Key Verse: Acts 9

Ice-breaker:

Q. What was your very first vehicle that you owned? Why did you choose it?

Defining moments REVEAL, IDENTIFY, and CHANGE us instantly.

Moments that define us are very important and can change our direction completely. 

Pastor Tom gave us the story of how he met and married Kalina.  That was one of the moments that changed the direction of his life completely.

Q. What are some defining moments in your life that changed your direction completely?

Acts 9:1-5 (ESV)

Saul was a Hebrew of Hebrews.  His parents were Hebrews.  He was a Jew and a Greek.  He had everything.  He said of himself that he was blameless.  He was a member of the Sanhedrin. He was passionate, had a great personality, and a great education.  Saul had everything cut out for him.

Saul wanted Christians out of the way, so he persecuted them and put them to death.  He would bring Christians back to Jerusalem to get rid of them.

His life was good, things were going great.

Like Saul, those outside of Christ think things are great just the way they are.  They don’t need God.  They might think Christians don’t have any fun and that life is not exciting.  But as Christians, we know that anyone can be a part of the crowd, but it takes courage to be different.

Q. In what ways can we relate Saul’s initial attitude toward Christianity to the perceptions of non-believers today? How can we, as Christians, demonstrate the courage to be different and share the joy of following Christ with others?

1. Defining Moments can be Personal or Spiritual.

Acts 9:6-9 (ESV)

Saul was led but he still could not see.

Like Saul, we think we have control but we don’t.  We may think we have our life worked out.  We all have a story about everything we do in life.  Saul had a great story but it was not the story that God wanted for him. 

Saul became Paul, a great Christian leader and writer.  But before this, he had a very high-pressure position, he had much responsibility.  Then, when Christ met him, he was knocked to the ground and changed immediately.  God chose Saul.

God chooses us.  We did not choose Him. When we surrender immediately to Him, the Holy Spirit changes us.

Acts 9:10-11 (ESV)

Jesus prepared Ananias to reach out to Saul. 

Jesus prepares others to reach out to us and us to reach out to others.

Q. How can we relate the role of Ananias in Saul’s story to our own lives? How does Jesus prepare and use others to reach out to us and guide us on our spiritual journeys?

Or

How has he prepared you to reach out to someone in their spiritual journey?

2. My Purpose is Defined through God’s Plan for Me.

Acts 9:13-19 (ESV)

Ananias did not want to mess with Saul.  He was not a good person. Ananias feared being arrested, but instead, God changed Saul.

Sometimes we are afraid to witness to others fearing that they won’t listen to us.  When God chooses us, we can be an instrument that He uses to bring others to Him change them, and give them purpose.

Ananias prayed and Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and regained his sight.  His eyes were opened.

When we accept Christ, our eyes are opened.  We realize how bad the world is.  When we surrender to Christ, He gives us sight.

Q. How did Ananias initially respond to God’s call to go to Saul, and what can we learn from his fear and reluctance in sharing the Gospel with someone who may seem unworthy? Have you ever hesitated to share your faith with someone? Why?

3. My True Defining Moment is Fulfilled when I Surrender my Future to God’s Plan.

Acts 9:20-22 (ESV)

Everything that Saul was before has been turned upside down.  Saul, who became Paul was arrested, stoned, and sent to prison.  He was persecuted for his faith.  However, he survived everything that was put on him because Christ had a job for him.  He had a purpose.

Paul went out and immediately witnessed to others. 

Have I Surrendered to God’s Plan for My Life?

Acts 26:19-20 (ESV)

Paul declared Jesus.

Romans 10:9 (ESV)

Sermon in a sentence:

My Surrender to God gives me the Power to be like Christ.

Q. How did Saul’s transformation into Paul demonstrate that surrendering to God’s plan can turn our lives upside down, and yet, give us a profound purpose? Can you think of any personal experiences where you had to surrender to God’s plan even if it seemed to disrupt your life?

What defining moment do you wish to define your tombstone?

Challenge:  Identify one way in which you can actively surrender to God’s plan in your current circumstances to live more in alignment with His purpose for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you as you surrender to His plan for you.