"The Conversion (Transformation) of Saul"
Sermon Notes
Saul is converted by the sovereign grace of God (9.1-31). What does transformation look like and how does it happen?
1. Saul the enemy – the hunter becomes the hunted (1, 2).
Transformation may happen through people we least expect to be transformed
2. At midday, Saul is intercepted from heaven and captured by Jesus (3-9)
Jesus continues to lead His church from heaven, and He still calls people to follow Him.
Saul now understands the unity between the Savior and the saints.
Saul, the great persecutor, now becomes blind, weak, and impotent and has to be led to the city.
Though blind, he now sees Jesus for the first time.
Jesus is always the initiator – the pursuer.
Three elements of salvation:
• A personal encounter with Jesus through a witness of the gospel
• A response of surrender in repentance and faith
• Receive the blessings of salvation and incorporation into the church
3. The Lord prepares a friend, Ananias, for Saul (10-19a)
Friendships are essential for spiritual growth.
Jesus always goes ahead of us.
Jesus always chooses us (“he is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name …” [9.15]).
4. Saul’s early days as a believer, and his preparation for ministry (19b-30)
• In Damascus (19b-25)
• In Arabia (between v.22 and v.23
But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days (Gal 1.15-18).
A Pattern for Spiritual Growth (from Saul)
• Share your faith
• Spend time alone with God
• Embrace hardship
• Be a part of other believers and work with them – the church
5. The state of the church (31)
The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria has peace, strength, encouragement, growth, and godliness.
God Prepares the Church (Peter) for the Gentiles (9.32-43).
God continues to transform lives through Peter in Gentile areas. He keeps wanting to transform Peter as well, and He will.
• In Lydda (32-35)
• In Joppa (36-43 – at Simon the tanner’s house)
Questions for Thought:
1. Are you fighting against God in any way now?
2. How has God prepared you?
3. How does He continue to prepare you?
4. Is He getting ready to do something new in your life?
5. Are you serving Him and following Him now?
6. How is he using others in your life to help you grow?