From Basket To Blessings Series

“From Basket To Blessings”

Acts 9:23-28

With a quick review we know that Saul has spent three (3) years in the desert and has returned to Damascus.

Galatians 1:17-18 “Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.”

His boldness in the Gospel message has not diminished but in fact has increased.

Acts 2:22 “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”

I. The Great Escape

Acts 9:23-24 “And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.”

I would like to remind all; just because you are saved does not mean that everyone will rejoice with you, in fact it is very common to experience rejection from those you want to reach.

In our verses we see the extent that they were willing to go to shut Saul up. “…they watched the gates day and night to kill him.”

II. The Great Departure

Acts 9:25 “Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.”

I do not believe for a minute that Saul was running away from his testimony, but rather he desired to return to Jerusalem to meet with the very ones he had sought to kill.

This is called restoration.

Being prevented to safely leave the city, a plan was implemented to get Saul out of Damascus and on his journey.

III. The Great Desire

Acts 9:26 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”

When Jesus met Zacchaeus, in Luke 19:1-8 we see that in his conversion to salvation he said in verse 8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

That is called restitution; which means that in order to go forward there may be something in the past that needs to be made right.

Assayed - to attempt

Saul had this desire to meet with the very Disciples that he had sought to capture and kill.

Can’t say for you but I have witnessed many; that after they were saved by the Grace of God needed to go back and correct a few things.

Don’t be surprised, when those that knew you are fearful about your intentions. “…but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”

Like Saul, it may take someone to intervene and help.

IV. The Great Intervention

Acts 9:27 “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

Barnabas - “son of rest”

The surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul.

Anytime I see Barnabas around I see encouragement following.

Barnabas took him - to lay hold of or to seize upon anything with the hands, to rescue one from peril, to help.

We need more like Barnabas around churches these days.

Instead of prejudgment, perhaps a little grace can be in place.

Declared - recount, relate in full, describe. To lead or go before.

In other words, Barnabas stepped up and testified as to what he saw in the new life of his brother in the Lord, Saul.

V. The Great Message

Acts 9:28 “And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”

This gives us the picture that Saul was accepted and they enjoyed fellowship with this once persecutor now a fellow Child of The LORD.

Conclusion:

Perhaps there may be a message or two for us today?

When one is saved changes take place?

When one is saved perhaps the past needs to be revisited and restitution made?

When one is saved fellowship with other believers become part of our lives.

A word of advice: When you are a new child of the Lord’s he will not leave you where you are but will give to each of us the desire to be transformed into the image of Christ.

That is called Sanctification.