When Saul of Tarsus Was Apprehended

When Saul of Tarsus Was Apprehended Acts 9.1-19 This was a long trip of 135 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus. Saul was on a mission. His mission was to rid this earth of the Disciples of Christ, the Sect called “the Nazarenes.” He was determined. It was futile. He did not realize Who he was fighting. He was about to find out! It is fascinating how God works in our individual lives. Each one of us has a story which is uniquely ours. As I look back over my life I see the Hand of God. He was with me since I was born. When I was born again I came to Him of course and throughout my journey. I was very zealous for the LORD. I still am. Things wrong with God’s people bothered me deeply… still do. Some have said to me, “Why are you concerned about that?” I cannot help it. If it involves people there is a deep concern, even more so with the family of God. I can understand Saul. He was zealous for his faith, the Hebrew faith, what we know as Judaism. He saw the Way as a threat to his religion. He however didn’t heed to his own teacher’s advice: Acts 5. 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” That is exactly where Saul of Tarsus found himself, fighting against God! That is not in a position you nor I would ever want to be in. Jacob contended with God on Peniel. You are not going to win as limping Israel discovered. The wisest thing you can do is to surrender to the LORD. Some just seem to want to contend. I never understood that. Contentious people. We have talked a few weeks ago about Paul’s accomplishments but here is his bio again: Philippians 3.4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Spurgeon said, “Paul, had a very high estimate of his own character.” 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for Whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the followers of Jesus. This was about to change… in a moment v.3 The phrase "Christ Jesus apprehended me" from Philippians 3:12 refers to the moment when Christ took hold of Paul, capturing his attention and setting him on a path of faith. It's a forceful image, implying a powerful and transformative encounter where Christ laid claim to Paul's life. This experience is described as a taking hold, and an overtaking, highlighting the initiative that Christ took in Paul's salvation.  * The Encounter With Jesus Christ. vs.4-6 It was from Heaven. Always is! Born from Above Those 30 men and women who came to Christ on Tuesday Evening in Bangladesh and were given Bibles were told that their names were written down in Heaven after they prayed. Photo Our faith is a change within, a new heart. He was living outwardly in line with the law but in his heart there was murder. It was personal. Remember what we said last week? All the sacraments are personal, very personal Coming to Christ is as well. Nicodemus, the Woman at the well in Samaria It was life changing. Without fruit, a life change, I doubt if it has taken place! People are getting baptized in sin, many professions, wait for the moral and spiritual impact. The question for the ages :”Who are You, LORD?” This is the most important question you will ever ask. Some think it is, “Will you marry me?” Paul had to be married to be a Pharisee. His wife either died or more likely she left him when he became a Christian. He gave up everything for Jesus. The LORD became his LORD. * The Obedient Response. vs.7-9 Note this was arresting, immediate and a total change of direction and purpose. How quickly the transaction was made. God blinded him. Three days of rest, not being to do anything. Humbling and necessary. Time to think… what happened. What this means. Saul of Tarusus got hit by God’s wrecking ball Jesus fasted 40 days in the Desert. Have you thought about that lately? The Creator hungry. He was blind, the same time Jesus was in the tomb and Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. The obedient ask directions. Here am I LORD, What will You have me do? To know Jesus comes from repenting. To know Christ better leads to submission. * The Words of Encouragement, Baptism, Healing and Baptism With the Holy Spirit. vs.11-19 Saul’s conversion was dramatic and emotional. His whole direction had changed. When we come to Christ we head in different direction…an about face. He and Brother Ananias did not neglect the things we all need to do. Have you believed? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Is He presently gushing forth from you? (John 7) Are you in need of healing? Physically Emotionally The group in India on Thursday Morning Bangladesh orphans We all need to encourage new believers. Not put heavy weights on them. Rejoice with them. Gently instruct them. When I came home from First Grade, Mrs. Pirone with a sticker for addition my Mom had me show my Dad in the eating area of the little,bungalow in Bellmore. My Dad got excited and started to show me subtraction. My Mom said, “Wait! He just learned addition. He did a good job. Don’t rush him.” We don’t need to rush new believers… gently instruct them. The apprehension of Saul to become Paul, the Apostle was so important. He was to be a light to the Gentiles, our Apostle. 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. A most unlikely choice: This a way of God. He chooses the most unlikely Abraham and Sarah beyond age to have a baby. Jacob the heel grasper Moses to lead the children of Israel to the Promised Land. He was slow of speech. Joshua, at 80, leading them in. David, the shepherd boy to kill Goliath and become king over Israel. The shepherd did what the army of Israel could not. The Disciples, ignorant and unlearned men. Me, speech impediment, remedial reading, not an “A” student You… Paul the apostle wrote to the Church at Corinth… I Corinthians 1. 26 For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD.” God was going before him. Next week we will see Cornelius led to the LORD by Peter. First Peter had to be led to Cornelius. This will greatly help Paul on his mission. There was not a more unlikely Jew! He was a Hebrew of Hebrews! A Pharisee! He was going to leave all that to bring the Gospel to the non Jews, the Gentiles, those the Jews considered dogs… they worked hard at making converts to Judaism of them. Now the Apostle would proclaim that circumcision doesn’t matter! That Christ fulfilled the law. He was going to suffer greatly. This new creation is not in what you know. Although we should marinate ourselves in the Word. What matters is Who you know. Do you know Jesus? If you do.. Mostly let them see how you live. You are living epistles. Questions will come from your godly lives. Maybe, like Saul, you are a religious person, sincere, strict but you have not been apprehended by Jesus. This could be your moment when you give up your religious life and become an instrument in God’s Hands… His chosen instrument to reach a whole segment of society, of the world for which Christ died for. You will be a witness because of your love for Jesus.

The Result of the First Martyrdom

The Results of The First Martyrdom Acts 8..1 And Saul approved of their killing him. The Church Persecuted and Scattered On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. The surest way to make something grow is to persecute it. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. I imagine there are some that look at this and say this is horrible. These poor people lost their homes. I would imagine there were some that were being persecuted say, “What is God doing?!” What they were doing, was fulfilling the words of Jesus, that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem in all Judea and Samaria. Often when God is at work, His people are not cognizant of what He is doing. He is riding out His purposes of the activities of sinful human beings. Why would God do such a thing?! Because He is God. He is in control. People who say that He is not have a narrow view. They need to read their Bibles. He gives us free will. We make choices. God overrules. He works out His Sovereign will. I hope you will see today that in this portion of Scripture we see God’s man home in Heaven and God’s purposes being accomplished. It is a win win for the LORD. We think, “Poor Stephen.” When actually it is “Blessed Stephen.” There is nothing better than Heaven. His ways are higher than our ways…. Beyond our finding out. Isaiah 55.8-9 in the specifics but we can learn of His Ways in Principle. Teach me your ways Psalm 25.4 He is at work in your life today, even in the midst of confusion and the stormy blast. Trust Him. You are going to have to. You don’t have any other choice! About God’s ways… Jesus was born in Bethlehem because of the census. Humanly speaking. From our understanding. It was God riding out His purposes on an Emperor’s whims. I have observed in my life the Hand of God at work… and others. These believers probably would’ve never left Jerusalem had it not been for Stephen being stoned, becoming a first martyr of the church. They probably would’ve stayed there in Jerusalem and the sect called the Nazarenes (Acts 24.5) would have grown, but the world would never have heard. God allowed the persecution to come to get them out of the city. He had told him to stay in the city. And then He said, and when you are filled with the Spirit, you’ll be my witnesses all over the Earth. God often uses things that we think are against us to accomplish his work. The Pastors Conference in Kenya on Friday (photo) Power out delayed. Gave me more time to quiet my heart. It was good. The world doesn’t hear the Good News because God’s people like it where they are! His sovereignty has been expressed by some in salvation. Our Calvinist friends: You cannot lose your salvation… You need a much bigger view of God’s Sovereignty. It is over Heaven and Earth. It goes into nations and historical events. Jesus said that All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him… Therefore name and claim your blessings Therefore eat, drink and be merry Therefore have Great Bible Studies Therefore find a church that you love… No He said therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Peter, “LORD, let’s stay here, build three tabernacles..” He didn’t know what he was talking about. We need to see it in our lives today. God is at work. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. 139.16 * The Persecution 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. This was a house to house search. Children watched their parents taken away. Just when they thought this was horrible what happened to Stephen, now they are coming for them. Saul was out to totally destroy the church. Mao Tsa Tong was as well. Both Saul and Mao, in their desire to destroy the church and scatter it launched great missionary movements. The Word was preached all the more. Saul was feared. He had letters from the Chief Priests. He was an enemy. He was about to become a believer and an Apostle! An Apostle to the Gentiles! Next week. God is at work. It did not seem so when they were running for their lives but He was. He always is. * The Scattering China Mao noted how the Christians needed the fellowship so he sent the Christians away from each other. He scattered them throughout China and launched a great missionary movement that continues in China to this day! The scattering here in the Book of Acts fulfilled the words of Jesus in them being witnesses in Judea and Samaria. Saul was out to kill them. God was using his efforts to get them out of Jerusalem . The Persecution led to a house to house search through Jerusalem where many were coming to the faith and pushed them out to Judea and Samaria. Saul did not know it at the time but he was going to be used by the LORD to bring the Gospel all over the Roman Empire, right into Caesar’s Palace! He was being used to get the believers where God wanted them. You cannot take on God and win. In this Kingdom you win by surrender. You defeat your enemies by love and you forgive everyone. You have no idea what God might do in your life with the spread of the Gospel to all nations! He is calling you look and nations and watch and be utterly amazed. You may think but I am retired, I am not able to travel. In this time. you do not need to travel to go! You can but it all begins with prayer. * The Preaching of the Word v.4 Scattered, they preached the Word wherever they went Proclaiming the Word which became flesh, died, buried and risen! The primacy of preaching the Word, proclaiming Jesus crucified, buried and risen. They continued in the Apostle’s doctrine They were devoted to it even when life uprooted them, in the loss of their homes.. I believe the Promise of Jesus applies Mark 10. 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. I am sure conversations when something like this: so you guys moved from Jerusalem? Why did you move? That gave them the opening to preach the Word. It was the same thing when Mao moved all the Christians away from each other in China and they went to different cities. They were scattered because of the Gospel. Why did you move here? Answer: because of the Word of God! Revelation 1. 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and Kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” How different from today! Moving because of the weather, lower taxes, to be near family, are very promises of Jesus to take care of us, and to move with the Spirit and that would include persecution.