Grace For The Worst Of Sinners Series

Introduction

We are studying the Book of Acts.

It is an astonishing account of the growth of the Church.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Church was located in Jerusalem.

Thousands of people converted to Jesus in the weeks and months following Jesus’ ascension.

However, there was no vision for taking the gospel’s good news to Judea and Samaria and the end of the earth as Jesus had commanded in Acts 1:8.

So, God sent a persecution to the Church.

We read about the stoning of Stephen at the end of Acts 7, which began the persecution of the Church.

That is where we also read about Saul for the first time, as those who stoned Stephen laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58).

In today’s lesson, we will learn about the conversion of Saul, who later became known as Paul the apostle.

Saul’s conversion was highly significant to the growth of the Church.

One commentator writes of Saul’s conversion:

The most important event in human history apart from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the conversion to Christianity of Saul of Tarsus (William J. Larkin Jr., Acts, vol. 5, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series [Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1995], Ac 9:1–19).

Another commentator notes:

The Christian movement… in 35 A.D… would have appeared to a superficial observer to be a Jewish sect. Thirty years later it was plainly a world religion…. This establishment of Christianity as a world religion… can be ascribed to one man… Paul [J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Saul’s Religion (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1921], 7–8).

That is why the town officials in Thessalonica said of Paul and Silas in Acts 17:6, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”

Today, we are going to learn about Saul’s conversion.

Scripture

Let’s read Acts 9:1-19a:

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 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. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19and taking food, he was strengthened.

Lesson

Acts 9:1-19a shows us how God’s grace changes sinners.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. God’s Grace Can Reach Any Sinner (9:1-2)

2. God’s Grace Can Be Sudden (9:3)

3. God’s Grace Is Always Sovereign (9:4-19)

I. God’s Grace Can Reach Any Sinner (9:1-2)

First, God’s grace can reach any sinner.

We read in verses 1-2, “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.”