Just One Look: How to Become a Candidate for a Changed Life
Acts 9:1-9
Intro: In our text we see a major turning point in the life of a major figure.
Prior to these verses we have a man that consented to having Christians killed for their faith in Christ, he drug people out of their homes into the middle of the streets where they would be beaten, and he would be responsible for many people being imprisoned for no other crime than loving Jesus.
This man hated Christ and His followers.
After verses 1-9 this man becomes a devout follower of Christ, preaches the gospel abroad, writes a majority of the New Testament, he is beaten, hated, imprisoned and martyred.
What was the turning point in his life?
Just One Look!!!!!!!! !
What does Paul share in common with every person who has forsaken a life of sin and unbelief and converted to a follower, disciple, and friend of Jesus Christ?
Just One Look!!!!!!!! !!
I want to share with you three sightings Paul had when he looked at Jesus
If you can see them, with your mind's eye (2 Cor 4:4), your life will be changed as well.
1. Like Paul you Must Comprehend the Glory of Christ
So many people have different ideas of what Jesus is like and looks like.
Some consider Him to bve a baby in a manger
Some consider Him to be a 90 pound looking hippy (Leonardo Da Vinci)
Paul saw Him in all of His glory and so must you!
You must see Him as one whose glory will permiate heaven where no sun or moon will be.
You must see Him as Peter, James, and John saw Him on the Mount of Transfiguration.
You must see Him as John saw Him on the Isle of Patmos when He fell at His feet as dead.
You must see him as the one who God hath highly exalted and given a name above every name that at the feet of Jesus EVERY knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of the Father.
If you ever see Jesus in this fashion you will want to receive Him and follow Him the rest of your life!
2. Like Paul you Must Comprehend the Goodness of Christ
Paul not only saw Christ in His glory, but he became a partaker of the goodness of Christ.
Here Paul is on his way to damascus so that he could persecute more Christians and here the Lord Jesus appears to him in the way.
Surely He has appeared to destroy Paul.
Surely He has appeared to stop Paul from doing anymore harm to His followers.
Surely He has appeared so that He may pour out wrath on Paul.
No, He graciously confronts Paul.
He ultimately forgives Paul and embraces him.
(Explain the "kicking against the pricks")
Paul now understands that Christ is the risen Lord as the Christians proclaimed.
Paul understands that he deserves to be punished brutally, yet Christ loves him and is willing to forgive him.
If you ever understand how hell-deserving you are and how loving Christ by wanting anything to do with you it would create sucha a desire for you to receive Him and serve Him also.
3. Like Paul you Must Comprehend the Goal of Christ
Like anyone who gets a "good dose" of salvation Pauls asks, "Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?"
From this point forward Paul learns that Christ had a plan for His life.
Jesus Christ has a plan for your life.
What a life changing truth to know that the God of all glory created you for a specific purpose and He has a projected path for your life.
Thankfully, Paul didn't waste His life away or return to the old way of living.
He followed God's plan for His life and as a result we were able to hear the gospel and Paul could eventually say.
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.