Sermon Notes - June 5, 2022
Acts: The Church - Story of Saul - Jon Furman
Acts 7:57-58 (NLT)
Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting, they rushed at Steven and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8:1 (NLT)
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Acts 9:1 (NLT)
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.
Acts 9:10a-12 (NLT)
Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
Acts 9:13-14 (NLT)
“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
Acts 9:15-16 (NLT)
But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
Acts 9:17-18 (NLT)
So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
Acts 9:20-21 (NLT)
And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
Acts 9:22-23, 25 (NLT)
Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him… So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.
Acts 9:26-27 (NLT)
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus... He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
Acts 9:28-31 (NLT)
So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they… sent him away to his hometown. The church then had peace… and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
Transformed Attitude
Transformed Affections
Philippians 2:1-5 (NLT)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Transformed Actions
Luke 15:4 (NLT)
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?