Persecution to Resolution

What is God’s heart for all of creation?

A radical return to right relationship with Him!

Redemption, restoration, reconciliation, resolution to be in right relationship again!

Today we will learn about one of the most radical transformations in all scripture. A dramatic change that Jesus himself executes in the life of a very powerful and influential leader. A very strong person, and for a time, a very bad person.

The transformation in a Pharisee named Saul to the apostle of Jesus named Paul. Acts 9

A man who thought he was doing the right thing-persecuting the early Christian believers-and how we have come to know him as The Apostle Paul.

He comes to a crossroads here in our passage today- I’m either going to keep on this path, doing what I’ve always done— living the way I’ve always lived, or I’m going to change— A radical change.

We first hear about Saul in just a small, subtle way. He actually presides over, approves of, maybe even orders the death of the 1st Christian Martyr recorded in scripture. That’s Stephen. We hear about Stephen in

The Death of Stephen Acts 6:8

Acts 6:8 ESV

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

When you are full of God’s grace and God’s power, people are going to notice.

And our enemy the devil is taking note also. Some rise up and want to shut him down. They arrest him, bring him before a court of sorts, and ask him just one simple question.

(there were lies being stated about him, that he was speaking against the Laws of Moses, and against the Temple worship)— They asked “Are these things begin said about you true?”

A simple yes or no answer— Oh no, Stephen then delivers probably the longest sermon recorded in scripture to answer their question. And the answer is basically this:

All the way back to Abraham, God has fulfilled his promises— he said that he would bring forth a messiah, and that was Jesus of Nazareth. You killed him, and you need to say you’re sorry.

They didn’t take too kindly to that answer.

Acts 7:57–58 ESV

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

It was a custom to take off your outer coat or sweater, and place it at the feet of the person in charge...

Acts 8:1 ESV

1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

This just got very real. Game on. The church, this small but growing community of believers, loving each other, taking care of each other, taking responsibility to carry out what Jesus had instructed them to do—faces it’s first real resistance— they find themselves under fire, from whom? The religious establishment.— From the leaders and those whom they looked up to, trusted. Being accused of blasphemy— All sorts of false accusations— from the brotherhood of God’s people—they find themselves suffering at the hands of their teachers---Just like Jesus did.

Do you ever feel this way, today? I do. We live in a foreign land. We are not citizens of this world. And our enemy seeks every day to steal, kill, and destroy the work of Jesus here on earth.

Jesus said it himself:

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood, and then as a result, words or actions were placed on you that weren’t true? Then people ran with it? That’s this persecution that is happening to the early church. Misunderstood in their own world, by their own flesh and blood. Just like Jesus was.

Today we will see how God can take persecution— and turn it to resolution. He can take Saul, a murderous, self-righteous judge of the law, named after Israel’s first King— His Hebrew name means “desired” or “prayed for”— but Jesus himself changes his name to a Greek name “Paul”, which means “little”, or “modest”. What a change. A change only God could orchestrate.

We love Paul. We cherish the writing that he accomplished. But to truly understand Paul, we need to understand Saul.

“Every Saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”- Oscar Wilde

Irish poet and playwright, lived in the late 1800’s

How could God reach someone like Saul? Throughout our lives, we know of people that we have prayed for— oh, that they would meet Jesus, right?

Saul was one of those guys:

Acts 9:1 NLT

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.

“I’ve got to stop these people… Everything in me has been created to silence these rebels… I’ve got to protect the faith of our ancestors, I need to stand up and fight for whats RIGHT”.

Could this really be the guy who gave us most of the New Testament scriptures?

Oh yes, everybody used to be somebody… I used to be somebody who.... I used to be … But through a radical encounter with the Lord Jesus, coming face to face with the grace and love of God through Jesus, I’m not who I used to be. I’ve moved from persecution, to resolution.

Who was Saul?

Lets dig deeper into who Saul really was:

He was born and educated in Tarsus.

Tarsus was one of the top three centers of the world for education, wealth, commerce, thought, etc. This was one of THE places to be. And Saul was SMART. He studied the law carefully from the time he was a boy. His parents were obviously Jewish, but his father had Roman citizenship— this gave him special privileges.

He describes himself this way:

Philippians 3:4–6 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

From a cultural standpoint- He is THE MAN. Kids are told by their parents, “if only you could grow up to be like Saul”.

Saul is a proud Pharisee, and feels a responsibility to protect and maintain the Jewish faith.

He embarks on a “seek and destroy” mission. Heading to Damascus.

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.

Straight from the High Priest. This gave him ultimate authority to squash the Christians. The highest religious authority.

Anyone who was belonging to the “Way”. Why was it called that?— Because Jesus claimed that he was the “way” to God. John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

So many used that as a derogatory or condescending title— The Way.

Saul’s mind was in a really dark place: he describes it himself:

Acts 26:9–11 ESV

9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

On the road to Damascus, Saul is confronted by Jesus.

Acts 9:3–6 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?” 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.”

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.

He was a proud, and powerful leader when he set out to Damascus— but when he arrived, he was a humble, blind, virtually helpless person. Being led around by his hand, because he couldn’t see.

He was radically changed.

I don’t know what you have in your past. But you are not alone. We all have stuff. Trust it— everyone has their stuff. Stuff that causes shame, guilt, embarrassment. As far as I can tell, there are no sins, no pasts, that Jesus can’t forgive. We can be made new in Him. Paul writes this very concept to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

No-- Saul’s past doesn’t have to determine his future. Oh yeah. Changed lives are the greatest miracles we know. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

Pastor and Author Timothy Keller wrote, “the Gospel of Jesus Christ tells you that you are far worse than you know… but that also you are far more loved that you could ever imagine.”

Paul could have written that hymn: I once was lost, but now I’m found— was blind— but now I see!

People are transformed by Jesus.

Even in the midst of the persecution— no maybe BECAUSE OF the persecution, lives are changed and the church continues to deepen and grow. But he will use others in our lives to continue His work:

Ananias is sent to meet Saul, and help him become “Paul”.

Acts 9:13 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.

God says- “yes, I know his past… but I’m going to let you in on his future:”

Acts 9:15 NLT

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

Gentiles? Oh whoa— You’re going to a whole new level...Paul is to become a church planting, gospel preaching, kingdom advancing machine!

Acts 9:18–20 ESV

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. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Paul was uniquely gifted and prepared to preach the gospel all over the world. Not in-spite of his past, but because of his past!

All the education, all the knowledge of the law and the prophets—It was never to be wasted! Paul now connects all the dots, and he is prepared to help the whole world connect the dots too. Including you and me.

Back to our original question today: What is God’s heart and desire for His creation? For everything to be reconciled back into right relationship with Him. Yes, and our Christian faith is built upon a saviour, Jesus, who was fully God, and fully man— dying on a cross to pay the price for our redemption. It’s as if he knew we couldn’t pay the price for ourselves— JUDGE ILLUSTRATION

We find ourselves in one of three places today:

-Saul:

Self-righteous, proud, attempting to hold onto power, unwilling and unteachable

-Ananias:

Obedient to follow God’s orders, assisting to disciple and guide others in faith and relationship

-Paul:

A new creation, submitted and willing to utilize who you are for His purposes on earth no matter what!

Saul:

A major lesson that we can learn here is that the past can be redeemed. The persecution, the life experience, the education, all that you have been through and become, can be turned to resolution for Jesus’ purpose and glory in your life.

You might be that vessel—

Ananias:

Tell your story, share what God has done in you and through you. Keep alert, and ready to give an answer!

You can also be an Ananias for someone. In obedience, you come along side someone and help disciple them— lead them to understanding.

Paul:

You’re ready, you have come face to face with Jesus, and you desire to see His Kingdom come, His will be done — here on earth. If you will trust Him day by day, he will help you truly sing the words from a really powerful worship song: It’s called New Wine

In the crushing In the pressing You are making new wine In the soil I now surrender You are breaking new ground

So I yield to You into Your careful hand When I trust You I don't need to understand

Make me Your vessel Make me an offering Make me whatever You want me to be I came here with nothing But all You have given me Jesus bring new wine out of me.

May we all aspire to be Ananias’ and Paul’s for the glory of Jesus in the world this week.