God At Work!

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The Christian's development: Paul (vs 23-31).

(2). The man at Lydda: Aeneas (vs 32-35)

(3). The woman at Joppa: Tabitha (vs 36-43)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• A few years ago, someone came up with a list of Lightbulb Jokes.

• And they soon got adapted to Christian Lightbulb Jokes.

• Here are a few of them.

• Q: How many Anglicans does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: 10. One to actually change the bulb and 9 to say how much they like the old one.

• Q: How many charismatics does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: Three, one to change the bulb and two to cast out the spirit of darkness!

• Q: How many Calvinists does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: None. God has predestined when the lights will be on.

• Q: How many Anglo-Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: None. They always use candles instead.

• Q: How many evangelicals does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: Evangelicals do not change lightbulbs. They simply read out the instructions and hope the lightbulb will decide to change itself.

• Q: How many Atheists does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: One. But they are still in darkness.

• Q: How many Open- Brethren does it take to change a lightbulb?

• A: What do you mean change?????

• TRANSITION: Change, conversion, new life, transformation,

• Are all words used to describe the believes new life in Christ.

• The Bible itself uses the term, ‘metamorphosis’ - a complete change,

• (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verses 14-17)

• It is used to describe process by which some creatures undergo a physical change,

• e.g. tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly - 17 Animals go through metamorphosis.

Ill:

• If you were here last week or you know the first part of Acts chapter 9.

• Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Christians,

• A name that sent shivers down the spines of Christians.

• A man determined to eradicate Christianity by means of prison or murder.

• Had an encounter with the risen glorified Jesus Christ,

• Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus.

• And the persecutor become a preacher.

• The opposer of Christianity will become its greatest promoter.

• This is one of the greatest U turns in history,

• And only the power of God could have done this.

• So dramatic and mind-blowing is this conversion,

• That both the Jews and the Christians have trouble believing it!

• And as we shall see in these verses today, nobody really trusts him!

Note:

• In case I confuse you by calling Saul – Paul and vice-versa in this sermon.

• Saul’s name was changed to Paul but not here in Acts chapter 9.

• At the time of Saul’s conversion, Jesus still addressed him as “Saul.”

• And later, Jesus told Ananias to find “Saul” in Damascus and restore his sight.

• You will have to wait until Acts chapter 13 verse 9,

• Which describes the apostle as “Saul, who was also called Paul.”

• And from that verse on in the New testament, Saul is always referred to as Paul.

(1). The Christian's development: Paul (vs 23-31).

Quote:

• Alan Redpath who was a well-known British evangelist, pastor and author.

• I once heard him say these words,

“The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment,

but the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime.”

• In the first part of the chapter, Saul of Tarsus now Paul the apostle has experienced,

• “…the miracle of a moment,” his conversion.

• In these verses he starts the second part of that statement,

• “Manufacture of a saint” – these are his first steps in growing as a Christian.

Note:

• In verses 23 to 31,

• Three things happen.

• FIRST: He witnessed.

• Saul preached the gospel in the synagogues (vs 20-23).

20“At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

• Saul was willing to share this newly discovered message,

• With those he met.

• First in the synagogue but also in the city itself.

Ill:

• Bruno was a mining engineer for most of his life.

• In his free time–and later during retirement,