Riding High Horses to Blind Justice Acts 9:1-31 (pew Bible p ) I was born in the city of Tarsus Capital city of the province of Cilicia Capital city of the province of Cilicia A centre to be proud of A centre to be proud of A place of commerce, learning A place of commerce, learning We embraced a Hellenistic spirit and Roman politics We embraced a Hellenistic spirit and Roman politics We were a happening place We were a happening place

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice My ancestors were brought here in 171 BC To promote business To promote business Given Roman citizenship Given Roman citizenship But born a Jew But born a Jew Tribe of Benjamin Tribe of Benjamin Long line of Pharisees Long line of Pharisees Mom and dad named me after Israels first king Mom and dad named me after Israels first king Saulalso of the tribe Benjamin Saulalso of the tribe Benjamin Fluent in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages Fluent in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages Strictly obeyed the Law Strictly obeyed the Law

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice I was well cultured Learned to weave goats hair into cloth Used for tents, sails, awnings and cloaks I could support myself Educated in Greek studies and literature Travelled to Jerusalem as a young man Pharisaical studies Gamalielgrandson of Hillelthe best of the best I rose very quickly in the synagogue

As I was rising in rank in Jerusalem A young carpenter causing problems for us A young carpenter causing problems for us Claims of being Gods Son Claims of being Gods Son Teaching heresy Teaching heresy Silencing the best of our teachers Silencing the best of our teachers We put an end to that We put an end to that Trumped up charges Trumped up charges Hurry up trial Hurry up trial Had him crucified Had him crucified Thats all I have to say about that Thats all I have to say about that

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice The Problem His followers His followers Claimed that he rose from the dead Claimed that he rose from the dead Like that happens Like that happens Claim that He is the Messiah we look for Claim that He is the Messiah we look for A common criminalgive me a break A common criminalgive me a break Claim that He is alive and empowering them Claim that He is alive and empowering them More realistically they get their power through Satan More realistically they get their power through Satan I determined that I would put an end to that I determined that I would put an end to that A dangerous sect that would get us all killed and destroy the faith A dangerous sect that would get us all killed and destroy the faith Strike fast, strike hard, bring justice!

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice One DayActs 6 Guy from the Way Guy from the Way Upset my buddies from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves Upset my buddies from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves They couldnt answer his arguments They couldnt answer his arguments Trumped up charges Trumped up charges Killed him for blasphemy Killed him for blasphemy

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice During the trial He told the history of our nation He told the history of our nation He accused the Sanhedrin of: He accused the Sanhedrin of: Killing the prophets Killing the prophets Killing the Messiah that they predicted would come Killing the Messiah that they predicted would come Deliberately breaking the Law Deliberately breaking the Law Then he looked up like he was looking into Heaven and said he saw this Jesus standing at Gods right hand Then he looked up like he was looking into Heaven and said he saw this Jesus standing at Gods right hand They were furious They were furious

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice The Kill They dragged him out of the city They dragged him out of the city Laid their coats at my feet Laid their coats at my feet Stoned him Stoned him He prayed for their forgiveness before he died He prayed for their forgiveness before he diedWhatever! They were only preserving the faith!

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice Id right this ship The Law had to be obeyed before Messiah could come The Law had to be obeyed before Messiah could come Destroy the heretics Destroy the heretics I wasted the churches in Judea I wasted the churches in Judea I got authorization to chase down those who fled my wrath I got authorization to chase down those who fled my wrath As far away as Damascus As far away as Damascus

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice On Route Bright light Bright light Dropped me Dropped me The voice The voice Called me by my name Called me by my name Asked me why I was persecuting Him Asked me why I was persecuting Him I knew instantly who it was I knew instantly who it was He told me who He was, to get up, go to the city and wait His instructions He told me who He was, to get up, go to the city and wait His instructions

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice Why didnt those with me know His voice? Understand what He said? I opened my eyesI was blind I got to my feet They led me into the cityhelpless as those that I would have taken back to Jerusalem

For Three Days Could see nothing but what I had done Memories Good days of childhood Learning to weave Learning the beauty of the Law Prayers of thanksgiving Those that I had hurt Families that I had destroyed

In my darkness In my darkness More and more I could see this Jesus More and more I could see this Jesus The angelic face of Stephen The angelic face of Stephen His words of forgiveness His words of forgiveness The believers whose lives I had smashed The believers whose lives I had smashed The truth of their stories The truth of their stories The truth of this Jesus The truth of this Jesus How blind I had been to justice How blind I had been to justice I couldnt eatThe hurt I caused made me sick I couldnt eatThe hurt I caused made me sick Isnt it strange that when I could see, I was blind? And, now that I was blind, I could see?

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice People still feared me but My heart had changed My heart had changed I had met Jesus I had met Jesus He somehow was alive in my heart He somehow was alive in my heart The rage was gone The rage was gone I was knocked off my high horse I was knocked off my high horse No longer proud No longer proud I really just wanted Jesus will for me I really just wanted Jesus will for me He sent me Ananiasone of His faithful He sent me Ananiasone of His faithful

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice He called me brother Saul He called me brother Saul He should have been afraid He should have been afraid At the very least, he should have never accepted me as brotherbut he did At the very least, he should have never accepted me as brotherbut he did Ananias laid his hands on me Ananias laid his hands on me Said he came to give me back my sight Said he came to give me back my sight Said he came so that I could be filled with the Spirit Said he came so that I could be filled with the Spirit He prayed for me He prayed for me Instantly something like scales fell from my eyes Instantly something like scales fell from my eyes I was baptized I was baptized

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice This Jesus that I had denied was real! I had met Him on the road to Damascus! He humbled me! Showed me how blind I was in my self- righteousness!

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice He forgave me! His people accepted me! I told everybody about this Jesus! He indeed is the Son of God!

Riding High Horses to Blind Justice How about you? 1. W hat hobby horse is blinding you to the truth? 2. A re you riding high in blind justice? 3. A re you passing judgment on those Jesus loves? 4. A re you religiously protecting what you believe in at the expense of people? 5. A re you denying the truth about Jesus because of your pride? Jesus is watching, waiting! Dont make Him knock you down to get your attention!