THE CHIEF OF SINNERS, SAVED!
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: THE CHIEF OF SINNERS, SAVED!
Scripture References: ACTS 9:1-31
Summary:
Jesus said I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. What we have read so far in Acts has proven that nothing will stop Jesus from reaching to the ends of the earth. One gate that never stood a chance was Saul of Tarsus. Saul tried hard to persecute and put out the flame of Christianity but to no avail. God does something next that no one in the church expected or saw coming. Jesus finds and singles out Saul on a road just like the Ethiopian Eunuch and changes his heart. Saul's life would never be the same again. The ministry of Paul dominates chapters 13-28. Paul’s conversion marks a major turning point in the narrative of Acts and one of the most remarkable events in the history of the church.
Notes:
Acts 9:1-31
V. 1-2
Damascus was 140 miles north of Jerusalem. So Christianity has spread quite rapidly now.
V. 3-9
A bright light and a voice speaking to him are two common characteristics of a divine revelation from God in the Bible.
The question, Why do you persecute Me? (cf. Acts 9:5) is filled with significance for it shows the union of Christ with His church. The Lord did not ask, “Why do you persecute My church?” The reference to “Me” gave Saul his first glimpse into the great doctrine of Christians being in Christ. Luke, with Paul, saw Christ and the church as the Head and its body. Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 375–376). Victor Books.
NKJV V.5 Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” A goad is an instrument used by plowmen for guiding their oxen. Shamgar slew six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. "The goad is a formidable weapon. It is sometimes ten feet long and has a sharp point. The expression in Acts 9:5 against the goad, was proverbial for unavailing resistance to superior power. - Easton's Bible Dictionary
V.6 Jesus identifies himself and gives Saul a command to go into Damascus and he will be given further instruction. Saul obeys Jesus. Paul refers to this moment in more detail in Acts 26:11-20.
Saul’s blindness is a sign and judgment for what he was doing to the church. I believe God was using this to humble and melt his cold, hardened heart. Saul was blinded physically so he could see spiritually. The three days of blindness, fasting, and praying (v. 11) were a time of waiting and most likely his time of repentance while waiting for the Lord to direct his next step.
V.10-14
This divine encounter requires some ongoing divine intervention so God speaks to Ananias through a vision or dream.
Ananias becomes a messenger and ambassador for the Lord. He is a believer but there is no description of him being a church leader. How cool is this? God is using an everyday believer to help baptize into the church family one of the most influential apostles in the Bible.
V.11 Notice it says that Saul is praying to Jesus and that Saul has also had a vision (while blind) of a man named Ananias (conversion signs). Saul’s experience was not over yet and he waited for God's next move which was Ananias.
The fear of the people confirms Saul’s violent reputation is well known in this city.
V. 15-16
Saul was to become Paul, the apostle to the uncircumcised or gentiles (Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:2, 7–8; Eph. 3:8), including kings (cf. Governor Felix [Acts 24:1–23], Governor Porcius Festus [24:27–25:12], King Herod Agrippa II [25:13–26:32], and possibly Emperor Nero [25:11]). The apostle, of course, also ministered to “the people of Israel” (cf. 9:20; 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:2, 10, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8; 26:17–20; Rom. 1:16). How amazing that the one who persecuted Christians so violently should himself be transformed into a witness of the gospel—and such a dynamic, forceful witness at that! V:16-The partial fulfillment of this prediction is seen in Saul’s inventory of his suffering (2 Cor. 11:23–27). Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 377). Victor Books.
V. 17-18
Brother Saul—what words of encouragement these must have been to Saul! The first recorded man to call Saul a Christian brother was Ananias. A more complete statement of Ananias’ words is given in 22:12–16…Ananias identified with Saul by placing his hands on him. Saul’s being filled with the Holy Spirit clearly followed his conversion (cf. 4:8, 31; Eph. 5:18). Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 377). Victor Books.
“Saul had been motivated by zeal to persecute believers, but now he needs more than zeal to fulfill his prophetic task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. He must be “filled with the Holy Spirit,” just as the disciples were on the day of Pentecost. The Acts account does not state precisely when he receives the fullness of the Spirit. Most likely he receives the Pentecostal experience as Ananias lays his hands on him.” -FLBC, pg 581
Saul is baptized in water and healed of his blindness. This healing provides Saul with a powerful sign of his calling and the baptism in the Spirit empowers him to proclaim the gospel to everyone. This experience demonstrates that God gives the fullness of his Spirit to those who obey him (5:32) and to those who earnestly pray for it (Luke 11:13). -FLBC, pg 581
V. 19b-21 Saul's transformation noticed by all in Damascus
The Jews were astonished. This response is understandable. The Greek verb existanto is literally, “they were beside themselves; they were struck out of their senses” Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 377). Victor Books.
He had gone to Damascus to persecute the church and instead preached Jesus. No wonder they were astonished. Only the grace and power of God could so effectively change a man like Saul! Saul’s conversion is also a lethal blow to the evil forces against the church of Jesus.
V. 22-30 Paul's ability to defend the gospel/the threats against him.
Paul’s ability to defend the gospel was exceptional (v. 23; 29). The Jews in Damascus nor the Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem could refute him and both thought the best way of silencing Saul was to kill him. Both times, the believers protected Saul and got him out of danger’ way.
It is believed that during his time in Damascus in verses 22-23 Paul had went away to Arabia for approximately three years. (See Galatians 1:11-18)
V.26 Now Saul arrives in Jerusalem. First, Ananias and his vision were needed in Damascus to validate the conversion of Saul and now Barnabas is provided by God to validate Saul’s conversion to the believers in Jerusalem.
Saul’s movements in chapter 9 may be summarized as follows:
1. Jerusalem (vv. 1–2)
2. Damascus (vv. 3–22)
3. Arabia (Gal. 1:17)
4. Damascus (Acts 9:23–25; Gal. 1:17; 2 Cor. 11:32–33)
5. Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–29; Gal. 1:18–20)
6. Caesarea (Acts 9:30)
7. Tarsus (v. 30; Gal. 1:21–24)
V. 31
Peace and missional favor followed these days for three reasons: 1) Saul was no longer a foe but a friend and an effective witness too. 2) The people did not fear man but faithfully worshiped and served the Lord. 3) The Holy Spirit gave them courage and success in making disciples.
Application:
Paul’s conversion is one of the most unique and powerful conversions in scripture. Our scripture today gives us a chance to reflect on our own conversion and be reminded of the grace God has shown us.
What is conversion?
Conversion is a spiritual change of the heart and direction in life. Conversion is a turning from a life of sin and unbelief (repentance) to placing faith in Christ for salvation. Following conversion is a noticeable lifestyle change from the previous lifestyle.
Paul’s own reflection and take on his conversion:
Acts 26:9-11 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death.11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.
Galatians 1:13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.
1 Timothy 1:12-17 NLT Paul said he was the “chief of sinners” or “the worst of them all…” and that he even blasphemed the name of Christ.
Paul’s life took a tangible and visual 180. Paul’s conversion was like turning a rock (hardened heart) into a sponge (receptive and softened). Paul went from hunting Christians to wanting to be in the Christian community. Paul went from blaspheming Jesus to submitting and obeying Him. Paul went from trying to silence teaching about Jesus to being a prolific preacher for the gospel of Jesus. Paul went from persecuting Christians to suffering for Christ. Paul’s attitude towards Jesus changed. Paul’s posture towards his sin changed. His view of the scriptures changed. His purpose in life changed. Paul was eager to serve the Lord, to make the gospel known, to tell the truth to people he used to run with. Paul’s conversion gives us a great example of how you can tell someone has been truly saved and transformed by the gospel. Maybe it's because his change is so stark that it helps but there are universal signs we can apply to our lives.
Do you recall your posture toward sin, God, the Bible, the church, and your purpose in life before conversion? Has it changed since your conversion? Has your outlook on life and what you do with your time, talent and treasures changed since conversion?
For us who have been saved for quite some time there is a love for God that matures and grows up. But let us be careful that we remain grateful for His grace. Let us becareful not to get so comfortable that apathy sets in. Consider your passion to being the hands and feet of Jesus when you were first saved or your hunger for God’s Word and serving Him. There’s no better way to break apathy than to live in the rhythm of prayer and loving the lost around us. The Christian life is one that follows and fixes one’s eyes on Jesus. This outlook on life alone can help keep you from apathy and be an active disciple-maker in your circles.
Paul’s conversion teaches us that:
God loves you, even when you’re resisting his Word and love like a stubborn mule.
Someone once said, “The worst sinners often make the best saints…” LOL!
God has been called the “hound of heaven.” Sounds odd but I get the metaphor.
God’s grace is more powerful than the hardest of hearts.
Do not lose hope or faith in God to save those you are praying for. I believe God isn’t done saving the Sauls in our lifetime. Be ready because you could be the next Ananias or Barnabas who discerns that an unbeliever has been transformed by the gospel.
Despite our past, salvation in Christ offers new life and new purpose!
I love what Paul says in Philippians 3:12… “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Ultimately, Paul was called to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and that he did. But he also ended up writing 12 or 13 books of the New Testament.
Why did Jesus save you? What’s your newfound purpose and place in His kingdom and mission? I’m praying God makes specific purposes crystal clear, but let me remind you of the general purpose we all have which Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Pray:
Pray for the salvation of the hardest hearts and those on the cusp of surrendering to Christ.
Pray for a renewed appreciation of God’s grace that moves us to love and reach the lost.
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
What role did Ananias play in Paul’s conversion?
What noticeable changes came after your conversion?
What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!