Sermon Audio

Sunday we are back in Acts 9. When we left this chapter two weeks ago, Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor of the church had an encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus. His encounter with Jesus changed everything! He was left helpless, broken, and blind. Jesus sent Ananias to lay his hands on Saul in order that his sight would be restored and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit. From that moment, Saul’s life was transformed. As we examine Acts 9:19-31, Luke shows us the depths of the transformation that has taken place. Saul’s heart has been changed to serve the one he once persecuted and fellowship with those he once hated. As Saul repeatedly bears witness now plots and opposition are formed against him, and the church (whom he once hated) repeatedly aids in his rescue.

In this text, we will stand amazed at the tenacity, the resolve, and the exploits of this new man - Saul of Tarsus. In fact, throughout the rest of the book of Acts, he will be a beacon for the gospel and a powerful instrument in the hand of Christ. But Luke goes into great detail here in Acts 9, not to teach us to "go be like Saul," or "work harder" or "do better" in following Saul’s example. Luke records this section to show what Jesus Christ has done in the heart of Saul. It is Jesus’ work in him that has transformed him into a witness, a warrior, an ambassador for Christ. It is Jesus that has made Saul a new creature and now fills his heart with a desire to witness, to worship with the church, and follow the commands of Christ. Luke has this section here to show us that even the hardest of hearts is changed completely by an encounter with Jesus. The question we must ask is not "am I doing as good as Saul?" The question we must ask is "has Jesus changed my heart like this?"

God continues his answer to Habakkuk's complaint

Habakkuk's second question regarding God's allowance of evil is answered.

But as we will see in Acts 9:1-23, an encounter with the risen Jesus changes everything! The conversion of Saul is one of the most important events in Acts. It is so important that Luke recounts the event three times in the book. In Acts 9 he describes the event and then Paul testifies to what happened in Acts 22 before a crowd and in Acts 26 before King Agrippa. It is here that Jesus breaks one who’s heart seems unconquerable. It is here that Jesus calls an unexpected instrument for His glory. And it is here that an uncompromising disciple of Jesus is born. Although you may have never physically seen the risen Jesus or been blinded by the light of God’s glory, Saul’s conversion accords with every person who has experienced the risen Jesus as the Spirit Himself convicts the soul and comes to dwell in the heart changed by the gospel. This is also why our mission to point people to Jesus and say "look to Him, run to Him, and walk with Him," because an encounter with Jesus changes everything.

Habakkuk decries the violence and injustice that plagues Judah. He asks why God is not answering or asking to bring justice and he gets a very unexpected answer.

Before we return to our study through the book of Acts, it is fitting that we step back and stand in awe of our God and the works that He is doing among us. If we reflect on God’s presence and works among us over the last two years, I don’t think we can help but be amazed at His mercy and goodness towards us at First Baptist Church. I remember standing in front of a camera in our worship center during the month of March two years ago, unsure of what was about to happen. The world was shutting down because of Covid and for a time, we had to move to online services only. I remember the stress and worry of it all. But through that time God just affirmed over and over again that He is working through it all. I remember saying to the camera, FBC is not just going to survive this, we are going to thrive through it...and by God’s grace we did! Even more than any of us could have imagined.

And last Sunday as we kicked off our pledge campaign, God made His will for us known so decisively that it amazed us all! God is so good! And more than everything else, God has sent His Son to pay for our sin and draw us to Himself. He has forgiven our sin! He has given us the ministry of reconciliation as we proclaim the good news to others! God deserves our praise and worship! He deserves to be worshiped with our whole heart! He is God alone and He has poured His grace out upon us in Jesus Christ. And even in our sufferings, He allows us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us!

So before we move back to Acts, this Sunday we will examine Psalm 111, and use this song of ancient Israel to declare our praise and thanksgiving to the Holy One who is so good to us! I hope you will read this psalm with an eye toward all that God has done - and is doing - in your life, and make it the prayer of your hearts.

Psalm 111:1 - Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Haggai prophesies to Zerubabbel that he is God's chosen servant to lead the building of the city and the signet ring of the line of David through whom the true King would eventually come.

Pledge Sunday At First Baptist Church Mulvane

Over the last few weeks, as we move closer to our pledge Sunday on February 27th, we have been working our way through Nehemiah. In this book, we have seen principles for following God’s call as Nehemiah steps out to build the walls of Jerusalem. This Sunday, I planned on continuing in Nehemiah 4 and examining several forms of opposition the builders face as they strive to follow God’s will. However over the last few weeks, many have expressed questions about how someone can "know" what God is calling them pledge. A heart wrestling with this question is a good thing. This is a question that is relevant in all of the Christian life, not just in a building campaign.

So this Sunday, instead of continuing in Nehemiah 4 (which we will do after our pledge Sunday), we will look at portions of 2 Corinthians 8 & 9. You may have noticed that many of the verses in our "22 days of prayer" brochure are from this section. Here, Paul encourages the Corinthians to fulfill their pledge by completing the collection to help the struggling, impoverished church in Jerusalem. Paul exhorted them to begin this collection in 1 Corinthians 16:1-5, and in chapters 8-9 of 2 Corinthians, he urges them to complete their giving. While Paul is certainly not calling the believers to give in order to build a church building, he does give principles regarding the model and method of giving from the heart that are applicable and necessary in all of the Christian life. I hope you will read 2 Co. 8-9 as you prepare to worship on Sunday.