Acts 9 - 08.06.26
SCRIPTURE
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. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” Acts 9:1-6 NIV
OBSERVATION
Paul was on his way to Damascus with murderous intentions for every Christ Follower he could locate. Though he lived in Jerusalem, and though he was a Pharisee who had a keen understanding of Old Testament scripture that prophesied about the Messiah, and had a zeal for Mosaic Law and Ancestral Tradition that had pushed him out ahead of his peers—Paul missed God’s epic entry into this world—The Messiah had Come.
Paul would have to have been aware of Jesus’ countless miracles even if he had not seen them. We know he witnessed Stephen’s stunning and detailed testimony account of Christ as he was stoned in martyrdom. Yet all Paul held toward Christ and His followers was a blasphemous disregard.
Paul was intent on his course. Not looking for a Christ encounter. Yet, that is what Paul got. A knock you to your knees—on the ground—I once was blind and NOW I SEE—Christ Encounter.
“Paul fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
APPLICATION
Paul’s Story is My Story, Our Story
And Every Other Story—Yet to Come!
Paul’s Testimony:
I was the worst of sinners—THEN—Christ Came—
and HE—Poured Out His abundant Grace on me.
“I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor, a violent man, and the worst of sinners” Then—One Day…”The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:13,14).
My Testimony:
I Thought I was saved because I attended church on special occasions and knew my Lutheran Catechism. Pride—Strike One
I saw myself as Holy. But when faced with a genuine born again believer at work one day, who shared the gospel with me, I ridiculed her and called her a Jesus Freak. Blasphemer—Strike Two
I relied on my own goodness to earn myself a way into Heaven, though I had no actual concept of what Heaven was. I didn’t read the Bible. And, Jesus was added into my “mix of beliefs” along with many others possibilities—including reincarnation. Worshipped Other gods-Not Jesus—Strike 3
Like Paul I was a blasphemous, prideful, persecutor who had no issue standing with the unbelievers to make fun of Christ’s sweet representative that day at work.
I was headed for wrath. And definitely NOT looking to have a Christ Encounter. THEN—Christ pursuing me brought me to a Pentecostal church service through someone I barely knew. After an hour of worship, prayer circles, and a Bible teaching out of Nehemiah, The Pastor shared the Full Gospel—and God Spoke to me so clearly “This is for you, raise your Hand”. My life was forever changed that day. “God poured out His Amazing Grace on me”
Before Christ I lived for selfish ambition and outward worldly desires. I had no identity. I lived with crippling fear and anxiety. I would break out in deep red rashes all over my chest and face whenever I needed to speak with people. I couldn’t look people in the eyes. I was desperate for approval.
After Christ my identity was rooted in Jesus. I lived for HIM and godly desires. Worldly desires didn’t have the same power. My crippling fears and anxieties vanished. A quiet confidence filled my mind and heart anytime I needed to speak with people. Christ’s voice was my anchor. I read my Bible and followed Jesus. And I brought my family and friends to “Come and See Jesus”.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display ‘HIS immense patience’ as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:12-16 NIV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for Pouring out Your Abundant Grace on me. I was headed for destruction and had no idea. But out of YOUR infinite mercy YOU saved me.
You gave me an identity as Your daughter. AND, You have continued to Pour out Your Grace and Mercy on me! Your Love is so extravagant. Thank You for coming after me Again and again whenever I have derailed!
I can never look at the Israelites and say “What were they thinking”. I have been a stiff necked, stubborn sinner—wanting to do things my way.
BUT GOD! Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your enduring love. Thank You for teaching me.
Thank YOU that You have allowed me to suffer. You Cleanse me and Purify me. You redeem me and restore me and bring me glory to glory—SO that I can be an encouragement to others! Help us one and all to be spurring each other on.
What a God, What a God!Come and have Your Way in me.
Teach me to trust more fully, teach me to surrender more completely in this new season.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
“Oh give THANKS to the Lord, for He IS GOOD,
for HIS steadfast love—ENDURES—forever!” (Psalms 107:1)
“For by grace—you have been saved through faith.
And this is NOT your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
(Except we may Boast in Our God)