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Sermons PREACHED BY JOHN GAINES |
Paul's "R's"
Introduction
1. Paul encouraged his readers to follow his example [1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.]
2. There are some valuable lessons we can learn from looking at Paul's conversion and the beginning of his life as a Christian.
3. We will focus most of our attention on the account of Paul's conversion in Acts 9. He is called Saul in this text. We understand that Paul and Saul are simply Greek and Jewish forms of the same name, much as John is Juan in Spanish or Ivan in Russian.
4. When we're first introduced to Paul, he is a zealous Jew doing everything in his power to interfere with the spread of the gospel of Christ. He is first mentioned in the Bible in Acts 7:58 where we're told that those who were stoning Stephen to death laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Before long a great persecution has arisen against disciples of Christ. One of the leaders of that persecution was Saul. Acts 8:3 (NKJV) says, "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison." Saul's zeal took him outside Jerusalem spreading the persecution to believers in other places [Acts 9:1-2 (NKJV) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.]
5. Something great happened to Paul to turn him from this persecutor to the great Apostle of Jesus Christ. What happened was conversion . . . the great change. Let us study the Six "R's" of Paul's conversion.
I. RECOGNITION
A. While Paul was traveling to Damascus, a marvelous event occurred which caused Paul to recognize how wrong he had been.
B. Acts 9:3-4 (NKJV) As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
C. Paul sought the identity of the voice -- Acts 9:5 (NKJV) And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
D. Paul's attitude changed completely when he recognized that the Jesus whose followers he had been persecuting so zealously was indeed the Son of God. Notice his next question -- Acts 9:6 (NKJV) So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?
E. Before anyone can be saved today, he must come to the point of asking this question -- What does the Lord want me to do?
II. REGRET
A. The Lord sent him into the city of Damascus where he spent three days fasting [Acts 9:8-9 (NKJV) Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.] This had to be a time of great self-examination for Paul.
1. How could he have been so mistaken in his zeal? Later he expressed his prayer for his countrymen who were in the same situation [Romans 10:1-3 (NKJV) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.]
2. Paul's regret continued throughout his life. Many years later, he wrote to Timothy, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." [1 Timothy 1:12-15 (NKJV)]
B. Conversion to Christ must involve a sense of regret . . . godly sorrow for the sin which has controlled our lives [2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.]
III. REFORMATION
A. Repentance is a change of thinking which leads to a reformation of behavior. Lives have to change.
B. Acts 3:19 (NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord," In a converted life, things do not continue as they were before.
1. The thief steals no more but earns his living by working with his hands [Ephesians 4:28]
2. The drunkard turns away from alcohol.
3. The adultery reforms his sinful conduct. For some that requires becoming eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven [Matthew 19:12]
4. Whatever changes are needed must take place in the life of one who turns to Christ for salvation.
IV. RESPONSE
A. When Saul asked what he should do, the Lord told him to go into Damascus and it would be told him what he must do [Acts 9:6].
B. The Lord then sent a man named Ananias to talk with Saul [Acts 9:10-12 (NKJV) Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 "And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."]
C. Look ahead now to the time when Paul told the Jews in Jerusalem about his conversion. He told about Ananias coming to see him [Acts 22:12-16 (NKJV) "Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 "came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 "Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 'For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.']
D. Saul immediately obeyed the command to be baptized to wash away his sins.
1. Acts 9:18 (NKJV) Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
2. Saul had gone three days without food or drink [Acts 9:9]. Notice the sequence of events in verses 18 and 19.
a. Saul received his sight (v. 18).
b. Saul arose and was baptized (v. 18).
c. Saul ate [Acts 9:19 (NKJV) So when he had received food, he was strengthened].
Those who believe that baptism is not an urgent matter did not get that idea from the example of Paul. Obeying God was more important than food for a starving man!
V. REPUTATION
A. Those who have lived sinful lives are known for their past conduct. They have a reputation to live down.
1. Ananias was aware of Saul's reputation when the Lord told him to go to see Saul. [Acts 9:13-14 (NKJV) Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 "And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."]
2. After Saul was converted, the disciples were suspicious of him [Acts 9:26 (NKJV) And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.]
B. We must be willing to forgive those whom God has forgiven.
1. Barnabas defended Saul to the brethren [Acts 9:27 (NKJV) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.]
2. The Lord does not remember our sins and iniquities [Hebrews 10:17]. It is necessary that we be willing to give new converts the opportunity to begin their Christian lives with a clean slate. What might have happened before their baptism should be forgiven and forgotten.
VI. RENEWAL
A. Paul went quickly from persecutor to proclaimer of the good news of Christ.
1. Acts 9:20 (NKJV) Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
2. Acts 9:29 (NKJV) And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.
B. The same kind of dramatic change ought to occur in the life of every new convert.
1. We will spend all our lives growing in Christ [Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.] We never reach that goal completely in this life. There is always room for Christian growth.
2. However, we should not think it is permissible to slowly grow into Christian behavior. There is no excuse for holding on to sinful habits and behaviors after we become Christians.
a. A man who smokes, drinks, and uses profanity freely becomes a Christian. When should he stop smoking, drinking, and cursing? IMMEDIATELY!
b. A woman who has been accustomed to dressing sensually and being loose and promiscuous in her morals becomes a Christian. When should her dress and sexual behavior change? IMMEDIATELY!
c. In Christ, all things are new. Old things are gone! [2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.]
CONCLUSION
1. The world today has many people like Paul. They need to be confronted with the truth of Jesus Christ. When they face the truth, they must go to a similar process to that which Paul lived through.
a. Recognize themselves as sinners and Jesus Christ as their only hope of deliverance.
b. Regret the present condition of their lives and make up their minds to change.
c. Reform their lives by turning away from sinful behavior and being converted to Jesus as Lord and Master of their lives.
d. Respond to the gospel truth by submitting to God's will. Obeying the gospel includes faith and repentance, but it also includes confessing Christ and putting Him on in baptism . . . being baptized into His death then rising up to walk in newness of life [Romans 6:3-4].
e. Understand that they have a reputation based on past behavior. Trust that God has forgiven their sins and depending on Christian brothers and sisters to do the same thing. Whoever refuses to forgive endangers his own salvation [Matthew 6:15]. The new convert must put the past in the past and live the rest of his life for the Lord.
f. Renew themselves in Christ. Resist the devil and enjoy the protection of the Lord [James 4:7 (NKJV) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.]
2. Conclusion -- How does what we've said today apply to you?
a. Are you a faithful converted Christian living that new life in Christ?
b. Do you need to start over again by being truly converted to Christ?
Copyright ©2001 by John Gaines. May be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided this notice accompanies any use.
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LEONARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST |
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