A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Acts 9:1-22
INTRODUCTION:
A. I read an article on line at topachiever.com the other day written by Gail Elliott, president of Innovations.
1. The title of the article was Life Changing Experiences.
2. She was talking about one of those really bad hair days, when nothing was right: the weather was bad, she was feeling bad – you know – and she was getting cranky, as well.
3. As she rode the bus to work there was a man who got of at the same stop she did and they both went to a news stand, where the vender was nasty.
a. He was rude, abrupt, and unsmiling, just adding to her gloomy day
b. Yet the gentleman with her spoke kind words to him and thanked the man for being open that morning so they could get their paper.
c. She saw this and felt compelled to ask him how he could be so nice.
4. His answer was, “Why would I let someone else control what I say and what I feel or what kind of a day I’m going to have.”
5. She wrote, “That was 25 years ago, but the impact on my life has lasted.
6. Our interactions with people we encounter can impact so many more” – just as this one did. It changed her life.
B. Whereas her experience, which she describes as life changing, was within the temporal, Saul is about to learn this lesson on a much grander scale.
1. This man was fine with life as he knew it.
2. He was a self-righteous, educated, elitist as a Pharisee.
3. He had stood by, giving his consent, while others stoned Stephen for his testimony of Jesus.
4. And we read these words in the beginning of our text for this morning, Acts 9:1-2 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
5. As far as Saul was concerned he was doing God a favor by persecuting those who were of “The Way.”
6. Little did he know that on the way to Damascus he would have a life changing experience of “epic” proportions.
7. So great was the change I originally wanted to have a title of such proportions: it was almost entitled “A Miraculous Paradigm Commutation,” but in the end I settled on something I could understand and pronounce – hence “A Life Changing Experience.” We will begin by showing it all begins with
a. Salvation, moving us to
b. Discipleship and Fellowship, and crowing it off with
c. Witnessing
C. If you ever come to know the Jesus of the gospel you cannot help but have A Life Changing Experience for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17
1. Praise God!
2. A New Life In Christ!
PRAY
Saul was going about his predetermined, self-appointed task of removing the blight of society from off the face of the earth when he encountered the Lord! The first step in this Life Changing Experience was
I. SALVATION, Acts 9:3-9 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. [7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. [8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. [9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Please note three specific things:
A. First, There Was Illumination, Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
1. As I read I could not help but think of so many verses which speak of illumination or the lack thereof, two of which are
a. 2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
- It is the devil who keeps so many from seeing Jesus – he uses all this world has to offer: things, attitudes, fears, pleasures, cultures, and even religion.
- Anything and everything that will keep one in darkness, lest they see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
b. 2 Tim. 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
- When the light comes busting through it bounds over all these; over all our sin, sinful desires, and sinful attitudes
- The gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ) brings light that gives us sight to the glorious things of God- bringing life and eternal life!
2. This can only happen when God does the work in the hearts of men, for No man can come to (Christ), except the Father which hath sent (Him) draw him: John 6:44
3. Only God can illuminate the mind with the gospel. (It is not my purpose to convince you of your need – but to preach the gospel and let God convince you of your need)
B. This Illumination Leads To Conviction
1. God knocked Saul off his “high horse” and spoke to his heart!
2. “Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me? I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
3. It is at this point that Saul comes to understand that God was talking specifically to him and that he had been at odds with the Lord
a. Saul had tried to understand the things of God with his natural mind, but now God shows Himself to Saul and He sees much more clearly
b. This is what Paul wrote to the Romans, For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:6-7
c. And to the us John writes And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:8-11
d. Only God can illuminate the heart to the need of a Savior - Conviction
C. God illuminated Saul mind, convicted his heart and and then Saul accepted the Lord
1. Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
2. True illumination of the mind and conviction of the heart will lead to accepting Jesus Christ, not only as Savior, but as Lord!
3. This single moment in time was to be the beginning a life long - Life Changing Experience!
4. It is not just that moment, but all of life: both in the good and the not so good
5. Jesus as Lord & Savior!
6. Salvation is a miracle and solitary work of God that becomes A Life Changing Experience
Following this moment we see the experience continue in
II. DISCIPLESHIP/FELLOWSHIP, Acts 9:10-12 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. [11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, [12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
A. The next paragraph in chapter 9 tells us of a disciple named Ananias whom the Lord calls on to go and do two things with Paul.
1. The first of which is to provide discipleship
a. He comes as a prophet to tell Saul what will happen next
b. Listen to these words recorded in Acts 9:15-18 the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. [17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. [18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
c. Saul, soon to be known as Paul, begins his intensive basic training right here
d. Knowing the Old Testament as he did it was a matter of putting it all in perspective concerning the true Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth!
2. Secondly, Ananias was God’s bridge to fellowship, Acts 9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
a. This would have been necessary because everyone knew Saul was out to “get them”
- These were the first words out of Ananias’ mouth: remember Acts 9:13-14 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
b. Yet God wanted Saul to have fellowship with other Christians so He provided the way.
B. For this life changing moment of salvation to continue to be a life long changing experience one needs both discipleship and fellowship.
1. Discipleship helps us grow in the knowledge of God’s word and ways
- That is what Sunday nights are all about, learning about God’s word and ways
- For example, tonight we will be looking again into our Journey to a Happy, Healthy Home buy studying how a wife can meet her husband’s needs and next week we will be looking at how a husband can meet his wife’s needs.
- 2 Tim. 2:15 states, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2. Fellowship helps us to grow in our relationships with others and find encouragement.
- This is why the writer of Hebrews wrote, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb 10:25
3. Our life is to be changing daily, through discipleship and fellowship – this is A Life Changing Experience!
Finally, we will find that if we are saved, growing in discipleship and fellowship we will be
III. WITNESSING, Acts 9:20-21 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. [21] But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
A. Though Saul’s discipleship started immediately he did not wait until he was “ready” he proclaimed what the Lord had done for him.
1. In both Acts 22 & 26 he gave his testimony concerning his salvation experience and spoke of the Lord!
2. His testimony was heard as “the one who persecuted the saints but now preaches the Savior!”
B. Now some of you may be saying, “My testimony (an explanation of your salvation experience) is not that miraculous – I tell you that is a lie straight out of the depths of Hell.
1. For anyone to be saved is a miracle – it is a Life Changing Experience of “epic” proportion!
2. For by grace we are saved! And
3. Our mandate is to spread the good news of the gospel; Jesus said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
4. And the psalmist wrote, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;...Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:2 & 8
5. Praise God we have the words of life – let’s spread them around!
CONCLUSION: Let me testify, Christianity is
A. A Life Changing Experience: it begins with salvation but grows daily through discipleship, fellowship and witnessing.
B. I bring you this message from the life of Saul, not because it is so different from ours, but because it is so illustrative of us all!
1. If you want a life changing experience go to the Lord: as he illuminates your mind, convicts your heart and brings salvation you will experience the wonders of instructive discipleship and true fellowship all of which you will want to tell someone else about!
2. Notice the last words of our text, Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
3. This is a Life Changing Experience, indeed!
