Get Up and Go: Embracing the Mission of Acts

Devotional

Day 1: Blinded by Noonday Light

Saul marched toward Damascus, breathing violence. A light brighter than the sun flashed. He fell. A voice pierced the dust: “Why do you persecute ME?” Saul’s certainty shattered. The hunter became the hunted—not by men, but by Christ. Jesus identified fully with His persecuted followers. [44:46]

This moment reveals Jesus’ authority over every opposition. He intercepts Saul’s rage not with condemnation, but a relational question. The light exposed Saul’s blindness—not physical, but spiritual. Jesus claimed ownership of the Church, turning Saul’s mission upside down.

You may not see a heavenly light, but Jesus still interrupts destructive patterns. What mission of yours needs His light? Where has passion blinded you to His voice? When did you last let Jesus question your “righteous” anger?

“A light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’”
(Acts 9:3-5, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to reveal where your zeal needs redirecting.
Challenge: Write down one conviction you’ve clung to stubbornly. Pray over it for 5 minutes.

Day 2: Three Days in Damascus Dark

Blind and fasting, Saul sat in Judas’ house. No food. No water. Just the echo of Christ’s voice. For 72 hours, he rehearsed every Scripture, every arrest, every cry of martyrs he’d silenced. The Pharisee who knew Torah backward now saw it forward—fulfilled in the crucified Messiah. [48:34]

God used forced stillness to rewire Saul’s identity. Without sight, Saul finally saw his need. The Law’s expert became grace’s student. What we call “waiting” is often God’s surgery on our souls.

How might God use your present darkness? What addiction to activity keeps you from His recalibration? What if your greatest clarity comes through surrender, not effort?

“Saul…could see nothing. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink.”
(Acts 9:8-9, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one area where you’ve resisted God’s corrective hand.
Challenge: Fast from one meal or 30 minutes of screen time to sit in silent prayer.

Day 3: Ananias’ Straight Street Obedience

Ananias argued with God’s command: “Go to Saul—the terrorist!” Yet he walked Straight Street’s dust, step by reluctant step. He laid hands on Saul, calling him “Brother.” Oil of healing dripped onto Saul’s head as scales fell from his eyes. The persecutor became a sibling. [52:20]

Obedience often starts with trembling feet, not confident hearts. Ananias didn’t convert Saul—Jesus did. But without Ananias’ “yes,” Saul’s baptism and calling would’ve stalled. God uses our small obediences to unlock others’ destinies.

Who has God placed on your “Straight Street”—someone you’d rather avoid? What relationship feels risky but holy? Whose transformation waits on your courage to go?

“The Lord said…‘Go to the house of Judas and ask for Saul…’ Ananias went.”
(Acts 9:10-12, ESV)

Prayer: Beg God for courage to embrace one uncomfortable assignment.
Challenge: Text or call someone you’ve hesitated to engage about faith.

Day 4: Barnabas and the Name of Encouragement

Joseph of Cyprus sold land, laid cash at the apostles’ feet. They renamed him Barnabas—“Son of Encouragement.” Later, he vouched for Saul when others doubted, launching history’s greatest missionary. A giver’s generosity became a reconciler’s legacy. [55:01]

Encouragement isn’t mere cheerleading. Barnabas invested resources and reputation to lift others. His nickname marked his impact: he refreshed weary hearts, funded ministries, and bridged divides.

Who needs your tangible affirmation today? What practical step—money, time, advocacy—could ignite someone’s calling? Is your name synonymous with “encouragement” in your community?

“Joseph…whom the apostles called Barnabas…sold a field…and brought the money.”
(Acts 4:36-37, ESV)

Prayer: Thank God for someone who encouraged you. Ask to mirror their impact.
Challenge: Write 3 notes of specific encouragement; deliver one today.

Day 5: From Persecutor to Proclaimer

Jesus told Ananias: “Saul is My chosen instrument.” The man who jailed believers now preached the faith he once ravaged. His past became his testimony—proof that no one is beyond Christ’s redemption. Persecution’s architect became grace’s mason. [53:54]

God never wastes your history. Saul’s knowledge of Jewish law equipped him to reach synagogues. His Roman citizenship opened imperial courts. Your flaws and scars can become platforms for His glory.

What chapter of your story feels too shameful for God’s use? What if your greatest regret becomes your most effective ministry tool?

“This man is My chosen instrument…to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.”
(Acts 9:15-16, ESV)

Prayer: Offer God one part of your past you’ve deemed unusable.
Challenge: Share a personal redemption story with one person this week.

Sermon Summary

Acts turns the command go into a drumbeat. Acts 5 calls the church to bring the “message of life,” and Acts 9 shows how God pushes that message forward by surprising both the enemy and the faithful. Jesus meets Saul not with an argument but with a light at noon that outshines the sun, dropping him to the ground and asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The voice identifies itself as Jesus, leaving no real options. The way, the truth, and the life stands in front of a man convinced he is defending God, and the encounter explodes his certainty.

Jesus then orders, “Get up and go into the city,” which means more than relocation. The word go here means begin the experience. God does not just move feet. God starts a life. So Saul goes blind and silent for three days. The zealot who thought he could see now learns how to look. The leader who drove the crackdown must now be led by the hand. The conscience that felt clean now wrestles under conviction. Everything changes when Jesus steps in.

The Lord also calls Ananias. “Get up and go to Straight Street.” Ananias answers the call with a protest, “But Lord,” because he knows Saul’s reputation. The Lord answers the protest with a promise and a plan, “But the Lord said,” naming Saul as his chosen instrument to carry the name to Gentiles, kings, and Israel. The assignment for Ananias is simple. Go. Lay hands. Speak Jesus. God will do the heavy lifting.

Matthew’s Great Commission sits underneath the whole picture. Jesus still says, “Go, make disciples of all nations,” and Acts simply shows what that sounds like in real streets and real houses and real fears. The church carries the message of life and is told to get up off the seat and go. Go like Ananias who takes risk for the sake of a word from God. Watch Saul go and take the gospel into new worlds. Go like Peter and see the church change. Go like Tabitha and watch widows be blessed. Go like Barnabas and put courage into others. When the church moves, the Lord multiplies life.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ’s call is “Get up and go” Jesus does not flatter zeal or soothe fear. He commands movement that trusts his voice more than past success or present clarity. The call is not vague activism but a personal assignment from the living Lord. When he speaks, feet follow. [47:04]
2. The noon light unmasks false righteousness Zeal can feel like obedience while aiming at the wrong enemy. Christ’s brightness exposes the difference between protecting tradition and honoring the Lord. When the light lands, the soul finally sees who stands on the other end of its fury. Truth does not argue as much as it reveals. [44:29]
3. Obedience begins a new experience The go Jesus gives Saul is not a change of scenery but a change of story. Obedience opens a door that knowledge alone cannot unlock. Saying yes starts a life that cannot be planned from the old map. God meets movers with fresh mercies. [47:33]
4. “But Lord” must yield to “But the Lord said” Fear gathers evidence and calls it wisdom. The Lord gathers purpose and calls it obedience. Ananias learns to let God correct his read of the situation, because God owns both the risk and the result. Faith answers divine interruption with movement. [52:20]
5. Prayer becomes the turning point When everything breaks, prayer stops being a task and starts being breath. Saul’s silence and hunger make room for a new name, a new mission, a new mercy. God uses hidden hours to reroute a life for public fruit. The unseen conversation shapes the seen commission. [50:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:04] - God says “Go” with the message of life
[40:44] - Acts could be titled “Go”
[41:02] - Turning to Acts 9
[42:32] - Saul’s violent zeal exposed
[44:29] - A noon light stops Saul
[45:01] - “Saul, Saul, why persecute me?”
[47:04] - “Get up and go” redefined
[47:51] - Three days blind to rethink
[50:13] - Ananias called by name
[50:54] - “But Lord” and fear of Saul
[52:20] - “But the Lord said” correction
[52:40] - Chosen instrument to Gentiles and kings
[53:38] - Great Commission frames the church’s work
[54:26] - Go like Peter, Tabitha, Barnabas
[56:46] - The application is simple: Go

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
- Acts 9:1-19 (ESV)
- Acts 5:20 (ESV): “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”
- Matthew 28:19 (ESV): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

Observation questions

What specific physical and emotional changes did Saul experience after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus? ([47:51])
How does the Greek meaning of “go” in Acts 9:6 (“begin the experience”) differ from simply relocating? ([47:33])
What two objections did Ananias raise when God called him to visit Saul, and how did God respond? ([52:20])
According to the sermon, what practical examples of “go” are shown through Peter, Tabitha, and Barnabas in Acts? ([54:26])

Interpretation questions

Why did Jesus confront Saul with a blinding light and a question (“Why are you persecuting me?”) instead of directly stating His identity? What does this reveal about how God addresses misguided zeal? ([44:29])
Saul’s blindness lasted three days—a period of silence and fasting. How might this time of physical helplessness have prepared him for his new mission? ([48:34])
Ananias feared Saul’s reputation but obeyed anyway. What does this interaction teach about balancing human reasoning with divine instruction? ([52:01])
The sermon connects Matthew 28:19 (“Go… make disciples”) to everyday acts like encouraging others or serving widows. How does this redefine what it means to “go” for modern believers?

Application questions

Jesus’ command to Saul was “Get up and go”—not just physically, but to begin a new way of living. What area of your life is God calling you to “begin the experience” of obedience rather than staying comfortable?
Saul’s certainty about his righteousness was shattered when Jesus revealed His identity. Are there areas where you might be passionately defending a perspective or habit that God wants to confront? How can you invite His “light” to reveal truth?
Ananias initially protested God’s call with “But Lord…” What practical fear or hesitation holds you back from obeying a specific prompting God has given you? What would it look like to replace “But Lord” with “But the Lord said” this week?
The sermon highlights that “God meets movers with fresh mercies.” What small, tangible step could you take this week to “go” in faith—whether through serving, encouraging, or sharing your story—even if the outcome feels uncertain?
Saul’s three days of blindness became a turning point through prayer and surrender. When has a season of waiting or difficulty unexpectedly prepared you for a new purpose? How can you lean into prayer during current challenges?

Sermon Clips

62s

“What are his options? Saul's like, well, I I I'm not exactly sure who you are. I mean, I'm thinking like five or six people right now that that it could be you. How how many or who can make a light so bright that it's brighter than the sun to get your attention? And who exactly are you is Saul persecuting right now? There really aren't any other options, are there? It just as I was reading this, it just reminded me of me. Because oftentimes I I I want options or I'm looking for options. And I come back and there really there really isn't options. Jesus is the way, the truth. He is life.”

59s

“You see, at first, Paul could see or Saul, he becomes Paul when he goes out in the Greek world and that's the Greek version of Saul. That's kinda how we know him more of as Paul, but he's called Saul here. You see, he thought he could see clearly and now he's blind. Now he's blind and he's beginning to see more clearly. He's been leading the charge against Jesus, and now he's having to be led. Everything he did was with a with a clear conscience, and now he's being convicted. Everything everything changed when he met Jesus.”

37s

“There it is again. Get up and go. This time, there's a little bit of a different word that's used there. This was originally written in the Greek language and the work there that is go means to begin the experience. Not just to leave, but begin the experience. And how often God says that to us, get up, revamp the seat, and begin a new experience with me.”

54s

“Let me change your thinking. Let me show you. Saul was my chosen instrument to take the message to the Gentiles, to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. Ananias, your job is to get up and go. And I'll do all the work, but share with him Jesus. And Saul Paul is gonna go and he's gonna take the message to the Gentiles. He's gonna speak before kings. He's gonna speak to the Jews. He's gonna tell everybody about Jesus, but you have to get up and go.”

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Vaughn Park Church This sermon · AI assistant