Server Outage Notice: TheSeed.info is transfering to a new Server on Tuesday April 13th
| > Sermon Archive > Sermons by Author > Rev. Mark Chen > A Reformation of Heart and Life | Previous Next Print |
| Order Of Worship (Liturgy) Psalter 126 - God a Very Present Help TH 483 - We Sing the Glorious Conquest Psalter 292 - Redeeming Love TH 370 - Revive Thy Work, O Lord |
A Reformation of Heart and Life
Acts 9:1-31
Mincayani was a member of a Huaorani tribe in Ecuador. They were savage - robbing, raping, and killing others. In their history, 3 generations was so rare, the word “grandfather” was hardly used. Despite their reputation, 5 missionaries made contact. So friendly were the first exchanges, the missionaries hoped to meet more to share the gospel. More came - but with weapons. The missionaries were killed; never firing their pistols for self-defense. Mincayani himself killed the missionary Nate Saint.
Their deaths paved the way for the gospel to be brought to the Huaorani. Nate Saint’s family boldly came to stay, bringing the gospel to his murderers. The result? The tribe was saved. Mincayani became a Christian and a respected preacher. He described how Christ had changed them - “we acted badly, badly, until they brought us God’s carvings (meaning, the Bible)…we lived angry, hating and killing, for no reason. Then, seeing his carvings and following his good trail, now we live happily and in peace with everyone.” He became a father to Steve Saint, Nate’s son. Steve’s children called him grandfather. Steve said, “I have never forgotten the pain and heartache of losing my dad…I’ve known Mincayani since I was a little boy when he took me under his wing. Yes, he killed my father, but he loved me and my family. What Mincayani and his tribesmen meant for evil, God used for good…given the chance to rewrite the story, I would not be willing to change it.”
How amazing! That the wicked can change; that such enemies can be friends. And we see that in our passage. On Reformation Sunday, we remember the rediscovery of the gospel after years of darkness. The gospel changed the lives of the Reformers and their people. They embraced the Bible, changed in affection, behavior, and desires. And they risked their lives for the gospel. So it gives us pause to consider our lives. We love the doctrines of grace - many are rediscovering them. But have we been transformed? Do we desire transformation in others?
In today’s passage we look at those changed by the gospel in 4 propositions: Firstly, those that reject the gospel will oppose those who love the gospel. Secondly, the Christ of the gospel pursues the enemies of the gospel. Thirdly, those touched by the gospel of Christ surrender to the Christ of the gospel. Fourthly, those united by Christ demonstrate the gospel of Christ.
Firstly, those that reject the gospel will oppose those who love the gospel. In verse 1 we see a self-righteous man persecuting the truly righteous - “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” In Philippians, Saul said he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. There were ordinary Pharisees, and there was Paul. In Galatians 1:13-14 he said he persecuted the church beyond measure. He so wanted to advance the traditions of the Pharisees that he outshone his colleagues. Perhaps Paul may even have prayed - “God, thank you I’m not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or this publican. I fast twice a week and give tithes.” And he hated the gospel - how can anyone receive mercy? No! The way to righteousness is obedience. He entered houses, arresting men and women. It was so bad, 10,000 people fled Jerusalem. But he didn’t stop. Verse 1 - “and Saul - or then Saul, or but Saul.” They fled, but Saul then went after them. While Philip preached Christ, Saul pursued Christians. And he was persistent. Philip preached from Samaria to Caesarea; Saul pursued Christians from Jerusalem to Judea to now, Damascus. Saul was persistent in opposing the gospel.
And it was a personal zealous quest. According to verse 2, he sought the high priest for arrest warrants. This was initiated by Saul, not the High Priest. He researched where Christians had gone and found out they hid in the Damascene synagogues. He did his homework to inflict greatest damage. He wanted to arrest men and women - in chains - to stand trial and be stoned like Stephen. The gospel challenged his righteousness so he would challenge Christians. But what was his benefit? Not money, but the pleasure of God. He had zeal without knowledge. But it could’ve been anger. In Acts 6, Stephen debated with those from a synagogue made up of Jews from Cilicia and Asia. Verse 10 says, “They were not able to resist the the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Tarsus, where Paul was from, was the capital of Cilicia. If Paul was there, as some surmise, he was thrashed. He was shamed. It was personal. What happened when he opposed Christ?
Secondly, the Christ of the gospel pursued him, an enemy of the gospel. Christ could’ve destroyed Paul. But he didn’t. He condescended to find Saul. Verse 3 - as Saul came near Damascus, a great light shone from heaven and Saul fell to the ground. Saul had no love for Jesus, no desire to be saved - but Jesus sought him. “There is none that understandeth, none that seeketh after God.” Jesus said no man will come to him, except God draws him. This is proof. In Acts 26:13 Paul described it. At noon, when the sun was brightest, the glory of God was brighter. As a Pharisee, he knew what it was. He got off the horse and fell to his knees - God was present. And he heard a voice. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” This was God speaking. So why did Saul ask - who art thou Lord? Perhaps the voice had a Galilean accent! “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” As a member of the Sanhedrin, he had heard Jesus and condemned him. But now in trying to destroy the church, he was fighting God.
But listen to how tender Jesus was - Saul, Saul! On earth, Jesus was patient with an impatient woman - Martha, Martha; or he was grieved by unbelief - Jerusalem, Jerusalem. So Jesus called him out of tenderness - why are you persecuting me? And Jesus said it was futile to persecute him - like an ox kicking against the pricks. And it was true. From 120 disciples, the church grew to over 3000 in one day. And now 10,000 with more saved daily. Saul couldn’t stop it. He realized Jesus was God. And if he was opposing the church for religious purity or wounded ego, he was persecuting Jesus the head of the church. Saul had to love Christ and Christians; otherwise he’d be God’s enemy. His zeal against God’s church was zeal against God. Jesus was now pricking him in the right direction. Not to go would only increase his pain.
So how does Saul respond? Thirdly, those touched by the gospel of Christ surrender to the Christ of the gospel. He called upon the name of the Lord - verse 6 - “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” This was his moment of conversion. He called upon the name of the Lord and asked what Jesus wanted him to do. There was immediate submission. And many Christians don’t dare ask this question. In times of church or family problems we want to continue in our war path. But Saul submitted - it was personal. What would you have ME to do? In the past, he followed his will in his unrighteous quest. But now as a righteous man, he surrendered.
Christ told him to go to Damascus, where he’d be told what to do. And in verse 8, he went. What a difference! In the past, he led the persecution, petitioned the High Priest, led the temple guards to Damascus; now he was led. He went from master to servant. And to help him, Jesus struck him blind. He was led by the hand, verses 8-9, and he fasted for 3 days. He was blind, but saw his sins and grieved - all the deaths he endorsed. How he split the church. How he persecuted God’s people. He fasted. Too often, we don’t feel guilt. But Saul did. He called himself the chief of sinners - the least of the apostles.
But what happened? Ananias laid hands and spoke to Saul. Verses 18-19 tell us there was an astounding change. He was no longer in grief. He was restored and given sight. He was baptized and filled with the Spirit. He ate and rested, but not for long. His surrender included his zeal to preach. He was zealous to persecute before, but now to preach. Verse 20 - “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Straightaway. Immediately. He didn’t wait. The next Sabbath, he was at the synagogues to preach Christ.
And when he preached, several things happened. He amazed the listeners by his reformation. Verse 21 says they asked - isn’t this the one who tried to destroy Christians in Jerusalem and came here to do the same? His change was 180 degrees from someone who hated Christians to being one. They were also amazed by his knowledge. Verse 22 - “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” He confounded them. The Jews couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was Christ. What Stephen had done to Saul, Saul was now doing to them. Now, while Saul knew the Old Testament before, he wasn’t interpreting it correctly. He was now powerful because he saw Jesus clearly in the Old Testament. Jesus changed him. Everything in the Bible pointed to Christ - the seed of the woman - Christ; the sacrifices - Christ; Noah’s ark - Christ; the ark of the covenant - Christ; Abraham’s seed that would bless the world - Christ; the temple, tabernacle, law, Israel itself - Christ. They couldn’t refute him.
And that angered them. Because they couldn’t refute him, verses 23-24 say they wanted to kill him, even waiting in ambush day and night. This also showed he his surrender. If death came, he’d welcome it. After all, Jesus revealed in verse 16 Saul would suffer for him. Their blue eyed boy had them seeing red now. So this was the greatest proof of his conversion - his willingness to suffer for the gospel. He knew he’d suffer. And we know this too - this is why we to fear preach the gospel. We’re not surrendered. But Saul was so reformed by the gospel that he’d suffer for it.
But we see lastly, the effect of that transformation not just on Saul, but on others. Those united by Christ demonstrate the gospel of Christ. When Saul was told by God to go to Damascus in verse 6, Ananias was told to go meet Saul. And we see how the gospel effects forgiveness in obedient Christians. Verse 10 - “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.” Ananias was a disciple of Damascus. Likely, he returned home even before the persecution - perhaps after Pentecost. He was not an apostle, teacher, or officer; but a disciple. Jesus gave him a command to restore Saul and he obeyed. But it was a difficult commandment. Jesus told him in verses 11-12 to go to Straight Street, to the house of another Judas, where he’d find Saul praying. He’d lay hands on him to restore his sight. But he feared - verse 13-14 - he knew the wicked reputation of Saul - his holocaust. If it was Saul, why would Ananias go to him? Because ultimately, Ananias feared God. He was obedient. Notice he was already praying, because Jesus told him in verse 11 to get up. And there was been shock. Saul was praying! But Saul had come to persecute. But he was praying. Saul had a vision! Meaning Christ had spoken to Saul as he had spoken to Ananias. Both prayed to Christ and had visions from Christ. They were brothers. He heard Christ would use Saul, verses 15-16. Wow! Not punish Saul? Ananias had to overcome these things - fear and shock. Even conflicting feelings. People he knew were killed by Saul. Stephen! But how could Christ use him? So Ananias had to obey and had to forgive. That’s what they gospel does. And he did. Verse 17 - he went and put his hand on Saul. Why? The Christ that had saved him, saved Saul, who was now his brother. This would’ve brought peace of Ananias. Saul was no longer an enemy. He was a friend. And this would’ve brought comfort to Saul - who was told to wait for instructions - waiting, blind, guilty - and now one who should’ve hated him, didn’t, but came with God’s love. And the community was loving. Verse 19 says Saul ate; he received care and strength from his new brethren. They spent time with him.
The gospel also causes us to risk our lives for one another. When Saul was targeted, the very disciples he wanted to kill, were the very ones who helped him escape When the Jews were ready to ambush him, verse 25 says “Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.” This means there was no way of escape - the gates were sealed. The enemies were moving in. But these brethren, once enemies, took him by night and lowered him down. Why? Because Jesus said that one day he will preach the gospel to kings and gentiles. He had to live to preach another day. But how could he do this without them risking their lives for him? What an amazing testimony. Many of us will say - we have no time, will catch COVID, can’t others help? She betrayed me before. He’s too heavy. But the persecuted risking persecution for their once persecutor.
So Saul escaped Damascus and went to Jerusalem. But he didn’t get the same reception there. Verse 26 - when he tried to join the disciples they were afraid and didn’t believe him. Now, these disciples were the apostles because all but the apostles had fled. Where ordinary disciples in Damascus received him, the apostolic disciples rejected him. This was natural - they didn’t know if this was his latest tactic.
But he got a break. Those changed by the gospel give one another a break. And it’s not surprising who supported him. Verse 27 - “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles.” Who didn’t care about his past? Who gave him a break? Barnabas. It says, “But Barnabas”. The rest? Afraid, didn’t believe - BUT Barnabas. He brought him to the apostles and convinced them Saul was converted. He was a mediator and a reconciler. When everyone doubted Saul, he stood up for him. “He’s preaching in Jesus’ name! He’s changed!” Most people are willing to bear a bad report. Gossip is what we’ll talk about tonight. But we need people who see the good - for most see the bad. As a result, verses 28-29 says he stayed with the Apostles, moving freely in Jerusalem. He debated with the Greek speaking Jews - his old gang of synagogue buddies. They who once supported him in stoning Stephen now tried to kill him. And again, he received support so he would live another day to preach to kings and Gentiles. Verse 30 - he brought him to Caesarea and all the way back to Tarsus.
This man was so self-sufficient in his own righteousness, zeal, and hatred for all things gospel related. But he changed. Christ pursued him to change him. He surrendered and submitted himself. His former enemies forgave him, risked their lives for him, and gave him a much needed break. Dearly beloved, the Reformation was about the rediscovery of the Gospel and Doctrines of Grace. That we are saved by Christ alone to glorify him. But we who have embraced the gospel, and love the doctrines of grace, how have we been transformed in our lives? So what can we apply from the text to us?
Firstly, the gospel changes us to love Christ. Saul hated the gospel. But when he understood it, he forsook his own righteousness and grieved for his sins. Dearly beloved, do we grieve for sins? I’m not talking about pre-converted Paul who grieved that others were not good enough - I’m talking about post-conversion Paul who grieved for his sins - particularly how he treated Christ by his persecution of Christ’s church. Loving Christ is loving his righteousness; loving Christ means grieving for our sins. Not so much, the sins of others. Dearly beloved, if we find ourselves focusing more on the sins and shortcomings of others with anger and disapproval and not grief, we need to remember the gospel afresh. The Christ that pursued Saul, has pursued us. What are the sins we must forsake out of love for Christ? Maybe it’s a Pharisaical spirit. Maybe it’s a worldly spirit.
Secondly, the gospel changes us to love Christ’s people. When we love people, we’re concerned for their spiritual well-being. The disciples came and received Saul - warts and all. Paul was justified, not sanctified yet. He’d take time to change? But they supported him, risked their lives for him, forgave him. Yes, the gospel is paramount. We must defend it, preach it, be precise about it. But we must live it. And this includes loving the church. The church of Christ is not a perfect entity. But she is loved by Christ. Have you loved those different from you? Maybe a bit unclean by your convictions? Gasp! Did you know about her past! You know what he did? But more from the text, are there you know who are a bit more self-righteous? Aiyo, that one again - so easily outraged - always has something to say; complaining how others are not spiritual, impure, uncommitted. How can you show patience and love toward these weak brethren? Saul and others were changed. They were all humbled to love one another.
Thirdly, the gospel changes us to love the lost. When Saul was saved. He didn’t wait long before he started preaching. Yes, he disputed and debated - this is sometimes part of preaching. Yes, people were angry but because of the gospel. When it comes to the doctrines of grace, and to the gospel - let is not be said to us that we are so precise in our doctrines and argue and even split over them, but not preach the gospel. It is most incongruent that those who understand the priority of preaching the gospel would not live the gospel. And those that stress living out Christ would not preach Christ. Mincayani would often ask various missionaries he met - “How long did you have God’s carvings before you brought them to us? Maybe if we had known sooner that God did not see it well that people should live angry, hating and killing for no reason, we could have walked God’s trail sooner.”
May the Lord strike us and humble us, to remove the scales from our eyes that we might see the gospel afresh - to live it out and to minister it.
1. Those Who Reject the Gospel Will Oppose Those Who Love the Gospel
A. The self-righteous persecuting the righteous
B. It was a personal zealous quest
2. The Christ of the Gospel Pursues the Enemies of the Gospel
A. An unmistakable condescension
B. A tender commandment
3. Those Touched By the Gospel of Christ Surrender to the Christ of the Gospel
A. An immediate surrender
B. An astounding change
4. Those United By Christ Demonstrate the Gospel of Christ
A. He forgave
B. They risked
C. He supported
* As a matter of courtesy please advise Rev. Mark Chen, if you plan to use this sermon in a worship service. Thank-you.
(c) Copyright 2021, Rev. Mark Chen
Please direct any comments to the Webmaster
