WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.000 Now, our reading today is from Acts chapter 9, it's on page 1103. 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:15.919 ! If you need a church Bible, there are still some at the back, but the words will be on our screens as well. 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:20.400 I'm going to read the first 31 verses. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.300 So let's hear God's Word together. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:30.960 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:36.079 He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:43.920 so that if he found any there who belonged to the way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:50.179 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:56.719 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 00:00:57.539 --> 00:00:59.619 Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:03.100 I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:07.560 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:11.019 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:14.079 They heard the sound, but did not see anyone. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:17.700 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:21.079 So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 00:01:21.380 --> 00:01:25.140 For three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything. 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:28.540 In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.960 The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:34.140 Yes, Lord, he answered. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:41.400 The Lord told him, go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 00:01:42.100 --> 00:01:47.359 In a vision, he's seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:55.039 Lord, Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:02:00.680 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:03.420 But the Lord said to Ananias, go. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:11.939 This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:16.039 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:19.240 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. 00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:21.579 Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:27.539 Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, 00:02:27.859 --> 00:02:31.780 has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:37.659 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:43.280 He got up and was baptized and after taking some food, he regained his strength. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:47.539 Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:52.340 At once, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.120 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:59.359 Isn't he the man who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on his name? 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:03.400 And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:12.140 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 00:03:13.040 --> 00:03:18.020 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:20.560 But Saul learned of their plan. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:25.400 Day and night, they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:30.219 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:36.060 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:38.360 not believing that he really was a disciple. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:41.360 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:46.979 He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:50.439 and how in Damascus he preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:57.699 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:02.839 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:09.179 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:16.740 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. 00:04:17.539 --> 00:04:24.279 Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:25.319 Amen. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:25.420 Amen. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:38.259 And if you will turn with me to Acts chapter 9 and let's discover together what happens when God changes a heart. 00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:44.980 So what we're looking at this morning is possibly the most dramatic conversion story within the Bible, 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:47.279 perhaps within Christian history. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:51.639 Try and picture, I was trying to picture it in our own day. 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:59.719 So imagine in Edinburgh, local news reports of this man, this kind of religious terrorist, 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:06.740 knocking down church doors in order to shut down gospel meetings, 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:10.800 in order to arrest and to drag away Christians. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:25.720 Imagine if he came to our church today, the doors were kicked in, people were getting beaten and scattered and handcuffs were being put on and families were being dragged off to prison. 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:29.960 Sometime later, we hear the news. 00:05:29.960 --> 00:05:33.960 The same guy is off to London to keep spreading his terror further away. 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:37.100 Perhaps we breathe a little bit easier as the people of God. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:40.340 But then months later, he's back. 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:45.400 And on Sunday morning, there's a knock on the door. 00:05:46.660 --> 00:05:48.020 And then he walks. 00:05:49.140 --> 00:05:53.020 But this time, he's not carrying letters of arrest. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:55.100 He's carrying a Bible. 00:05:55.100 --> 00:06:03.720 This time, his heart is not gripped by hate, but with love for Jesus and his people and his message. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:05.720 Jesus is alive. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:08.500 He really is God's son and God's savior. 00:06:10.260 --> 00:06:12.780 The most dramatic conversion in history. 00:06:13.080 --> 00:06:16.260 In this Damascus Road event, and we use that expression, don't we? 00:06:16.780 --> 00:06:20.400 The Christian faith gets its next great leader. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:29.839 As Saul is chosen by God, the mission of Jesus is going to go further and wider and indeed go right to the heart of the Roman Empire. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:36.399 And of course, nobody saw this coming except for the God of glory and of grace. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:41.739 But what does this story have to do with us and how do we relate to it? 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:44.560 Because this is a unique and a dramatic moment. 00:06:45.539 --> 00:06:47.899 But I hope that we'll see there are common features. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:53.779 There are certain things that are true whenever God changes a heart, yours and mine. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:02.060 So we prayed for Boaz at his baptism that there would never be a day when he wouldn't know and trust Jesus as his Lord. 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:04.379 And that's what we pray for all of our covenant kids, isn't it? 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:10.579 So we hope in a real sense that he'll have a very different story to that of Saul. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.699 But yet, in the same time, we want the same story, don't we? 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:18.159 We want someone to grow up to know Jesus as Lord and to live for him. 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:26.240 But whatever our story today, whether you're here today and you're largely ignorant about who Jesus is and what he taught, 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:31.339 or whether you're skeptical, or whether you've grown up knowing the truths about Jesus, 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:39.279 God's desire is this, that you and I would meet Jesus personally. 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:46.120 That we would become members of Jesus' family, the church. 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.239 And that together we would join in the mission of Jesus. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:56.799 Because that's what happens whenever God changes a heart. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:00.680 So let's see it together in Saul's story. 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:05.040 When God changes a heart, we meet the risen Jesus personally. 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:08.420 So look with me at the first nine verses. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.939 And especially here the first couple of verses. 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:17.319 And like every Christian testimony, Saul has his before I met Jesus story. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:25.160 And before Saul met Jesus, we find him breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:28.760 This is picturing Saul as being like a wild beast. 00:08:29.700 --> 00:08:34.920 This is a man intent on murder and mayhem towards Jesus' followers. 00:08:35.180 --> 00:08:42.320 He's absolutely a man on a mission, but it's a mission to shut down and to destroy the church of Jesus. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:47.060 Clearly, Saul is not seeking Jesus. 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:55.479 And equally clearly, God works in power, taking the initiative, showing his sovereign grace, 00:08:55.799 --> 00:09:01.479 showing that God calls people powerfully in salvation. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:06.719 In verse 15, the Lord said to Ananias about Saul, 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.959 this man is my chosen instrument. 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:17.519 And it's a feature of the Bible and it's a feature of the church that God chooses unusual instruments 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.900 for his orchestra and for his purposes. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:29.160 So God chooses people and God can choose whoever he wants and he can use whoever he wants. 00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:34.560 Nobody would have imagined God picking a persecutor to become a preacher, 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:38.480 but that's what God does to showcase his glory and grace. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:42.860 And in this, I think there's a word of hope for us all. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:47.700 No matter how bad we might feel that we are, 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:51.340 no matter how far from God we might feel we are, 00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:56.899 no matter how bad or far from God the people that we pray for are, 00:09:58.320 --> 00:09:59.779 nobody is beyond God's grace. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.899 Nobody is sitting here saying, I am worse than Saul. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:09.439 And the wonderful thing about Saul who becomes Paul is he'll use his story to encourage us. 00:10:09.819 --> 00:10:12.019 He will describe himself as the chief of sinners. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:14.500 He'll say, I was the worst sinner ever. 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:19.179 And if God can save me, then God can save us too. 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:22.779 So there's his before knowing Jesus story. 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:27.199 And then comes this Damascus road moment. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:30.399 And what happens here, and we see it in verses three to six, 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:37.720 in essence is that Paul meets the risen and glorified Lord Jesus. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:42.379 So in verse three, he sees a light from heaven. 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:46.799 This is the glory of God in Jesus being revealed. 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:49.319 And this glory knocks Saul to the ground. 00:10:49.979 --> 00:10:53.859 And then he hears the voice, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:57.319 And instantly Saul knows he's dealing with the Lord. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:04.359 And notice what Jesus is saying here, that when Saul is attacking his church, 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:07.279 Saul is attacking Jesus. 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:11.579 Jesus closely identifies with his people. 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:13.299 That's a great source of comfort. 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:20.059 In this moment, the one that Saul thought was dead and buried, 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:22.659 thought he was a false Messiah, 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:26.659 he discovers he's alive and he's full of the glory of God. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.079 He's not the dangerous liar, he thought. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:32.859 Rather, Jesus is the risen Lord. 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.439 And he gets these new instructions. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:39.479 Now get up and go into the city, and you'll be told what you must do. 00:11:39.979 --> 00:11:42.979 So he had been heading to the city to destroy Christian churches. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:50.759 But now he's going as a follower of Jesus to make disciples for the Lord Jesus in a literal flash. 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:54.539 Everything he believed about Jesus, he discovers is wrong. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:58.080 All that Jesus said about himself is wonderfully true. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:01.560 And his life is changed forever. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:06.959 Again, just think about how that relates to our own stories. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:11.259 For some of us, that maybe comes really close to where we were. 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:15.059 Maybe apathetic to the truth claims of Jesus. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.539 Maybe for years you've shrugged your shoulders at the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:24.279 That Jesus died to be your Savior. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.539 Maybe you went further. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:31.139 Maybe you mocked and despised Jesus and the church as weak and worthless. 00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:37.839 Until the glory and the love of God in the Lord Jesus broke through. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:45.120 Until Jesus makes himself known personally and powerfully. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.039 And then everything changes. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:49.219 Can we relate to that? 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.059 Can we remember that? 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.939 Maybe it happened as you were listening to a sermon. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.819 Maybe in a conversation with a friend. 00:12:56.719 --> 00:12:58.219 Maybe as you were at home reading the Bible. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:00.079 Maybe listening to something online. 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:03.799 All of a sudden, you met Jesus personally. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.879 And the wonderful thing is that's open to all of us today. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:10.839 And what we see about Saul is he is an absolutely changed man. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.159 Look at verses 7 to 9. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.639 And Saul gets up. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.740 He can't see anything. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:19.299 And he's having to be led by the hand into Damascus. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:23.219 He went there proud and self-sufficient on his own mission. 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:26.019 But he arrives weak and helpless physically. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:29.199 But finally alive spiritually. 00:13:31.079 --> 00:13:34.539 This preacher of hate becomes a preacher of love. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:40.059 Again, our story, I imagine, will be very unlike Saul's story. 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:44.039 But you and I all need this in common. 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:49.000 To discover personally Jesus as the Son of God. 00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.599 Jesus as your Savior. 00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:53.439 To know him crucified for you. 00:13:53.599 --> 00:13:54.959 Dead and buried for you. 00:13:55.199 --> 00:13:57.699 And then risen and ruling in heaven for you. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:02.379 You need to meet Jesus as he is revealed in his word. 00:14:02.479 --> 00:14:04.119 That he is good news. 00:14:04.239 --> 00:14:05.939 He is the way to forgiveness. 00:14:06.119 --> 00:14:08.419 He is the way back to God. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:13.419 And this is what happens when God changes a heart. 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:16.620 We meet the risen Jesus personally. 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:22.500 And today, if you're not a Christian, ask him to do that for you. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.719 He's delighted to do it. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:27.139 To reveal himself to you in saving power. 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:29.899 Ask him to be your Lord and your Savior. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:36.360 So when God changes a heart, we meet the risen Jesus personally. 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:40.060 Here's the second thing that we discover from Saul's story. 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:45.379 When God changes a heart, we become members of Jesus' family. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:51.759 So every so often, you get, maybe in the news, this kind of shocking change of loyalty. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:55.519 You know, the footballer who transfers to his bitter rivals. 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:59.960 Or the politician that shifts to represent another party. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:03.840 Or perhaps when a spy network is uncovered. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:09.560 And you discover here these traitors hidden in plain sight revealed at last. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.940 We'll multiply any of those stories by a thousand. 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:20.160 And I think we're coming close to what happens in Saul's own story. 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:23.139 We met him first in chapter 7. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:29.120 And he is standing watching as the first Christian is killed for their faith. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:35.019 He is approving as stones are launched at Stephen to kill him. 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:43.039 And now in chapter 9, we see him approving and getting approval to lead a terror campaign. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:49.519 Nothing makes him happier than grabbing a bunch of Christians and taking them off to prison. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:58.059 Saul's identity, Saul's reason for existing is that he thinks he is doing God's work. 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:01.399 That for him, Jesus is public enemy number one. 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:05.179 And therefore, the church of Jesus must be wiped off the map. 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:15.600 But then, as the risen Lord Jesus appeared personally alive and full of glory, everything changed. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:25.980 And notice that when Luke writes up this account, he doesn't hide the fact that this was a shock to everybody that heard about it. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:32.600 This is not a likely candidate for becoming not just a Christian, but an apostle. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:35.000 So, look at the story of Ananias. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:38.279 Ananias is a wonderful character. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:43.159 Ananias is told, verse 11 by God, go and find Saul. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:43.720 He's praying. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:45.720 Go place your hands on him and restore his sight. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:54.199 And recognize Ananias' response is the equivalent of, God, I think you're sending me into the lion's den. 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:59.399 This is the guy who's been making life miserable for the church. 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.639 He's been hauling people to prison. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:03.000 He's been arresting people. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:09.720 And then, just to flip over to verse 26. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.779 So, you fast forward a few months. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:14.960 Paul's been spending some time in Damascus. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.200 And then, he comes back to Jerusalem. 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:18.599 And notice the response of the disciples. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.900 Verse 26. 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:23.400 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:28.640 But they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:32.400 They are persuaded this is a trap. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.799 Saul is a spy. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:38.960 He's looking to infiltrate and to destroy from the inside. 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:46.019 And what God needs to do is to overcome fear and skepticism. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.359 Verse 15. 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.599 Here's how he does it with Ananias. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:57.339 Go, this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 00:17:57.339 --> 00:18:01.000 So, he speaks directly to Ananias to calm his fears. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:05.339 And then, to the disciples, he sends a Barnabas. 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:08.740 Barnabas took Saul and brought him to the apostles. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:13.980 He told them how Saul in his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him. 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:17.419 And how in Damascus he preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:21.759 And then, you think about the story of Saul himself. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:24.500 Saul would never have imagined becoming a follower of Jesus. 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:30.120 That as the great persecutor, he would become the great preacher of the gospel. 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:31.719 What happened? 00:18:32.719 --> 00:18:35.819 Well, it took the resurrection of Jesus to change his mind. 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:43.500 It took him seeing the risen Jesus to overcome his hate, to break down his hostility, to change his loyalty and his identity. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:47.779 And that changes who he belongs to fundamentally. 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:56.480 There's a beautiful scene in verse 17 when Ananias arrives at the house of Judas on Straight Street. 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.960 Think about this. 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:03.619 This is the first time Saul, as a Christian, is meeting another Christian. 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.240 Normally, a Christian sees Saul. 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.140 They want to run a mile. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.539 But what does he hear? 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.359 Look at verse 7. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:23.779 He hears, brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:29.359 It's as if he hears from Jesus through Ananias. 00:19:30.219 --> 00:19:31.740 Saul, welcome to the family. 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:43.319 And again, in verse 27 and verse 28, he is accepted by those in Jerusalem he had previously wanted to kill. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:50.480 Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:20:02.700 And, you know, this reminds us that the love of God, the forgiveness of God, the grace of God is the force capable of turning enemies into friends. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:06.140 That's what we need more of in our lives and in our world, isn't it? 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:08.740 Back to verse 18. 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:12.340 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.220 He could see again. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.820 He got up and was baptized. 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:17.320 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. 00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:23.140 So notice the sign of membership, the sign of belonging to God's church was placed on Saul. 00:20:23.320 --> 00:20:23.840 Baptism. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:32.899 And this tells us when God changes a heart, we become members of Jesus' family, Jesus' church. 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:41.899 Even if our story is nothing like Saul's, if it seems so quiet and calm and tame and ordinary by comparison. 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:46.199 The moment we personally believe in Jesus, a miracle happens. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.939 Drama happens. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.919 The Bible tells us there's a change of kingdom. 00:20:50.920 --> 00:21:20.900 The Bible tells us there's a change of kingdom. 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.779 A dramatic change of identity. 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:29.220 Because now for the first time, we know God as Father personally. 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:33.480 It's there in the wonderful instinct of Saul in verse 11. 00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.480 Here he is. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.640 He's not eating or drinking. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.900 But what is he doing? 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.700 He is praying. 00:21:39.100 --> 00:21:41.700 He's enjoying life with God, his Father. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:50.740 When God changes our heart, we now have Jesus as our Lord and our Savior and our friend and our brother. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:56.799 And just as was the case with Saul, we too are filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:59.339 So God comes to live in us. 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:03.039 And so it's God and our relationship with God that defines us. 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:06.980 Maybe before defined by jobs and grades and bank balances and success. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:10.019 But now what matters, I'm a child of God. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.700 I'm a friend of Jesus. 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:16.000 So when God changes a heart, we have a new relationship to God. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:19.299 And we have a new relationship to God's family. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:22.360 We become members of his body, the church. 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:28.279 And we hear that with Saul, he is now called Brother Saul. 00:22:28.699 --> 00:22:31.859 And he receives the sign of baptism to show he belongs. 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:34.639 And then we see this becomes his new instinct. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:40.839 So notice, back to verse 26 again, when he goes back to Jerusalem, what's his first instinct? 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:43.159 I want to join the disciples. 00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:45.500 Because they're my new family. 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.139 They're my brothers. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:49.219 And they become his brothers. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:55.759 And let me just say, if you're a Christian, maybe especially if you're a new Christian, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:23:03.400 if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, let me ask you, have you identified publicly with him? 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:10.319 Let me remind us as Christians that you and I, we need a living connection with a local church. 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:14.000 Maybe especially if you've just moved to the city and you're a Christian, 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:20.740 find a local church as a place to belong and to worship and to serve so you can share life with 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:22.220 other brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:25.440 If not here, then some other gospel church. 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:29.059 Because when God changes a heart, we become members of Jesus' family. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:33.059 And here's the third thing that we all have in common with Saul, 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:38.380 is that when God changes a heart, we join in the mission of Jesus. 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:44.040 Verse 20 to 31 show what it looks like in Saul's case. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:49.700 Verse 20, at once, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:56.140 So one thing we know about Saul is that he had a reputation, a terrifying reputation. 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.320 He was the enforcer. 00:23:58.560 --> 00:24:00.080 You know, he got things done. 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:02.220 He was a man on a mission. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:10.180 He had traveled or was traveling 150 and more miles in order to arrest more Christians. 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:15.660 So when he arrives in Damascus, everybody, they know what to expect. 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:20.319 When he turns up in the synagogue, they know, or they think they know, what his message is going to be. 00:24:22.100 --> 00:24:25.539 But then the Bible says Saul baffles them. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.880 They're astonished. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.759 Why? 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:31.900 Because they start speaking for Jesus. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:35.940 Verse 20, Jesus is the Son of God. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:40.019 Verse 22, Jesus is the Messiah. 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:45.339 So Saul will now take his Old Testament and he will say to anyone that will listen, 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:48.920 Jesus fulfills all of these Old Testament promises. 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.460 Jesus is the one you're waiting for. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:53.819 And again, nobody imagined Saul saying this. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:58.980 So when Saul met Jesus that day on the Damascus road, he is converted to faith. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:04.460 And he also gets this wonderful call to serve Jesus, to be his instrument. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:10.640 Verse 15, to proclaim the name of Jesus to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:16.420 And verse 16, I will show him how much he will suffer for my name. 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:28.340 What Mark saw out from this moment on, he will speak for Jesus and he will suffer for Jesus as he is no longer a persecutor. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:31.980 Now he participates in the mission of God. 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:34.519 And he's got this really clear message. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:39.420 So in Damascus, he's talking to them about the unique identity of Jesus. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.980 He is the Son of God. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.319 He's got this unique status. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.720 He is the one promised in the Old Testament. 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:48.819 This king who would rule for God and whose rule would last forever. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.779 The one who is now seated on the throne of heaven. 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:54.559 The one who saves his people by way of sacrifice. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.859 Saul said, this is Jesus. 00:25:57.759 --> 00:26:04.259 Just as the father declared at Jesus' own baptism, you are my son whom I love. 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:06.599 With you I am well pleased. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:10.220 Saul's message now focuses on Jesus, the Son of God. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:14.639 This is how God reveals himself to us in love to the world. 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:18.820 Jesus is the perfectly obedient son. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:25.820 And in perfect obedience, he carries out God's plan to rescue a world lost in darkness and sin. 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:29.500 Is it a popular message? 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:32.040 Not for many. 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:36.620 Verse 23 to 25, we see what happens as Saul begins to suffer. 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:39.160 There's a conspiracy among the Jews. 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:42.020 They're keeping close watch in order to kill him. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:46.720 And so he has to be rescued by being lowered in a basket through the city wall. 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:50.279 But the hunter has now become the hunted. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.779 Now that he professes Jesus as Lord. 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:55.299 And that leads him back to Jerusalem. 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:59.240 But again, notice he has this really clear message. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:08.319 Verse 27, he preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:12.519 Verse 28, he speaks boldly in the name of the Lord. 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:15.899 So he's saying in Jerusalem, Jesus is Lord. 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:20.240 His heart is no longer burning with hate, but love for Jesus. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.500 Now he knows he's the Lord. 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:25.019 He is the way back to God. 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.899 He is God's savior king. 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:31.880 And as he speaks boldly, again, there is suffering. 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:35.460 The Hellenistic Jews try to kill him. 00:27:35.780 --> 00:27:39.880 And he was shipped off to Caesarea and then to Tarsus. 00:27:41.300 --> 00:27:45.940 How to explain this turnaround in the mission and the message of Saul? 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:50.720 Simply put, because he met the risen Jesus. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:54.759 And in that dramatic moment, there was no more room for doubt for Saul. 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.579 Saul had been wrong. 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:59.440 Saul has been humbled by God's grace. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:04.579 And now he's on this new mission to make Jesus known far and wide. 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:11.559 Now again, most of us, we probably won't have a preaching ministry that spans countries and continents. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:16.799 And when we tell people about Jesus, we probably won't stir up so much hate 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:20.220 that it leads to repeated death threats and beatings and arrests. 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:23.000 But this much is true. 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:30.259 When God changes a heart, he gives us a new mission. 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:38.240 That in our way, with our gift, with our personality, to talk and to give glory to Jesus. 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:43.359 And to point others towards Jesus as Lord and Savior. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.779 That happens as we become worshipers. 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:50.039 You know, this moment right now, this is part of our mission. 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:55.700 As together, we are proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and that we want to worship him. 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:58.299 To glorify and enjoy God together. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:04.319 To be part of a body of Christ that makes the love of Jesus visible in the world. 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:09.559 To be a worshiper is something that impacts all of our life. 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:12.359 How we spend our time and our money. 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:15.440 How we use our resources and our gifts. 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.220 How we face our circumstances. 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:21.159 And who we talk about and value most of all. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:25.480 So we become worshipers and we become, like Saul, witnesses. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:31.000 Sharing and showing in our own way what we have discovered to be true about Jesus. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:34.180 So sometimes we're saying to people, come and see. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:37.180 Like Andrew, one of the disciples, to his brother. 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.359 Come and meet Jesus. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.640 I found the promised Messiah. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.759 So we can invite people in. 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.799 Come to church with me. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.859 Come to that CU event with me. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:50.180 Come to spend time with some friends of mine. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:52.460 And they're followers of Jesus. 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:55.500 Because now we live with a mission. 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:58.860 So that others can discover the truth that we've received ourselves. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:02.059 Sometimes our mission is more go and tell. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.059 And there's a man that Jesus healed. 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.799 In the gospels. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:09.019 And he wants to follow Jesus wherever Jesus goes. 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.779 And say, no, instead of doing that, go home. 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:14.240 And tell everyone how much God has done for you. 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:16.660 As he travels these ten cities. 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:19.420 And all he can do is talk about the change that Jesus brought in his life. 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:22.700 So we come and see and we go and tell. 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:24.759 Because when God changes a heart. 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:27.279 We're now participants in the mission of Jesus. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.779 Showing and telling together and individually. 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:32.519 Jesus is the son of God. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.620 He is the saviour king. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.960 He really is the Lord. 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:40.039 So that while our story will not be Saul's story. 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:44.960 Probably the most famous and dramatic conversion story in church history. 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:49.360 God wants to do the same thing in our hearts today. 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:55.420 To give us a living personal encounter. 00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:58.160 A meeting with the risen Lord Jesus. 00:30:59.320 --> 00:31:03.080 That we would become members of his family, the church. 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:06.700 And that together we would join the mission of Jesus. 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:10.039 That we make his love known to others. 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.420 Let's pray about that together. 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:20.420 Lord God, we thank you for the dramatic way that you saved and transformed Saul. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:28.420 Bringing him into your church and giving him that mission as an apostle and preacher to the Gentiles. 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:31.220 Thank you that while that was unique though. 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.640 There are things common to us. 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:36.360 Thank you for those of us who can say. 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:39.200 That there was a moment and a time. 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:42.440 And we still enjoy those times of meeting with. 00:31:42.840 --> 00:31:44.580 The Lord Jesus personally. 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:48.740 That we can call him saviour and friend and king and Lord. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:52.180 Lord, we pray for any here today who are not Christians. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:55.740 That that might be a wonderful privilege that you would grant to them. 00:31:56.420 --> 00:32:01.339 That you would open their hearts and they would ask that Jesus would become their saviour too. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:05.900 Lord, we thank you that as we trust in Jesus, we also get a new family. 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:07.579 The family of faith. 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:09.160 And so we thank you for your church. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:12.740 And we pray that we would be active members in your church. 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:18.620 And we thank you that you give us meaning and purpose and a mission as the people of God. 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:24.579 And we pray that you would be with us as we go from this place into our own situations. 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:27.319 That you would help us to make Jesus known. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:30.640 And all for his praise and glory we ask it. 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.400 Amen.