Reference

Acts 9:1-22

Series Changed:

Recount Jane Doe: Main Point: We All Have Issues

The Apostle Paul

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. (Acts of the Apostles 9:1-22 NLT)

  • “and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58 NLT)

“Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” (Acts 8:1-3 NLT)

Who Saul Was Before He Encountered God?

  1. Very

2. Rich

3. Well

4. Man

5. Ambitious

6. Man

Prov. 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6 "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

GOD KNOWS HOW TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!

JESUS CHRIST, THE KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS, CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE – I AM THAT I AM!

All our religion is nothing without Jesus. Without Him we are nothing; we can do nothing outside of His power within us; we can accomplish nothing for the kingdom of God without Jesus.

The and the act as a sharp goad to constantly push us toward the Cross of Christ.

Often times, unless there is a true encounter with God, you will never truly understand how much you need Him.

SAUL WAS INSTANTLY CHANGED FROM PERSECUTOR TO PROCLAIMER! Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. (Acts 9: 22 NLT)

How did the Damascus Road Encounter Change Saul into Paul?

  1. It enlightened him to who Jesus really was
  2. It put Saul/Paul in his place. - I am God and you are not
  3. It shed light on what was wrong in Saul/Paul's life.
  4. It gave him a new focus in life.
  5. It let him know that God had a purpose for His Life.