Acts 8:3, 9:1-7 The last person I want to talk to you about is a man named Saul.
Saul was a Jewish religious leader and someone who hated Christians.
Act 8:3 “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”
He did whatever he could to see that Christians were persecuted ... prosecuted ... imprisoned ... even killed because they believed in Jesus.
"But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one." - Acts 9:1-7
Saul had been given permission to go to another city to arrest Christians. On his way ... he met Jesus … Saul thought he was doing something that would please God. He was convinced that the people he put in prison were doing something wrong ... that they deserved to be punished, and God was pleased ... But Jesus said Saul was persecuting Him not the people.
Jesus also said Act 9:15 “he (Saul) is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Listen to me … God chose to use Saul for something good – Saul, someone who had done terrible things … was forgiven … Jesus died for Saul … Jesus died for you and me …. Jesus died for the world … that all could receive eternal life … but all people won’t …do you know why? Because not everyone will put their faith in Jesus … Jesus dying on the cross is not enough for anyone to go to heaven … even the demons know that Jesus died on the cross … but you must be born again … you must receive Jesus as Lord and receive the Holy Spirit … It does not matter what you have done that will keep you from heaven ... believe and repent and God will forgive you in Jesus … Come to Jesus ... and find a new life …
Saul was certain that what he was doing was right before God ... he didn’t believe that Jesus was the Christ ... the Messiah ... but then Jesus spoke to him ... to his heart not to his head … and Saul heard Him and believed in Him. Saul’s life was changed forever …. His name was changed to Paul ... and it is because of Paul that I am writing this BLOG today ... proclaiming the Gospel.
Over the past five days, I have told you about 5 people ... five people who thought they had it all figured out ... they knew what life was all about ... but then they met Jesus. Maybe your life or someone you know is like one of these five people … trying to fill the emptiness in us with something, anything but Jesus ... some of us try to be good enough and learn enough to go to heaven. Friend ... we must be born again.
The Bible says in Rom 10:9,10 “that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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