Unbelievable Transformation is the seventh message in our series "Unbelievable" leading us verse by verse through chapters 5-12 of the book of Acts.
Unbelievable Transformation is really part 2 of our message from last week (Unbelievable Conversion), detailing the unbelievable conversion and Transformation of Saul into the Apostle Paul.
Looking in Acts 9:19-31, we emphasized 5 important characteristics of Saul's transformation.
Saul’s Unbelievable Transformation…
1. brought about an immediate COMPLETE CHANGE in Saul.
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. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 9:18-20 NIV
Saul was no ordinary man; he was one of the most influential leaders in all of Israel. Saul was a leading Pharisee and was a member of the Sanhedrin, the 70 member ruling body of the Jewish people. He had made an even greater name for himself as he "breathed out murderous threats" against the church and the followers of Jesus. He was literally on a campaign of murder and destruction when Jesus met him on the road to Demascus.
When Saul got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?”
He said, “Who are you, Master?”
“I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.” Acts 9:4-6 MSG
At this moment, everything changed in Saul's life. Blinded by the encounter, Saul spent 3 days fasting and praying. His whole world had literally been turned upside down...this Jesus who he was convinced was a conman was really the Messiah.
I believe that God looked at Saul's passion and said "there's a man who could change the whole world." One problem...convincing Saul that he was wrong. I am convinced this is why Jesus chose to directly intersect Saul's life. To Saul's credit, after meeting Jesus on the road, he changed his mind completely and, with the same passion he persecuted the church, he began to preach the gospel.
This change was immediate and complete. Saul had a wealth of knowledge about the Old Testament scriptures so he was able to preach with wisdom and power beyond any of the disciples. He wasted no time doing it.
What about you? Have had a personal encounter with Jesus? How did it change the way you think and the way you live? What does God see when He looks at your life?
No comments:
Post a Comment