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“Astounded and Confounded” (Acts 9:19-31)
Have you ever been astounded and confounded by something? I recall when the iPhone was first invented. I was like, “Wow! That’s incredible! How does it work?” Or, perhaps if you’re a parent, you recall when your first child came to you. You might have thought, “This is amazing! I have a baby! Now, what do I do?”
Some of us have been astounded and confounded! We’ve been amazed, and we’ve wondered what in the world is going on.
Well, we heard last week about the miraculous transformation that took place in the life of Saul when Jesus powerfully changed him on the road to Damascus.
Now, we’re going to learn about Saul’s ministry in Damascus, and we’re going to learn that the Jewish leaders were astounded and confounded. Indeed, that’s the title of today’s sermon.
Before we go any further, let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us through this passage.
(prayer)
So, let’s do a little recap here:
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon the early Christians, and they became witnesses for Jesus.
After the Holy Spirit came powerfully, the Church began to grow and grow as they ministered in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.
After the Church began to grow, the Jewish authorities began to persecute the Christians in Jerusalem and even killed some, including a man named Stephen.
After the persecution took place, Christianity continued to grow, and expanded beyond the borders of Jerusalem as faithful Christians, like Philip, shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to those outside of Jerusalem.
After Christianity continued to spread, a man named Saul was ravaging the church and arresting followers of Jesus.
After Saul began to persecute Christians, Jesus appeared to him and radically transformed him to become like one of those he previously persecuted.
That brings us roughly to where we are today in Acts 9.
So, today, we’re going to continue the story of Saul to see what happened after he was radically transformed.
First, we’re going to learn that . . .
I. Saul proclaimed Jesus in Damascus.
Remember, Saul was on his way to Damascus when he had an encounter with Jesus. Then, Saul made his way to Damascus, was prayed for by Ananias, regained his sight, and was baptized.
After all that happened, Saul spent some time in Damascus. Let’s see what he was up to while he was there:
Listen to Acts 9:19–22:
And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Notice in verse 19 that it says, “Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.”
Now, we don’t know exactly how long Saul was with the disciples, but we do have a hint.
Listen to what Paul says in Galatians 1:17-18 about what is probably referring to this time: “I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.”
So, it is likely that Saul hung around Damascus and Arabia for as much as three years. That’s a long time!
Well, what is Saul doing while he is hanging around Damascus? Luke (the author of Acts) tells us in verse 20: Immediately he b
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By First Baptist Church Bartow
5
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Have you ever been astounded and confounded by something? I recall when the iPhone was first invented. I was like, “Wow! That’s incredible! How does it work?” Or, perhaps if you’re a parent, you recall when your first child came to you. You might have thought, “This is amazing! I have a baby! Now, what do I do?”
Some of us have been astounded and confounded! We’ve been amazed, and we’ve wondered what in the world is going on.
Well, we heard last week about the miraculous transformation that took place in the life of Saul when Jesus powerfully changed him on the road to Damascus.
Now, we’re going to learn about Saul’s ministry in Damascus, and we’re going to learn that the Jewish leaders were astounded and confounded. Indeed, that’s the title of today’s sermon.
Before we go any further, let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us through this passage.
(prayer)
So, let’s do a little recap here:
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon the early Christians, and they became witnesses for Jesus.
After the Holy Spirit came powerfully, the Church began to grow and grow as they ministered in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.
After the Church began to grow, the Jewish authorities began to persecute the Christians in Jerusalem and even killed some, including a man named Stephen.
After the persecution took place, Christianity continued to grow, and expanded beyond the borders of Jerusalem as faithful Christians, like Philip, shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to those outside of Jerusalem.
After Christianity continued to spread, a man named Saul was ravaging the church and arresting followers of Jesus.
After Saul began to persecute Christians, Jesus appeared to him and radically transformed him to become like one of those he previously persecuted.
That brings us roughly to where we are today in Acts 9.
So, today, we’re going to continue the story of Saul to see what happened after he was radically transformed.
First, we’re going to learn that . . .
I. Saul proclaimed Jesus in Damascus.
Remember, Saul was on his way to Damascus when he had an encounter with Jesus. Then, Saul made his way to Damascus, was prayed for by Ananias, regained his sight, and was baptized.
After all that happened, Saul spent some time in Damascus. Let’s see what he was up to while he was there:
Listen to Acts 9:19–22:
And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
Notice in verse 19 that it says, “Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.”
Now, we don’t know exactly how long Saul was with the disciples, but we do have a hint.
Listen to what Paul says in Galatians 1:17-18 about what is probably referring to this time: “I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.”
So, it is likely that Saul hung around Damascus and Arabia for as much as three years. That’s a long time!
Well, what is Saul doing while he is hanging around Damascus? Luke (the author of Acts) tells us in verse 20: Immediately he b