Page 1 of 5

Owasso First Assembly of God Pastor Bruce McCarty May 29, 2016Thank God for those who have sacrificed to preserve our freedom!!!

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Acts 9:1-311. This is one of the most crucial passages of the early church

history.2. Saul would tell of this event two more times as recorded in Acts.3. It became the foundation of his whole life.4. Saul’s conversion benefited from the support of two specific

church leaders.

1. God chooses Saul to be a great leader in theearly churchActs 9:1-11 (NLT) 1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threatswith every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested lettersaddressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for theircooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way hefound there. He wanted to bring them—both men andwomen—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he wasapproaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heavensuddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the groundand heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are youpersecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. Andthe voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you arepersecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you willbe told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stoodspeechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but

saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, butwhen he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companionsled him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blindfor three days and did not eat or drink.1. Saul was the chief antagonist and persecutor of the

early church.2. He was relentless in his efforts to eliminate what he

perceived to be a threat to his religion.3. He was headed to Damascus to arrest more Christians,

both male and female, to reduce their numbers onceagain.

4. In a very unexpected plot twist God intercepts Saul andradically changes his direction in life.

2. God recruits Ananias to assist Saul in hisnew journeyActs 9:10-19 (NLT) 10 Now there was a believer inDamascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him ina vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to thehouse of Judas. When you get there, ask for a manfrom Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me rightnow. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man namedAnanias coming in and laying hands on him so he cansee again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’veheard many people talk about the terrible thingsthis man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14And he is authorized by the leading priests to arresteveryone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lordsaid, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my

message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to thepeople of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much hemust suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias wentand found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said,“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to youon the road, has sent me so that you might regain yoursight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantlysomething like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and heregained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.19 Afterward he ate some food and regained hisstrength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascusfor a few days. 1. Ananias is an unknown disciple never heard from again

in the New Testament. 2. He responds to a vision from the Lord with enthusiastic

obedience…. until he hears the details of theassignment.

3. He then becomes reluctant and wants to make sure Godknows the details.

4. He reluctantly complies with God mission and goes toSaul.

5. He calls Saul “brother.”6. Saul stayed in Damascus for a few days.3. Saul reaction to his conversion is a natural

occurrenceActs 9:20-25 (NLT) 20 And immediately he beganpreaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He isindeed the Son of God!” 21 All who heard him were amazed.“Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation

among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “Anddidn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chainsto the leading priests?” 22 Saul’s preaching became moreand more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’trefute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23 Aftera while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 24

They were watching for him day and night at the city gate sothey could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. 25

So during the night, some of the other believers lowered himin a large basket through an opening in the city wall.

1. Saul’s life demonstrates the words of the apostlesearlier in Acts when they were told to not speak of Jesus— “We must tell of what we have seen and heard.”

2. Saul’s transformation is miraculous.3. Saul’s transformation moves him from being the hunter

to the hunted.4. Saul is assisted by others believers to protect his life.

4. Barnabas encourages the other believers toaccept Saul as a fellow believerActs 9:26-31 (NLT) 26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, hetried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid ofhim. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and toldthem how Saul had seen the Lord on the way toDamascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He alsotold them that Saul had preached boldly in the name ofJesus in Damascus. 28 So Saul stayed with the apostlesand went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldlyin the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-

speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30 When thebelievers heard about this, they took him down toCaesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown. 31

The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee,and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers livedin the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of theHoly Spirit, it also grew in numbers.1. The Christians were extremely wary of Saul.2. Barnabas took him to the apostles and testified of his

conversion.3. Saul was a powerful force for the cause of Christ.4. The church enjoyed a time of peace; and wasstrengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit;experienced numerical growth as they lived reverentlybefore God.

What is your role in God’s Work?