God Arrests Saul

The Church on Mission • Sermon • Submitted a year ago

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Have you ever seen something so breathtaking that it is imprinted on your mind forever? Have you ever witnessed something that changed your life forever?

Saul was the chief persecutor of the church. He was full of murderous hatred for anyone who dared to confess Jesus as the Christ.

The Revelation of Jesus as Lord (1-9)

“Who are you Lord?” (v. 5)

The revelation of Jesus to Saul was an instantaneous, glorious confrontation of the risen, majestic, glorified Savior.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”

The Apostle Paul’s description of this event was that it was all the providential grace of God!

Gal 1:13-16 “For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;”

Salvation is a gift of God, it is all by His grace and call.

Saul was pursuing the followers of Jesus, but Jesus was pursuing Saul!

Submission to Jesus as Lord (10-19)

“What should I do, Lord” (Acts 22:10)

This is the only appropriate response to the risen Christ!

Submission to the Lord means we are no longer self-willed, but humbly led.

Saul was now dependent upon others for help.

“Here I am, Lord!” (v. 10)

Ananias was willing to follow the direction of the Lord, even though it appear to have great personal risk.

He was an obedient servant. Each of us is called to obey, even when we do not understand.

Ananias received him as a brother.

Proclamation of Jesus as Lord (20-25)

“(Jesus) is the Son of God!” (v. 20)

Saul’s proclamation demonstrated the grace of God. If God can save a man like Saul, he can save anyone!

This became a repeated theme throughout Saul’s life!

1 Tim 1:12-17 “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”