Saul's Road to Christ

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Saul’s journey was for one purpose and one purpose only. It was to seek and destroy all Christians.

His life was “devoted to God,” in every way. He kept the law as close to perfection as possible. He read the Scriptures every day. He went to church as often as He ate. He prayed the prayers he was supposed to pray and more.

And he was zealous to make sure there was no doctrinal error in people around him.

Saul lacked something so important. He lacked the grace of God. He knew much of the Torah, but he knew nothing of mercy. He knew so many rituals, but his heart was hard against Christ.

In fact, his mission to “seek and destroy” was the opposite of Christ’s mission to “seek and to save that which was lost.”

If we’d met Saul a few days before at the stoning of Stephen we might have branded him hopeless, a lost cause. But God saw something that man could not see.

Saul thought he was on the road to Damascus, but he found out that he was on the road to Christ.

This all did not happen by accident. God knew that deep inside Saul was a man who would follow Christ to the death and preach Christ to thousands. But first there were some changes that had to be made in that heart. Changes that only God could make.

We’ll focus on three simple actions that Saul took that day on the Damascus road that shaped his eternity and can shape ours as well.

Three actions we should all take from this story.

Fall Down at Jesus’ Feet (9:3-4)

He fell to the earth. He was not knocked down by Christ or by the blinding light. He was overwhelmed by the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ and fell on his knees before Him.

This is where it all begins.

Salvation

Why fall at His feet?

You’re a sinner

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:10 KJV 1900

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

God is holy

Habakkuk 1:13 (KJV 1900)

13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, And canst not look on iniquity....

God offers you forgiveness and cleansing from your sin.

He gave His Son to make a way for you to be with Him in Heaven.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we choose to believe God, renounce our sin, and accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, we can be saved.

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Saul’s first address to the One who spoke to Him tells everything we need to know about his attitude. “Who are Thou, Lord?”

What a question! There’s no better answer to this question than what we find in Scripture!

“I am Jesus....”

Dr. S.M. Lockridge used to preach a message which entirely consisted of giving glory to Jesus Christ, answering the question, “Who art Thou, Lord?” This is just a small part of his message.

The Bible says He’s the King of the Jews He’s the King of Israel He’s the King of Righteousness He’s the King of the Ages He’s the King of Heaven He’s the King of Glory He’s the King of Kings and He is the Lord of Lords

Now that’s my King! David says The Heavens declare the glory of God And the firmament showeth His handiwork No means of measure can define His limitless love No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing

He’s enduringly strong He’s entirely sincere He’s eternally steadfast He’s immortally graceful He’s imperially powerful He’s impartially merciful

“Who art Thou, Lord?”

When you know the answer to this question, it is one of the greatest joys to hear it asked.

But when the answer is unknown, it is one of the saddest questions man can ponder.

Do you know your Lord?

Surrender

One of the most beautiful parts of the Christian life is when Jesus becomes more than just a ticket to eternity, and becomes the Lord and Master of your life. He wants to guide you and keep you. He wants to show you His love and mercy in a new way every day.

But we must surrender to Him our heart.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

So Jesus is your Savior? Wonderful!

Is He your King? Do you answer when He calls? Do you allow Him to command your steps?

Psalm 37:23 KJV 1900

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

Proverbs 16:9 KJV 1900

9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.

This is how it works. We make the decisions, but when we submit to Him, with His loving hand God directs our steps.

Earnestly Seek God

Pray (9:8-11)

Saul couldn’t see, but he now had Jesus to guide Him. And Saul made it a priority to pray.

Can you imagine, for the first time in his life, prayer was not a ritualistic nonsense. It was no longer a meaningless waste of time. It was communion with God Himself. It was time spent with Jesus His Savior.

O how we need to learn to pray.

Pray for God to change you for His glory.

Pray for God to use you to spread the Gospel.

Pray for God to pour out His power in your life.

Pray earnestly, pray sincerely, pray privately, and see God do the miraculous.

James 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Trust (9:12)

God knows better than you or I could every think.

We see a few steps ahead, but God can see the entire pathway.

Saul could only understand his need to see, both spiritually and physically, but God saw the limitless potential of His future ministry stretched out before him.

Acts 9:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

If Saul only knew, perhaps he would have shrunk at the thought of suffering for Christ, but by God’s grace, He was led along the way doing great things for God.

But Saul had to trust Him.

Spread God’s Light (9:19-20)

When you trusted in Christ, He gave you His light to shine in your heart.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we were reminded this last week of millions and perhaps billions who do not have this light.

Matthew 4:16 KJV 1900

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Saul wasn’t willing to sit idly by and watch the world around him go along without the opportunity to trust in Christ. His call is echoed throughout the Scriptures as men are called to spread the Light around the world.

John 1:6–8 KJV 1900

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

You have the Light, Christian. Will you shine it?

John 8:12 KJV 1900

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:46 KJV 1900

46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Invitation:

Fall at His feet! Get saved! Submit your heart to His will!

Seek Him earnestly! Pray! Trust!

Spread the Light of His glorious Gospel to everyone God brings across your path.

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