The Beginning of Saul’s Ministry Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [21] Acts 9:19b-31 July 29, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

WHEN GOD TRANSFORMS US God transforms not our personality but our character. God empowers and uses the strengths of our personality for God’s glory. Spiritual leadership transcends the power of personality and all other natural gifts. The personality of the spiritual leader Influences others because it is irradiated, penetrated, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. J. Oswald Sanders

WHEN GOD TRANSFORMS US God transforms not our personality but our character. God empowers and uses the strengths of our personality for God’s glory. God transforms us not all at once but gradually over a period of time. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

WHAT KEY LESSONS DOES THE BEGINNING OF SAUL’S MINISTRY REVEAL? 1) It reveals THE IMPORTANCE of sharing and serving Christ where we are. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. (vs.19b-22)  After the conversion, Saul “immediately” proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God—the promised Messiah.  He began with what God has given in where he was; but this active sharing/serving Christ increased Saul’s strength.  We too must start where we are with what’s given to us.

WHAT KEY LESSONS DOES THE BEGINNING OF SAUL’S MINISTRY REVEAL? 2) It reveals THE NEED of our own time for “Arabian wilderness”— i.e., direct communion and solitude with Christ. When many days had passed… (v.23) I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. Galatians 1:16b-19  Saul stayed in Arabia and Damascus for three years.  Why? He probably reexamine the Old Testament with Jesus in mind as he communed with Jesus directly in solitude.  He probably also share the gospel with the Gentiles there.  We too must seek our own time for direct communion with Christ in solitude (daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonally).

WHAT KEY LESSONS DOES THE BEGINNING OF SAUL’S MINISTRY REVEAL? 3) It reveals THE COST of radical discipleship—opposition and suffering. 23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. (vs.23-25)  When Saul returned to Damascus, he was already blacklisted by the Jews to kill him.  These Jews were the same people who used to cheer and support Saul in persecuting the church.  Saul took opposition and suffering with readiness as he followed his Lord Jesus.  We to must be ready for opposition and suffering for Christ.

WHAT KEY LESSONS DOES THE BEGINNING OF SAUL’S MINISTRY REVEAL? 4) It reveals THE IMPACT of the ministry of encouragement. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. (vs.26-30)  The disciples in Jerusalem didn’t believe Saul’s conversion; they rejected Saul out of fear and doubt.  Barnabas did two things in encouraging Saul: (1) he believed in Saul’s potential; (2) he took risks in supporting Saul.  We too must be a “Barnabas” to others around us timely.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (v.31)

RECAP: FOUR KEY LESSONS TO APPLY 1.THE IMPORTANCE of sharing and serving Christ where we are: We must begin where we are and what we have. 2.THE NEED of our own “Arabian wilderness”: We must seek our own direct communion with Christ in solitude. 3.THE COST of radical discipleship—opposition and suffering: We must be prepared for opposition and suffering as we follow Christ radically. 4.THE IMPACT of the ministry of encouragement: We must be a “Barnabas” to others as we see their potentials and be willing to take risks for them.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.What will I do immediately in order to share and serve Christ where I am? 1.What would it mean that I seek my own “Arabia/wilderness” —i.e., direct communion with Christ in solitude? What’s my first step? 1.Whom can I encourage and believe in as a “Barnabas” to him or her? How?