Two Small Fish
December
12, 2005
Introduction:
Saul was a devout Jew. In his letter to the Philippian church, he wrote, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” (Phil. 3:4b-6 NIV). Saul believed he had the right to persecute those who proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ. He was so caught up in tradition that he failed to understand Scripture. Saul lived during a time that religious leaders busied themselves with their own opinions instead of studying the Word of God. They began to create their own truth and ignore the Truth of God.
Saul had his own agenda. After consenting and witnessing Stephen’s death, Saul instigated the persecution of all those who confessed faith in Jesus Christ. Securing permission to spread his vehemence mission, Saul traveled to Damascus. Saul’s intent and God’s intent were two different matters.
Saul’s Purpose God’s Purpose
Saul
sought praise and prestige from his peers
God brought him to scorn and ridicule
Saul had little regard for human life God gave him a love and concern for all people
Saul sought opportunity to persecute the church God allowed him to be persecuted for Christ’s sake
Saul wanted to extinguish the Light God blinded him to show him the Light
Saul was an ambitious, self-righteous Pharisee God changed him into a zealous servant
Before Saul reached Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around him and he dropped to the ground. Jesus appeared and spoke to Saul at that point. Our Lord asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. Jesus Christ is one with His bride the church. Whenever someone rises up against her, Christ takes personal offense to it just as a loving husband would take offense if someone violated his wife.
Saul’s feeble response echoes through the centuries – Who are you, Lord? Before He will reveal Himself to us, we must want to know Him. God had placed a mandate on Saul of Tarsus and began to deal with the bitterness and indignation within his heart. The Lord used physical blindness to open Saul’s spiritual sight. With no way of knowing if his current blindness was permanent, Saul fasted and prayed for three days.
While Saul prayed, Jesus visited a disciple named Ananias to prepare him for the task of restoring Saul’s sight. Ananias walked closely with the Lord. He knew Jesus’ voice and responded to His command. However, Ananias boldly approached the throne of grace with his concern. Jesus reassured him with His plans for Saul. Ananias obeyed.
Upon his arrival, Ananias wasted no time in identifying the One who sent him as the same Jesus whom Saul had encountered on the road to Damascus. When he laid his hand on Saul, two things happened. First, “something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes” restoring his physical sight. The movement was from darkness to light and serves as a wonderful analogy of Saul’s spiritual transformation. Then, he received the Holy Spirit clarifying his spiritual sight. Ananias immediately baptized Saul thus identifying him as a follower of Jesus. His encounter with Christ changed Saul the persecutor into Paul the preacher.
Without hesitation, Paul began to preach the name of Jesus Christ. As well imagined, the citizens of Damascus where astonished. Although the Bible doesn’t state that Ananias vouched for Paul, we can be sure he did. As a result, the other disciples received Paul into their community. However, the Jews were angry because he became a traitor to their cause and conspired to kill him. When the disciples found out about the conspiracy, they helped Paul escape.
Paul fled to Jerusalem where he tried to join the disciples. But, they didn’t believe his proclamation of Christ until Barnabas told them all the events that happened concerning Paul on the road to Damascus and how he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Paul remained with the apostles until his life was again threatened. At that time, they sent him home to Tarsus.
God blessed the church with peace, strength, and encouragement by the Holy Spirit. It grew in numbers. And all believers lived in the fear of the Lord. Here fear denotes admiration and reverence.
Paul did what was right in his own sight until the Lord took his sight away. When Paul came face to face with Jesus, it changed his life. He put away his own agenda and immediately began to work on God’s. In the account of Paul’s conversion, we find that God continuously supplied Paul’s needs, protected him, and comforted him through the work of other disciples. We are commissioned by God to carry out the same agenda.
Prayer Requests:
Tammy, Melinda & Barry and family, Jenn, Jordan, Joey, Phyllis and husband, Barb, Aaron, J.J., Joyce, Donna, Jackie, Nora, Karen and Raph, Anna, Trinity, Roger, Ayden, Nick, Anita, Darlene, the Kline family, Cassi, our Monday Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Next Weeks Study: Read Acts 9:32 thru 10. Peter opens the door to the Gentiles.
Invitation:
God has a plan for your life. His first concern is that you believe in the Biblical account of Jesus Christ. He will complete the work He has begun in you, if you submit to His Spirit. This is the Christmas season, established to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The only thing He wants for His birthday this year is you. Repent and receive Him as you Savior. It’ll be the best Christmas you’ve ever had.
Trinity has been on our prayer list for a while. She’s a beautiful three-year with a rare blood
disease. If you’d like more information about her, you can
find a link to her website on my link page. www.trinityewert.faithweb.com
May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Brenda Hendricks.