From Persecutor to Preacher: The Transforming Grace of God

Who is the person in your life you believe is least likely to follow Jesus? Maybe it’s a co-worker, a family member, or even yourself. Saul of Tarsus was that person in his day—zealous, educated, and determined to destroy the church. Yet, on the road to Damascus, Saul’s life collided with the grace of Jesus. This encounter reminds us that no one is too far gone, no one is beyond God’s reach. Before Saul ever called on Jesus, Jesus already knew his name and was pursuing him. This is the beauty of prevenient grace—God’s love reaching out to us even when we are running the other way.

Saul’s story is not just about a dramatic conversion; it’s about the relentless pursuit of God’s grace. Sometimes, grace must stop us in our tracks before it can save us. Saul was blinded, both physically and spiritually, so that he could finally see the truth. In the midst of Saul’s darkness, God was already preparing Ananias, a faithful disciple, to be the bridge between Saul’s blindness and his new mission. Ananias’ obedience, despite his fear, became the turning point in Saul’s transformation. Sometimes we are Saul, desperately in need of grace. Other times, we are Ananias, called to carry grace to those we fear or have written off.

Grace not only reaches people, it sends people. Ananias’ willingness to go to Saul, to call him “brother,” restored belonging before Saul had done anything to earn it. This is the heart of the gospel: grace restores before it requires performance. The persecutor became the preacher; the enemy became family. An encounter with Jesus doesn’t just change your direction—it changes your identity.

So, who is your Saul? Who have you stopped praying for, or written off as too far gone? If God can reach Saul, He can reach anyone. For the skeptic, you are not too far gone. For the new believer, your faith is not just a new path, but a new identity and family. For the mature believer, don’t stop praying for the Sauls in your life, and don’t ignore the call to be an Ananias. Grace is meant to flow through us, not stop with us. There are miracles waiting to happen if we are willing to act in obedience. God’s grace is still writing stories—one life at a time.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace pursues before we seek God God’s grace is at work in our lives long before we ever turn toward Him. Even in our rebellion, confusion, or hatred, He is calling our name, reaching out with love and invitation. This prevenient grace means that no one is beyond hope, and we should never give up on those who seem farthest from faith. [10:07]
• 2. Sometimes grace must break us to heal us There are moments when God allows us to be stopped, even painfully, so that we can finally see our need for Him. Saul’s blindness was not punishment, but a necessary breaking of pride and self-reliance. In our own lives, the moments of greatest discomfort may be the very places where God is preparing to bring true healing and transformation. [15:22]
• 3. Obedience bridges the gap for others Ananias’ willingness to obey God’s call, even when it seemed dangerous or illogical, became the bridge for Saul’s transformation. We may not see the whole plan, but our small acts of obedience can be the turning point in someone else’s story. God often uses ordinary faithfulness to accomplish extraordinary change. [22:09]
• 4. Grace restores belonging before performance Before Saul ever preached a sermon or proved himself, Ananias called him “brother.” The gospel welcomes us into family not because of what we’ve done, but because of who Jesus is. We are called to extend that same grace to others, seeing them not for their past, but for the new identity Christ offers. [26:44]
• 5. Every believer is called to be both Saul and Ananias At times, we are the ones in need of grace, and at other times, we are called to carry grace to others. The Christian life is a continual rhythm of receiving and giving, being transformed and becoming agents of transformation. We must be attentive to both roles, never ceasing to pray for the “Sauls” and never hesitating to be an “Ananias.” [33:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Who Is Least Likely to Follow Jesus?
• [01:21] - Saul: The Enemy of the Church
• [02:47] - Saul’s Zeal and Hatred
• [04:23] - Saul Encounters Jesus
• [06:21] - Saul’s Blindness and Waiting
• [07:34] - The Relentless Pursuit of Grace
• [10:07] - Prevenient Grace: God’s Initiative
• [11:53] - Grace Confronts and Breaks
• [16:47] - Ananias: The Other Encounter
• [18:26] - Ananias’ Fear and Obedience
• [22:09] - Obedience as the Bridge
• [24:27] - Grace Restores Belonging
• [29:04] - Saul’s New Identity and Mission
• [35:45] - Modern Story: Nicky Cruz
• [40:21] - Prayer and Sending
• [43:52] - Closing and Testimony Song

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-19 (ESV) —
> But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

> Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.

Observation Questions

1. What was Saul doing on his way to Damascus, and what was his attitude toward Christians at that time? (Acts 9:1-2; [03:27])
2. How did Jesus confront Saul, and what was Saul’s physical and spiritual condition after the encounter? (Acts 9:3-9; [14:43])
3. What was Ananias’ initial reaction when God told him to go to Saul, and why did he hesitate? (Acts 9:13-14; [20:10])
4. What did Ananias call Saul when he met him, and why is that significant? (Acts 9:17; [24:27])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Grace starts chasing you long before you start chasing God.” How does Saul’s story show the idea of prevenient grace? ([10:07])
2. Why do you think God allowed Saul to be blinded for three days? What might this “breaking” have accomplished in Saul’s heart? ([15:22])
3. Ananias obeyed God even though he was afraid. What does this teach about the role of ordinary obedience in God’s bigger plans? ([22:09])
4. The sermon points out that Ananias called Saul “brother” before Saul had done anything to earn trust. What does this reveal about the way grace works in the family of God? ([26:44])

Application Questions

1. The sermon began by asking, “Who is the person in your life you believe is least likely to follow Jesus?” Who comes to mind for you, and have you stopped praying for them or reaching out? What would it look like to start again? ([30:27])
2. Saul’s story shows that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Is there a part of your own life or past where you feel “too far gone”? How does Saul’s story challenge that belief? ([31:37])
3. Sometimes, like Saul, we need to be stopped in our tracks before we can see God clearly. Can you think of a time when God used a difficult or painful situation to get your attention or change your direction? What happened? ([15:22])
4. Ananias was called to reach out to someone he feared and didn’t trust. Is there someone God might be calling you to reach out to, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable? What is one step you could take this week? ([22:09])
5. The sermon said, “Grace restores belonging before it requires performance.” How can you show this kind of grace to someone in your life who doesn’t “deserve” it yet? ([26:44])
6. The Christian life is a rhythm of receiving and giving grace. Are you more often in the place of needing grace (like Saul) or being called to give it (like Ananias) right now? How can you be attentive to both roles? ([33:42])
7. The pastor challenged everyone to identify their “Saul” and pray for them daily, then reach out with a text or call. Will you take this challenge? What might keep you from doing it, and how can the group encourage you? ([35:02])