Acts 22:19-21 “But Lord, I argued, they certainly know that I imprisoned and beat those in every synagogue who believed on you. And when your witness Stephen was killed, I was standing there agreeing. I kept the coats they laid aside as they stoned him. But the Lord said to me, Leave Jerusalem, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!”
Observation
Paul is giving his defense after being arrested in
1) God saves sinners. Paul called himself the worse of sinners. Here is tells that he terrorized Christians. He imprisoned and tortured believers. He gave approval when Stephen, one of the first deacons, was martyred. Paul was an evil, violent man. Yet God saved him. He went from torturing believers to the first missionary. God transformed him from the worst of sinners to the greatest missionary.
2) God has a plan for your life. When Paul was saved God revealed His purpose for Paul’s life. Paul was to be a missionary to the Gentiles. At first Paul resisted this. Paul wanted to reach Jews. Paul even argued with God. Paul said surely they will believe me. Let me reach out to my own people. They will see the transformation in my life and turn to Jesus. But God knew the Jews would persecute Paul and God knew that Paul would be the perfect person to reach out to the Gentiles.
Application
1) God saved me a sinner. I did not torture believers but I was a sinner. I was just a nine year old boy but I was a sinner. God saves sinners. I also need to remember that no person is too far from God. If God saved Paul, who was the worse of sinners, then God can save anybody. I should never give up on anyone. No one is too far gone that God cannot transform their life. God is in the saving business. God can change anyone. Who is there in my life and who is there in your life that you have given up on? Have you ever said, they will never change? Have you stopped praying for someone? Never give up on anyone because God is in the saving business.
2) God has a plan for my life. Just like God had a plan for Paul, God has a plan for me. God will reveal his plan for me in his timing. God revealed his plan for Paul immediately after he was saved. Sometimes God waits to reveal His will but the important thing to remember is God has a plan for your life and He will reveal it to you in His timing.
Prayer
Father I pray that tomorrow morning sinners will be saved. You are a saving God. You are in the redemption business. Empower me to be a witness. Empower First A/G to be a light to
