A Terrorist Turns To Jesus Series

Intro: Suppose Osama Ben Laden, Sadaam Hussein, or

another famous terrorist leader was reported to have

been converted to Christ. While many would be skeptical

most would agree that God’s power had been at work and

a Miracle had taken place. Such a miracle happened

to the terrorist named Saul. Let’s examine his experience and notice:

I. The Destructive Direction He was Taking (9:1-2)

*Also reference Acts 8:3*

A. His RELIGION was motivating his Persecution

of Believers in Christ.

B. He was sincere, yet sincerely WRONG!

C. He was taking a destructive direction with

his life...destroying others,and ultimately

would have destroyed himself if God had not

intervened....BUT GOD HAD A PURPOSE FOR THIS

MAN...AND DESPSITE HIS PERSECUTION OF JESUS

AND HIS FOLLOWERS, GOD LOVED HIM ENOUGH TO

STOP HIM IN HIS TRACKS!

II.The Divine "Dead-End" He Encountered (9:3-10)

A. Saul was BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT

UPON GOD AND HIS APPOINTED MESSENGER, ANNIAS

B. SAUL WAS CONFRONTED BY JESUS CHRIST

("Great Voice")

1. Why do you persecute ME? (WHEN YOU

PERSECUTE BELIEVERS, YOU PERSECUTE JESUS!)

2. I AM JESUS (the most High, most powerful

and the Risen Lord! I’m the one your

prisoners speak about.

3. GET UP AND GO INTO THE CITY TO A PLACE

WHERE I WILL TELL YOU.

*Saul is at the MERCY OF JESUS...but OH WHAT

A GREAT PLACE TO BE!!!**

C. HE WAS BLIND THREE DAYS AND TOOK NO

FOOD OR WATER

1. Three days...sound familiar???

Just as Jesus encountered Hell for us

three days...so with Saul’s darkness and

confusion.

D. Annias came to him ("in fear and trembling")

BECAUSE GOD HAD A PURPOSE FOR THIS MAN.

III.The Determined Duty He Accepted (9:10-18)

A. Annias was told "He is a CHOSEN VESSEL

TO BRING LIGHT UNTO THE GENTILES"

*are you seeking God’s purpose for your life?

B. I WILL SHOW HIM THE THINGS HE MUST SUFFER

FOR MY SAKE.

1. Consequences of sin still remain, although

forgiveness has transpired.

2. Saul, as Paul, would suffer greatly

throughout his Ministry. Perhaps it is

because of the cruelty with which He

terrorized believers before his conversion.

C. ANNIAS LAID HANDS ON HIM, HIS SIGHT WAS

RESTORED, AND HE WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY

SPIRIT.

1. This is a prerequisite for any effective

ministry for the Lord: A COVERSION FROM

OUR DESTRUCTIVE DIRECTION TO THE PATHWAY

GOD HAS SET FOR US.

2. Later, this man would write most of the

Inspired New Testament...and those of us

who are not Jewish must give thanks to God

that Paul was an "ambassador" to the Gentiles.

3. The depth of Paul’s experience make his

letters even more meaningful as we today

benefit from His Teachings. HE LEARNED

BY EXPERIENCE!

lessons:

1. We often are going down a destructive path.

2. Don’t wait for God to have to Stop you in your

tracks, come to Him NOW and repent!

3. God loves us enough to CONFRONT US and give

us an opportunity to choose HIS way.

4. Those who bring terror upon others will be

confronted either in this life, or in the next at

the Great White Throne Judgement.

5. Jesus Christ is more powerful than any terrorist

ancient or modern.

6. Have you prayed for God to confront the terrorists

and for them to receive Jesus???

Saul, a terrorist...came to Jesus...others can too.

Let us boldly witness for Jesus, and pray that God

would personally confront the terrorist leaders, and

that they might RECEIVE CHRIST.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!