December 31, 2001
Family Bible Series for Jan. 13
Once an enemy, Paul became Christ's advocate
___Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-30
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___Before we get started in this week's lesson, I feel compelled to do an attitude check with you. So, how's your attitude this week? Do you have the slightest hint of a mental or emotional roller coaster going on inside of you? Are you experiencing any negative thoughts or cockiness? Arrogance? How so, you might ask?
___Well, the Christmas season is over, vacation time has expired and you're back to work full speed ahead. Oh, and I shouldn't forget to remind us all of the New Year's resolutions we made. Oops, I mean the resolutions we made and have already broken one or two. OK, so your attitude may not be quite up to par as it should.
___It's often been said that if you feel down and out you should look at your neighbor. Surely they must have it worse and then you begin to feel better about yourself. Isn't it odd how simple human logic gets thrown around a lot as if it will solve our problems?
___Not so. As a Christian, there is one way of addressing our attitude problem and feeling down and out. Just ask yourself, "How has Jesus changed my life?" Yes, it's quite simple. When you begin to focus on the changes Jesus has made in you, then it's quite hard to focus on the negative. Just take a look at Saul and what happened to him.
___"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (1:8). The persecution that began forced Christians out of Jerusalem, and many went into Judea and Samaria.
___This was a fulfillment of Jesus' command. Christianity would spread as a result of individuals and families leaving their homes to find refuge somewhere else. They would tell their story to those who would listen and as a result share how Jesus had changed their lives. Yes, the spreading of the gospel was taking place.
___Acts 8:1-3 helps set up the story of Saul. Verse 3 tells us just how angry Saul was when he began to destroy the church. "Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison."
___Have you ever seen anyone that angry? What would cause this extreme anger in someone like Saul? For me, I see that type of anger only on television. However, there might be the possibility of real extreme anger if someone tried to hurt a loved one of mine. Then I believe I could say I knew the type of anger Saul felt. Regardless, I believe this extreme anger would be hard for most of us to imagine.
___But the Christians fleeing for their lives weren't loved ones of Saul. Why the anger? Saul's attitude had gone far beyond cockiness and arrogance. He was beyond bitterness toward Christianity. He hated Christians.
___ Whenever fire is fed with additional fuel, you can't help but get a stronger and more intense fire. That's what it was like with Saul. The more stories he heard about the new-found religion of Christianity and its challenges to Judaism, the stronger his hate grew.
___Chapter 9 continues the story, with Saul giving murderous threats. Oh, how Saul was about to be stopped in his tracks--literally. He was about to have an encounter with Jesus. This would be an encounter he would not win. I believe his meeting with Jesus would have to be of such drastic measure to get his attention.
___Reread verses 3-9. Close your eyes and imagine the story playing out before your eyes. Can you see the light flashing? Hear the Savior's voice? Watch the men who traveled with Saul? Now, can you earnestly imagine what it would be like to be struck blind in an instant? That was Saul's encounter with Jesus.
___What would it take for Jesus to get your attention? If you were not a Christian, would Jesus have to be so bold with you? What if you are a Christian? Take heed, Jesus will do whatever is necessary.
___The remaining verses illustrate a beautiful picture of someone being transformed--radically. Saul, who was an enemy of the gospel, was now an advocate of the gospel. His attitude and behavior had changed for the good. Many thought it was unthinkable that Saul could change into a loving and caring Christian.
___Ananias didn't believe at first but out of obedience knew something out of the ordinary was about to take place. He went to Saul and witnessed not just his eyes being restored but a man totally changed by Jesus. Saul began sharing the gospel in telling everyone he met what Jesus had done for him. Wouldn't you?
___Saul's countenance had changed. Many were perplexed and shocked by what they saw. Saul didn't stop. He kept sharing and sharing even when others tried to kill him. Will you join Saul and be an advocate for the gospel at all costs?
___Questions for discussion
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