Disrupted (Session 1)

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Introduction
Basic Info - Little nervous
I want to know a little about y’all! This or That - raise your left hand/right hand.
Dogs or Cats
iPhone or Android
Mountain Vacay or Beach Getaway
Dr. Pepper or Coke
Christmas Break or Summer Break
I feel like I know y’all a little bit more about you.

Who is this guy?

| Testimony |
Not raised in church, but familiar
Grandpa passed away and parents divorced
GOD DISRUPTED MY LIFE, TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN
I struggled with being away from the church, did the usual WRONG PLACES WRONG CROWDS type thing - sneaking out, lying, drinking -
God existed, but offered me nothing.
I was living a life void of God because I said He wasn’t worth my time.
I WATCHED MY FAMILY FALL APART, THE LOSS OF MY PAWPAW AND THE SPLIT OF MY PARENTS. I BROKE THINGS OFF WITH MY DAD.
Some of you might think like this or have people you know who think like this.
Let’s take a pause in this story

Acts 9:1-19

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.

Who was Saul?

Saul was born in Tarsus
Tarsus was under Roman rule, so he was in a good spot WITH ROME
HE WAS NOT SOME RANDOM CIVILIAN, BUT ONE WITH AUTHORITY
He was schooled as a Pharisee under the Jerusalem religious leader Gamaliel
Pharisees were the religious law, they would be the Good Christian that tells you WHY YOU ARE WRONG
He was not only present at Stephen’s stoning, but he approved of it
STEPHEN WAS THE FIRST NAMED MEMBER TO BRING DIVERSITY TO THE CHURCH
THIS IS HOW JESUS ENVISIONED MINISTRY
took part in the persecution against the church in Jerusalem, where he ravaged there church and drug men and women out of their homes to go to prison (Acts 8:1-3)
Constantly threatens and murder against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1-2)

Road to Damascus

A light shining from heaven surrounds him
He fell trembling, hearing the voice of God call to him
He went blind for three days
HE HAS TO BE HELPED TO THE TOWN
Ananias is told to go to Saul, recounting of his evil
Saul becomes a vessel
SAUL’S LIFE IS DISRUPTED

Who did Saul become?

Saul becomes Paul, leaving behind his name
He went from a life of putting Christians in prison to being a Christian in prison
WROTE A HEFTY AMOUNT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
He traveled for ministry
Would become what God had called him to be.
GOD KNEW WHO HE WOULD BE
HE DISRUPTED

Have you heard God’s voice?

God met me at a DNow in Jasper, TX when I was 14 years old. I was a last minute addition to the weekend and didn’t want to be there.
I WAS THERE. CHURCH KIDS, SEEKERS, JUST HERE
I WAS KNOWN AS TOM, BUT GOD CALLED ME SON
GROUP LEADERS
Gospel presentation
What is it going to take for us to stop and see God, what disruption has to happen?

God works in the disruptions of our lives.

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