I. God Knows About Our Past
A. Saul’s Past Vs. 13, 14
1. V.13- “…heard from many…”. Saul’s wickedness-well known.
2. V.13- “…how much harm he has done. Literally- evil: troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive.
3. V.14- bind- to chain, imprison, to put under obligation
4. Vs. 13, 14- “Your saints…all who call on Your name.”
5. God had every reason to reject Saul, & no good reason to love him. But God did love Saul. 2 Cor. 5:14 “ the love of Christ compels us”.
B. Our Past
1. Jer. 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
2. We can be terribly guilty before God, and not even realize the extent of our guilt. Unless God shows us, we can’t understand our depravity.
3. Unless we are forgiven, we receive will judgment for our evil actions, desires, and thoughts.
4. Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11
5. The unforgiven, unsaved person is awaiting judgment.
6. The Christian is not an inherently better person, but he has humbled himself, confessed his sinfulness to God, and has asked for forgiveness.
II. God’s Gracious Welcome
A. Ananias- “The Lord is gracious”
1. Detailed instructions. Important to rightly receive Saul into the family.
2. God directs Ananias to “put his hand on him…receive his sight.”
3. Ananias…
a. Lays hands upon him; a touch of love, healing, acceptance.
b. “Brother”. Speaks of inclusion, same Father, same family in Christ. A term of acceptance and endearment.
c. Used to bring healing…”receive your sight.”
d. Used to bring empowering…”be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
4. Ananias’ presence and ministry- a vote of confidence & acceptance w/o Saul having to explain, apologize, reason, etc.
5. Validates Saul’s experience by re-telling it. Saul feels believed.
6. If you find yourself being strangely welcomed, don’t feel you must earn it; just accept the love of God that comes through His people.
7. Hopefully, you will meet an Ananias or two here at church.
B. “Some” Disciples
1. Received food from them. Food=fellowship, oneness, acceptance.
2. The disciples were willing to abide with Saul for “some days”.
3. Disciples risked their lives in helping Saul escape. Wonderful support.
C. God’s Supernatural Touch V. 18
1. God touches Saul & brings healing. God “wounds”, but then “heals”.
2. God ministers to Saul in the way Saul needed.
D. Barnabus- “Son of Encouragement”; “Son Of Rest”
1. Barnabus sought out Saul, and took the initiative.
2. Barnabus was mediator for Saul, & validated his conversion experience
3. Barnabus also validated Saul’s boldness for Christ.
4. Barnabus risked his well being for Saul.
III. Saul’s Redeemed Life
A. Saul’s Entrance Into The Family Of Christ
1. “For behold, he is praying”. Saul had said many words of prayer, but now Jesus was his mediator. Humbly before the presence of God.
2. Saul was willing to submit to Ananias’ prayers & “hands on” ministry.
B. Saul’s Future Re. Preaching V.15
1. Hand chosen by God, for God, and for a wonderful task.
2. Belonging to the Lord; the Lord pleased to have Saul.
3. Saul would carry the name of Jesus to his known world.
4. Saul was given a wonderful 2nd chance.
5. God gave Saul the understanding of how wrong he had been.
6. God called & empowered him to build what he had sought to destroy.
7. Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
C. Saul’s Future Re. Suffering V.16
1. Saul would suffer greatly in serving Jesus
2. Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
3. Marks- stigma- Slaves & soldiers bore the name or the stamp of their master or commander branded or cut into their bodies to indicate what master or general they belonged to. Some stamped themselves in this way w/the token of their gods
4. Phil. 3:10 “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,…”
D. Saul’s Motivation
1 Tim. 1:13, 16 Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. . . . However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.