The Beautiful Interruption 2015-10-04

The Beautiful Interruption

Acts 9 – Saul’s Interruption Experience

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? “

ACTS 9:3-4

CONTEXT:

• The church is scared, scattered and still preaching the Gospel “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” ACTS 8:4

• This is the first of three accounts of Paul’s conversion in the book of Acts (Chapters 9, 22 and 26)

• Why is Saul/Paul so important?

HOW THE WHOLE WORLD CHANGED ON A HIGHWAY NEAR DAMACUS:

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 holy people 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 proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to 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 in Damascus and Jerusalem 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 Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews 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.

Life Application:

When Jesus Interrupts:

1. Jesus Reveals Himself and All We Are Surrenders (9:1-9)

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.

2. Heroes Are Discovered (9:10-17)

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.

1. God can use even the most obscure person

2. God’s works are always balanced

3. We should never be afraid to obey God’s will

“We Don’t Always Have To Know The End From The Beginning. We Just Have To Trust And Hold The Hand Of The One Who Does.”

3. Eyes Are Opened (9:18-19)

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

4. Lives Are Unleashed (9:20-25)

20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

3 Things “Lives Unleashed By Jesus” Will Cause:

1. Cause You To Seek Others Having The Same Experience

2. Cause You To Be A Proclaimer of Truth

3. Cause People To Notice a Change and Ask Why

FINAL THOUGHT:

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF HOSTING BEAUTIFUL INTERUPTIONS