I.     Introduction: “The Conversion of Saul”

A.  Picking up the pieces from last week.

B.  Read Text – Acts 9:1-31 [CD – Zondervan]

II.   Body

A.  [9:10-19] – The Lord say, “What?”

1.    I can so easily identify with this incident. We come to a point in our lives where we say, “here am I Lord,” and through His word He reveals His will for us and we say, “The Lord say, ‘what?’” “Are you sure, Lord?”

a)    To be honest in my dealings. (“Are you sure Lord?”)

b)    To be a witness 24/7, not just on Sunday. (“Are you sure Lord?”)

c)     To love my wife, even when she is being un-lovely. (“Are you sure Lord?”) Or to honor my husband, even when he is behaving dishonorably. (“Are you sure Lord?”)

d)    To forgive and reach out to even that person who has hurt me so bad. (“Are you sure Lord?”)

e)     To be a good steward with the resources God has given me to manage by practicing good management habits. (“Are you sure Lord?”)

f)      etc.

2.    We are in good company, we are not the only people in history to question the will of God.

a)    Moses – “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Gen. 3:11)

b)    Jonah – Not only questioned God’s leading, he ran the other way.

c)     Sarah – laughed when she was told that she would give birth to Isaac.

d)    Peter questioned God when he told him to eat “unclean” meat. (Acts 10: 9-16)

B.  [9: 15] – Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles,…

1.    Chosen Instrument

2.    Specific Calling

a)    John Piper, “Don’t Waste Your Life.” {Read p. 45}

b)    Make Your Calling and Election Sure {Read 2 Peter 1:3-10} – How do you measure spiritual growth?

3.    Conclusion: God has a specific plan for your life. Are you open to it?

C.  [9:31b] – Finding Peace

1.    Walking in the fear of the Lord…

a)    Cf.: Nehemiah 5: 9

b)    Walking in fear = Living obediently

2.    …and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and it multiplied.

a)    Comfort (And I will send you a Comforter…)

b)    Cf.: v.35

III. Conclusion