I've Been Changed

TEXT: Acts 9:1-9

TOPIC: I’ve Been Changed

Rev. Bobby Earls, First Baptist Icard, NC, March 15, 1998

The basic Christian decision is conversion, turning, redirection. God has saved no man He did not change.

The experience of Saul of Tarsus in the summer of A.D. 33, was just such an experience. He was changed. Through an encounter with the living Christ, his life was forevermore redirected.

Very few have a “Damascus Road” experience of such dramatic intensity. But the reasons for and the reality of Saul’s life-changing experience are the same for all Christians.

I. THE ABIDING REASONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGES US

A. It begins with our own recognition of our alienation from God.

Pharisaism did not work for Paul. Even though his life was outwardly perfect, inwardly he was at civil war. Listen to Paul’s own testimony as found in Philippians 3:4-9. “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (NIV)

Change begins when we recognize our distance from God.

B. Change continues when we hear the faithful witness of Christians.

Saul could not escape the dying agony of Stephen’s face while illuminated with the light of heaven.

Acts 7:54-60 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and

ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (KJV)

Saul could not explain away the boldness and peace of Peter and other believers.

Change comes when we are forced to a time of reflection. Saul’s persecuting trip to Damascus forced him to stop his frenzy of religious activity long enough to have to think, (Damascus was a six day journey by foot from Jerusalem).

Many more would meet Christ if they would but stop to think. Think about the heaven they may miss. Think about the hell they will endure.

II. THE ENDURING REALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGES US

A. For many it is sudden,

B. For all it is illuminating. Saul saw a light brighter than the noonday sun.

C. For all it is personal. Saul saw Jesus. 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?

D. For all it is individual. Others saw the light and heard the thunder, but only Saul experienced the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ.

E. For all it is forgiving. Christ did not condemn him for his past, but gave him a call for the future. (Read Acts 9:15-22)