children. Keith Jr., De’Nira, and Caleb. I love to dance, sing at home or in the car. My husband and I have been married for 19 years. I am most passionate about encouraging people and offering the hope in Jesus. I have 2 wonderful granddaughters that I adore very much.

I was raised in a Christian household; raised by my Jamaican parents. Though I was raised in church and never lost faith in God, I remember the moment that changed everything for me. It was almost 20 years ago. I was sitting in a service much like this one and God did something profound in my life. He called me into ministry alongside my husband. I knew I wasn’t going back. I knew something had shifted. Since that time, my life hasn’t been the same. I have had my highs and lows, but God has been with me every step of the way.

Amazing things happen when God gets involved in your life. It kind of reminds the Apostle Paul. He had an encounter with God and it changed everything. Let’s look at the text...

Acts 13:1–9 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

Acts 13:1-

Message Title

Scripture-Acts 13:9

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.1

Message Title

Today I want to talk about the power of God and how it has the ability to redeem our past, bless your present, for a better future. I have entitled this message: God isn’t done

Prayer

Jesus, I pray that you continue to allow your grace in areas of our lives that needed and that each and every person will leave here today encouraged to get back up if they have fallen and that change is never too late, and that better days are ahead for them. Speak to our hearts and our minds and help us not to lose sight of your love for us no matter what we have done. Your mercies are new every morning. We thank you for that and it’s in Jesus name that we pray. Amen!

Illustration/Story

Transition/Background

It is a tense time in Jerusalem. Jesus died and for His opposition, that was the end of the story. For His followers, it was chaotic and even a bit confusing because they were still getting used to a life where Jesus wasn’t with them. Have you ever felt like you had to make adjustments to a new reality? Maybe there’s been a change at home and you are trying to adjust to your new normal. It was a dangerous time to be a follower of Christ. It was largely because of a man named Saul.

Paul was an incredibly influential man. He has done some amazing things for the kingdom of God but it didn’t start off that way. Before he was known as Paul, he typically went by his Jewish name, Saul. Saul was a man who’s identity was found in persecuting those who believed in the Lord, so he had them arrested and sent to prison.

He authorized Steven to be stoned to death for his strong faith in God. While on his way to finding more followers of Jesus a light from heaven shone on Saul and the voice of the Lord asked why was he persecuting him. Saul then questioned who he was speaking to and he said “I am Jesus, who you persecute.” Jesus then gave him instructions on where to go even though he was blinded by the light for 3 days. He then had a dream that his sight would be restored by a man named Anainias.

Points

I believe we can look at the life of Paul and be encouraged by 3 things.

I am not my past (identity)

Paul was no longer his past, killing and persecuting anyone who served the Lord. What are the things in your past that people are speaking over your life..like you’re a bad person, you do bad things, your always messing up, your not good enough? Allow me to encourage you, there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus (). Scripture tells in that when we are in relationship with Christ we are brand new. What you have done, is not who you are. God is for you!

Paul was no longer his past, killing and persecuting anyone who served the Lord. What are the things in your past that people are speaking over your life..like you’re a bad person, you do bad things, your always messing up, your not good enough?

I can make changes in the present (fresh start)

Paul had an encounter with Jesus and it says he fell to the ground. Sometimes the best thing you can do is position yourself lower. There have been moments in my life when I didn’t know what else to do so I had to get low. When you lower yourself in the presence of God, He will elevate you in the presence of man.

Paul was struck with blindness. In other words, he could no longer see his past because was leading him to a greater future. There was a change in Paul’s life. After he encountered Jesus, Paul had to make some adjustments. He had to change who he spent time with. Perhaps the biggest change you need to make is the people that you spend time with.

Paul was led by the hand by a new friend to a new environment for a new purpose. God has given you the power to make changes. You can change your friends, focus, destiny.

He began to share all about Jesus. Even in the midst of people wanted to kill him for sharing the gospel. He continued to

and changed in the present after having time to think about his decisions and seeing that Jesus was real. He began to share all about Jesus. Even in the midst of people wanted to kill him for sharing the gospel. He continued to

I’ll have a better future (purpose/calling)

Paul has made some changes. It cost him his old friends. It cost him his safety. The people he used to work for where now hunting him down. Sometimes following God is risky but it is worth it. As long as God is for you, it doesn’t matter who is against you. Paul was now teaching about the Lord and helping others know of Jesus. Paul went on to plant churches and wrote over 2/3 of the New Testament. Paul went from playing his part in killing Christians to being one of the most influential ones to ever live.

Paul was now teaching about the Lord and helping others know of Jesus. Although

Your best days are in front of you and not behind you.

Closing

What are the temptations that draw you away from the good things for your life? Temptations are the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. Temptations are things that can be harmful to you and that may continue to be a weakness to you. Sometimes there is a temptation to believe the lies of the enemy.

I am not my past, I can make changes in the present, I’ll have a better future