Radical Transformation

Radical Transformation

Acts 9:17-30

When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are given a new identity, and their journey of spiritual growth begins.

Some people have a radical transformation take place in a short amount of time, demonstrating a fundamental shift in beliefs, values, and behavior, and growth in Christ.

Radical transformation often begins with the Holy Spirit working on a person’s heart, convicting, convincing, and drawing them to the LORD.

Once the person responds to the Spirit, that person repents by turning away from sin and heading towards the LORD, as the blood of Christ cleanses all of their sin.

A Christian’s transformation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey following Jesus, learning from scripture and becoming more like Him every day.

Please open your Bibles to Acts 9

Last week, we talked about Saul being a picture of the Old Man.

During the persecution against the early church, Saul consented to the murder of Stephen.

Then Saul went to the High Priest for permission to bring Christians from Damascus to Jerusalem to stand trial.

As Saul was traveling the road towards Damascus, a great light shone on him. Jesus asked Saul a very telling question in Acts 9:4, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

Saul asked, “Who are You, Lord?” Jesus answered Saul. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Then Saul asked, “What do You want me to do?”

Jesus told Saul that a man named Ananias was going to help him, and Ananias became the bridge of Evangelism to connect Saul with his new life in Christ!

After hearing the LORD’s message about Saul, Ananias questioned God’s call.

Today, we will hear how Ananias obeyed the LORD and went, and then Saul demonstrated a radical transformation in his life.

I. Ananias went to find Saul.

Read Acts 9:17-19

Ananias showed courage and went to meet Saul. He went on the basis of nothing except what Jesus said. This is called faith, trusting what the LORD has said and responding!

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. NKJV

Warren Wiersbe said, “Based on James 1:22, true blessing comes not just from hearing God's Word, but from actively doing it.” (Wiersbe)

The LORD blesses our obedience. Hearing a great sermon does not change someone unless they apply God’s Word to their life!

Ananias took the LORD at His word that Saul was a changed person. Notice, Ananias referred to Saul as “Brother Saul”.

Even though Ananias had heard all the rumors about Saul’s terrible past, he accepted the fact that Saul had repented and was now a brother in the LORD.

Laying hands on him and calling Saul a brother powerfully communicated the love of Christ, as he was blind and could not identify who was speaking.

Some argue whether Saul was saved at this point because of verses found later in this chapter, but Ananias recognized Saul as a Christ follower as he called him brother Saul.

Are we willing to accept people for who they are in Christ and not hold their past sins against them?

Also, notice, the LORD did not require any of Ananias’ natural ability to do His will, only Ananias’ willingness to “Go”.

The LORD sets up Divine appointments for us every day of our lives; the key for us is to listen to the voice of God and obey.

The old hymn had it right when it said, Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Just like Phillip and the Eunuch from last week, the LORD sets up the appointments, and we are to simply enjoy following Him.

The LORD still does things like this today, as we encounter someone and discover they need a listening ear something else we are able to do for them.

Godcidences are where the LORD leads us to see other people’s needs, loneliness, and hurts, not as interruptions, but opportunities to be His hands and feet.

Ananias said to Saul, “Receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Here is one of the questions about Saul’s salvation.

Did Saul not receive the Holy Spirit the moment he got saved out on the road?

We have learned in the past that to be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Spirit.

Notice the difference between Ananias and Saul before his conversion…

In vs. 5, Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord? In vs. 10, Ananias replied, “Yes, Lord”.

Ananias must have spent a great deal of time listening to the LORD to be able to recognize His voice so quickly.

If you are struggling to discern the voice of God, it is a clear indication that you need to spend more time with Him to be able to recognize it.