Stopped In Your Tracks | Blueprint Bible Study Ep. 05 (Acts 9:1–9)

Devotional

Day 1: God Can Interrupt Our Plans to Reveal His Purpose

No matter how convinced we are that we are on the right path, God has the power and authority to interrupt our plans and redirect us toward His greater purpose. Saul was passionately pursuing what he believed was right, even to the point of traveling great distances to persecute followers of Jesus, but God intervened dramatically on the road to Damascus. This encounter reminds us that God is not limited by our intentions or our understanding; He can step into our lives at any moment, even when we are not expecting it, to reveal His will and set us on a new course. Are you open to God interrupting your plans to show you His purpose? [12:37]

Acts 9:1-2 (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.

Reflection: Where in your life might God be trying to interrupt your plans to reveal His purpose for you? Are you willing to let go of your own agenda if He calls you to something new?

Day 2: God’s Voice Demands Our Attention, Not Our Permission

God does not need our permission to speak into our lives; He simply seeks our attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. Saul was not seeking God’s voice, nor was he in a posture of listening, yet God broke through with a blinding light and a voice from heaven. Sometimes, when we are distracted or focused on the wrong things, God will allow circumstances to arise that force us to pay attention to Him. He is relentless in His pursuit of our hearts and will not be deterred by our busyness or resistance. [31:36]

Acts 9:3-4 (ESV)
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?”

Reflection: What is currently capturing most of your attention? Is there something God might be using to get your focus back on Him today?

Day 3: An Encounter with Jesus Brings Change

When we truly encounter the voice of God, it should stop us in our tracks and bring about a real change in our direction, focus, and actions. Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was not just a momentary experience; it was a turning point that altered the entire trajectory of his life. God’s word is not meant to leave us the same—it calls us to reevaluate our priorities, let go of what we thought was right, and embrace the new direction He sets before us. [26:17]

Acts 9:5-6 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to change direction or let go of something you thought was right? What step can you take today to respond?

Day 4: God’s Grace Reaches Even the Most Unlikely

No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and His voice comes to us not just with correction but with the offer of mercy and a new beginning. Saul was the chief enemy of the early church, yet Jesus met him with grace instead of condemnation. This encounter is a powerful reminder that whenever Jesus speaks, grace is present, and there is always an opportunity for transformation, no matter our past. If God’s grace could reach Saul, it can reach anyone—including you. [41:01]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel unworthy of God’s grace? How can you open your heart to receive His mercy today?

Day 5: God Identifies Himself and Gives Clear Direction

When God speaks, He does not hide Himself or leave us in confusion; He identifies Himself and gives us clear direction for our next steps. Saul’s question, “Who are you, Lord?” was met with a direct answer from Jesus, followed by specific instructions. God desires for us to know His voice and to follow where He leads, trusting that He will make His will known as we listen and obey. [36:29]

John 10:27 (ESV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Reflection: When you sense God speaking, do you ask Him for clarity and direction? What is one way you can practice listening for His voice and following His lead this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s study explored the story of Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, drawing out profound truths about hearing God’s voice and the nature of divine interruption. We began by reflecting on the context of the early church in Acts, where the message of Jesus was spreading rapidly, but not without fierce opposition. Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was at the forefront of this opposition, convinced that he was serving God by persecuting followers of “the Way.” His commitment was unwavering, but it was rooted in his own understanding and not in the truth of God’s revelation.

As Saul journeyed to Damascus, intent on arresting believers, he was suddenly confronted by a blinding light and the unmistakable voice of Jesus. This encounter was not the result of Saul seeking God, but rather God seeking Saul. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s voice is not limited to those who are already listening or even those who are on the right path. God can and does break into our lives, sometimes when we least expect it, to redirect us toward His purpose.

The story highlights the danger of being driven by conviction without truth. Saul’s zeal led him to extreme actions, believing he was justified, yet he was far from God’s heart. When Jesus spoke, it was not only a confrontation but also an act of grace. Instead of condemning Saul, Jesus identified Himself and gave Saul a new direction. This moment of divine interruption required Saul to let go of his previous plans and embrace a new calling.

We also considered the nature of God’s voice: it does not require our permission, only our attention. God will do what is necessary to get our focus, even if it means disrupting our journey or plans. When God speaks, it demands a response—a change in direction, focus, and action. Importantly, every encounter with God, even those that correct or confront, is saturated with grace. If grace is absent from our message or our response to others, we have missed the heart of Jesus.

As we reflect on Saul’s transformation, we are challenged to consider where God might be trying to interrupt our own plans to reveal His greater purpose. No matter our past or present, God’s voice and grace are available, inviting us to listen, respond, and be changed.

Key Takeaways

1. Conviction without truth can lead us far from God’s heart. Saul was deeply committed to his cause, but his zeal was not anchored in divine truth. When our motives are shaped more by our own understanding than by God’s revelation, we risk justifying actions that harm others and miss God’s purpose for our lives. [17:43]
2. God’s voice is not limited to the righteous or the receptive. Saul was not seeking God, nor was he in a posture to listen, yet God still spoke. This demonstrates that God’s initiative is greater than our readiness; He pursues us even when we are on the wrong path, and His voice can break through any barrier to get our attention. [29:33]
3. Divine interruption often requires us to let go of what we thought was right. When Jesus confronted Saul, it demanded a radical change—his plans, focus, and actions had to shift. True encounters with God are marked by transformation; we cannot remain the same when God speaks, even if it means releasing deeply held beliefs or ambitions. [26:17]
4. God does not need our permission to speak, only our attention. Sometimes, God will disrupt our routines, comfort, or even our misguided pursuits to draw our focus back to Him. If we are giving our attention to the wrong things, God may allow circumstances that force us to look to Him, reminding us that He is sovereign over our lives and journeys. [31:36]
5. Every word from God is saturated with grace, even when it confronts or corrects. Jesus’ encounter with Saul was both a rebuke and an act of mercy; He could have condemned Saul, but instead offered him a new purpose. If our message or ministry lacks grace, we are not truly representing Jesus. Grace is the distinguishing mark of God’s voice and presence. [41:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:04] - Freedom Church Atlanta Updates
[06:04] - Introduction to Acts and Saul
[09:04] - Early Church Context and Conflict
[10:12] - Saul’s Zeal and Mission
[12:04] - Saul’s Authority and Intent
[13:35] - The Danger of Blind Conviction
[15:17] - Saul’s Journey to Damascus
[17:07] - Commitment Without Truth
[18:17] - Saul Encounters Jesus
[19:23] - Jesus Speaks to Saul
[21:26] - Hearing God’s Voice: Old vs. New Testament
[22:27] - The Trinity and Divine Assignment
[24:41] - The Power of Divine Interruption
[26:17] - Change Demanded by God’s Voice
[29:33] - God’s Voice and Our Attention
[31:36] - When God Disrupts Our Focus
[35:09] - God’s Clarity and Self-Revelation
[37:06] - Direction and Confrontation
[38:42] - Grace in Divine Encounters
[41:01] - The Centrality of Grace
[44:01] - Reflecting on God’s Interruptions
[45:26] - Freedom Church Announcements and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-9 (ESV) — 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 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.
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 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.
9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Observation Questions

What was Saul’s original mission as he traveled to Damascus, and what steps did he take to prepare for it? ([11:03])
How did Jesus interrupt Saul’s journey, and what was Saul’s immediate physical and emotional response? ([18:17])
According to the passage, did Saul recognize the voice as Jesus right away? How did Jesus identify himself to Saul? ([34:29])
What instructions did Jesus give Saul after the encounter, and how did Saul respond? ([36:29])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Saul was “deeply committed to the mission” but “didn’t have truth to back it up.” What are the dangers of being driven by conviction without truth, as seen in Saul’s actions? ([17:43])
The pastor points out that Saul was not seeking God, yet God still spoke to him. What does this suggest about God’s initiative in pursuing people, even those who are not looking for Him? ([29:33])
When Jesus confronted Saul, it required a radical change in Saul’s plans and beliefs. Why do true encounters with God often demand transformation, even if it means letting go of things we thought were right? ([26:17])
The sermon emphasizes that every word from God is “saturated with grace.” How does Jesus’ approach to Saul demonstrate both confrontation and grace? ([41:01])

Application Questions

The sermon warns that “conviction without truth can lead us far from God’s heart.” Are there areas in your life where you feel strongly about something, but haven’t checked if it aligns with God’s truth? How can you test your convictions this week? ([17:43])
Saul was not looking for God, but God still interrupted his plans. Can you recall a time when God interrupted your plans or routine to get your attention? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? ([29:33])
The story shows that God does not need our permission to speak, only our attention. Are there distractions or routines in your life that might be keeping you from noticing God’s voice? What practical step can you take to give God your attention this week? ([31:36])
When God speaks, it often requires a change in direction, focus, or action. Is there something you sense God might be asking you to let go of or change right now? What would it look like to take a first step in that direction? ([26:17])
The sermon says, “If grace is absent from our message or our response to others, we have missed the heart of Jesus.” Think of a recent conversation or conflict—was grace present? How can you make grace more central in your interactions this week? ([41:01])
The pastor asks, “Where might God be trying to interrupt your plans to reveal His greater purpose?” Take a moment to reflect: Is there an area of your life where you sense God might be redirecting you? How can you be open to His interruption? ([44:01])
Saul’s story reminds us that no matter our past, God’s voice and grace are available. Is there something in your past or present that makes you feel unworthy of God’s attention? How does this story challenge or encourage you? ([42:24])

Sermon Clips

It's a terrible thing to feel justified in harming others. When somebody let that sink in for a second, it's a terrible thing to feel justified in causing harm to others. And that is exactly what Saul's doing. [00:16:18] (19 seconds) #HarmIsNeverJustified

God will do whatever it takes to get our attention, and if we're not giving God our attention or push it even further, if we are giving our attention to the wrong things, then God will move to ensure that we have no other option. Saul was giving his attention to the wrong stuff, and so God made sure he had no other option but to give his full attention to the Lord. [00:32:34] (38 seconds) #NoOtherOption

God does not work in secrecy. God does not hide himself from us, nor does God make us go on a wild goose chase to understand him. When God speaks to us, he wants us to know it's him, and so he identifies himself to us. [00:35:55] (18 seconds) #GodRevealsHimself

Whenever there's Jesus, there's grace. Whenever there's Jesus, there's grace. I'm going to have to pick up the rest of this next week because there's so much more here, but I want to pause there, and then we'll have to stop. [00:39:05] (16 seconds) #GraceFollowsJesus

``There's nothing you can do that stops your access to the grace that Jesus extends to all who want it. There's nothing you can do that stops it. This story is a reminder. Paul is a chief enemy of the church, but Jesus speaks to him and Jesus comes to him identifying himself. But as such, he's saying, I'm coming because I bring grace. If I didn't bring grace, I wiped you out, but I come with grace. And the very fact that I'm there means you have grace. [00:41:40] (41 seconds) #GodSpeaksToEveryone

No matter what you've done, the Lord can still speak to you. God does not only speak to the righteous, but if God spoke to Saul, he'll speak to you, too. And wherever you may be going, if you're not on the right track, God can step in and get you because the Lord is after your attention. He doesn't need your permission. He's just after your attention. [00:43:47] (24 seconds) #DivineInterruption

Where might God be trying to interrupt your plans to reveal his purpose to you? There may be some areas you're going in your life on the wrong track or on the track. That's not where you need to be. Where might God be trying to interrupt your plans? What Damascus roads are you on that God needs your attention to get you where you need to be? [00:44:22] (26 seconds) #DamascusRoadAwakening

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What triggers God's voice to stop us in our tracks

How does Jesus identify Himself to Saul

What role does grace play in hearing God's voice