ACTS 9:1-19
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 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. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
TWO STORIES:
SAUL - persecuting the Way
ANANIAS - called to redeem Saul
STORY ONE
SAUL – ROAD TO DAMASCUS
1. ROMANS 12:17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2. HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTION
STORY TWO
ANANIAS - DOING WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO DO
1. HEARING
2. HONESTY
3. HUMILITY
APPLICATION FROM STORY ONE + TWO
- REALIZE: GOD IS IN CONTROL!
SAUL- God’s revenge
ANANIAS - God wants to use you - REST: LET GOD BE GOD
SAUL- God’s ways are phenomenal
ANANIAS - God will use you. - REACT: GOD WANTS TO USE YOU!
SAUL - GOD FORGIVES AND HAS A FUTURE FOR YOU
ANANIAS - ***YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE IT! - RESPECT: GOD DESERVES RESPECT
DAMASCUS ROAD EXPERIENCE
- PRAY FOR GOD’S INTERVENTION
- BELIEVE GOD LOVES THAT PERSON MORE THAN YOU LOVE THEM.
- DO SPIRITUAL WARFARE
IN JESUS NAME:
A. COME AGAINST POWERS OF DARKNESS
B. SPEAK FAITH TO RELEASE THE POWER OF LIGHT
C. FAST AND PRAY
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS MODERN DAY DAMASCUS ROAD EXPERIENCES!