1 00:00:00,650 --> 00:00:03,860 Speaker 1: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no 2 00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:09,120 Speaker 1: longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 3 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: 2.20 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of 4 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:19,330 Speaker 1: freedom through Christ, who has crucified our sins and shame 5 00:00:20,190 --> 00:00:23,950 Speaker 1: on the cross. We are no longer bound by the 6 00:00:23,989 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 1: weight of our past, but walk as free people, redeemed 7 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:35,659 Speaker 1: and renewed by your grace. Lord, we acknowledge our deep 8 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,500 Speaker 1: need for you and ask that you guide our hearts 9 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 1: to fully embrace this freedom, living in a way that 10 00:00:44,300 --> 00:00:50,480 Speaker 1: honors you. Strengthen us to pursue what is right, to 11 00:00:50,550 --> 00:00:54,650 Speaker 1: seek Christ daily, and to be a light in this world. 12 00:00:56,530 --> 00:01:01,450 Speaker 1: Empower us to live boldly in this new life, reflecting 13 00:01:01,510 --> 00:01:10,690 Speaker 1: your love and truth in all we do. In Jesus' name, amen. 14 00:01:15,310 --> 00:01:18,730 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 15 00:01:18,750 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast. Remain here for our mini-series on the 16 00:01:24,060 --> 00:01:28,100 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 17 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:32,090 Speaker 1: we would love it if you left a review. Doing 18 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:39,320 Speaker 1: so makes a huge impact on our team. The two 19 00:01:39,380 --> 00:01:42,940 Speaker 1: of them made it to the Abana River. The water 20 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:47,380 Speaker 1: glistened in the sunlight and invited them in with enthusiasm. 21 00:01:49,460 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: Saul felt the coolness of the river crawl up his 22 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:58,220 Speaker 1: spine and wake him up. He breathed in deeply and 23 00:01:58,270 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: held Ananias' hand Ananias looked at Saul and smiled. Ananias 24 00:02:05,140 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 1: grasped Saul's hand with his left hand and placed his 25 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 1: right hand on his back. He dipped him back into 26 00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:19,410 Speaker 1: the water, then lifted him out. The cascading sunlight split 27 00:02:19,490 --> 00:02:23,290 Speaker 1: into a million directions as Saul emerged from the water. 28 00:02:24,590 --> 00:02:30,230 Speaker 1: Saul emerged under the radiance of Christ's unending love. Saul 29 00:02:30,350 --> 00:02:34,149 Speaker 1: could not see it, but every angel in heaven was 30 00:02:34,310 --> 00:02:39,980 Speaker 1: rejoicing over him with a cacophony of praise. The water 31 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:45,500 Speaker 1: represented a tomb for Saul, the persecutor. That man was 32 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:51,910 Speaker 1: buried and would never return. Emerging from the water was 33 00:02:51,950 --> 00:02:56,290 Speaker 1: a new man. Just as Christ rose from the grave, 34 00:02:57,270 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 1: Saul was resurrected from the water. 35 00:03:03,810 --> 00:03:08,030 Speaker 2: The church's greatest enemy became its greatest advocate. What does 36 00:03:08,070 --> 00:03:11,049 Speaker 2: that say about our potential if we are to yield 37 00:03:11,110 --> 00:03:15,350 Speaker 2: our pride and follow Jesus? Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. 38 00:03:15,710 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 2: I'm Zach with Pray.com, here to lead you through another 39 00:03:18,020 --> 00:03:20,820 Speaker 2: story about the birth of the church. We've been taking 40 00:03:20,860 --> 00:03:23,360 Speaker 2: the better part of this month to go through the 41 00:03:23,460 --> 00:03:26,619 Speaker 2: early church to see how Jesus works and moves through 42 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 2: ordinary people like you and I. Today, we're diving into 43 00:03:29,860 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 2: an episode from the book of Acts that reads like 44 00:03:31,940 --> 00:03:36,140 Speaker 2: a plot of an ancient thriller. In Acts 9, 23-25, 45 00:03:36,180 --> 00:03:38,300 Speaker 2: we find Saul, soon to be known as Paul, in 46 00:03:38,340 --> 00:03:42,710 Speaker 2: a precarious situation that teaches us profound truths about God's ways, humility, 47 00:03:43,030 --> 00:03:45,230 Speaker 2: and the unexpected paths of obedience. 48 00:03:48,530 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: Saul followed Ananias through the narrow alleyway, dimly illuminated by torchlight. 49 00:03:54,940 --> 00:03:58,490 Speaker 1: Their shadows slid across the walls. and then upwards as 50 00:03:58,530 --> 00:04:01,990 Speaker 1: they climbed the stairs to the roof. Under a canopy 51 00:04:02,030 --> 00:04:05,850 Speaker 1: of stars was a large group of people reclined on 52 00:04:05,950 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: rugs and pillows. Lanterns were firmly set around them, showing 53 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:16,740 Speaker 1: their laughing faces. They were all facing one another, enjoying 54 00:04:16,820 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: a simple meal of bread and wine. Saul knew about 55 00:04:21,580 --> 00:04:24,589 Speaker 1: the people of the way. He had studied them with 56 00:04:24,670 --> 00:04:29,050 Speaker 1: great detail to persecute them. He knew that they met 57 00:04:29,110 --> 00:04:33,419 Speaker 1: in homes and talked about Jesus. He knew that they 58 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:38,900 Speaker 1: shared bread and wine together to remember his crucifixion. Although 59 00:04:38,940 --> 00:04:43,970 Speaker 1: he knew these things, seeing them was a different thing entirely. 60 00:04:44,850 --> 00:04:48,410 Speaker 1: He beheld the most eclectic group of Jews he had 61 00:04:48,670 --> 00:04:54,450 Speaker 1: ever seen. Slaves and prominent merchants sat beside each other 62 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:59,820 Speaker 1: and shared stories. A lame beggar broke bread with a 63 00:04:59,920 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: wealthy nobleman from Ethiopia, and children of different classes played together. 64 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,740 Speaker 1: Saul peered at a table in the corner. He watched 65 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:14,250 Speaker 1: an elder of the city pour wine for a widow. 66 00:05:15,050 --> 00:05:17,990 Speaker 1: She kissed him on the cheek in gratitude, and he 67 00:05:18,050 --> 00:05:21,370 Speaker 1: left to break more bread for the children. Saul had 68 00:05:21,490 --> 00:05:26,010 Speaker 1: never seen anything like it. These people, who should have 69 00:05:26,029 --> 00:05:32,090 Speaker 1: been separated by class and creed, shared laughter and love 70 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: under the warm torchlight. Saul stayed a few paces behind Ananias. 71 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: He saw the faces of a few people he had 72 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: sent to the flogging beam in Jerusalem. Many had fled 73 00:05:46,170 --> 00:05:50,229 Speaker 1: to Damascus because of his cruelty, and now he stood 74 00:05:50,310 --> 00:05:54,810 Speaker 1: before them to share a meal. He paused and turned 75 00:05:54,870 --> 00:05:58,870 Speaker 1: back in shame. How could they accept him after all 76 00:05:58,930 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 1: the brutality he had shown them? Images of children crying 77 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: as their mothers were taken away flooded his mind. It 78 00:06:07,740 --> 00:06:11,660 Speaker 1: was nearly unbearable. He closed his eyes and buried his 79 00:06:11,740 --> 00:06:12,900 Speaker 1: face in his hands. 80 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,060 Speaker 3: Who am I to be among them? 81 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 1: As Saul reeled in guilt, a reassuring hand touched his shoulder. 82 00:06:22,850 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: Saul looked up to see Ananias smiling at him. 83 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,840 Speaker 4: Brother Saul, I would like to introduce you to your 84 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:30,580 Speaker 4: new family. 85 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: He gestured to the crowd and took Saul by the arm. 86 00:06:34,700 --> 00:06:38,460 Speaker 1: The two of them stepped closer and Ananias addressed the crowd. 87 00:06:38,990 --> 00:06:42,910 Speaker 4: Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is Saul of Tarsus, 88 00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:46,770 Speaker 4: a new friend and brother. No doubt many of you 89 00:06:46,830 --> 00:06:47,650 Speaker 4: recognize him. 90 00:06:48,250 --> 00:06:51,490 Speaker 1: Some women clutched their children and the men tensed up. 91 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:57,630 Speaker 1: rolling their shoulders back. Initially, they were all afraid. Paul 92 00:06:57,710 --> 00:07:02,330 Speaker 1: symbolized death to many of them, the reaper himself, and 93 00:07:02,370 --> 00:07:05,849 Speaker 1: Ananias smiled and patted Saul on the back. 94 00:07:06,450 --> 00:07:09,610 Speaker 4: Truly, no one is past the reach of our Lord. 95 00:07:10,170 --> 00:07:14,230 Speaker 1: The crowd's intensity slowly subsided, and many stood to their 96 00:07:14,270 --> 00:07:17,950 Speaker 1: feet to come and greet him. They kissed him on 97 00:07:17,990 --> 00:07:22,150 Speaker 1: the cheek and welcomed him. They shared bread and wine 98 00:07:22,210 --> 00:07:26,490 Speaker 1: with him and brought him over to sit. Saul was 99 00:07:26,610 --> 00:07:30,850 Speaker 1: swept away in a current of love and acceptance in 100 00:07:30,930 --> 00:07:37,770 Speaker 1: mere minutes. He was eating communion, singing hymns, and experiencing 101 00:07:38,300 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: the body of Christ. The following day, Saul awoke in 102 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: the same bed he had lain in for three days. 103 00:07:46,940 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: Only this time, he could see the sunrise. He looked 104 00:07:51,420 --> 00:07:54,080 Speaker 1: out the window and caught a glimpse of the sun's 105 00:07:54,180 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: rays scattering over the mountain range with hues of bright orange, 106 00:08:00,190 --> 00:08:06,489 Speaker 1: painting Damascus in splendor. Saul looked back at his Pharisee garments. Today, 107 00:08:06,510 --> 00:08:10,570 Speaker 1: he was supposed to address the synagogue about the Nazarenes. 108 00:08:11,330 --> 00:08:14,270 Speaker 1: The elders had been waiting for him with anxious excitement. 109 00:08:14,950 --> 00:08:18,850 Speaker 1: Before meeting Jesus, he planned to rally the people against 110 00:08:18,930 --> 00:08:24,610 Speaker 1: the Nazarenes. But things had changed. Saul was a new 111 00:08:24,790 --> 00:08:29,450 Speaker 1: creature with a new purpose. He washed his face, put 112 00:08:29,510 --> 00:08:33,370 Speaker 1: on his blue fringed robe, and secured the leather amulet 113 00:08:33,450 --> 00:08:37,600 Speaker 1: to his turban. He looked like a Pharisee, but he 114 00:08:37,630 --> 00:08:42,780 Speaker 1: would no longer teach like one. The congregation was in 115 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:47,500 Speaker 1: for a jarring surprise. The synagogue was overflowing with people, 116 00:08:48,309 --> 00:08:52,309 Speaker 1: The Jews had come to hear Saul's famous prose, while 117 00:08:52,390 --> 00:08:56,830 Speaker 1: some Christ-following Jews arrived to support him as he gave 118 00:08:57,170 --> 00:09:01,350 Speaker 1: a new message. The Chazan escorted Saul to the dais. 119 00:09:02,330 --> 00:09:05,990 Speaker 1: He gripped the edges of the dais and paused. He 120 00:09:06,050 --> 00:09:10,290 Speaker 1: looked out at the sea of faces, recognizing many of 121 00:09:10,330 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 1: the believers he had met the previous night. Their smiles 122 00:09:15,250 --> 00:09:19,670 Speaker 1: reassured him. and he knew they were praying on his behalf. 123 00:09:20,690 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 1: Everyone else gathered to hear Saul, the zealous Pharisee. They 124 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:28,300 Speaker 1: had no idea what had transpired in the last three days. 125 00:09:29,380 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: The Chazan placed a scroll in Saul's hand and gestured 126 00:09:33,620 --> 00:09:37,740 Speaker 1: for him to read. He opened the scroll and smiled. 127 00:09:38,580 --> 00:09:42,810 Speaker 1: It was a powerful song. The elders had probably chosen it, 128 00:09:43,420 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 1: hoping he would apply it to the Nazarenes. However, now 129 00:09:48,220 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 1: equipped with the Spirit of Christ, Saul could see the 130 00:09:52,260 --> 00:09:56,730 Speaker 1: Scripture more clearly. He cleared his throat and read. 131 00:09:59,220 --> 00:10:04,100 Speaker 3: There are none that are righteous. No, not even one. 132 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:09,020 Speaker 3: No one understands or seeks God. All have turned from 133 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 3: him and become worthless. No one does good, not a 134 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:18,220 Speaker 3: single one. Their throats are open graves and their tongues deceived. 135 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:22,020 Speaker 3: The venom of asps is under their lips, and their 136 00:10:22,070 --> 00:10:26,010 Speaker 3: mouths are filled with curses and stench. They are swift 137 00:10:26,050 --> 00:10:29,350 Speaker 3: to shed blood, and in their paths are ruin and misery. 138 00:10:29,910 --> 00:10:32,390 Speaker 3: And they do not know the way of peace, for 139 00:10:32,410 --> 00:10:34,870 Speaker 3: there is no fear of God in their eyes. 140 00:10:35,650 --> 00:10:38,150 Speaker 1: Saul closed the scroll and looked out at the crowd. 141 00:10:39,410 --> 00:10:42,030 Speaker 1: He stroked his beard and stepped away from the dais. 142 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:48,140 Speaker 1: The people were leaning over in anticipation. Saul had always 143 00:10:48,210 --> 00:10:52,590 Speaker 1: spoken confidently, but this time he spoke with a different 144 00:10:52,690 --> 00:10:53,910 Speaker 1: type of authority. 145 00:10:55,870 --> 00:11:01,670 Speaker 3: This psalm tells us that there is none righteous before God. None. 146 00:11:02,650 --> 00:11:06,589 Speaker 3: So tell me, what advantage does a Jew have over 147 00:11:06,970 --> 00:11:12,740 Speaker 3: any random Greek, Ethiopian, or barbarian? By works of the law, 148 00:11:13,260 --> 00:11:17,510 Speaker 3: no human being is justified before God. The law is 149 00:11:17,550 --> 00:11:22,550 Speaker 3: a mirror revealing every sin we've ever committed. With a 150 00:11:22,610 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 3: greater knowledge of the law and God's righteousness comes a 151 00:11:26,220 --> 00:11:30,220 Speaker 3: greater knowledge of our sin and depravity. If we cannot 152 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 3: attain righteousness by any sort of obedience to the law, 153 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 3: how do we attain righteousness? 154 00:11:36,420 --> 00:11:40,359 Speaker 1: Saul rhetorically asked the question and paced to and fro 155 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,620 Speaker 1: from the platform. He was giving a sermon, but also 156 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:49,319 Speaker 1: working out his new beliefs in real time. It was 157 00:11:49,380 --> 00:11:53,079 Speaker 1: as if God was teaching him as he taught others. 158 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 1: He raised his voice for everyone to hear. 159 00:11:57,420 --> 00:12:01,370 Speaker 3: What if the law and the prophets weren't pointing us 160 00:12:01,780 --> 00:12:08,730 Speaker 3: toward human righteousness, but God himself? What if faith in 161 00:12:08,790 --> 00:12:11,570 Speaker 3: God is what gives us a right to stand before him, 162 00:12:12,650 --> 00:12:15,870 Speaker 3: God is the only one who is righteous. Then he 163 00:12:15,929 --> 00:12:19,910 Speaker 3: alone can give us righteousness. We cannot hope to attain 164 00:12:19,970 --> 00:12:24,390 Speaker 3: it on our own. We need saving. We need the 165 00:12:24,490 --> 00:12:28,849 Speaker 3: righteousness of another to act on our behalf. And I 166 00:12:28,890 --> 00:12:31,930 Speaker 3: have come to know deep in my heart that God 167 00:12:31,990 --> 00:12:35,290 Speaker 3: has made a way to righteousness through Jesus Christ. 168 00:12:35,770 --> 00:12:39,980 Speaker 1: The entire crowd gasped. The religious leaders were taken aback 169 00:12:40,059 --> 00:12:43,870 Speaker 1: by Saul's statement. Saul did not have much more time, 170 00:12:44,510 --> 00:12:45,230 Speaker 1: so he continued. 171 00:12:46,010 --> 00:12:48,630 Speaker 3: All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, 172 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 3: but there is forgiveness for sins through the grace of Jesus. 173 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 3: We are justified by his grace and brought near by 174 00:12:57,420 --> 00:13:00,500 Speaker 3: the redemption that is in Christ, whom God put forward 175 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:07,530 Speaker 3: as a propitiation by his blood to be received in faith. Blasphemy! Silence, 176 00:13:07,570 --> 00:13:10,390 Speaker 3: you traitor! You dishonor Moses! 177 00:13:11,270 --> 00:13:12,250 Speaker 2: I do not. 178 00:13:13,130 --> 00:13:16,580 Speaker 3: This is what Moses was speaking of. This is why 179 00:13:16,620 --> 00:13:20,900 Speaker 3: we have the sacrifices established by Moses and Aaron. Don't 180 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:24,680 Speaker 3: you see? It was all to point toward the ultimate 181 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 3: sacrifice of our Messiah. God has passed over the sins 182 00:13:29,300 --> 00:13:33,300 Speaker 3: of those who believe in the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. 183 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:40,620 Speaker 1: The crowd became more unruly. And Saul slammed his fist 184 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:44,829 Speaker 1: on the dais. The room was silent for a long, 185 00:13:45,050 --> 00:13:50,590 Speaker 1: drawn-out moment. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his 186 00:13:50,690 --> 00:13:52,090 Speaker 1: bottom lip quivered. 187 00:13:52,870 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 3: I have spent so much time boasting about my own righteousness, 188 00:13:59,860 --> 00:14:03,100 Speaker 3: boasting in my own works as if they have given 189 00:14:03,140 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 3: me favor with God. But none are righteous. not even 190 00:14:07,740 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 3: a Pharisee like me. So I will no longer boast 191 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,319 Speaker 3: in the law of works. I will boast in the 192 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,660 Speaker 3: law of faith. I will boast in Jesus Christ. 193 00:14:21,350 --> 00:14:25,210 Speaker 1: Saul could have spoken for hours, but the congregation would 194 00:14:25,230 --> 00:14:28,050 Speaker 1: have none of it. They seized him by the robes 195 00:14:28,570 --> 00:14:31,870 Speaker 1: and threw him out of the synagogue. Ananias and the 196 00:14:31,950 --> 00:14:35,610 Speaker 1: others picked him up and took him away. Saul looked 197 00:14:35,670 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: back at the scowls of the Jews. He had worn 198 00:14:39,660 --> 00:14:44,260 Speaker 1: that scowl too. He had raged against God and felt 199 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:48,420 Speaker 1: the hatred deep in his bones. But Saul no longer 200 00:14:48,540 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: felt hatred. He felt a burden to proclaim the name 201 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:58,660 Speaker 1: of Jesus to every person he met. Saul lay awake 202 00:14:58,710 --> 00:15:03,930 Speaker 1: that night thinking about Jesus. The followers in Damascus were 203 00:15:04,010 --> 00:15:07,380 Speaker 1: kind people, but very few of them had actually spent 204 00:15:07,460 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: time with Jesus or seen his face. Saul longed to 205 00:15:12,870 --> 00:15:16,670 Speaker 1: connect with Christ again in the whirlwind of light. He 206 00:15:16,690 --> 00:15:22,030 Speaker 1: had many questions and very little answers. He sat up 207 00:15:22,050 --> 00:15:25,430 Speaker 1: in his bed and rubbed his face. He held his 208 00:15:25,510 --> 00:15:30,330 Speaker 1: head up to the heavens and prayed for guidance. Time 209 00:15:30,670 --> 00:15:34,900 Speaker 1: was of the essence. Every day Saul remained in Damascus 210 00:15:35,260 --> 00:15:38,370 Speaker 1: increased his chances of being arrested by the high priest. 211 00:15:39,530 --> 00:15:42,530 Speaker 1: No doubt word had already been sent to the Sanhedrin 212 00:15:42,990 --> 00:15:48,210 Speaker 1: that their most loyal watchdog had broken free from his chains. 213 00:15:50,370 --> 00:15:53,870 Speaker 1: I need to know more, Saul whispered into the night. 214 00:15:54,610 --> 00:15:58,100 Speaker 1: He gathered his scrolls and tucked them securely into his pack. 215 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,700 Speaker 1: He threw it over his shoulder, grabbed a walking staff, 216 00:16:02,220 --> 00:16:06,180 Speaker 1: and left the house of Ananias. The next move was simple. 217 00:16:06,820 --> 00:16:11,660 Speaker 1: He needed to escape, meditate, and get clear direction from Jesus. 218 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: He needed to be unhindered in listening and undisturbed by 219 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: the barrage of questions that would inevitably come his way. 220 00:16:20,750 --> 00:16:24,510 Speaker 1: The spice routes provided a clear path for his escape. 221 00:16:25,330 --> 00:16:28,630 Speaker 1: As the sun rose in the distance, he followed a 222 00:16:28,690 --> 00:16:29,910 Speaker 1: caravan of camels. 223 00:16:37,980 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 2: Paul, being humbled by Jesus and nurtured by Ananias, is 224 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 2: now boldly proclaiming the gospel. It doesn't take Paul long 225 00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:47,950 Speaker 2: since he is a prolific teacher. 226 00:16:48,150 --> 00:16:48,890 Speaker 3: He's a speaker. 227 00:16:48,950 --> 00:16:52,150 Speaker 2: It's kind of who he is on the inside. You see, 228 00:16:52,690 --> 00:16:56,070 Speaker 2: when you come to know Jesus, what you had previously 229 00:16:56,310 --> 00:16:58,750 Speaker 2: used for the kingdom of darkness, he now wants you 230 00:16:58,770 --> 00:17:01,120 Speaker 2: to use for the kingdom of light. And so naturally 231 00:17:01,130 --> 00:17:03,900 Speaker 2: in this story, Paul shifts his focus to now teaching 232 00:17:03,940 --> 00:17:06,919 Speaker 2: the gospel. He's been leading people away from Jesus for 233 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 2: so long with so much passion and zeal. 234 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:10,379 Speaker 1: But when Jesus. 235 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 2: Flips the script and shows him the error of his ways, 236 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:17,550 Speaker 2: Paul hits the ground running. He proclaims and preaches the gospel. 237 00:17:18,050 --> 00:17:20,490 Speaker 2: We have all been given certain gifts by our creator. 238 00:17:20,570 --> 00:17:22,149 Speaker 2: Some of this is innate in us, and some of 239 00:17:22,190 --> 00:17:25,270 Speaker 2: these are skills and talents that we've acquired over time. 240 00:17:25,650 --> 00:17:27,970 Speaker 2: No matter how you acquired these skills, these gifts, and 241 00:17:27,990 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 2: these talents, God wants to use them for his kingdom. 242 00:17:30,830 --> 00:17:33,490 Speaker 2: I remember in my own life using some semblance of 243 00:17:33,609 --> 00:17:36,950 Speaker 2: charisma speaking and writing skills that the Lord gave me 244 00:17:37,100 --> 00:17:40,300 Speaker 2: and using them for my own gain. I would schmooze people. 245 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: I would try and manipulate conversations to get a rise 246 00:17:43,500 --> 00:17:45,479 Speaker 2: out of people or to get exactly what I wanted. 247 00:17:46,020 --> 00:17:48,090 Speaker 2: But as the Holy Spirit worked in my heart, I 248 00:17:48,130 --> 00:17:50,510 Speaker 2: was able to use these gifts for the kingdom of God. 249 00:17:50,950 --> 00:17:53,590 Speaker 2: I became a pastor, a preaching pastor, and now a 250 00:17:53,730 --> 00:17:57,330 Speaker 2: writer here at Pray.com. What the enemy intends for evil 251 00:17:57,369 --> 00:18:00,449 Speaker 2: and what the world intends to bolster your pride, the 252 00:18:00,490 --> 00:18:03,590 Speaker 2: Lord wants to use to expand his kingdom. But what 253 00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:05,669 Speaker 2: had to happen for Saul first is that he had 254 00:18:05,690 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 2: to be humbled by God. He had to come to 255 00:18:08,940 --> 00:18:11,919 Speaker 2: this place of brokenness before he can truly use his 256 00:18:11,980 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 2: gifts and step into his potential. But he also needed 257 00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 2: the nurturing of a community around him. You see, the 258 00:18:18,460 --> 00:18:22,090 Speaker 2: early church in Antioch really embraced Saul despite his past. 259 00:18:22,619 --> 00:18:24,479 Speaker 2: And isn't it funny? This is the church that he 260 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 2: had planned on persecuting, but now they're coming in and 261 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 2: providing this safe haven for him to learn and to grow. 262 00:18:32,060 --> 00:18:34,850 Speaker 2: These are the two key elements for being effective in 263 00:18:34,900 --> 00:18:37,810 Speaker 2: ministry and in the kingdom of God. We need to 264 00:18:37,890 --> 00:18:41,270 Speaker 2: first be humbled and receive humbly the correction that God 265 00:18:41,310 --> 00:18:43,970 Speaker 2: would give us. You see, those who are unable to 266 00:18:43,990 --> 00:18:47,169 Speaker 2: be questioned do questionable things. We need to open up 267 00:18:47,270 --> 00:18:50,180 Speaker 2: our lives to be questioned by the gospel. We need 268 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 2: to open up our lives to be corrected by the 269 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:55,000 Speaker 2: gospel and the people around us. Which leads me to 270 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 2: my second point. If we are going to be effective 271 00:18:57,260 --> 00:19:00,280 Speaker 2: for God's kingdom, we need a nurturing community around us. 272 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,670 Speaker 2: People who are willing to be patient with us. People 273 00:19:02,710 --> 00:19:05,709 Speaker 2: who are willing to hold our hands and walk through 274 00:19:06,090 --> 00:19:09,450 Speaker 2: all these hard things with us. If Paul wasn't accepted 275 00:19:09,490 --> 00:19:11,610 Speaker 2: by the church in Antioch, I don't know how far 276 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 2: he would have gotten. If Ananias had disobeyed God and said, no, 277 00:19:15,630 --> 00:19:17,580 Speaker 2: he's a persecutor of the church. I want nothing to 278 00:19:17,619 --> 00:19:20,109 Speaker 2: do with him. Who knows where Paul would have ended up? 279 00:19:20,119 --> 00:19:22,380 Speaker 2: He would have ended up maybe going back to the Pharisees, 280 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 2: or maybe he would have just been blind for the 281 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 2: rest of his life. But the Lord wants to use 282 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:30,430 Speaker 2: the community around you and the soft and sometimes harsh 283 00:19:30,490 --> 00:19:32,990 Speaker 2: rebuke of his word and the truth of Christ's spirit 284 00:19:33,609 --> 00:19:36,290 Speaker 2: to transform our lives. He wants to do that with you, 285 00:19:36,330 --> 00:19:39,850 Speaker 2: my friends. So today, let's embrace the humility of Paul 286 00:19:40,330 --> 00:19:43,389 Speaker 2: and be members of a community just like Paul had found. 287 00:19:43,850 --> 00:19:46,550 Speaker 2: Thanks again for listening to the Jesus Podcast. If you've 288 00:19:46,570 --> 00:19:48,949 Speaker 2: been enjoying this podcast so far and found it enriching 289 00:19:48,970 --> 00:19:50,580 Speaker 2: for your faith, we would love it if you left 290 00:19:50,619 --> 00:19:53,820 Speaker 2: a review. And for prayers, daily devotionals, and a library 291 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,750 Speaker 2: of content that will bolster your faith and empower you 292 00:19:56,850 --> 00:19:59,469 Speaker 2: for the battle ahead, download the Pray.com app.