The Light that Changed History (Acts 9:1-19)
Gearl Spicer, November 13, 2022
Part of the Heart of Our Story series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Acts 9:1–19 (Listen)
9:1 But Saul, 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. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 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. 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.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 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.
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
Heart of Our Story
The Light that Changed History
Acts 9:1-19
11/13/22
*Do you allow His light to shine through you?
*The Jesus again spoke to them saying, I am the Light of the World; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. John 8:12
Jesus is:
*Aware of our actions
*Guides our hearts
*Empowers us to be effective
*And he fell to the ground and heard a vice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus who you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do. Acts 9:4-6
*Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to Him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Here I am, Lord. Acts 9:10
*But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and sons of Israel.; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake. Acts 9:15-16
I. Sudden Light of Jesus - Acts 9:1-6
A. Personal conviction - Why?
B. Personal instruction-Who?
C. Personal direction-How, what and when?
II. Astonished team who helped him - Acts 9:7-9
A. Unrecognizable voice - unaware of God's plan
B. Clear instruction - yielded to his request
III. Man sensitized by God's instructions - Acts 9:10-19
A. Distinguished the voice of the Lord
B. Received challenging instructions
C. Completed in obedience his assignment
Are you sensitive to God's instructions?