Transforming the Unlikely: God's Call and Purpose
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound transformation that God can bring into the lives of those who seem most unlikely to change. We began with the story of C.S. Lewis, a man who once mocked Christianity but later became one of its greatest defenders. This narrative set the stage for our exploration of Saul's conversion in Acts 9, a story that illustrates how God calls, commissions, and radically changes individuals for His purposes.
Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was on a mission to destroy the early Christian movement. Yet, on the road to Damascus, he encountered the risen Christ in a blinding light, a moment that changed everything. This encounter teaches us that when God calls the unlikely, He does so personally and with purpose. Saul wasn't seeking Jesus, but Jesus sought him, demonstrating that God's call is often unexpected and deeply personal.
We also examined the role of Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, who was called to lay hands on Saul. Despite his fears and reservations, Ananias obeyed God's command, illustrating that when God calls the unlikely, He commissions them strategically. Ananias' obedience was crucial in Saul's transformation into Paul, the apostle who would carry the gospel to the Gentiles.
The story of Saul's conversion is a powerful reminder that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Saul's transformation was immediate and radical, showing that when God calls the unlikely, He changes them profoundly. This change is not just about altering beliefs but transforming identities and purposes.
As we reflect on these stories, we are challenged to consider our own lives. Are we listening to God's call? Are we willing to obey, even when it's uncomfortable? And are we ready to be transformed by His grace? God is still in the business of calling the unlikely, and He can use each of us in ways we might never imagine.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Personal Call: God often calls us when we least expect it, as seen in Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This personal call is a reminder that God knows us intimately and desires a relationship with us, even when we are not seeking Him. [09:16]
2. Strategic Commissioning: When God calls us, He also commissions us with a purpose. Saul was not only called out of his old life but into a new mission to spread the gospel. This teaches us that our calling is not just about personal salvation but about participating in God's greater plan. [14:50]
3. Obedience in Fear: Ananias' story shows that obedience to God's call often requires overcoming fear and doubt. Despite his reservations, Ananias trusted God's plan and played a crucial role in Saul's transformation. This challenges us to trust God more than our fears. [18:09]
4. Radical Transformation: Saul's conversion demonstrates the radical change that God can bring into a person's life. This transformation is not just about changing beliefs but about a complete renewal of identity and purpose. It reminds us that no one is beyond God's reach. [25:50]
5. Community and Belonging: Ananias welcomed Saul as a brother, showing that the church is a place of belonging and community. This highlights the importance of not only evangelizing but also integrating new believers into the family of God, where they can grow and serve. [22:07]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:01] - Introduction to C.S. Lewis and Transformation
- [04:56] - Setting the Stage: The Early Church
- [07:14] - Saul's Mission Against Christians
- [09:16] - Saul's Encounter with Jesus
- [11:17] - Biblical Patterns of God's Call
- [13:05] - Personal Calling and Listening
- [14:50] - Strategic Commissioning of Saul
- [18:09] - Ananias' Obedience and Fear
- [20:11] - The Great Commission and Evangelism
- [22:07] - Community and Belonging in the Church
- [23:52] - The Power of the Gospel to Reconcile
- [25:50] - Radical Transformation of Saul
- [27:34] - Personal Testimony of Transformation
- [29:59] - God's Delight in Using the Unlikely
- [31:49] - Final Reflections and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 9:1-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Saul's mission before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and how did it reflect his beliefs at the time? [07:14]
2. Describe the encounter Saul had with Jesus. What were the immediate effects of this encounter on Saul? [09:16]
3. How did Ananias initially react to God's command to go to Saul, and what does this reveal about his understanding of Saul's reputation? [18:09]
4. What role did Ananias play in Saul's transformation, and how did his actions demonstrate obedience to God's call? [22:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Saul's transformation illustrate the concept of God's personal call, and what does this suggest about the nature of divine intervention in our lives? [09:16]
2. In what ways does the story of Ananias and Saul challenge common perceptions about who God can use for His purposes? [18:09]
3. How does the narrative of Saul's conversion emphasize the importance of community and belonging within the church? [22:07]
4. What does Saul's immediate and radical transformation teach us about the power of the gospel to change lives? [25:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt an unexpected call or nudge from God. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [09:16]
2. Ananias overcame his fears to obey God's command. Is there a situation in your life where fear is holding you back from obedience? How can you take a step of faith this week? [18:09]
3. Saul's transformation was not just about changing beliefs but also about a complete renewal of identity and purpose. What areas of your life might God be calling you to transform? [25:50]
4. Consider someone in your life who might be considered "unlikely" to change. How can you be an Ananias to them, offering support and encouragement? [22:07]
5. The church is a place of belonging and community. How can you actively contribute to making your church a welcoming environment for new believers? [22:07]
6. Saul's story shows that no one is beyond God's reach. Is there someone you've given up on sharing the gospel with? How can you renew your efforts to reach out to them? [29:59]
7. Reflect on your own journey of faith. How has God used unexpected people or circumstances to guide you closer to Him? How can you be open to His guidance in the future? [31:49]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unexpected Call
God often reaches out to us when we least expect it, as demonstrated in Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This personal call is a profound reminder that God knows us intimately and desires a relationship with us, even when we are not actively seeking Him. Saul, a fervent persecutor of Christians, was not looking for Jesus, yet Jesus sought him out, illustrating the unexpected and personal nature of God's call. This encounter changed Saul's life forever, transforming him from a zealous Pharisee into Paul, one of Christianity's greatest apostles. [09:16]
Acts 26:14-16 (ESV): "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 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.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt an unexpected nudge or call from God. How did you respond, and how might you be more open to His unexpected calls in the future?
Day 2: Commissioned with Purpose
When God calls us, He also commissions us with a purpose, as seen in Saul's transformation into Paul, who was tasked with spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. This teaches us that our calling is not just about personal salvation but about participating in God's greater plan. Saul's new mission was not only a personal journey but a strategic part of God's plan to spread the message of Jesus to the world. This commissioning reminds us that we are called to be active participants in God's work, using our unique gifts and circumstances to further His kingdom. [14:50]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What unique gifts or circumstances has God given you that could be used for His purposes? How can you begin to use them today to participate in His greater plan?
Day 3: Trusting God Beyond Fear
Ananias' story shows that obedience to God's call often requires overcoming fear and doubt. Despite his reservations, Ananias trusted God's plan and played a crucial role in Saul's transformation. This challenges us to trust God more than our fears, stepping out in faith even when the path is unclear or intimidating. Ananias' obedience was instrumental in Saul's conversion, demonstrating that our willingness to trust God can have a significant impact on His work in the world. [18:09]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a fear or doubt that is holding you back from obeying God's call. What step can you take today to trust God and move forward in faith?
Day 4: Transformation of Identity and Purpose
Saul's conversion demonstrates the radical change that God can bring into a person's life. This transformation is not just about changing beliefs but about a complete renewal of identity and purpose. Saul's encounter with Jesus led to a profound shift in his life, from persecutor to apostle, showing that no one is beyond God's reach. This reminds us that God's transformative power can redefine who we are and what we are called to do, aligning our lives with His purposes. [25:50]
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: In what areas of your life do you need God's transformative power? How can you invite Him to renew your identity and purpose today?
Day 5: Embracing Community and Belonging
Ananias welcomed Saul as a brother, showing that the church is a place of belonging and community. This highlights the importance of not only evangelizing but also integrating new believers into the family of God, where they can grow and serve. The story of Saul's acceptance into the Christian community reminds us that we are called to create spaces of belonging, where people can experience the love and support of a spiritual family. [22:07]
Romans 12:4-5 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive community in your church or small group? What specific actions can you take to help others feel a sense of belonging?
Quotes
Because God delights in transforming the unlikely. Just like C .S. Lewis, people today are searching, filling their lives with everything the world has to offer, but yet coming up empty. But just as Lewis discovered, and as we'll see in Acts chapter 9, true transformation doesn't come from within us, doesn't come from the self-help, from the effort we put in, or from our good intentions. It comes from God alone. [00:01:45] (33 seconds)
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? [00:02:40] (28 seconds)
Saul wasn't just a bystander. He was a zealous Pharisee, absolutely convinced that this Jesus movement was dangerous. And so, in Acts chapter 9, as we read, he was on a mission. If we go back and look at verse 1 and 2, 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. [00:06:41] (30 seconds)
When God calls the unlikely, he commissions them strategically. So back to Saul, he's on the ground, blinded by the light, confronted by Jesus himself. Everything he thought, he knew, was shattered. Now some of you, like me, if you read that, you hear the, blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce. Yeah. But this wasn't some rock ballad moment. This was the blazing glory of the risen Christ, confronting a man who thought he was doing God's will and finding out he was actually fighting against it. [00:13:16] (40 seconds)
Throughout scripture, when God calls someone, we see this. If we go back to Abraham, God didn't give him a map or a detailed itinerary. He simply said, go to the land and I will show you. Abraham had no idea where he was going. He just knew who was calling him and that was enough. Or Moses, tending his sheep in the wilderness, far removed from Egypt, God told him, go to Pharaoh. But he didn't tell him about the ten plagues or the Red Sea. [00:14:16] (33 seconds)
God had a mission for Saul he wasn't just saved he was sent and let me tell you when God calls you or me he doesn't just save you from our sin he calls you to a mission you weren't just saved to sit in the pew today you were saved to serve you weren't just forgiven to stay comfortable you were called to make disciples you weren't just rescued to avoid hell you were redeemed to glorify God every single believer is commissioned [00:15:47] (40 seconds)
Remember, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Ananias wasn't an apostle. He was just a disciple. But God called him. And because he obeyed, Saul became Paul, the greatest missionary the world has ever seen. Let me ask you today, what if God is calling you to be an Ananias? Do you know if there's someone in your life, a co-worker, a friend, a family member, who needs to hear the gospel, and God is asking you to be the one to tell him? [00:24:43] (41 seconds)
When God calls the unlikely, he changes them radically. Look at verse 18 and 19. And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. And then he rose and was baptized. Taking food, he was strengthened. Saul's transformation was immediate. One moment he's blind, the next he sees. One moment he's an enemy of Christ, the next he's being baptized into the family of God. [00:25:43] (29 seconds)
That is the power of the gospel. It doesn't just change what we believe, it changes who we are. And listen, if God could transform Saul, he could transform anyone. Saul wasn't looking for Jesus, just like I wasn't looking for Jesus. Jesus. I was deep in the partying, drinking, drugs. I was the party guy. And honestly, I had no real desire to change. I lived for the next party. [00:26:26] (34 seconds)
But God doesn't waste anything. He takes the broken, the unlikely, and he does something incredible with their lives. If God could take Saul, who was literally hunting down Christians, turn him into Paul, the greatest missionary of all time, what could he do with you? If he could take a guy like me, lost in sin, and make someone who now lives to glorify him, what's stopping you from believing he can do the same for you? [00:29:22] (36 seconds)
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