First Baptist Church
Fairbanks, Alaska
805 Sixth Avenue
(907) 456-4923
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Fairbanks, Alaska 805 Sixth Avenue (907) 456-4923 |
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“Diamonds in Your Backyard” Acts 9:1-31 Mark Howdeshell (April 6, 2008) Acts 9:4 “…Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Introduction There once was a Persian farmer named Al Hafed whose ambition reached far beyond his plot of land. This farmer had a very productive plot and grew quite wealthy farming the land….but he wanted more. He just knew that he was to own a diamond mine…so he sold his farm and went on a quest for diamonds. His zeal and determination faded by the years without success. Al Hafed died a dejected, alone, and penniless man still searching in a far-away land. His elusive dream had cost him a prosperous life. Meanwhile, a man from Al Hafed’s hometown was watering his camel in a pool on his property. Can you see where I’m going with this? As the camel drank, this man noticed something bright and glimmering in the water. He had discovered the backbone of the world’s richest diamond mine, located in the Persian region of Galconda---on the back of Al Hafed’s old farm. Heart of the Matter I believe that we often miss the forest for the trees. We focus on the tomorrow without living for today. We see what could be without realizing what is. I am thoroughly convinced that many church-going people miss the mark. Do you come to church because you “should”? Are you here because your parents made you come? Do you practice religion? The Meat of the Message Acts 9:1-31 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 saints 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 carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before 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. 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. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. 23 After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
i. Saul was known for his ruthless dealings with those of the “Way” 1. Breathed out murderous threats 2. Asked for permission to arrest people ii. Was present and approving of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1)
i. Fueled his fervor against those of the “Way” ii. Thought it was all blasphemous and that Jesus was a “false Messiah” iii. Couldn’t see the diamond in his backyard iv. Knew of Jesus……..didn’t know and believe Jesus!
i. Had to be dramatic to reach a corrupted heart ii. The light was BRILLIANT 1. We know the Light of God was bright enough to shine throughout the whole earth in Genesis 2. It was bright enough that it literally dropped Saul to the ground 3. Saul could not keep his eyes open iii. Spoke directly with a resurrected & ascended Jesus 1. Jesus was quite blunt 2. Gave him clear directions and was not open for debate
i. Brought total dependence upon others 1. Was accustomed to being in charge and in control of others…especially those of the “Way” 2. Losing one sense makes the others more acute a. I think it put him in a better “listening” mode ii. Also quieted his “anger” against the followers of Jesus 1. Led to a period of introspection 2. Made him vulnerable 3. Entered into a period of fasting
i. God had to prepare Ananias 1. Face his fear of Saul 2. More fully trust in Him 3. Saul’s mission partially revealed to Ananias ii. A member of the “Way” freely came to “heal” Saul’s eyes 1. Saul saw obedience in action through the actions of Ananias 2. Saw that fear of the Lord is greater than the fear of a man
i. Saul realized that he had it all wrong…Jesus was the true Messiah! ii. Was immediately baptized iii. Spent several days with the disciples trying to understand everything that was happening 1. You don’t immediately know everything there is to know about Jesus once you accept him 2. The Holy Spirit reveals things as you need them
i. What could he preach? He was a new believer. 1. He had a very profound testimony on how he met Jesus! a. How did you meet Jesus? 2. He new he had a very bad past and that his sins were forgiven by Jesus. 3. He new that Jesus was alive! ii. You may not be called to preach in the church….but you are called to be ready to give your testimony to anyone who is willing to listen. iii. HOW HAVE YOU BEEN CHANGED BY MEETING JESUS? That’s all your testimony has to be!
The Bottom Line So there you have it. What happened to Saul on the way to Damascus that changed his life…..and eventually ours……forever? He met Jesus Christ….the risen Savior of the world. Jesus then prepared him for his mission ahead and Saul responded by saying “Yes, Lord.” Jesus calls us the same way today. For some, it takes a bright light in a very dark alley. For others, it takes a knock or two on the head that says “Wake up.” Regardless, Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus is standing at the door knocking for us. All you have to do is open the door to Him. If you do……………your life will never be the same. Invitation Have you invited Jesus into your life? Have you seen His face? Have you turned your back on Him? I challenge you this morning to give it up. Give up the pride that says you can do it without Him. Give up the pride that says I can do it on my own. Jesus is the answer, the path to peace, the conduit to joy. Open your heart to Him and let Him come in. |
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