The Grace Awakening Series

Then, I was told how Jesus wanted to use me when he added words which made me wince: “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” I had slandered His name and in a short while I would suffer for His name.

I’ll never forgot what happened next. Ananias “departed and entered the house.” I could hear him talking with Judas and heard his footsteps as he approached me. I couldn’t see him, but I felt his hands as he laid them gently on my head. He then said two words which made me weep and worship: “Brother Saul…” This was a greeting of grace to a man filled with guilt.

I was now included in the family of faith! No one is too sinful to be saved! Ananias and I were brothers in Christ! Through touch and tender words of inclusion, he gave me the support I needed.

Ananias continued with more good news: “…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.”

Instantly, I felt some crusty scales fall from my eyes and my sight returned! Reflecting on this later, I wrote these words in 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

I started my journey to Damascus physically seeing, but spiritually blind. I ended it physically blind but spiritually seeing.

In order to publicly identify myself as a follower of Christ and as a sign of my conversion, I “rose and was baptized.” Clearly, baptism follows belief. I was born again and then I was baptized. Judas gave me some food and my physical strength returned.

I persecuted followers of the Way, and now, I had found my way because I had trusted in the One who is the only way.

Brothers and sisters, I’m back now as Pastor Brian. It’s not an option to redefine Christianity by taking a buffet approach to our beliefs. If you say you are a Christian, you must first be converted and then you must follow Christ by submitting to what the Scriptures teach.

Application

1. You are not too sinful to be saved. Since Jesus saved Saul, He can save anyone, even you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or how you’ve been living. You may be religious, you may be rebellious, or you might just be a regular person. Either way you need to be saved.

God may have knocked you off your high horse. If so, it’s not because He hates you but because He loves you. He’s not trying to pay you back; He’s wanting to bring you back. God’s not after retribution; He longs for you to experience reconciliation with Him.

2. Don’t lose hope for others to be saved. Some of you have been praying for a loved one for a long time. Don’t give up. Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

3. If you’re saved it’s time to serve. Both Judas and Ananias were faithful to the tasks they were given. Judas opened his home and Ananias opened his arms to Paul. Just as Paul was God’s instrument, so are you. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.