The Road to Damascus

Introduction: (Acts 9:1-22)

I. Saul was walking along this path which he chose when Jesus Christ reveals himself to Saul, of Tarsus.

II. In that same way before one becomes a Christian they are walking in the path of their choosing, and a result their path is wishy washy changing with whatever they desire.

III. Only when Jesus is shown to someone can they find the straight and clear path.

Body:

I. The path of sin. (Acts 9:1-2)

A. Saul was busy on the path of sin. (Acts 8:1-3; 22:4)

1. Saul was a zealous Jew, a “Hebrew of Hebrews” who was righteous in the law of Moses. (Phil. 3:5-6)

2. However, he was persecuting Christ and his church. (Acts. 9:3-5)

3. He didn’t know he was sinning against God; He believed he was being zealous and devout for God but here he was confronted with his sins.

B. We have all at one point or another been on our own path of sin. (Rom.3:23)

1. James tells us that one is tempted and falls into sin when they are drawn away by their own desires. (Jam. 1:13-15)

2. Sin is a transgression of Gods will. (1 Jn. 3:4)

3. Whether or not we know we are breaking the will of God we are still accountable for our sin. (Rom. 2:11-15)

C. The consequences of that sin whether known or unknown is death. (Rom. 5:12)

1. We are talking about an eternity in hell. (Rev. 20:11-15)

2. That’s a terrifying thought being in eternal torment and being separated from God for all eternity.

3. However, like Saul on the road to Damascus if we are willing, we can be saved. (Acts 9:6-9)

II. The path to Jesus.

A. To get on the path, we need to be on we have to know which way we are going. (Acts 9:10-16) (Rom. 10:17)

1. To learn the path to God we have his inspired word. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

2. We also have preachers to help us learn the will of God. (Rom. 10:13-14)

3. Now we must be careful just taking a preacher’s word because they could be teaching error. (Gal 1:8)

4. The only way to know what is right is to study the word of God. (2 Tim. 2:15)

B. The ultimate conclusion of the word of God is that Jesus is the only way to be save from our sin. (Jn. 14:6)

1. He is God incarnate. (Jn. 1:1-3;14)

2. He died to grant us forgiveness of our sins through his blood. (Jn. 3:16-17)

3. He was raised from the dead to prove that he had defeated death. (1 Cor. 15:55-57)

4. Now he commands us to obey him. (Mt. 28:19-20)

C. What do we have to do to obey him? (Acts 9:17-18)

1. We must believe. (Mk 16:16)

2. We must repent. (Acts 2:38)

3. We must confess him before men. (Lk. 12:8) (Acts 19:17-18)

4. We must be baptized for the remission of sins. (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)

III. The path for Jesus. (Acts 9:19-22)

A. Everything before is the easy stuff now we move on to the hard stuff.

1. Saul has lived his life as a Jew and has converted to the way he knows is right.

2. Now he must walk that walk for the rest of his life.

3. Which he does all the way to Rome and his own execution. (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

B. Likewise, we now must walk in that path after we have given ourselves over to Christ. (Rom 6:17-19)

1. We are now to be servants of righteousness and do all that we are commanded in the scriptures.

2. Including how we are to worship.

3. Also, that we are to also teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mt 28:19-20)

C. It won’t be an easy life.

1. Even Jesus said that we would have to bear our cross daily. (Lk. 9:23)

2. It’s a daily task and there will be times when we stumble.

3. Thankfully as long as we continue to walk in the light, he will continue to cleanse us from our sin. (1 Jn. 1:7-2:1)

Conclusion:

I. What path are you on today? (Mt. 7:13-14)

II. Are you still following your own path or the path another person along that broad way that leads to destruction?

III. Or are you walking in the straight path that Jesus has set before us that leads to life?