Bridge Community Church Harstine Island

 

But the Lord said to [Ananias], "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." ESV Acts 9:15-16

 

 

TRANSFORMED BY JESUS
Acts 9

1. SAUL PERSECUTES JESUS
 Saul was an Israelite, Benjamite, Pharisee, blameless law keeper.  (Phil. 3:5-6)
 He was avidly persecuting those who followed Jesus. (I Tim. 1:15-16)
 He was searching for Christians in Damascus, breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (9:1).
2. JESUS INTERCEPTS SAUL ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD.
 A light brighter than the midday sun shone upon him (Acts 26:13).
 A voice spoke to him: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (9:4).
 Those with him heard a voice, but saw no one (9:7).
  Acts 22:9 says they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
  (They heard a voice speaking, but didn’t make out the words.)
 Saul was instructed to enter Damascus and he would be told what to do.
  He was blinded and led by the hand into the city. He was blind 3 days.
 Saul had been doing what he wanted. Now he was to do what Jesus wanted.
3. ANANIAS OBEYS THE LORD AND HELPS SAUL
 God communicated with Ananias by a vision.
 Ananias objects because he knows of Saul, but obeys the Lord.
 Ananias calls him ‘Brother Saul’.
 Saul’s sight is restored, and he is filled with the Spirit and baptized.
4. SAUL’S LIFE IS TRANSFORMED
 He preached Christ in the synagogues. He gave public testimony.
 He spoke of Christ for many days (9:23). The Jews plotted to kill him (9:23). 
 He escaped by being lowered from the wall in a basket (9:25; II Cor. 11:32-33)
5. SAUL GOES TO  JERUSALAEM.
 The disciples are afraid of him.
 Barnabas vouches for him.
 He preaches boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.
 The Hellenists attempt to kill him.
 He is sent to Caesarea and Tarsus. The churches had peace and multiplied.
6. EVERY FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS TRANSFORMED
 New life—Christ in you.  Col. 1:27;  II Cor. 5:17
 New purpose—to glorify God.  I Cor. 10:31; I Cor. 1:9
 New power—indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  Rom. 8:11; John 16:13
 New family—a child of God.  John 1:12
 New destiny—with Christ.  John 14:1-6
 New character—fruit of the Spirit.  Gal. 5:22-23; Matt. 7:16-20; 12:34-37
 New desires—to please God and do His will.  Psa. 40:8
 Saul (Hebrew name) became Paul (Roman name).
  He was used by God to take the gospel to the nations.
  He wrote 13 of the New Testament books.
  He suffered much persecution for following Christ.
  He testified before kings and the children of Israel.
7. GOD USED STEPHEN, ANANIAS, AND BARNABAS TO HELP SAUL
 How are you helping another person come to Christ and follow Christ?