Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Today we will see the conversion of a man into a fully devoted follower as well as how God uses a fully devoted follower in the process.

The amazing ‘secret’ of Christianity is found in conversion.

not talking about adherence to a religious set of rules

talking about a complete change of life such that a person’s character, focus, desires, actions are converted

Conversion is the changing of direction and focus through repentance - It’s the beginning of the change process of salvation which is proven true through sanctification.

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight.

Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,

Last week we saw how the gospel was advanced out of Samaria to begin its infiltration toward the ‘end of the earth’

Now we see at the same time the gospel is advancing there is active opposition to its advance

“Breathing threats. .

.” - only NT occurrence of the word - used as an idiom

still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Saul is on his way to Damascus - a major city in Syria 135 miles north-northeast of Jerusalem.

Damascus had a high population of Jews and this is the first mention of Christians in a city outside of Israel.

Saul seemed to have some information that there would be Christians in Damascus - or followers of ‘the Way.’

He gets official extradition papers from the high priest that would allow him to bring these Christians back to Jerusalem in order to bring

First of four truths about gospel conversion:

Gospel conversion is for everyone (including the religious).

(1-2)

Last week we saw how the gospel changed a proselytized Jewish Ethiopian who was a high-ranking politician in a pagan land.

This week we will see the gospel change a highly religious Jewish Pharisee.

No amount of moral or religious behavior can earn you God’s salvation.

In the middle of sin is “I”

You can’t “date” God - I’ll do all the actions of being in relationship with God but not ever commit ‘me’ to ‘He.’

submitting the choices and direction of MY life that is aimed at MY glory to instead be focused on HIS glory

ILLUST - the guy who dates a girl for decades - does all the things a guy ‘in a relationship’ would do but he never commits to reorient his will, decisions, and directions of his life for the ‘we’.

- Girls, dump him!

Religion can only make you conform, but only the gospel can transform.

(JD Greear)

The gospel did for Saul what religion could never do - transform Saul’s heart.

Some of you need to hear:

The religion that could not earn you God’s favor for salvation will not now earn you God’s favor after salvation.

Sometimes I see Christians who understand they are saved by grace work as though they are kept by religion.

God’s work with Paul was GOD’S WORK not Paul’s

After salvation, Paul is no longer religious as an external extension TO God but is religious as an internal expression FOR God

No amount of past sin or struggles can keep you from God’s grace.

Paul was a terrorist

1 Timothy 1:15

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

“I am the chief of sinners.

The law tells me not to covet, I covet.

I find then a law, what when I want to do good, evil is present with me … (Romans 7).”

Gospel conversion - the Grace of God is not about what you have done or are unable to do - it’s about what Jesus did.

It’s not about trying, it’s about trusting

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

I love how God waited until ‘he approached Damascus.’

Why?

Maybe God wanted him in an unfamiliar place so that he would not be able to listen to the voices of people he knew that would lead him away from what God was doing.

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?”

And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Gospel conversion is an encounter with the living Jesus.

(3-5)

Jesus is alive.

I AM. . .

you ARE

The implications of this are HUGE.

Christianity is NOT living a moral life.

Christianity is NOT adherence to a set of religious rules.

Christianity is NOT only the acceptance of a set of truth claims.

Christianity is an encounter with the living Jesus

How do I know he is living?

Because of the effects of His work around me

ILLUST - suppose I walk into a house that I think is abandoned.

Everything is cleared, but I come back an hour later and there is a plate on the table with warm food.

Would I be reasonable to conclude there is another living being in the house?

Not only is Christianity an encounter with the living Jesus, it is a participation with the living Jesus

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.

So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?”

And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.

So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

See the change:

Saul, who stood while others crumbled in martyrdom is now kneeling before God.

Saul, who once thought he saw so clearly now realizes how utterly blind he is.

Saul, who had plans to bind the hands of Christians is now led by the hand to wait for the help of a Christian.

Saul, who was on his way to seize those who named Jesus was now seized himself by this very Jesus.

Gospel conversion is a personal process.

(6-9)

Other people may be in the same space as you, experience the same events, but you are the one who hears the voice of God.

And YOU are to be the one to respond.

People respond to the gospel in conversion in the same way people respond to an alarm clock.

Some people hear the alarm and in an instant they are awake.

They jump out of bed.

Some people hear the alarm and hit snooze.

This may happen a few times until finally at one time they hear the alarm in a way that actually wakes them up.

The main point is - WAKE UP!

Saul couldn’t lean on the experience of his travelling buddies.

He had to act on what God had said to HIM not them.

In the end, it’s YOU and God.