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Be Radically Changes
Sunday August 21, 2022 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui
Acts 8 & 9

The Big Idea

God can radically change anyone. No one is too bad to God.

The Message

You can be radically changed. Follow Jesus as a way of living.

Summary

  1. God can radically change a radical. God chose Saul.
  2. God can use a radicalized person to radically change a common disciple. God changed Ananias.
  3. God can use a common person to radically change the future of an uncommon person. God used Barnabas.

Scripture: Acts 8 & 9

Key Verse

"Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ." -Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)

NO ONE IS TOO BAD TO GOD: Saul, a radical, was changed radically.

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. -Acts 8:1 (NKJV)
  1. Consenting: Assenting to and feeling gratified with the stoning of Stephen to death. Do not take pleasure in evil.
  2. Persecution: A state of being chased and pursued. Followers of Jesus were chased and pursued.
  3. Scattered: It can also be understood as spreading. Adversity can lead to the advancement of the kingdom of God. The Gospel spread throughout the region because the followers of Jesus were scattered.
"As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison." -Acts 8:3 (NKJV)
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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. -Acts 9:1-2 (NKJV)
  1. Havoc: Destroying the men and women of the church from house to house. More than 5000 churches/facilities were destroyed in 2021.
  2. Prison: Imprisoning the followers of Jesus to contain the good news. More than 6000 followers of Jesus were detained and imprisoned in 2021. Breathing threats and murder: Animated to kill and slaughter the followers of Jesus. Roughly 5600 followers of Jesus were murdered in 2021.
  3. The Way: Followers of Jesus were known as people of the Way (following the path of Jesus). 4000+ Christians were kidnapped in 2021. *The numbers are from Open Doors

Lesson One

A radical needs a radical change.

A Disruptive Intervention Can Be A Solution To A Person's Increasing Deafness and/or Blindness To Change Course.

"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" -Acts 9:3-4 (NKJV)
  1. A Light Shone: Enveloped in light. The light was brighter than the sun. God was showing a stark contrast.
  2. Fell to the Ground: Terrified of the light, Saul fell to the ground to protect himself for survival. The text does not specify where he fell from.
  3. Heard a Voice: "Saul, Saul"-repeated to get his attention and to display God's earnest and deep emotion.
  4. Persecuting Me: Persecuting God, not man. We can be viciously attacking others not realizing we are attacking God.

Lesson Two

A radical disruption is necessary for a conversion.

Ask Questions, Seek Answers, Be Willing To Follow Through.

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." 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." -Acts 9:5-6 (NKJV)
  1. Who are you?: "Show me who you really are" Ask questions to get answers. Ask humbly.
  2. I am Jesus: I am alive and I am God. Why are you doing futile things?
  3. What do you want me to do: When you humbly ask God to show up, you must also be willing to obey what He tells you to do. Most of us are afraid to ask "What do you want me to do?''

Lesson Three

A radical encounter with Jesus always causes a compelling response.

Silence Can Challenge All Your Previous Ideas About What You Think Is The Right Thing.

And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. -Acts 9:9 (NKJV)

Lesson Four

Radical rest is necessary for a renewal.

An Uncommon Radical Person Can Radically Change A Common Person.

Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." -Acts 9:13-14 (NKJV)
  1. Ananias: A certain (common) disciple...God chose a common disciple to reveal Saul as the chosen vessel.
  2. I have heard from many: Your objection to God may be perfectly logical, but God does not need our counsel. Popular opinion is not necessarily the right opinion.
  3. God gives a specific mission to specific people.
  4. Street Name: Straight
  5. House address: Judas
  6. Name of a person: Saul
  7. What He was doing: Praying
  8. Vision: Saul saw Ananias putting his hand on him.

Lesson Five

Radical shift comes from radical obedience.

God's opinion matters the most. God does not change His mind because of popular opinion.

Real Passion Comes From a Real Conviction.

"Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?" But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ." -Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)
  1. Immediately...preached Christ: Saul radically changed, preaching Christ rather than persecuting Him.
  2. All who heard were amazed: People witnessed the radical change.
  3. Saul Increased: Saul prayed many prayers before but never truly prayed. When he prayed, God strengthened him physically and spiritually. We may be praying everyday, but are we truly praying?

Lesson Six

Radical strength comes from God.

A Common Person Can Radically Change The Future Of An Uncommon Person.

"And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." -Acts 9:26-27 (NKJV)
  1. Afraid of him: The leaders did not believe Saul was a disciple. At this point many had turned their back on Jesus.
  2. Barnabas took him: He extended a simple loving friendship to Saul. God chose two common disciples to change the life of an uncommon man, a man who changed the course of the Christian faith.

Lesson Seven

Radical witnesses comes from real witnessing.