Paul – Total Commitment

Acts 9 –

 

If you were arrested for your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you? 

 

What would you consider a nominal commitment to the church? 

 

            Saul was charged by the Sanhedrin’s High Priest to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for imprisonment. You remember Paul was present at the stoning of Stephen and supported their cause. Saul was zealous about his commitment.  On the road to Damascus, Paul was met by Jesus, blinded and told to go to the home of Judas on straight street for further instructions. God spoke to a Disciple named Ananias in a vision telling him to meet up with Saul at Judas’ home and anoint him in His name to do ministry. Ananias was reluctant because of Saul’s reputation of persecuting Christians.  God said “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" Acts 9:15-16.  We know as a result, Paul (new name) became unquestionably, the greatest missionary and church planter the world has ever known. All as a result of obedience and lack of personal fear.

 

I. Make a Faith Commitment – Acts:9:15-19a

            A. God made a request for Ananias to go meet up with Saul, a Christian persecutor. 

                    What if Ananias had not gone?  God knows the heart of man.  Ananias was the man for the task.

 

            B.  Ananias placed hands on Saul and told him what the Lord had commanded.

                        Regain his Sight (Physical and Spiritual) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

            C. The physical scales fell from his eyes to see.  The spiritual scales fell from his heart and was

                        baptized.

 

II. Demonstrate Commitment – Acts:9:19b-21

            A.  The first thing we proclaim after conversion is baptism.  It is basically all we know, but how

                        important is it? 

 

            B. Those who heard his new proclamation we astounded. “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was

                        persecuting those who called on the name, and sent them to prison?”

When we see God for the first time, we have a new perspective of life.

 

III. Grow in Commitment – Acts:9:22

            A. Saul progressively grew spiritually stronger as each day passed by in Damascus.

 

            B.  His beliefs and actions were consistent with a New Faith attitude. 

                        What was it like  when you were first saved? 

 

            C.  How did Saul prove that Jesus was the Messiah. By justifying Old Testament Prophecy, with the

                        life and works of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

 

IV. Show Intense Commitment – Acts:9:26-30

            A. Saul’s life became threatened because of his fervency about Christ. The disciples at Damascus                                  took him into hiding and sent him to Jerusalem when the timing was right.

 

            B. At Arrival to Jerusalem, fear encompassed the disciples, being not sure of Saul’s intent? 

                        Was he an inside plant?     Was there fear justified? 

 

            C. Barnabas stepped up to the plate.  Told the disciples of Saul’s conversion and ask them to consider

                        him for ministry and the future. Under his advisement (because he was well respected) they                    did just that. 

 

            D. Saul boldly preached Jesus to the Hellenistic Jews. They threatened his life so the disciples

                        secretly moved Saul to Caesarea and the to Tarsus, His hometown.