From Acts to Revelation : Part 25 – Saul's Conversion II

From Acts to Revelation

Part 25 – Saul's Conversion II

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Saul's introduction came in Acts 7, when he was present at the stoning of Stephen.

We read in Acts 9 that Saul has taken it upon himself to seek the approval of the Sanhedrin to track down all of the followers of Christ that fled into Samaria and Judea, bringing them back to Jerusalem to stand before the Sanhedrin for trial.

With the full agreement of the Sanhedrin, Saul began his journey hunting down Jesus' Disciples, when he met with the Lord on a road to Damascus.

Here, the Lord revealed Himself to be Christ, and Saul submitted to Him, asking for instruction.

The Lord commanded that Saul seek out a man in Damascus who would heal his blindness.

Saul left the meeting, blind, and fasted for three days while traveling to Damascus in search of the man named Ananias, whom the Lord had also visited.

Ananias laid hands on Saul, and prayed, and Saul was healed, and received the Holy Spirit.

He was then baptized, and ate so he could regain his strength.

He was now a servant of the Lord, a follower of Jesus Christ, and equipped for his service.

Today we will see how Saul had difficulties with other followers accepting him because of his past, and how those from his past, now hated him. He traveled many times, to differing cities, trying to find where it was that the Lord wanted him.

1)     When you came to the Lord, did other followers accept you easily?

2)     Do you accept new converts easily?

3)     What about your past, do you find those whom you thought were your friends no longer agree with you?

4)     Lastly, have you discovered yet, where it is the Lord wants you to serve Him?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 9:19-31

19 Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 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?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

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

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

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

I.       ACCEPTED

a.      Saul was immediately accepted, and spent many days with the disciples.

i.       They were inviting, and warm towards him, although they knew of his past.

ii.    They allowed him to be among them, and did not turn him away.

iii. They encouraged, and lifted him up.

b.     He began preaching right away, Jesus is the Son of God.

i.       He did not wait.

ii.    He knew the scriptures already, for he was a Zealot.

iii. His eyes now open, after receiving the Holy Spirit, he understood the scriptures he had learned over the years.

c.      All of those who heard him were confused.

i.       and asked, Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?

ii.    And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?

d.     Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

II.    REJECTED

a.      After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him.

i.       The ones he was trying to save, wanted him dead.

b.     but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.

i.       You cannot serve the Lord if you are dead...so he left to another town to preach.

ii.    For every person that refuses to listen, there are 100 more for you to preach to.

c.      But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

i.       The other disciples helped Saul escape.

III. UNTRUSTED

a.      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.

i.       Here we see the opposite of what happened in the Damascus church.

ii.    They did not accept him, they did not trust him, they judged him solely on his past.

b.     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.

c.      So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

i.       We see he was eventually accepted because of Barnabas stepping in.

d.     He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 

i.       If you want someone to want you dead, debate religion with them.

e.      When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

i.       Now Saul would return to his hometown.

ii.    The scriptures say a prophet is not welcome in his home town, but that does not mean God won't send prophets to their hometown...because although the majority may reject that prophet, and they do not welcome him with open arms...the truth needs to be shared everywhere, and there will always be a seed that was sewn.

IV.  TIME OF PEACE

a.      Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.

b.     Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

CONCLUSION

1)     When you came to the Lord, did other followers accept you easily?

2)     Do you accept new converts easily?

3)     What about your past, do you find those whom you thought were your friends no longer agree with you?

4)     Lastly, have you discovered yet, where it is the Lord wants you to serve Him?

From Acts to Revelation : Part 24 – Saul's Conversion

From Acts to Revelation

Part 24 – Saul's Conversion

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Saul was introduced to us as a young man working with those who stoned Stephen at the end of Acts 7. They laid their cloaks at his feet while they killed Stephen, and the scriptures tell us that Saul consented to the death of Stephen.

Because of the persecution lead by people like Saul, the church in Jerusalem dispersed, traveling to Judea and Samaria.

Today we are going to look at Saul, and how his hate for followers of Christ grew to the point it consumed him.

Sometimes, when a truth is presented to us, it has such a profound effect on us, that it becomes difficult to accept. The bigger the truth, or the bigger our “self”, the more difficult it is to allow God to do a work in us.

We will see how, God, judged Saul, not by his actions, but by his heart, and how Saul, through obedience, became a servant to the Lord.

Two weeks ago, before we took our break for Passover, we saw Saul hunting Disciples.

The scriptures say, “Saul spoke threats and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord.”

We then see the Lord appear to him, and speak. Saul, trembling and astonished, submitted to the Lord, or became “saved”, and asked the Lord, “What will You have me do?”

And the Lord said to him, “Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Today we take a look at how God fulfills His promise to Saul, and how God works through believers to do this.

Reminding us, we truly serve God when we serve others. Listen as we read about a servant of God obeying His commands.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 9:10-19

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

   “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

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

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

 15 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. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

 17 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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

I.       GODS COMMAND TO ANANIAS

a.      God Speaks to Ananias in a vision

1.      God may speak through the reading of His word

i.        Many times I have been reading the word and God speaks to me through it

2.      God may speak in dreams or visions

i.        Sometimes we do not hear Him because the world is so busy around us, so He will speak to us in our dreams...or we may have visions

3.      God may speak to your hearth through impressions

i.        This is how God usually speaks to me, through impressions in my heart

4.      God may speak to you directly (audibly)

i.        As with Saul, though you may hear God, others around you do not

5.      God may speak to you through other believers

i.        We sometimes call this “confirmation”, because God has already spoke with us about a matter, but we are afraid to move until we are sure...He then speaks through other believers to give us that confirmation we sometimes need.

6.      God may speak to you through prayer

i.        Sometimes during prayer, when we are silent, and listening...He will speak.

b.     God is specific in detail

1.      God is not vague when speaking

2.      He is God, and knows all

3.      He is specific in prophecies, giving names, and locations and even dates of events

4.      When one says they speak for God, if even 1 single prophecy is incorrect, then it was not God

c.      We see God's prophetic word to Ananias was 100% accurate

II.   ANANIAS' RESPONSE TO GOD'S COMMAND

a.      He was a servant of God

1.      God chooses to work through His people

2.      This is why we are called the Body of Christ

3.      If God is not effective and powerful in the world today, it is only because we are failing

b.     He heard the command of God clearly in his vision

1.      This is not the Ananias who was with Sapphira in the beginning of Acts

2.      They were from Jerusalem, this was Ananias in Damascus

3.      He heard God clearly in his vision

c.      He was afraid to serve

1.      We can often be afraid to serve or obey God

2.      We can feel like we may be in danger, like Ananias

3.      We may feel like we are inadequate, like Moses

4.      We may feel like we don't want to, like Jonah

5.      How ever we may “feel”, we must obey God's command if we are to call our selves a servant.

i.        Remember last week, we found from scripture that a servant is someone who “serves”, or “does” what they are commanded.

ii.     If you do not “DO”, then you do not serve.

d.     Ananias obeyed God

1.      In spite of his fears

III.   SAULS CONVERSION IS COMPLETED

a.      God fulfilled prophecies to Saul and Ananias 100% accurately

1.      Two men who never met, were BOTH told about each other with remarkable detail.

2.      God fulfilled His word to both of them perfectly

b.     Ananias laid hands on Saul for receiving the Holy Spirit

1.      As we have seen in other scriptures, after one submits to the Lord and is “saved”, they receive the Holy Spirit secondly, this is required to serve God...

c.      Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes

1.      When the Lord appeared before Saul, He was a great light

ILLUSTRATION:

A friend of mine was blinded in high school for a short while because he looked at someone welding without wearing goggles. His eyes formed layers that looked like plastic wrap over them from being burned by the bright welding light.

After these came off, he could see again.

Acts 9:3 “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”

You want evidence that the word is the truth...listen to the description of the bright light flashing, and Saul becoming blind from it, and the scales coming from his eyes after a few days.

That description could not be “made up” 2,000 years ago, when they did not have anything bright enough to cause this. No one would have known about what happens when the human eye is faced with a bright light, so intense it burns it. I believe this description is proof, and evidence that this event happened, and it really was the glory of the Lord that shone so bright that it blinded Saul.

d.     He was then baptized

1.      The outward expression of a Spiritual truth, that we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord, and the New Covenant of God, through His atoning sacrifice.

e.      After eating, he regained strength (fasted for three days)

1.      Although we serve God, and He is a Spirit, there are physical laws we must obey...Saul had to eat to regain his strength after fasting for three days.

CONCLUSION

For us to rightly call ourselves followers of Christ, we MUST be “Doers” of His word.

By “Doing”, we are actually serving.

When we serve others, we are acting on behalf of God, and are called the Body of Christ.

When we obey that which God commands us, we are being “Good and faithful servants”

Has God spoke to you lately? Have you heard what He has to say?

Has He given you a command?

From Acts to Revelation Part 23 – Saul Blinded

From Acts to Revelation

Part 23 – Saul Blinded

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

Saul was introduced to us as a young man working with those who stoned Stephen at the end of Acts 7. They laid their cloaks at his feet while they killed Stephen, and the scriptures tell us that Saul consented to the death of Stephen.

Because of the persecution lead by people like Saul, the church in Jerusalem dispersed, traveling to Judea and Samaria.

Today we are going to look at Saul, and how his hate for followers of Christ grew to the point it consumed him.

Sometimes, when a truth is presented to us, it has such a profound effect on us, that it becomes difficult to accept. The bigger the truth, or the bigger our “self”, the more difficult it is to allow God to do a work in us.

We will see how, God, judged Saul, not by his actions, but by his heart, and how Saul, through obedience, became a servant to the Lord.

Two weeks ago, before we took our break for Passover, we saw Saul hunting Disciples.

The scriptures say, “Saul spoke threats and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord.”

We then see the Lord appear to him, and speak. Saul, trembling and astonished, submitted to the Lord, or became “saved”, and asked the Lord, “What will You have me do?”

And the Lord said to him, “Arise, and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 9:8-9

8 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. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

I.       HAVE YOU MET WITH THE LORD?

a.      There are three steps to the relationship the Lord wants with you today.

i.       Meet with Him

1.      The first will of God is Salvation.

2.      Your personal Salvation is God's first will for you in your life.

3.      Have you met with the Lord?

4.      Not all have experiences like Saul or Moses.

5.      However, we MUST all meet with the Lord.

6.      Saul met the Lord on this day.

II.   Illustration:

      My personal experience meeting with the Lord was somewhat like Saul's, in the sense that I, like Saul, did not know I was seeking the Lord. I, like Saul, believed “I was right with God”, although my life told a different story.

      When I met with the Lord, I was at the end of my ropes, as it were. I had given up on myself, and given up on life. But God had never given up on wanting me.

      We underestimate God's love for us, and the lengths at which He will travel for one soul. The scriptures teach that our Shepherd will leave the 99 safe in the pastures to retrieve the 1 lost in the wilderness.

      I do not know how many times my Shepherd called me before I responded. But I do know that when I needed Him most, I realized He was there the entire time, calling me home.

i.       Submit to Him

1.      The second will of God is Service.

2.      This is called “The Great Commission”

(a)  Take the Gospel into ALL THE WORLD (the church does this, do you?)

(b)  Baptizing in name of Father, Son & Holy Spirit (Full Gospel) “ “ “ “ “ “?

(c)  THEN, teach them to obey all the Jesus commands. “ “ “ “ “ “?

3.      You cannot serve by proxy.

(a)  Your service cannot be “done” by another.

(b)  You cannot “ride” your spouses, or your churches coat-tails into heaven.

(c)  YOU must SERVE...

4.      We see in the scripture that Saul submitted to the Lord this day, and was ready to serve.

ii.    WAKE UP!

1.      The third will of God is asking Him, “What will You have me do Lord?”

2.      “11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” - Romans 13:9-12

3.      Many have met the Lord, and say they have submitted, but do not serve.

(a)  How has one submitted if he does not serve?

(i)    A police officer is sworn to serve, but if he is hired to be an officer, takes the sworn oath, and sits around, never doing his job, is he serving?

(ii) Self-serving, perhaps.

(b)  Have you sworn an oath, yet do not serve?

(c)  OBEY – (verb) Comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person or a law); submit to the authority of. Carry out (a command or instruction)

(d) How does one “obey” if he does not “do”?

(i)    Works does NOT save us, however, if we are saved, we WILL have works!

(e)  Many deceive themselves into thinking they have a right and healthy relationship with the Lord, yet they slumber when it comes to service.

4.      Saul asks the question, which comes from complete submission, “Lord, what will You have me do?”

iii. HAVE YOU SUBMITTED TO THE LORD?

1.      In scripture, MANY met with the Lord, but not all submit.

(a)  The rich young man

(b)  Sadducee

(c)  Pharisee

(d) Ananias and Saphira

2.      Just because you may have met with the Lord, does NOT mean you submitted to Him.

3.      Saul asked the question, showing he submitted, but he proved it with OBEDIENCE!

III.               ARE YOU STILL BLIND?

a.      Saul was blinded by the glory of the Lord that day

i.        So many today meet with the Lord, ask what they should do for Him, then continue through life, blinded, because they did not obey.

ii.     Saul fasted for three days and nights after meeting with the Lord.

1.      Fasting is an exercise which brings our flesh under submission to our spirit.

2.      If our spirit is in union with God's, we can get our sinful flesh under control of God's Spirit through fasting and prayer.

3.      Saul was telling his body it was going to obey the Spirit of God.

b.     Saul's obedience led him into a right relationship with the Lord

i.        You cannot have a relationship with the Lord unless you meet with Him.

ii.     Once you meet with Him, you must submit to Him.

iii.   Once you submit to Him, you must serve Him.

c.      Are you serving the Lord today?

i.        Have you asked Him what it is He would have you do?

ii.     But more importantly, are you doing it?

CONCLUSION

Our submission is not mere words, but obeying the lord's commands. Service to the Lord is a MUST from those who are saved.

Are you in obedience to the Lord in your life today?

Or are you still blind, wandering around aimlessly, thinking everything is all right?