23. From Vision to Mission (2)

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Hymns: RHC 246 Open My Eyes, That I May See 66 Fairest Lord Jesus 137 Thanks to God

Acts 9:21-31

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Whichwhen the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

From Vision to Mission (2)

OUTLINE

  • Proving Jesus Is the Christ (v21-22)
  • Enduring Persecution (v23-30)
  • Thriving Mission Fields (v31)

INTRODUCTION

From Vision to Mission (2) Acts 9:21-31. The Christian life is a witness to life with the living and true God. A testimony that we are created by God, fallen into sin and restored through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. And God has called His children to be witnesses for Him. Whatever may be your vocation in life, you are first a witness for Christ – in your school, in your workplace, in your home, wherever God brings you. 

God will use your life and your testimony to impact other lives destined for the eternal judgment of hellfire through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may experience deliverance from sin and spiritual death. 

But God has to first work in your life so that you will be the person He wants you to be to bear a good testimony for His Name. Indeed, Christians bear witness to the truth that God is real, though we do not see Him, and God is love though we do not know Him that we may experience His presence in our lives when He makes us whole by purging us from the misery of sin and saving us and transporting on the journey to heaven.

The life story, testimony of the Apostle Paul provides for us an inspiration of the reality and love of God to save sinners and to transform them to become who God want us to be – a ready witness to the love and power of God.

For the last 2 weeks, we have spoken at length concerning His commissioning to be a witness for Christ. Today, we shall see what that entails as he embarks to live the Christian life that Jesus has called him to live.

  • Proving Jesus Is the Christ (v21-22)
  • Enduring Persecution (v23-30)
  • Thriving Mission Fields (v31)

(1) Proving Jesus Is the Christ (v21-22)

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

We are told that Saul began to preach Jesus as the Son of God, proving that this is the very Christ. The action word “proving” means to bring together many parts from which a person is able to draw a conclusion. Paul brings together numerous Old Testament passages and proves the teaching that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah.

Since the Apostle Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus in A.D. 37, his life was energized by a dynamite power that burst forth in the incessant preaching of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, unparalleled in biblical history.

When you have experienced God’s blessing in your life, the peace and joy of living in the presence and power of God, you will not hesitate to be a witness to God in your life. 

We recall where we left off last week, when the blinded Saul was restored his sight, he was baptised, remember the encounter on the road to Damascus has shaken him to the core. He did not eat or drink for 3 days. Ananias saw him Jesus told Ananias you will see him praying. This is the sign of spiritual life.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed … (themselves astounded literally remove something from a place, alter, change – out of place; figuratively in the NT, as causing someone to be amazed beyond comprehension confuse, astound, amaze…This man is not his usual self that they knew him to be. There is a change.

Truly, when we become a Christian, there is a change. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God has transformed him for the inside. How is Jesus proved to be the very Christ? By our changed life! 

Ephesians 2:1-10 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Dear friends, when we become Christians we should notice a change in our lives that is translated to the people around us noticing a difference. That is how we prove Jesus is the Christ.

In a genuine conversion, we shall see the fruit of the changed life. 

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

There will be a change in what we do now and what we used to do before our conversion. His hatred for Christians is gone. His life is characterised by love, God’s love. 

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

His pride has given way to meekness a right sense of his own worth there is a poverty of spirit and mourning for sin. He is no longer nasty in the way he treats other but there is gentleness and from restlessness, there is a sense of peace and restfulness, calmness in his soul.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (the word means “to destroy”.

This is the same word translated “wasted” in Galatians 1:13. This is the only other instance used in the New Testament to describe Paul’s life before his conversion.

Our lives should be a proof to the power of the gospel. People will see the difference and be startled!

Also, we should be having spiritual depth in our life. 

23 And after that many days were fulfilled (literally it means “sufficient time – a period of considerable duration. We learn from Gal. 1:18 that a period of 3 years in all covered his retirement to Arabia… , the Jews took counsel to kill him: 

We would like us to see that there was a period of time in the life of the Apostle Paul where he took time to cultivate his spiritual life.

Galatians 1:13-24 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

The Apostle Paul testified after he was called by Christ on the road to Damascus that he retreated into Arabia for three years to prepare himself to fulfil the call of Christ recorded in Galatians 1:15-17

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 

George Peters aptly observed the need to cultivate faith through the work of the Holy Spirit, “taking time, discipline, patience, much humble waiting in the presence of God, an abiding in Christ and an absorbing interest in the Word of God.” He further cited the example of Paul

It is no surprise that Paul spent three years in Arabia soon after his conversion, and somewhat later, five to seven years in Tarsus. He needed time and solitude for theological orientation, biblical solidification, as well as spiritual maturation before he became the greatest missionary of the Christian era.

John Sung testified of his call and commission to preach the gospel recalling the night of Feb 10th, 1927 in an interview, “That night of nights, Feb 10th, 1927, was the birth of new life in me after forty days of wilderness struggle. I shall never forget. The same night I received our Lord’s commission to go into all the world to be His end-time witness. The Lord changed my name to John that I should be a forerunner to Him in this age, like John the Baptist in His first coming. The Lord is coming very soon. He needs heralds before His return. Our Lord’s Second Coming is different from his First Coming. He requires many forerunners, not one, today. We are to preach, “The Lord is at hand. Christ is coming very soon.”[1] John Sung’s God appointed seminary was 193 days in Room 415 of a Mental Hospital.[2]

How can we fulfil the mission of being a good witness for the Lord? We should have not only a changed life also a deep spiritual life. There are very many aspects in the Christian life, and we need to take time to study to whole counsel of God to effect a complete change so that we may be effective vessels to prove Jesus is the very Christ.

When we are not ready, we become more a stumbling block than a blessing. Instead of proving Jesus is the Christ, we become a bad testimony to the name of Christ. The Jews saw a change, a spiritual depth in him.

You will notice the change. It cannot be hidden! The sharing of the faith to others.

(2) Enduring Persecution (v23-30)

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 

2 Timothy 3:10-17 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

He spends two weeks in Jerusalem so that he may be personally acquainted with Peter and James, other apostles and leaders in the Jerusalem church. Paul learns from Peter the 3 years of life with Christ in His earthly ministry and Peter got to know Saul’s miraculous conversion and his proclamation of Jesus as Messiah in Damascus and Arabia.

There was still much suspicion among the disciples of Christ. But the persecution stopped with his conversion.

(3) Thriving Mission Fields (v31)

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Those scattered abroad from Jerusalem (Acts 8:4) have won souls and planted churches and gathered congregation of Christians, local churches were established in all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria.

Paul had helped Ananias and others win souls in Damascus. Everywhere the gospel went, churches were springing up, and disciples, “walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Hymn: Blessed Quietness

CONCLUSION

Proving Jesus Is the Christ (v21-22), Enduring Persecution (v23-30), Thriving Mission Fields (v31). Amen. 

[1] Timothy Tow, John Sung My Teacher, (Singapore: Christian Life Publishers, 1985), 73.

[2] Ibid., 75.