Fighting God… vs. 1-9

• 1^st – Hating Christ… vs. 1-2
  • The Disciples… vs. 1
    • Then Saul still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord!
    • The hate Paul had for the DISCIPLES [μαθητής] had multiplied since the death of Steven…
    • Every BREATH from his mouth was full of THREATS and MURDER [φόνος] towards them…
    • He was so convinced his RELIGION was right – and the DISCIPLES were wrong…
    • He went so far as to TORTURE Christians to get them to DENY Jesus!
    • Acts 26:11 – “I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus.” [NLT]
    • The problem with all RELIGIONS is they can do NOTHING to change the heart…
    • They only give RULES – that make a person look good on the outside…
    • Since God sees the HEART – He condemns the HYPOCRISY of RELIGION!
  • The Epistles… vs. 1-2
    • [He] went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus.
    • If he found any who were of the Way – whether men or women.
    • He might bring them bound to Jerusalem!
    • When SAUL ran out of DISCIPLES in Jerusalem to persecute and imprison…
    • He went to the High Priest and asked for permission to hunt them in other cities…
    • He was given LETTERS [ἐπιστολή] for the SYNAGOGUES in Damascus…
    • If [subjuntive] he found ANY of the WAY [ὁδός] – he could bring them bound to Jerusalem!
    • Saul BEGAN by delivering LETTERS [ἐπιστολή] to try and DESTROY the church…
    • But he would FINISH by sending LETTERS [ἐπιστολή] to ENCOURAGE the church!
    • We might think we are the ones in CONTROL of our lives…
    • But it is the LORD who is the one working – even when we do NOT see it…
    • Preparing us for the WORK that He wants to do in our lives!
• 2^nd – Meeting Jesus… vs. 3-5
  • Bright light… vs. 3
    • As he journeyed he came near Damascus and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven!
    • Damascus is about TWO hundred kilometers north of Jerusalem [modern day Syria]
    • There is only ONE road between the two cities [to this very day]
    • As SAUL was GOING – very close to the city of DAMASCUS…
    • Without any warning [unexpected] – a LIGHT [ἀστήρ] shone around him from heaven…
    • It was so powerful – it was BRIGHTER than the noon SUN!
    • Acts 26:13 – “At midday… I saw a light from heaven – brighter than the sun!”
  • Persecuting God… vs. 4
    • Then he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him:
    • Saul – Saul – why are you persecuting Me.
    • He said: Who are You Lord? Then the Lord said: I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!
    • SAUL fell to the ground – overcome by the LIGHT…
    • And he HEARD a voice asking him – WHY are you PERSECUTING [present] Me…
    • It is worth noting – the voice spoke to him in HEBREW [heart language] – Acts 26:14
    • SAUL asked – who are you MASTER [κύριος]
    • The MASTER [κύριος] answered and said He was Jesus – whom SAUL was persecuting…
    • Yet SAUL had NEVER met Jesus– so how had he PERSECUTED Him!
    • Matthew 25:42-45 – “[Jesus said] I was hungry and you did not feed Me… when you refused to help the least of these My brothers – you were refusing to help Me.” [NLT]
    • The family with NO food – the NEW face at church – the neighbor who is SICK…
    • The SINNER waiting for us to come and tell them about the LOVE of God…
    • When we turn our back on the needs of others – it is Jesus we are ignoring!
  • The Goads… vs. 5
    • It is hard for you to kick against the goads!
    • ONLY found here in Texus Receptus – but it is included in MGNT – Acts 26:14
    • Jesus told SAUL – it was HARD for him to KICK [present] against the GOADS…
    • GOAD [κέντρον] – a stick used to drive an OX forward when plowing a field…
    • When the OX kicks a GOAD – it gets hurt – but the GOAD is unharmed…
    • The GOAD that Saul was having a hard time with – was SIN and DEATH!
    • I Corinthians 15:56 – “The sting [κέντρον] of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.”
    • People think RULES [religion] will give them VICTORY over SIN…
    • But the strength of SIN comes from the RULES [because we cannot keep the LAW]
    • No matter how much we KICK [κέντρον] at our SIN – we never have VICTORY…
    • Because the ONLY way to overcome SIN – is through Jesus!
    • I Corinthians 15:57 – “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus.”
• 3^rd – Blinded… vs. 6-8
  • What to do… vs. 6
    • So he trembling and astonished said: Lord what do You want me to do?
    • Then the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do!
    • TERRIFIED [present] – as he came face to face with the God he thought he was serving…
    • AMAZED [present] – that he could have been so WRONG…
    • SAUL surrendered and simply asked – WHAT is your WILL [θέλω] for me to DO [infinitive]
    • To which God gave him a SIMPLE command – get up and go [imperative] into the city…
    • He would find out LATER [future] what he was going to DO [infinitive]
    • Because it was ALL he could handle at the moment – to realize he had been WRONG!
  • Contradiction… vs. 7
    • The men who journeyed with him stood speechless – hearing a voice but seeing no one!
    • SAUL was NOT alone – the men with him were signing to each other [ἐννεύω]
    • They HEARD a sound [φωνή] – but did NOT see Jesus…
    • Yet PAUL would later say – the men SAW – but did NOT hear – Acts 22:9
    • This appears to be a contradiction – leading people to question the Bible…
    • But if we take a closer look we will see there is NO contradiction…
    • The men SAW a light – Acts 22:9 – but did NOT see Jesus – Acts 9:7
    • The men HEARD a sound – Acts 9:7 – but did NOT understand His voice – Acts 22:9
    • The Bible does NOT contradict itself – it is the inerrant Word of God…
    • When we come across an apparent CONTRADICTION in the Bible…
    • Dig a little deeper – we will always find the Bible is right!
  • Led by the hand… vs. 8
    • Then Saul arose from the ground and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. 
    • But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
    • When SAUL stood up [passive] – his eyes were OPENED [passive]
    • AND [δέ] he realized that he could NOT [imperfect] see [blinded by the light]
    • Jesus blinded Saul [physically] – to show him he was blind [spiritually]!
    • John 9:39 – “I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”
    • We CANNOT convince a blind man that he is going the WRONG way…
    • Until we first help him to see – that he is blind!
    • Those who are RELIGIOUS think they are right – because they CANNOT see the truth…
    • Those who cling to their RULES – need to first see those rules CANNOT save them…
    • Then they will be willing to open their eyes and look to Jesus!
• 4^th – Three days… vs. 9
  • [Paul] was three days without sight and neither ate nor drank!
  • For THREE days SAUL was BLIND [imperfect] – and did NOT eat or drink…
  • You have to wonder what went through his mind during those days…
  • He now BELIEVED in the same Jesus – whom he KILLED others for [Stephen]
  • Just like Jonah was THREE days in the whale – and Jesus THREE days in the grave…
  • God gave Saul THREE days – to take him from death to life!
  • Ephesians 2:1 – “You He made alive – who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
  • When God opens our EYES – He takes away our SIN – and we are FORGIVEN…
  • But being FORGIVEN does NOT take away the memories of our SINS…
  • Which is NOT a bad thing – it is good to REMEMBER what we were saved from…
  • In order to really appreciate what God has done – we need to look back at who we were…
  • Placed on the black backdrop of our past – we see Jesus how amazing His GRACE is!

• 2^nd – Chosen by God… vs. 10-22
  • 1^st – Answering the call… vs. 10-14
    • Here I am… vs. 10
      • Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias.
      • And to him the Lord said in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Here I am Lord!
      • There was [imperfect] a DISCIPLE [μαθητής] in Damascus called ANANIAS…
      • ANANIAS – his name means the LORD [יָהּ] is GRACIOUS [חָנַן]
      • The Lord [κύριος] came to him in a VISION – ANANIAS replied – I am here MASTER [κύριος]!
      • Because the qualification for being used by God is to be ready to answer – Here I am!
      • I Samuel 3:2 – “The LORD called Samuel and he answered: Here I am!’”
      • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send… [Isaiah] said: Here I am!”
      • If we only turned on our phone for FIVE minutes a day – miss a lot of texts…
      • If we left your cell phone at home – we would not know if someone called…
      • For that reason we like to have our phones always on – always with us!
      • We never know when God is going to speak to us – we need to be ready…
      • We need to keep our Bible close at hand – in case God sends us a message…
      • Keeping in constant prayer – just in case the Lord gives us a call!
    • The details… vs. 11-12
      • The Lord said to him: Arise and go to the street called Straight.
      • Inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus – for behold he is praying.
      • In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him.
      • So that he might receive his sight!
      • The Lord [κύριος] proceeded to give ANANIAS very DETAILED instructions…
      • He was to go to a STREET called straight – to the HOUSE of Judas…
      • There he would find SAUL of Tarsus [5x in NT] – who is PRAYING [present]
      • SAUL had [aorist] seen in a vision [he was still blind] – ANANIAS coming into the house…
      • And he laid his [aorist] hands on SAUL – that he might [subjuntive] see!
      • I do NOT think the Lord has EVER given me that many details…
      • There could be NO doubt exactly WHERE – WHO – and WHAT Ananias was to do…
      • Yet rather than GO – he questioned the Lord – because it was SAUL!
    • Doubting… vs. 13-14
      • Then Ananias answered: Lord I have heard from many about this man.
      • How much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
      • And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name!
      • BUT [δέ] – ANANIAS had heard from MANY people about SAUL [reputation]
      • How much EVIL [κακός] he had done to the SAINTS [ἅγιος] in Jerusalem…
      • And [καί] he had power [ἐξουσία] from the Chief Priest to arrest ALL [πᾶς] who call on Jesus…
      • ANANIAS had EVERY reason to REJECT the command of the Lord [he could have died]
      • But because he OBEYED – we have the Apostle PAUL!
      • Mordecai Ham was little known preacher in rural America [1930s]
      • But through him Billy Graham got saved – who preached to 215 million in 185 countries!
      • If we answer YES Lord – we never know how God might use those we reach…
      • If we are willing to share Jesus with just one person – millions can be touched!
  • 2^nd – The Choice… vs. 15-16
    • For Grace… vs. 15
      • The Lord said to him: Go for he is a chosen vessel of Mine! 
      • The Lord [κύριος] was quick to reply – GO [imperative]
      • Because [ὅτι] SAUL was His CHOSEN [ἐκλογή] vessel [cay pot] – II Corinthians 4:7
      • FIRST – chosen to be an example of the power of the GRACE!
      • I Timothy 1:16 – “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.” [NLT]
      • Paul was used by God as a powerful example of how GRACE works…
      • If God can choose to save a sinner as EVIL as Paul [murdered Christians]
      • Then NO one is beyond the reach of His GRACE – God can save ANYONE!
    • For Apostleship… vs. 15
      • To bear My name before Gentiles – kings – and the children of Israel!
      • SECOND – chosen to be an apostle the Gentles – Romans 11:13
      • He would bring the Gospel to the NATIONS [ἔθνος] – stand before Kings [Caesar]
      • He wrote THIRTEEN books of the New Testament – and his impact can still be seen today…
      • It is even argued that he is the TWELFTH Apostle [replacing Judas]
      • Because unlike Mathias [chosen by lots] – he was CHOSEN by Jesus!
      • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me – but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit – and that your fruit should remain!”
      • When God is the one who CHOSES – He is the one who does the WORK…
      • Which is why we SEEK the will of God for our lives – open to how He wants to work…
      • God does NOT care about our PAST – our MISTAKES just magnify His GRACE…
      • There is no greater EXAMPLE of this – than the life of SAUL [Paul]!
    • For Suffering… vs. 16
      • For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My names sake!
      • THIRD – chosen to SUFFER [πάσχω] for the name of Jesus…
      • The Lord would SHOW [future] him – just how much his calling would cost!
      • SAUL would be thrown in prison at least FIVE different times – II Corinthians 11:23-28
      • FIVE times he was scourged [39 lashes] – THREE times beaten with Rods…
      • Once he was stoned to death – but God brought Him back – Acts 14:9
      • Yet SAUL was willing to go to prison – scourged and beaten – even stoned for Jesus!
      • The way to find out how valuable something is – how much would we pay for it…
      • How valuable is the Lord to us – what are we willing to give up for Jesus!
    • For Jesus…
      • Colossians 1:24 – “[I] fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.”

• FOURTH – chosen to complete the work of Jesus…
• Not that there was anything LACKING in the AFFLICTIONS of Jesus [the cross]
• When the work was done Jesus said – it is FINISHED – nothing needed to be added…
• But we were NOT there to see the cross – we did NOT see Jesus die…
• So SAUL was allowed to SUFFER so others could see Jesus in him!
• It is easy to worship Jesus when everything is going well – NO one notices…
• But when we get SICK – when BAD things happen [as they do to everyone]
• And rather than complaining – we REJOICE in the goodness of God…
• Then people stand up and take notice – through our SUFFERING – they see Jesus in us!

• 3^rd – Open eyes… vs. 17-19
  • Holy Spirit… vs. 17
    • Ananias went his way and entered the house – and laying his hands on him he said:
    • Brother Saul – the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you came.
    • Has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit!
    • ANANIAS obediently went – and laid hands on SAUL – calling him BROTHER [ἀδελφός]
    • Seeming to confirm that SAUL at this point was a BELIEVER…
    • And the same Lord [κύριος] Jesus – who APPEARED to him in the WAY [ὁδός]
    • Had SENT [ἀποστέλλω] him to receive his sight – and be filled [subjuntive] with the SPIRIT!
    • Ananias was NOT sure [subjuntive] SAUL would be filled with the Spirit…
    • Any more than we could believe a murderer could become a Pastor!
  • Baptized… vs. 18
    • Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales.
    • And he received his sight at once – and he arose and was baptized!
    • The moment ANANIAS laid hands on SAUL – something LIKE scales fell from his eyes…
    • He IMMEDIATELY [παραχρῆμα] received his SIGHT…
    • Seeing Saul HEALED – ANANIAS took him and BAPTIZED him as a believer in Christ!
    • He had good reason to doubt the conversion of greatest persecutor of the church…
    • But the PROOF was OBVIOUS to see – God had OPENED his eyes…
    • Because God does NOT look at who we were – He sees us in light of eternity!
  • God first… vs. 19
    • So when he had received food he was strengthened. 
    • Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus!
    • AFTER he was given some food – it gave him STRENGTH [2x in NT] – Luke 22:43
    • And SAUL stayed with the DISCIPLES [μαθητής] for many days…
    • But what I find remarkable – is that the BAPTISM came before the FOOD…
    • It really shows how radical the conversion of SAUL was…
    • Having NOT eaten in THREE days – he still prioritized his CONFESSION of FAITH over FOOD!
    • Some of most RADICAL Christians – are the ones who were the HARDEST to reach…
    • Because once they make the choice to follow Christ – they are ALL in…
    • There is NO compromise – they put Jesus above everything else!
• 4^th – Preaching Jesus… vs. 20-22
  • Son of God… vs. 20-21
    • Immediately [Saul] preached the Christ in the synagogues – that He is the Son of God!
    • Then all who heard were amazed and said:
    • Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem.
    • And has come here for that purpose so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?
    • Right way SAUL began to PREACH [imperfect] Christ [Χριστός] in the SYNAGOGUES…
    • Telling the people that he is [present] the SON of God…
    • EVERYONE [πᾶς] who heard him was ASTONISHED [imperfect]
    • Because they ALL knew Saul had KILLED those who called on Jesus in Jerusalem…
    • And he had come to Damascus to ARREST anyone who believed there!
  • Taught by God… vs. 22
    • Saul increased all the more in strength.
    • And confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus proving that this Jesus is the Christ!
    • But [δὲ] SAUL continued to increase in STRENGTH [δύναμις]
    • And continued [imperfect] to STIR up the Jews in Damascus…
    • Showing them that Jesus is [present] he MESSIAH [Χριστός]
    • But the question has to be asked – HOW did SAUL learn about the Lord!
    • After getting saved – SAUL went to Arabia for THREE years – Galatians 1:17
    • There Jesus [not men] taught him and discipled him in the WORD…
    • After which he came back to Damascus – to PREACH Jesus!
    • There are plenty of people who are willing to give us their IDEAS about the Bible…
    • But the question is are they right – or is it just their OPINION…
    • God has given each of us His Holy Spirit – He is the one to teach us…
    • We can be absolutely certain that what the Holy Spirit gives us – it the truth!

John 14:26 – “The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things.”