Unstoppable Grace: Transforming Lives Through Faith

Today, we witnessed the powerful work of God in the lives of Alyssa and Joe as they publicly declared their faith through baptism. Their stories remind us that salvation is a deeply personal encounter with Jesus, but it is also a communal celebration—one that involves the prayers, service, and support of the entire church family. Alyssa, at the beginning of her journey, and Joe, having walked through many of life’s challenges, both testify to the transforming grace of Christ. Their testimonies echo the truth found in Revelation: we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. As a church, we rejoice together, recognizing that every act of faith is a victory that reverberates in heaven and on earth.

Turning to Acts 9, we see the unstoppable movement of God’s grace in the conversion of Saul. Saul, a determined enemy of the church, was not seeking Jesus—he was seeking to destroy those who followed Him. Yet, on the road to Damascus, Saul was confronted by the risen Christ, who called him by name and offered him a new purpose. This encounter demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. Jesus knows each of us intimately, even those who seem most opposed to Him, and He pursues us with relentless grace.

The story also highlights the obedience of Ananias, a disciple called to a dangerous and uncomfortable task. Despite his fears and the very real threat Saul posed, Ananias responded to God’s call with, “Here I am, Lord.” His willingness to step into the unknown became the conduit for Saul’s healing and transformation. Ananias saw not an enemy, but a brother in need of grace—a perspective that challenges us to see others through the eyes of Christ.

Saul’s conversion is a testament to the power of the gospel to save even the “impossibly lost.” His life, once marked by self-righteousness and violence, was utterly transformed by the grace of Jesus. The church, built on this gospel, is truly unstoppable—not because of our strength, but because of Christ’s victory over sin and death. We are called to participate in this movement: to pray, to care, to share, and to obey, trusting that God can reach anyone and use anyone for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s grace pursues even the most determined rebels. Saul was not searching for Jesus; he was actively opposing Him. Yet, God’s love broke through Saul’s resistance, showing that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s transforming power. If you feel unreachable or know someone who seems far from God, remember that Jesus knows every name and is always one honest prayer away. [69:25]
• 2. Obedience often means stepping into the uncomfortable and unknown. Ananias was called to approach the very man who threatened his life and the lives of his community. God’s commands are clear, but His will often stretches us beyond our capacity, inviting us to trust Him more deeply and to say, “Here I am, Lord,” even when it doesn’t make sense. [79:09]
• 3. The church is an unstoppable movement, not because of human effort, but because of the power and presence of Jesus. Like the relentless tide, God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by opposition or persecution. Our role is to join in what He is already doing, confident that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. [52:11]
• 4. Testimonies are powerful weapons in spiritual warfare. Alyssa and Joe’s stories, like Saul’s, remind us that sharing what God has done in our lives strengthens us and others. The word of our testimony, combined with the work of Christ, defeats the enemy and encourages the church to keep believing for the impossible. [23:00]
• 5. Seeing others as God sees them transforms our relationships and our mission. Ananias had every reason to fear and resent Saul, but he chose to see him as a brother in need of healing. We are responsible for our second thought about others—choosing grace over suspicion, and hope over fear, allows us to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. [85:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [20:00] - The Significance of Believer’s Baptism
• [23:00] - Alyssa’s Testimony: Jesus Changes Lives
• [24:57] - Joe’s Testimony: From Confusion to Clarity
• [25:56] - God’s Work Through Community and Struggle
• [27:59] - Prayer and Blessing Over Alyssa and Joe
• [50:09] - Jesus: More Than a Good Idea
• [52:11] - The Unstoppable Movement of God
• [58:04] - Saul’s Encounter with Jesus
• [58:44] - God Pursues the Determined Rebel
• [63:43] - The Church Will Prevail
• [70:09] - Jesus Knows Your Name
• [74:00] - Ananias: Obedience in the Face of Danger
• [79:09] - God’s Will: Beyond Our Capacity
• [85:55] - Seeing Others as Brothers, Not Enemies
• [89:49] - The Gospel Works for Everyone
• [94:06] - Responding to God’s Call

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-19 (ESV) — Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He 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)
2. How did Jesus address Saul during their encounter, and what is significant about the way Jesus spoke to him? (Acts 9:4-5)
3. What was Ananias’ initial reaction when God told him to go to Saul, and how did he express his concerns? (Acts 9:13-14)
4. What happened to Saul physically and spiritually after Ananias obeyed God’s command? (Acts 9:17-19)

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described Saul as a “determined rebel” who was not looking for Jesus, but Jesus pursued him anyway. What does this reveal about the nature of God’s grace and pursuit of people? [58:44]
2. Ananias was called to do something uncomfortable and even dangerous. What does his willingness to say “Here I am, Lord” teach us about obedience, especially when God’s instructions don’t make sense to us? [01:14:00]
3. The sermon highlighted that Ananias chose to see Saul not as an enemy, but as a brother in need of grace. How does this perspective challenge the way we view people who seem opposed to our faith? [01:25:55]
4. The testimonies of Alyssa and Joe, as well as Saul’s story, were described as powerful weapons in spiritual warfare. Why do you think sharing personal stories of faith is so important for the church? [23:00]

Application Questions

1. Is there someone in your life who seems “unreachable” or far from God? How does Saul’s story challenge your assumptions about who God can save? [01:09:25]
2. Ananias had every reason to be afraid of Saul, but he obeyed God anyway. Can you think of a time when God asked you to do something uncomfortable or risky? What helped you say “yes,” or what held you back? [01:19:09]
3. The sermon said, “We are responsible for our second thought about others—choosing grace over suspicion, and hope over fear.” Who is someone you tend to see as an “enemy” or outsider? What would it look like to see them as a “brother or sister in need of grace” this week? [01:25:55]
4. Alyssa and Joe’s testimonies encouraged the church and defeated the enemy. When was the last time you shared your story of what God has done in your life? What keeps you from sharing, and what could help you be more open? [23:00]
5. The church is described as an “unstoppable movement” because of Jesus’ power, not our own. In what ways are you participating in what God is already doing in your community, and where might you need to step out in faith? [52:11]
6. The sermon said, “God’s will often stretches us beyond our capacity, inviting us to trust Him more deeply.” Is there an area in your life right now where you feel stretched or overwhelmed? How can you invite God into that situation and trust Him with the outcome? [01:19:09]
7. The phrase “Here I am, Lord” opened the door for Ananias to be used by God. What would it look like for you to put your “yes” on the table this week, even before you know what God might ask you to do? [01:14:00]