Acts 9:19-31
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.[a]
23After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Paul’s encounter with Christ on the Damascus road was remarkable, but it is truly in the weeks following his conversion that we see the transformational power of Christ at work in his life. Let’s take a look at four traits or actions that we can see in Paul.
1. Telling his faith
a. He was preaching in the synagogues.
b. He was proving the Jesus is the Christ.
2. Trying his faith.
a. he was day by day living in Christ.
b. day by day testing the reality of Christ
3. Trusting his faith
a. Even when people did not believe in him.
b. Even when people sought to harm him.
4. Taking his faith
a. Wherever God took him.
b. However god took him.
The reality is that Paul grew by leaps and bounds because he was changed that day on the Damascus road. Even more he lived that change every day of his life. Everything he was and everything he did was to share the reality of Christ that he had found in his own life.
In our lives what would be different if we lived like that? If we lived like we really believe in the life changing reality of an indwelling Christ? We have the opportunity to find out. dare to live like you believe and watch the world change around you.
Thought For Today
Where will you allow your faith to take you?
Where will you allow your faith to take you?
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