God has plans for Saul. One moment he is on a mission to kill Christians and the next he is thrown to the ground by the brightness of the light. In his mind he was sure that Jesus was dead. He learns that Jesus has risen from the dead and is very much alive.

1 – His tremendous revelation (vs. 3-4)

Have you ever seen the glory of God? When you do it will change you. Those that have in the Bible have been afraid and their lives have been transformed. Saul sees the glory of God.

• The moment of the revelation – It was noon (midday). God’s glory is so great that the sun pales in significance. We can see Saul’s great zeal. Most people would not travel at this time of the day as it was too hot. Sometimes evil is more tenacious than good. The Devil is always out to get us. The location of the revelation was near Damascus. It was a six day journey and God waits until near the end. It was a test to those Christians in Damascus. (vs. 13) The Christians knew of Saul’s oppression. Sometimes God will allow trouble to come right on your front porch before He stops it. It is a test of our faith. It is not a test for God. It is a test for our benefit. God is never late. He moves at his own discretion. When God shows up then it will stop.
• The mercy in the revelation – Why does God not strike Saul dead? Why does God reach out to Saul in mercy? The grace of God can lift ANYONE from the pit of sin. What a lesson! Saul later realised this. God can save to the uttermost! God showed how long-suffering he is by showing mercy to Saul. You are never going to deserve to be saved – it is the mercy of God. If God can save Saul then anyone can be saved. One of the things we will be doing in Heaven is praising God for our salvation.
• The message of the revelation (vs. 4) – The Lord asks Saul why he is persecuting him? You have to realise you are a sinner. You have to hear the bad news before you hear the good news. Sin is always against the Lord. Saul was not sinning against the Christians he was persecuting – He was sinning against God. Saul was persecuting God. God takes it personal what you do against God’s Church. Christ is the head of the Church.
• The might of the revelation (vs. 4) – Saul falls to the ground and it also blinds him. He was three days without sight. Saul was no weakling. No man can stand before the glory of the Lord. You can’t stand against the might of God. Yet this same God stayed on the cross for us. See 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Jesus will blow away the great and powerful Antichrist and his army.

2 – His total revolution (vs. 5-9)

Saul is never the same person again.

• Saul is perplexed. “Who art thou Lord”. You can’t serve the Lord properly until you get to know Him. You want to love someone you know. The first date does not mean a thing. The role of the Church is to make sure people understand who the Lord is. The reply is “I am Jesus”. Saul knew about the great “I am” in the Old Testament. Saul realised that Jesus was indeed alive and his deity. Jesus could say it because he was God. Saul realises that he is fighting against God.
• Saul is pressed – “Persecuting”. Nobody seems to sin anymore. It is hard to find a sinner who needs God. God makes it clear that Saul is a sinner and needs a saviour. There is no works or positive thinking that will cover the fact that we are all sinners. You can run but you cannot hide.
• Saul is pricked – “kick against the goads”. The Holy Spirit is working on the inside of Saul. When the Ox was kicking he hurt himself against the pricks. It soon stopped him from kicking as he was wounded. God wants to know why he is kicking against the goads.
• Saul is prepared. For the three days Saul was blind God had his attention. What will it take for God to get your attention? God captures us today so that he can rapture us tomorrow.

Categories: Acts