Acts 9:1-19 | "Power in Seeing"

Public Reading of Scripture [Acts 9:1-19]

Acts 9:1–19 ESV

1 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. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Pray

Introduction to Theme

Sight is defined as “the power of seeing.”

But God would not have us trust in what our eyes alone can see. The sight that guides a disciple’s life is a spiritual sight, a gift from God, that sees Jesus for who He is — the Son of God.

The Lord teaches us that while a person may have eyes, they may not have this kind of spiritual sight.

A person may be ignorant of God’s working.

A person may see all of creation, and yet fail to see in it the Creator (Romans 1).

This is why we pray to the Lord: “give us eyes that we may see.” It is a prayer of faith that asks the Lord to: “Give us eyes for our hearts.”

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you, I want to see you.”

I’ve entitled this sermon “Power in Seeing.”

Sight is what a man named Saul thought he had until he met the risen Jesus.

For a time, the Lord took Saul’s physical sight away, so that Saul could experience physical blindness and understand that he had been spiritually blind all along.

Sight is what the Lord will restore to Saul — sight to see Jesus and be used as a chosen instrument for God’s mission in the world.

Introduction to Text

Luke first introduces us to Saul in Acts 7:58. There, Stephen is being stoned to death, and “the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

Acts 8:1 tells us this Saul approved of Stephen’s execution.

Acts 8:3 tells us this Saul “was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, [dragging] off men and women and [committing] them to prison.”

I. Saul - “Who are you, Lord?” [Acts 9:1-9]

From Acts 8:3 to Acts 9:1 when Saul reappears, he hasn’t missed a beat.

During this time, the Gospel has been proclaimed in Samaria and there is much joy there, God sends Philip to an Ethiopian eunuch in the desert and the eunuch learns about Jesus and believes with joy, Philip is preaching the gospel to every town he passes through:

Acts 9:1–2 ESV

1 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.

The Spirit of God who inspired this word to be written would now have us direct our attention on this man named Saul.

Saul is “still breathing threats” against the disciples of the Lord.

That word “still” will be an important word later when this same man will write the words:

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God does not save people who have cleaned up their life. God gives life to people who are dead in sin. While sinners…it was while still breathing threats these things happened to Saul.

Specifically he is threatening murder. He seeks to kill anyone who follows Jesus — anyone who belongs to “the Way.”

“The Way” is a a designation of a group that believed they alone followed the “way of righteousness” (Keener, IVP Background). These disciples belonging to “the Way” believed Jesus Christ to be their righteousness.

But Saul believed righteousness was attained by faithfully obeying God’s law. By keeping the traditions of his fathers. By excelling in the religion of Judaism.

Later in giving his own testimony, this Saul (now named Paul) would say:

Acts 22:3 ESV

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

Later, to the Galatians Paul would say:

Galatians 1:13–14 ESV

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Saul’s persecution knew no bounds. He persecuted men and women who were following Jesus.

Notice that women were not insignificant in the early church. Women had such a role in the advancement of the gospel that they were targets of Saul’s persecution too!

Acts 9:3–4 ESV

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?”

That translation “he went on his way” makes for an interesting play on words. Saul is seeking to kill those of the Way, yet is met by the Lord as he went on his way.

Someone needs to hear this truth: There is no “way” that you are traveling on that is beyond the reach of God to save.

Do you think that you have gone too far in unrighteousness? In sexual immorality? Idolatry? Adultery? Homosexuality? Theft? Greed? Drunkenness? Abuse? (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

This same Saul later testified of his own experience saying:

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Even while known as one seeking to murder disciples of Jesus, Jesus met Saul with a flash of light from heaven “brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13).

He called out: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

The use of Saul’s name twice conveys emotion. Just as when Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha and said to Martha, “Martha, Martha...” (Luke 10:48). He says, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Jesus is always present with his people who are called by his name, so when his church is persecuted, Jesus himself is persecuted.

But with the calling of Saul’s name, this question of the Lord carries with it a bit of wonder at why Saul himself, trained as he is in the law of God, advancing as he is in Judaism, could fail to see how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law he was so zealous for. To the point that Saul, of all people, would persecute disciples of Jesus…

Saul was spiritually blind, and in the light of Jesus becomes physically blind. Jesus removes the sight Saul has, to show him the sight he needs.

When Jesus speaks to Saul, Saul responds:

Acts 9:5 ESV

5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Saul was persecuting those whom he thought were followers of the teaching of a dead man.

A man who claimed to be one with God, a man who was crucified, and buried. A man who Saul considered to be a blasphemer, a lawbreaker — Jesus of Nazareth.

And to Saul, Jesus was a liar who got what he deserved, and Jesus is dead.

But now in his ignorance and blindness, Saul responds to this voice: “Who are you, Lord?”

He recognizes that this presence is a power greater than himself! He does not know who is speaking to him, but he knows the voice speaking is a voice of power! This is an act of God!

And the next words he hears change his life: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

This Jesus, whom Saul has been persecuting, is alive! And has been alive! And has witnessed everything Saul has done up until now! And has suffered from what Saul has done to the Church.

Perhaps Saul trembles at the thought that this powerful Jesus could have stopped Saul’s persecution at any moment! Jesus has witnessed what has happened all along . . .

But Jesus does not explain anything further to Saul. The revelation of himself is what is important for now.

“I am Jesus” brings us back to the moment God spoke with Moses at the burning bush and revealed his name as “I AM.”

Whenever God reveals himself in Scripture it is a very important moment and gift of his grace.

Acts 9:6 ESV

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

It is another example of God’s positioning. Obey the first instruction, and you will receive a second. I’m with you here, and I’ll be with you when you get there. It is an invitation to a journey, to a walk with the living God.

Acts 9:7–9 ESV

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. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

The scene then shifts from Saul to a disciple named Ananias. Just as God is acting through Jesus to accomplish his purposes through Saul, God is simultaneously acting through Ananias for the same purpose.

II. Ananias - “Here I am, Lord” [Acts 9:10-19]

Acts 9:10 ESV

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

When the Lord called to Saul, Saul said “Who are you, Lord?”

When the Lord called to Ananias, a disciple, Ananias said “Here I am, Lord.”

These are the two responses that identify two groups of people: those who know Jesus, and those who do not.

If you know Jesus, and he calls your name, you respond with “Here I am, Lord.” “I am here, I am listening, I am ready to obey.”

If you do not know Jesus, and he calls your name, you respond with “Who are you, Lord.”

What would be your response if you heard the Lord calling your name?

The Lord gave very specific instructions to Ananias:

Acts 9:11–12 ESV

11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

Saul has seen Ananias coming to him in a vision. How is it that a man who cannot see, can see a vision?

Answer: Through prayer.

Prayer is the means by which we see the things of God. Saul is praying, and he sees although he is blind!

But before Ananias obeys, the God preserved for us Ananias’ response. And God preserved Ananias’ response to remind us again of just how bad Saul is.

Acts 9:13–14 ESV

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

If you were to call together a meeting of people from the Bible and ask them to describe this man named Saul,

Luke would speak up and call him destructive.

Jesus would call him a persecutor.

Ananias would call him a performer of evil or harm.

Synagogue attendees would say “we’re afraid of him.”

And even Paul would say “I was the chief sinner.”

But the Lord had a purpose for Saul.

Article (Russell Moore? Around the time of Billy Graham’s death, suggested that the next Billy Graham could be drunk right now….”)

If God can use Saul, God can use anybody!

Acts 9:15–16 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Unlike anyone else, Saul persecuted the church, and unlike anyone else, Saul would suffer.

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 ESV

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

God’s calling of Saul did not spare him from suffering. God’s calling of Saul was a calling to suffer — but to suffer for the name of the one he was persecuting!

Acts 9:17–19 ESV

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Conclusion

Saul’s testimony of conversion is told three times in the Bible. And as the author of most of the New Testament, Paul weaves in his own commentary on his life before Jesus — all to show how great God’s grace is, that God would not only save, but call into his service someone like him.

If God saved Saul and had a purpose for Him, there is no one too evil that God cannot save, redeem, and use for his glory.

The obvious tension in this text is the question by Ananias, and other disciples — Is this change in Saul real? Can they believe what they are seeing?

But God diffuses that tension because with the same boldness with which Saul persecuted the Church — Saul boldly preached Jesus.

What the people saw was a man who wanted to kill disciples of Jesus, now proclaiming the truth about Jesus — Saul was a living witness and testimony of God’s grace!

God would not have us trust in what our eyes alone can see. The sight that guides a disciple’s life is a spiritual sight, a gift from God, that sees Jesus for who He is — the Son of God.

Sight is what a man named Saul thought he had until he met the risen Jesus.

Why do we gather together each week to hear the gospel? It is to be reminded that we ourselves were once dead in our trespasses and sins, enemies of God — but God’s saving power through Jesus is available for all who believe in His name.

And for all who believe — God gives power to see.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.