Saul the enforcer charged with eliminating the threat of the Way.  Acts 7:54-8:3

• The champion of Judaic enforcement against any threats.

• Created fear and terror by going house to house.
  • Reminding me of Christopher Alam’s story of the church to fearful baptize him.

Saul on the move to Damascus after suppressing the church in Jerusalem.  Acts 9:1-2

• Word on the street “Saul is coming”, for some that is good news for others it is terror.
  • Church meetings are happening to decide what to do.
  • Prayer meetings for God’s help.

Saul has the epic “come to Jesus moment”—Jesus came to him! Acts 9:3-9

• Jesus means it when he says that he will come to seek and save the lost.

• Jesus has saved some of the most vile of people—murderers, abusers, and enemies of the Cross.
  • Even on the Cross “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
  • After such a prayer, later on the Cross to the thief on the cross next to him who had mocked him earlier “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

• There is no template or profile for the type of person Jesus seeks and saves.
  • If there was, would you fit it?

Jesus advocates for Paul and then saves Paul. Acts 9:10-19

• God is the orchestrator of our journey to Jesus. Philippians 2:13

• God sends people into our lives at key moments to guide us in our walk with Him.
  • Don’t under-estimate the growth challenge some of those people had when discipling you!
  • Ananias saying the words “Brother Saul” was a revelatory moment for both men. (17)

• Saul gives his life to Jesus, receives the Holy Spirit, and is baptized. (17b-18)

The journey to fellowship of fellow believers is not always easy. Acts 9:20-31

• Not possible—too much of a sinner.

• Must be for hidden motives—get the girl, get friendship, to do harm. (26)

• Once faith proven it is still difficult overcome reputation of the past.
  • Sometimes we platform people to quickly according to their reputation of the past.

God uses Saul’s zeal that was once an enemy to the Cross to become its strongest advocate.  (28-31)

• Saul uses his story (testimony) to confront the complexity of his public reputation to advance the gospel. Acts 22:1-16

• Saul does suffer for Jesus regularly. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
  • Suffered the scourging of the whip—39 lashes. 5x
  • Beaten with rods. 3x
  • 1x
  • 3x shipwrecked and one time spent a night and full day on the open sea.

Romans 12:19-20

Matthew 5:44

Luke 6:27-28

Discipling your enemy

1. Love them—what is to their benefit?
2. Do good to them—water or food?
3. Bless them—offer words of kindness and is to their benefit.
4. Pray for them—for God to work in them and make them a tool for His work.
5. Remember and testify to your own journey of transformation.