Acts 9 - The Road to Damascus
The Language of Heaven
I am so grateful to be here today. If you don’t know me, my name is Joe, and I’ve been on staff here for seven years. Seven years ago, my wife and I came to Fresno with our own plans. How many of you know that you can have your own plans, but God has His own plans for your life? I came thinking I was going to plant a church in Reedley, but God said, “No, you’re going to go work at a church called The Well, and you’re going to plant a church there.”
So that’s what we did. We started in the living room of my house, and we got the opportunity to start La Fuente. If you know anyone who speaks Spanish, I invite them to our gatherings. We meet at 11:00 at the Fig Garden campus. It’s called La Fuente, which means “The Fountain” in English. I always say that the language of heaven is Spanish—so if you didn’t get the memo, every time I preach, I’m going to tell you that! Today, I get the honor and privilege of bringing God’s word in the earthly language, which is okay, but just know that God has something beautiful for your life.
The Impossibility of Staying the Same
If you have your Bibles, open them to the book of Acts, chapter nine. We are in this series called “Encounters with Jesus,” and we’ve come to this conclusion: every person has to have an encounter with Jesus. For those who haven’t had an encounter with Jesus, you don’t know what you’re missing. I said this statement last time I was here: it is impossible to have an encounter with Jesus and not be transformed. Can you say that again, Pastor? Here it is: it is impossible to have an encounter with Jesus and not be transformed.
As we look at the different encounters throughout this series, we see that each person had a reaction. Whether it was positive or negative, their lives were transformed because of their response to that encounter. Today, we get to respond to the Word of God as we look at the story of the early church. I love the book of Acts, specifically chapters seven through ten. In chapter seven, we see Stephen, the first deacon. In chapter eight, we see the Gospel going to the Samaritans and an Ethiopian eunuch receiving Christ.
Then, in Acts chapter ten, we see Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, become a believer. Peter gets a revelation from God that the Gospel is for everyone, not just the Jews. Peter was one of those religious people—you know the type, don’t look at them, but they’re really tight. He has a dream where the Lord tells him it’s okay to eat some carnitas and pork chops now. Everything is being blessed, and God’s people say, “Amen” to that! I love me some carnitas.
I believe with all my heart that the writer, Luke, is trying to convey one thing in these chapters: God can change anyone. Say it with me: God can change anyone.
From Saul to Paul
We see this through a guy named Saul, who later becomes Paul. If you grew up in church, you know about Paul. He wrote thirteen letters of the New Testament. He did more to spread the Gospel outside of Jerusalem than any other disciple. He’s the one who said, “All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord,” and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
But he wasn’t always Paul. He started off as Brother Saul. I argue today that you cannot fully appreciate Paul if you don’t know anything about Saul and what he went through in Damascus. Who he is is best understood by where he began. Now, can I preach to you this afternoon? I brought my sweat towel, so that means I’m ready to preach. Listen: don’t allow yourself to be discouraged by the criticism of people who don’t know where you come from and don’t know what you have been through. If you don’t know where I started, you can’t appreciate who I am today.
To understand Paul, you have to go to Acts chapter seven. Stephen is being stoned to death for his faith, and guess who is there? Saul. The Bible says they laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul while they killed Stephen.
Acts 7:58 (NASB)
When they had driven him out of the city, they [began] stoning [him]; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Saul was a Pharisee, a Roman citizen, and a tentmaker. He was trained by Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers in Jewish history. He didn’t just have a zeal for Judaism; he had a furious hatred for Christians. His heart was so hard and his spirit was so filled with hate that he began ravaging the church.
Acts 8:3 (NASB)
But Saul [began] ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
The Greek word for “ravaging” describes a wild boar ripping and guarding to shred. But as the church was persecuted, it scattered, and as it scattered, the Gospel spread. This made Saul even more mad. He determined to go to Damascus to stomp out Christianity there, too. But our God had other plans.
The Unlikely Choice
Oswald Chambers said that perhaps the most important event in human history, apart from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, was the conversion of the Apostle Paul. When God shows up, He is able to convert the most unlikely of sinners.
If we had to vote, we wouldn’t have chosen Saul. We wouldn’t have licensed him for ministry. Why? Because we know who he was. So often we disqualify people from being used in God’s kingdom because we think we know their “issues.” But if you have that spirit, you must not be reading your Bible very well. Everybody God chooses has some kind of issue! Every person God uses has some drama. Some of you could make a soap opera out of your life. Thank God we didn’t have cell phones when we were younger, because we were doing some bad things.
Think about God’s surprising choices. Abraham came from a family of idolaters. Jacob was a deceiver. Moses stuttered and was a murderer. Solomon was a womanizer. Rahab was a harlot. David was an adulterer. Most of the apostles were just fishermen and tax collectors. And let’s not forget about “Sanctified Gangster” Peter. That guy carried a knife around and cut people’s ears off! God chooses the people from the ghettos, not just the rich and famous.
Saul’s destiny begins while he is still breathing threats and murder.
Acts 9:1 (NASB)
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
The Divine Confrontation
In order for anyone to be transformed, God initiates the conversation. The Lord chases Saul down to save him, even though Saul hates the Lord. You might not be blinded by a light from heaven today, but in order to get your attention, God might have to do some violent work in your soul. For some of you, the chaos in your life right now is God trying to get your attention. He wants a relationship with you.
As Saul was approaching Damascus, a light flashed around him. It was noon, when the sun is brightest, but this light eclipsed the sun. It was the glory of the risen Christ.
Acts 9:3 (NASB)
As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
True salvation always results in conviction over sin. Saul is flat on his face, ready to be confronted. The Lord asks him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He tells him it is hard to “kick against the goads.” A goad was a device used to give pain to an animal when it fought against the owner’s plan. Saul had been fighting against God.
Acts 9:4 (NASB)
and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
True transformation begins with an awareness of your sinfulness before a perfect God. The real issue in your life is: what are you doing with Jesus? God didn’t say, “Saul, you’ve been a bad boy, say your prayers.” He asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Jesus isn’t meant to be a resident in your life; He is meant to be the President of your life.
Saul asks two vital questions. First: “Who are you, Lord?” This is a beautiful question. If you are seeking today, ask God to reveal Himself. The second question is: “What shall I do, Lord?” Few people dare to ask this with total submission. When I started La Fuente, God just told me to start a little Bible study. I didn’t know all the details. That is called faith. All God is waiting for is for you to say, “I’m broken, but I’m taking the first step.”
The Path of Humility
Saul gets up from the ground, but he is blind. He has to be led by the hand into the city.
Acts 9:8 (NASB)
Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
Saul is humbled. Nothing changes your life like being knocked down to the ground. If life hasn’t knocked you down yet, keep living—it will. Those humbling experiences are God’s way of getting your attention. God cannot truly use a man until he has been broken. For three days, Saul didn’t eat or drink. He was praying from the heart, seeking forgiveness and guidance.
But while Saul is being broken, God is busy arranging the next step: immersion into the church. God never saves you and then dumps you as an orphan; He adopts you into a family. He sends a man named Ananias. Ananias was just an ordinary guy—not an apostle or a famous leader. He was scared, too. He told the Lord, “Do you know who this guy Saul is?” But God told him to go anyway.
Acts 9:15 (NASB)
But the Lord said to him, ’Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
Ananias goes to Saul and says, “Brother Saul.” That is beautiful. He welcomed the man who had been a terrorist into the family. A Christian without a commitment to a local church is like a tree that isn’t planted. You were made to grow in the soil of community.
The Proof of Change
As soon as Ananias shows up, we see three indicators of transformation in Saul. First, visible proof: he gained his sight. Second, a visible profession: he was baptized. If you’ve made a profession of faith but haven’t been baptized, what are you waiting for? God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Third, visible participation: he started gathering with the disciples.
Suddenly, the persecutor of Christ became the preacher of the Gospel.
Acts 9:20 (NASB)
and immediately he [began] to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’
When Saul eventually went back to Jerusalem, the disciples were afraid of him. They didn’t want him. But then came a man named Barnabas. I am so grateful for the Barnabases of the world. Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” He stood up for Saul when no one else believed he had changed.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe God can change people, especially the people you dislike. You think, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But Barnabas saw the change. Maybe you are a Barnabas today. You might not write thirteen books of the Bible, but you can believe in people when no one else does.
Your Encounter Today
I want to leave you with this: stop running from Christ. Surrender your life to Him today. God is persistent, and He will move heaven and earth until you submit to His will.
Remember that growth is guaranteed, but the enemy will try to prevent your restoration because a restored Christian is revolutionary. Stay humble. Seek God with passion. Cut anything out of your life that doesn’t get you closer to the Lord. You don’t have to convince people with your words; just keep preaching Jesus with your life. They will see the proof.
There are three kinds of people here today. There are the “Sauls” that God wants to transform. He doesn’t need your money or your education; He wants your heart. There are the “Ananiases”—ordinary people God is calling to go talk to someone. And there are the “Barnabases”—the encouragers.
Don’t leave your God-given gifts unopened. Rip off the lid of your abilities. Devote yourself to your unique destiny. For some of you, that destiny is meeting Christ for the first time. For others, it’s an encounter that tells you to finally move. God doesn’t care about your past; He wants to restore you and use you. It is impossible to have an encounter with Jesus and not be transformed.
Let’s pray.
God, we are so grateful for Your love. We thank You for the story of Saul and how he was changed. There are people in this room from dark backgrounds who feel unworthy of love, but You love to use the people the world has cast aside. I pray for the Ananiases and Barnabases here today to be moved by Your Spirit. Help us use our lives to spread the Gospel wherever we go. We love You and thank You for the change that is only possible through Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.