Straight Street

“Straight Street”

Acts 9:1 through Acts 9:11 (NIV) 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.

I. In Acts chapter 9 we see the story of 2 men that are directed by God to a place called “Straight Street”

A. The 1st man, Saul of Tarsus

1. He is a religious man…

2. He is zealous for God

3. He was well educated,

4. His theology was solid, His fervor for serving God was well beyond any of his contemporaries

5. However, chapter 9 tells the story that he was misguided…

6. He was lost in sin and darkness… he was deceived by the devil

7. This is the story of his conversion along the road to Damascus and how he ended up on Straight Street

B. The 2nd man is a prophet of God, Ananias

1. He was filled with the Holy Spirit… he was in tune with God

2. He would clearly hear the voice of the Lord… and God directs him to Straight Street for a particular purpose

C. This morning I was to talk about getting to Straight Street

1. As far as I can tell this is the only street mentioned in the bible by name

2. I like the fact that it’s called “Straight Street”

3. I believe it speaks of a certain kind of walk with God

4. A lifestyle that is in harmony with the will of God

5. It speaks to me of not only the pursuit of God’s will, but the willingness to walk it out in our lives at any cost

6. Straight Street is the place where the Christian life becomes so real, … vibrant, … alive…

7. it’s the place where we discover the abundant Christian life

Matt. 7:13 through Matt. 7:14 (NIV) 13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

8. It is vitally important that we walk on the narrow road if we are going to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives

9. We must find Straight Street if we are going to know His will,… His calling… His power… if we are to be fruitful in this life

10. Only on Straight Street will find meaning in this life

11. Only on Straight Street will you grow into new depths with God

D. Lets look at the story in Acts 9 to learn about getting to, and living on Straight Street

Acts 9:1 through Acts 9:3a (NIV) 1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey…

E. As he journeyed

1. Saul was on His life journey

2. He was living his life, following his desires

3. He had a noble profession, he was a Pharisee

4. He was well educated, studied under the best teacher in all Jerusalem

5. He was successful… he exceeded all his contemporaries

6. He came from a good family with Roman citizenship

7. He was a religious man… zealous for the law with a desire to please God

8. He was a driven man… he knew where he wanted to go and how to get their