PAUL: God’s Transforming Power
A Sermon on Acts 9:1-22 by Pastor Allan Santos
Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
God is always on the move in transforming our lives for His purpose and glory. He could even change the lives of the worst sinners. This is the reason why we should continue to reach out, encourage others and model a submissive and obedient life to the Lord.
The Apostle Paul’s story of conversion in Acts 9 proves that God can convert the most unlikely sinner into a renewed individual who will be His instrument in spreading the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation. In this account, we will see how God led Paul to encounter Him that resulted in Paul’s unwavering commitment in obeying Jesus for the rest of his life.
Outline
Paul’s zealousness in persecuting the early Christians (vv.1-2)
Paul’s encounter with Jesus that led to his conversion and a renewed mind (vv.3-9)
Ananias’ hesitancy to obey God’s call (vv.10-14)
Ananias’ faith was affirmed when God implemented His plan to transform Saul. (vv.15-19)
Paul’s renewed heart inspired his passion to proclaim Jesus and to serve Him with unswerving obedience. (vv.20-25)
Life Application
Saul’s conversion account will help us understand that God can save anyone, even the most antagonistic to the Christian faith. How is the Lord convicting you to share the good news of salvation to your family and friends?
Just like Ananias, we sometimes hesitate to follow God because of fear, inconvenience and wrong priorities in our lives. We must remember that we will experience God’s power and affirmation if we will do the mission that He has entrusted to us.
The apostle Paul offered his life to the Lord by pursuing God’s calling to him. He followed God’s will for him to minister not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. He modelled to us a life that is wholly surrendered to God with the desire to glorify Him in any and every circumstance.
