presented by rev. augustine t. sanwu certificate of theology (cth), bsc, msc. saul's conversion...
TRANSCRIPT
Presented byRev. Augustine T. Sanwu Certificate of Theology (CTh), BSc , MSc.
Saul's ConversionActs 9:1-19
Founder: St Augustine International School – GhanaEmail: [email protected]
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Passage(the pharisees were determined to eliminate this new sect)
Acts 19:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
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Introduction
The sermon is divided into 3 points
Saul's background Saul's calling
Saul’s conversion
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Recap on Pentecost(Jesus was crucified to halt this way)
In Acts 2:17, it reads: "'And in the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.
Manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
3000 converted on Pentecost
Jesus is Lord
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Saul's background
His was born a Jew.
Both parents were Jews so he called himself a “Hebrew of Hebrews”.
Born in Tarsus as a Roman citizen and as a free man he had the right to travel freely through the Roman world.
His knowledge about the Jewish traditions and Law was extraordinary – he studied in Jerusalem under Gamaliel.
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Saul's background
The bible describes him as blameless with regards to the righteousness of the law.
He was a man of no ill morals; but he terrorised the early church.
He gave approval to the killing of Stephen. (Acts 7)
Saul agitated the Christian community – he could not rest while Christians were living in peace.
He heard of a community living in Damascus and decided to go there and give them some disturbance.
His mission was to enquire among the synagogues at Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem as criminals.
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Saul plotted with the high priest Acts 19:1-2
He connived with the religious hierarchy to destroy the early church.
He agreed with the high priest to go to Damascus where the believers were and to disturb their peace.
Damascus
Where next?
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Sin is rooted in all aspects of society What would cause a religious man to kill another in the name of religion? Sin.
What is it that causes families to fall out? The answer is Sin.
What is it that motivates a young man to stab another young man? Sin.
What causes one human race or a tribe to persecute another human race or a tribe? Sin.
Story of a disgruntled woman attack on an innocent missionary.
Story of the immigrant baker.
God is calling for repentance where ever there is sin – Amen!
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Sin is rooted in all aspect of society In Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Nigeria, we hear of religious crimes.
On the news last week a Muslim woman was jailed in Sudan for converting to Christianity and marrying a Christian.
The root cause of these religious extremes is sin. What is sin? Sin is unbelief!
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Sin is rooted in all aspect of societyWhat is sin? Sin is unbelief! Unbelief is sin because it is an insult to the truthfulness of God.Sin incurs a penalty – The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.
Saul's calling
God uses a variety of ways to call
man back to the fold.
In Isaiah 6 – God called Isaiah from
the temple.
In Exodus – He called Moses from a
Burning Bush. Are you been called
this morning?
Are you been called this morning? God uses a variety of ways to call
man back.
In Isaiah 6 – He called Isaiah in the
year King Uzziah died.
God called Isaiah from the temple.
Are you been called this morning?
When Isaiah heard the voice that shook the
foundation of the door post, he cried; woe is
me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of
unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen
the King, The Lord of hosts.
Oh! What a Light! I need some help.
Why are you persecuting me?
It is hard for youto kick against
the goads
“Eh! the manup there never use pyjama forSuit u know”
In this passage, He called Saul in shining
light. Are you been called this Morning?
Saul's CallingActs 9:7
The light from heaven symbolizes the
appearance of Jesus in glory.
The light was visible only to Saul.
Don't expect everybody around you to see or
hear what God is saying to you.
Saul's companions did not fully comprehend.
God’s Calling and Man's Conversion: Two-Way communication Process - A good relationship requires Active
Listening
Pay attentionShow you are listening and empathetic
Provide feedback – respond to GodDon’t defer Respond appropriately
Relationship with God requires effective communication?
Motivational – feel part of the God family.Easier to give direction, control and create a
single direction – working towards the same goals.
Makes decision making easier – accurate and complete information.
Improves our relationships with the Lord and fellow believers.
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A good relationship requires Effective Communication
As part of your Christian life . . .
Who do you communicate with? God, people – important to communicate with God and people.
How do you communicate with them? Lifestyle, verbal discourse, body language, fasting, prayer
Critical Listening
Sympathetic Listening
Creative Listening
FACTS v
OPINIONS
Separate the
Two
Don’t talk,
Listen
Don’t give
advice, Listen
Don’t judge,
Listen
Open mind
Supplement
your ideas
with Godly
ideas
Effective Communication includes Listening
God calls in various ways -Your calling may be different from Moses, Isaiah or Saul but it is still a call.
Sin is unbelief – The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus.
Communication with God is a 2 way process; learn to listen and respond instantly when you hear from God just like Moses, Isaiah and Saul.
Conclusion