Acts 9:1-31

 

The Apostle Paul was, without question, the most colorful character in the New Testament.  His crime to Christ story gives hope to all generations.

 

FACT ONE:          We all have a past        .                                                                                   vv. 1-19

1.         Paul was a         proud         man.                                                                      vv. 1-2

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest  2and 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.

 

2.         Paul was a         sinful         man.                                                                       vv. 3-5

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  4He 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.

 

3.         Paul was made a         new         man.                                                             vv. 6-19

Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias!

Yes, Lord, he answered.

11The 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.  12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.

13Lord, Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  14And he has come here with authority from the chief  priests to arrest all who call on your name.

15But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

17Then 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.  18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,  19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

 

 

FACT TWO:          Christ Came to Save Sinners        .                                                           vv. 21-31

 

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, AIsn’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?@ 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

23After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him,  24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.  25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26When 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.  27But 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.  28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.  29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.  30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

 

1.         Paul experienced         forgiveness        .                                                  Isaiah 43:25

2.         Paul carried         scars        .                                                    2 Corinthians 11:23-28

3.         Paul received         encouragement        .                                                             v. 31