A Life Transformed
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Saul’s Life-Changing Encounter
Saul’s Life-Changing Encounter
Paul was confronted with the reality of Jesus Christ - Acts 9:1-5
Paul was confronted with the reality of Jesus Christ - Acts 9:1-5
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest
and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Saul became aware of his own sinfulness - Acts 9:5
Saul became aware of his own sinfulness - Acts 9:5
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Saul willing yielded to the direction of God - Acts 9:5-8
Saul willing yielded to the direction of God - Acts 9:5-8
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Saul would later recount the transformation in his view of himself - Phil 3:5-8
Saul would later recount the transformation in his view of himself - Phil 3:5-8
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;
as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Saul’s Discipleship
Saul’s Discipleship
God recruits Ananias - Acts 9:10-15
God recruits Ananias - Acts 9:10-15
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Ananias ministered to Saul - Acts 9:16-19
Ananias ministered to Saul - Acts 9:16-19
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Ananias accepted Saul
Ananias met Saul’s needs
Ananias baptized Saul
Ananias gave Saul time
Saul exercised his ministry by preaching Jesus - Acts 9:20-22
Saul exercised his ministry by preaching Jesus - Acts 9:20-22
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Saul’s ministry was preaching, ours may be very different
Saul grew in his ministry
Saul’s Discipleship in Jerusalem - Acts 9:26-27
Saul’s Discipleship in Jerusalem - Acts 9:26-27
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Barnabas provided encouragement
Barnabas provided introduction to the fellowship
Lessons Learned from Saul’s (Paul’s) Conversion
Lessons Learned from Saul’s (Paul’s) Conversion
God can save anyone
God can save anyone
God is not limited in His methods for reaching anyone
God is not limited in His methods for reaching anyone
Salvation requires that we encounter Jesus
Salvation requires that we encounter Jesus
Salvation requires a change of direction
Salvation requires a change of direction
Our growth in discipleship requires our involvement in ministry
Our growth in discipleship requires our involvement in ministry
Our growth in discipleship will involve other believers
Our growth in discipleship will involve other believers
