Live Like the Gospel Matters (Acts 22 - John Shearhart)

In Acts 22 and the surrounding chapters, we encounter Paul at a pivotal moment in his life—a man so gripped by the reality of Jesus Christ that he is willing to face mobs, imprisonment, and even death. What drives a person to such lengths? It is not mere religious duty or tradition, but a deep, personal conviction that Jesus is alive, that He forgives, and that nothing else in life can satisfy or save apart from Him. Paul’s story is not just a historical account; it is an invitation to examine what it means to live as if the gospel truly matters.

Believing in Jesus is more than intellectual assent or cultural inheritance. Paul, once a zealous Pharisee, was radically transformed when confronted by the living Christ. This encounter was not theoretical; it was personal and life-altering. For some, like Paul, the change is dramatic and immediate. For others, it is a steady journey of growing up in faith and forgiveness. Regardless of the path, the essential truth remains: Jesus is alive, He forgives, and He alone is enough. All our religious efforts, good works, and even our closest relationships cannot fill the void that only Christ can satisfy.

The law, with all its commands and rituals, is like an x-ray—it reveals our brokenness but cannot heal us. Only Jesus can do that. The gospel is not about striving to be good enough; it is about recognizing our inability and receiving the grace that Christ offers. This grace not only forgives but also transforms, changing our desires and empowering us to live differently.

But the story does not end with personal salvation. Jesus calls us into His mission: to open the eyes of others, to invite them from darkness into light, from the power of Satan to God, so they too may receive forgiveness and a place among the sanctified. This mission is not reserved for the spiritually elite; it is for all who have experienced the saving power of Christ. Our lives become living invitations, testifying to the patience and mercy of Jesus.

To live like the gospel matters is to daily return to our first love, to find our identity and hope in Christ alone, and to invite others to join us in this journey of forgiveness and transformation. May we be a people who believe deeply, love sacrificially, and live boldly for the sake of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Personal Encounter with the Living Christ Belief in Jesus must move beyond theory to personal experience. Like Paul, it is not enough to know about Jesus; we must encounter Him as alive and active in our lives. This encounter transforms us from the inside out, making faith real and vibrant rather than abstract or inherited. [41:10]
• 2. The Inadequacy of Religious Effort Without Christ All our religious achievements, knowledge, and good works are insufficient if Christ is not at the center. The law exposes our need but cannot heal us; only Jesus can. True righteousness and satisfaction are found in Him alone, not in our ability to perform or conform. [48:38]
• 3. The Power and Necessity of Forgiveness Jesus not only forgives our past but also initiates real change in our lives. Forgiveness is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality that shapes our identity and empowers us to overcome sin. Even when transformation is slow or incomplete, Christ’s patience and mercy remain our hope. [45:44]
• 4. Embracing the Mission of the Gospel We are called not just to receive grace but to participate in God’s mission—opening the eyes of others, inviting them from darkness to light. Our testimony is not about our perfection but about Christ’s perfect patience and saving power displayed in our weakness. [54:40]
• 5. Living as a Set-Apart Community To believe in Jesus is also to take our place among those sanctified by faith—a community marked by forgiveness, hope, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our calling is to live distinctively, inviting others to join us in the journey from brokenness to belonging in Christ.
  
  ** [61:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:40] - Gratitude for Service and Sacrifice
• [28:28] - Paul’s Arrest and Suffering for the Gospel
• [30:04] - What Motivated Paul’s Sacrifice?
• [31:01] - Living Like the Gospel Matters
• [32:09] - The Call to Believe in Jesus
• [33:40] - Paul’s Encounter and Transformation
• [34:30] - What Does It Mean to Believe?
• [36:34] - The Absurdity and Reality of Resurrection
• [38:33] - From Theoretical Knowledge to Personal Experience
• [41:10] - The Power of Personal Testimony
• [44:44] - The Ongoing Work of Forgiveness and Change
• [46:48] - Jesus Is Enough—Nothing Else Satisfies
• [49:54] - The Law as an X-Ray: Our Need for Grace
• [52:56] - Believing in the Mission
• [54:40] - The Mission: Turning Darkness to Light
• [57:54] - Invitation to Turn and Be Forgiven
• [60:58] - Taking Your Place Among the Sanctified
• [62:51] - Living as a Forgiven and Set-Apart People
• [63:26] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Acts 22:6–16 (ESV) — > 6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’”

2. Acts 26:15–18 (ESV)
> 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

3. 1 Timothy 1:15–16 (ESV)
> 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 22:6–10, what details does Paul include about his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus? What stands out about how Jesus addresses Paul?
2. According to Acts 26:16–18, what specific mission does Jesus give to Paul after his conversion?
3. In 1 Timothy 1:15–16, how does Paul describe himself and what reason does he give for receiving mercy?
4. The sermon describes the law as being like an x-ray. What does this analogy mean in the context of our spiritual lives? ([49:54])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it significant that Paul’s encounter with Jesus was personal and not just theoretical? How does this shape his life and mission? ([41:10])
2. The sermon says, “All our religious achievements, knowledge, and good works are insufficient if Christ is not at the center.” What does this mean for people who try to earn God’s favor through good behavior or religious activity? ([48:38])
3. Paul’s story is described as an invitation for us to “live as if the gospel truly matters.” What does it look like for someone’s life to show that the gospel is real and central? ([31:01])
4. In Acts 26:18, Jesus calls Paul to help others “turn from darkness to light.” What does this transformation involve, and why is it important that it happens through Jesus and not just self-improvement?

Application Questions

1. The sermon asks, “Do you really believe that Jesus is alive today?” How does your belief (or struggle to believe) in the living Christ affect your daily choices and attitudes? ([35:16])
2. Paul’s life was radically changed after meeting Jesus. Have you had a moment or season where your faith became personal and real, rather than just something you inherited or learned about? What changed for you? ([41:10])
3. The law is described as an x-ray that reveals our brokenness but cannot heal us. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts or religious habits instead of Christ’s grace? What would it look like to let Jesus heal those places? ([49:54])
4. The sermon says, “Jesus not only forgives our past but also initiates real change in our lives.” Is there a specific area where you are longing for transformation or struggling to change? How can you invite Jesus into that process? ([45:44])
5. Paul was called to help others move from darkness to light. Who in your life might need an invitation to experience Jesus’ forgiveness and hope? What is one step you could take to share your story or faith with them this week? ([54:40])
6. The message challenges us to “return to our first love” and find our identity in Christ alone. Are there things—relationships, achievements, habits—that you are tempted to look to for satisfaction instead of Jesus? How can you re-center your heart on Him this week? ([52:23])
7. The sermon describes the church as a “set-apart community” marked by forgiveness and hope. What is one way our group can live more distinctly as a community shaped by the gospel, and how can we invite others to join us? ([01:01:33])