07/14/13 The Ride of a Lifetime!
Text: Acts
9:1-19
1 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.” 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?" 5 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." 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said,
"Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him,
"Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing
no one. 8 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. 10 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." 13 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." 15 But the Lord said
to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before
Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many
things he must suffer for My name's sake." 17 And Ananias went his way and
entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the
Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you
may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately
there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at
once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was
strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Intro:
The Theme this year for VBS is “Colossal Coaster World” - Facing fears, and
trusting God.
Are you the type who races to the front of the line to get on the
wildest roller coaster in the park? Or are you the one who has to be coaxed and
begged to even think about getting on the kiddie coaster? Either way, that ride
is over in minutes. However, the roller coaster of life is a very different
story. The life of Paul had more twists and turns, ups and downs, and
loop-the-loop than any roller coaster. Yet, regardless of his circumstances, Paul’s
primary focus was pointing others to Christ. I must admit these last couple of
weeks the ride I am on is not a kiddie ride. Probably most of you here have
been on a tough ride at one time or another. In this ride of a lifetime Paul’s
first experience came with speed:
1. Full Speed Into a 180 Degree Turn:
Have you ever
felt there was no way you could be wrong about something, nor could anyone
convince you otherwise? Paul (also Known as Saul) bore down on Damascus fully
convinced that those who followed this Jesus were a threat to all he knew to be
right. This is an account of Paul’s past before Christ, before he made a 180
degree turn: Acts 9:1-2 “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.”
A sudden stop
and blinding light turned Paul in an entirely different direction, one that
changed Paul into one of the most vocal advocates of the gospel: Acts 9:3-19
Paul
saw the light, Paul turned from sin and self toward the light of Christ full
speed.
Paul’s experience with Christ put him in a ride of a lifetime:
2. The Ride
of a Lifetime:
Paul recounted the things he faced as a preacher of the gospel. Paul
basically was telling his audience I am one of you, I am a Christian I have
been in the trenches. “I have worked hard; I have been put into prison again and
again. I have been whipped times without number, and faced death again and
again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was
shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have
traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from
robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the
Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have
worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and
thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without
enough clothing to keep me warm. Besides all this, I have the daily burden of
my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness?
Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would
rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. God, the Father of our
Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. I had to be
lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from King
Aretas.” 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 NLT
Paul knew the source of his strength: 2
Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will
rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore
I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
It is
easy to find sometimes in life that the toughest ride you will ever ride is
life.
In this ride of a lifetime Paul’s finally prayed for fellow passengers:
3. Fellow
Passengers:
Paul’s desire was to set the kind of example that, if anyone followed
him, they would ultimately be following Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:1 “Oh, that
you would bear with me in a little folly--and indeed you do bear with me.”
Paul
recognized that he was a sinner saved by Grace: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 “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. 16 However, for this reason I obtained
mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern
to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory
forever and ever. Amen.”
Are you on Board?
Paul wrote to the Romans words that
still speak to hearts that need Christ today: Romans Road - Romans 3:23 “for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9-10, 13 “that if you confess
with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes
unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For
"whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
If you have
trusted Jesus as your Savior, are you trusting in the promises He has made to
help you live for Him? “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power
and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Conclusion:
If you were giving
an account of your life today, the way Paul did would you be able to tell
others what Jesus has meant to you? This week we have a great opportunity to
share what we know about Jesus with kids and their families. “For God has not
given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
And
the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no
one! Are you still looking for something, is there an ever small voice speaking
to you but you continue to stand speechless when the voice speaks to you. HAVE
YOU SEEN THE LIGHT?
It might be a ride of a life time for you; maybe some of
you need to make a 180 degree turn. Maybe some of you have been that man or
woman, or still are?
In : Sermon
Tags: vbs ride
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