Navigating Rough Seas - Paul

Week 5 - "God Seeks to Save"

Read Acts 9:1-22

“Saul’s Conversion…Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 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. 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?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 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. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. 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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ 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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’ 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.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem…Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 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?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Paul is the story of a broken man who used his testimony to spread the good news of Jesus the Messiah. For anyone who is confused, Paul and Saul are the same person. Paul is Saul’s Roman name which he started to go by later during his missionary journeys. There are three lessons that stick out to me from the story of Paul; God wants to save us, God wants us to commit to Him, and God wants to use our trials to share the good news. 

To begin, God seeks to save even the most sinful of men and women. As we see in the beginning of this scripture, the Lord called out to Saul, catching him in the act of causing pain and hurt to His people. Saul was a very angry man and he acted on his anger. Acts 8:3 says, “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” You may think that you are too broken to be worthy of God’s love and mercy. Paul’s story is proof that God seeks to save everyone. Any sin that you have committed or will commit in the future, God has accounted for it and it has already been forgiven. He is so good. 

Second, God wants us to fully commit to Him. Similar to what we read in the story of Peter, we cannot follow Jesus and this world as they are going in two completely opposite directions. As soon as Saul was baptized, saved, and regained his strength, he spent several days with the disciples and began to preach in the synagogue. He wasted no time. Saul could have decided to talk about Jesus once a week every Sunday, but instead he began preaching everywhere He went. Instead of telling a few people here and there about Jesus, he told everyone! He was fully committed! We cannot just be Sunday morning Chrisitans, God calls us to be fully committed to Him. 

Finally, God wants to use our trials to share the good news. When the people saw Saul they remembered that he was the one who raised havoc in jerusalem. It is easy to be discouraged when others only know you from your past. It is fun for some people to joke about the “good ol’ days”, but really they might be bringing up memories you regret and wish would stay buried in the past. Maybe you were a partier, quick to anger, or a cheater. Saul was a murder. But despite what people knew of Saul’s past, he used his trials to prove that Jesus is the Messiah. Commitment and obedience to God gave him the power to overcome his past and in turn prove and proclaim the good news!

Do not be discouraged by the sins you have committed. God seeks to save you and use you to share the good news of his son Jesus. Walk in obedience and God will provide. 

Discussion:

1. Think back to the different trials you have faced in your life. Where do you see God using that challenge you faced in your life today?

2. How can you invite God into your daily trials?

3. What does fully committing to God look like in your life?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for chasing after us even when we stray from your plans. Please forgive us for our sins of yesterday and for any sins we will commit today and tomorrow. Give us the strength and courage to overcome the doubt of not being worthy of your love. You are greater than any challenge I will face today or tomorrow. Give me the power to prove to those around me that your son Jesus is the Messiah. Amen.