The Transforming Power of Jesus: Saul’s Conversion and New Life

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Vision for Your Life Is Greater Than Your Own

God often redirects our plans, leading us into a new vision that surpasses anything we could have imagined for ourselves. Like Saul, who envisioned a life of religious achievement and zeal, we may have our own ambitions and dreams, but God’s calling can completely transform our direction and purpose. Sometimes, what we or our families plan is not what God ultimately desires, and it is in surrendering to His vision that we find true fulfillment and meaning. Reflect on the times God has changed your course, and trust that His plan is always better than your own. [17:47]

Acts 9:3-6 (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?” 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 might be redirecting your plans? Are you willing to surrender your vision for His today?

Day 2: True Change Begins with Surrender and New Life in Christ

Transformation in Christ requires dying to our old ways and allowing Jesus to become our very life, not just an addition to it. Saul’s encounter with Jesus left him blind for three days, symbolizing the death of his old self and the birth of a new creation. In the same way, we must let go of our past, our self-righteousness, and our attempts to earn God’s favor, embracing the finished work of Jesus. Only then can we experience the resurrection power that brings true and lasting change. [16:00]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: Is there something from your old life you need to let go of so that you can fully embrace the new life Jesus offers you today?

Day 3: No One Is Beyond the Reach of God’s Grace

Even the most unlikely person can be transformed by the grace of God, as seen in the life of Saul, who went from persecutor to preacher. God’s mercy is abundant and available to all, regardless of their past, failures, or how far they have strayed. If God can save and use someone like Saul, He can save anyone—including those we might consider unreachable. Let this truth fuel your prayers and your hope for the salvation of others, and for your own life if you feel unworthy. [36:28]

1 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV)
Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Who is the most unlikely person in your life that you can begin praying for to experience God’s transforming grace?

Day 4: God Calls Us to Go and Hold the Rope for Others

We are called not only to experience God’s transformation ourselves but also to be instruments of His grace in the lives of others. Like Ananias, who obeyed God’s call to minister to Saul, and the unnamed believers who held the rope to lower Paul to safety, we are to support, encourage, and invite others into God’s family. Sometimes our role is visible, and sometimes it’s behind the scenes, but every act of faithfulness matters in God’s mission. [32:28]

Acts 9:25 (ESV)
But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Reflection: Who is someone you can “hold the rope” for this week—through prayer, encouragement, or a personal invitation to encounter Jesus?

Day 5: Unity and Perseverance Are Essential in the Christian Life

Following Jesus brings us into a new family and sometimes into conflict with the world, but God provides for us through the church and calls us to unity and perseverance. Division may arise, but we are to guard the unity of the Spirit, support one another, and finish well. Like Barnabas who welcomed Saul, and the early church who stood together, we are not meant to walk alone. God’s provision comes through His people as we encourage each other to remain faithful to the end. [34:57]

Ephesians 4:3 (ESV)
Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to unity and encouragement in your church family this week, especially for someone who may feel like an outsider?

Sermon Summary

Today, we began a new series focused on living “For Jesus Christ,” drawing from Acts 9 and the dramatic transformation of Saul into Paul. The journey of Paul is a powerful reminder that God is in the business of changing lives, communities, and the world—not for our own sake, but for Jesus Christ. We looked at how Paul, once a zealous persecutor of Christians, was radically redirected by God’s vision for his life. This story is not just ancient history; it’s a living testimony that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and that God’s plans for us are always better than our own.

Paul’s encounter on the Damascus road teaches us that God often interrupts our carefully laid plans to give us a new vision—one that aligns with His purpose. Sometimes, what we envision for ourselves, or even what our families envision for us, is not what God has in mind. God’s revision of our lives may involve correction, cutting away old patterns, and even suffering, but it always leads to something greater. The scales that fell from Paul’s eyes symbolize the spiritual blindness that God removes when we surrender to Him. Baptism, as Paul demonstrated, is an outward sign of this inward transformation—a public declaration that we now belong to Christ.

We also saw that following Jesus brings division. When God changes your life, you move from one group to another—from darkness to light. This can bring opposition, even from those closest to you. But God never leaves us alone; He provides for us through the faithfulness of others, just as Paul was lowered in a basket by unnamed believers who “held the rope.” Each of us has a role to play in God’s mission, whether seen or unseen, and our faithfulness matters.

Finally, we are reminded that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. Paul was the most unlikely convert, yet God used him mightily. We are called to pray and believe for the salvation of even the most unlikely people in our lives. God is still changing lives today, and He invites us to surrender our plans, trust His vision, and live boldly for Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Vision Surpasses Our Own Plans God often interrupts our carefully crafted ambitions to redirect us toward His greater purpose. What we or our families envision for our lives may be good, but God’s vision is always better. True fulfillment comes when we surrender our plans and allow God to re-envision our future, trusting that His ways are higher and His timing perfect. [17:47]
2. Transformation Requires Death to the Old Self Before new life can begin, there must be a death to the old. Paul’s blindness and subsequent healing illustrate that spiritual transformation is not about patching up the old, but about dying to self so Christ can live in us. This is not a one-time event but a continual process of letting go, allowing God to cut away what hinders us, and embracing the new life He offers. [16:00]
3. Faithfulness in Small Roles Has Eternal Impact The unnamed believers who lowered Paul in a basket played a crucial part in God’s plan, though their names are lost to history. Our unseen acts of faithfulness—holding the rope, building the basket, opening the window—are essential in God’s kingdom. We may never know the full impact of our obedience, but God uses every act, no matter how small, to advance His mission. [32:12]
4. No One Is Beyond the Reach of Grace Paul’s story proves that even the most unlikely, resistant, or broken people can be transformed by God’s mercy. We are called to pray and believe for the salvation of those who seem farthest from God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for all. Our past does not disqualify us; in fact, God often uses our greatest failures as the foundation for His greatest work. [36:05]
5. Division Is Inevitable, But Unity Is Essential Following Jesus will bring division from the world and sometimes even from those we love. Yet, God calls us into a new family—the church—where unity must be guarded and nurtured. The enemy seeks to sow discord, but we are to strive for unity, supporting one another and holding fast to the mission of Christ together. [31:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Inviting Others and Christmas Outreach
[01:29] - Facing Fear and Sharing the Gospel
[02:13] - Series Introduction: For Jesus Christ
[03:34] - Acts 1:8 and Our Mission
[05:15] - Paul: The Model of a Changed Life
[06:10] - Envision: Paul’s Early Life and Ambitions
[09:02] - The Limits of Law and Self-Righteousness
[10:36] - Sincerity Isn’t Enough
[12:17] - Encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road
[14:14] - The Personal Call of God
[16:00] - Death Before Resurrection: True Transformation
[17:47] - God’s Redirection of Our Plans
[19:52] - Revision: Ananias and Obedience
[22:57] - Old Things Passed Away: New Life
[25:39] - Jesus Fulfills the Promise of Messiah
[29:59] - Division: The Cost of Following Jesus
[32:12] - Provision: Faithfulness in Supporting Roles
[34:57] - The Importance of Community and Barnabas
[36:05] - No One Is Beyond God’s Grace
[38:12] - Stop Kicking Against God’s Pursuit
[39:17] - Finishing Well and the Invitation to Respond
[41:02] - Praying for God’s Vision and the Persecuted Church
[41:55] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-22 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter, but focus on verses 1-22 for the main story of Saul’s conversion.)

Observation Questions

What was Saul doing at the beginning of Acts 9, and what was his reputation among the early Christians?
Describe what happened to Saul on the road to Damascus. What physical and spiritual changes did he experience?
Who was Ananias, and what role did he play in Saul’s transformation?
What was the first thing Saul did after regaining his sight and being baptized?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to interrupt Saul’s life in such a dramatic way? What does this say about God’s approach to people who seem far from Him?
The sermon mentioned that “the scales that fell from Paul’s eyes symbolize the spiritual blindness that God removes when we surrender to Him.” What does spiritual blindness look like in someone’s life, and how does God remove it?
The story of the unnamed believers who lowered Paul in a basket was highlighted as an example of faithfulness in small roles. Why do you think God includes these “supporting cast” moments in the Bible?
The sermon said, “No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.” How does Paul’s story challenge our assumptions about who can be saved?

Application Questions

The sermon talked about God’s vision being better than our own plans. Is there an area of your life where you sense God might be redirecting you, even if it’s uncomfortable or not what you expected? How can you surrender your plans to Him this week?
Paul’s transformation required a “death to the old self.” Are there old patterns, habits, or attitudes in your life that God might be asking you to let go of? What would it look like to “die to self” in a practical way this month?
The sermon emphasized that faithfulness in small, unseen roles matters to God. Can you think of a “rope-holding” role you play (or could play) in someone else’s spiritual journey? How can you be more intentional in that this week?
Following Jesus sometimes brings division, even from those closest to us. Have you ever experienced pushback or misunderstanding because of your faith? How did you respond, and what support did you need or receive from your church family?
The story of Paul challenges us to pray for the “most unlikely” people in our lives. Who is someone you know that seems far from God? What is one specific way you can pray for them or reach out to them this week?
Baptism was described as an outward sign of an inward change. If you have been baptized, what did that step mean to you? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it?
The sermon mentioned that God often uses our greatest failures as the foundation for His greatest work. Is there a past failure or regret in your life that God might want to redeem for His purposes? How can you begin to trust Him with that area?

Sermon Clips

God has blessed us, has he not? He's blessed you with experience. He's blessed you with education. He's blessed you with skills. Here's the question. Are you using all of that for Jesus Christ? Or are you wasting it? God gives you life. He gives you breath. He gives you opportunities. We say he gives us time and talent and treasure. But are you using that life? Are you using those resources for Jesus Christ? Here's what Jesus said. That those who are not for me are against me. [00:11:36] (36 seconds) #UseYourBlessings

Paul envisioned his life one way. He planned his life one way. I believe his parents envisioned his life one way. Parents, be careful about how you envision and plan your child's life. You're not trying to live out your life through your child, all right? You let them go in the direction that they're supposed to go. I'm saying to you, listen, he envisioned he was going one direction and God said, no, I'm gonna redirect you. And he sent him another way. God had another vision for his life. Isn't that true about all of us? [00:17:18] (31 seconds) #GodsRedirection

What we pray for people when we're inviting them to come, those who do not know the Lord, listen, we're praying that the scales will fall from their eyes, that the God, little G of this world who's blinded them will not be able to blind them anymore but God will open their eyes and they'll see things that they've never seen before, that God would open their eyes and they would see clearly. [00:23:50] (25 seconds) #OpenTheirEyes

Jesus is not a threat. He doesn't do away with Judaism. He completes Judaism. Jews are looking for a Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah. He fulfilled the Messianic promises. And so, for a Jew to become a Christian or to put your faith in Christ is not to repudiate Judaism. It's the best of both worlds. You are Jew by birth and Christian by faith. I'm saying you believe and understand both Old and New Testament. Jesus is the Messiah. [00:25:57] (34 seconds) #JesusCompletesJudaism

Paul was an extremely gifted, talented individual that God desired to use for Jesus Christ. Now, watch this. And because they were faithful to hold the rope, we got the gospel. Do your best for Jesus. Thank God somebody made a good rope and built a good basket. The rope did not unravel. I'm saying to you, shoddy, sloppy work does not honor God. Don't halfway do anything. Always do your best. [00:33:03] (35 seconds) #DoYourBestForJesus

No one's beyond the grace of God. Who's the most unlikely person to be saved in your family? Who's the most unlikely person to be saved at your workplace, at your school, at your college, in your neighborhood? I'm just telling you, when we think about inviting people to Christmas Eve and we think about praying, I want you to be praying for drug dealers to get saved. I want you to be praying for terrorists to get saved. I want you to be praying for people to come out of darkness into light. [00:36:28] (29 seconds) #NoOneBeyondGrace

When you kick against God, God's prodding you. He's pursuing you. And you're kicking against it. You're only gonna hurt yourself. And he's saying to you this morning, he's saying to you right now, whenever you're listening to this later in the day, he is saying to you, you've been kicking against me long enough. You've done enough damage. I want you to surrender your life to Jesus. Know that he loves you. And I'm telling you, you gotta stop kicking. You gotta stop fighting. And you gotta surrender your life to him. [00:38:04] (36 seconds) #StopKickingSurrender

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