DEFINING MOMENTS
“The Power of a Proper U-Turn”
Acts 9:1-19
The setting for our message today is in 36 AD. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus have all taken place …. He has ascended to heaven and now it is up to a small band of men and women to move the message forward. Every one of them would have a decision to make, what I will call a defining moment and in that moment they would be asked to make a decision that would completely change their future. One that would ultimately cost them their lives. Of the 12 disciples, Judas took his own life but of the other 11, 10 would eventually die a martyr’s death. John, the exception died in an old age just after writing down the Book of Revelation.
Now in this study this morning I want us to focus on two men…. Stephen and Saul. First Stephen. Now you may remember that when the early church started, as the church was increasing in number someone in the church started complaining. And was for a good reason. Some of the widows were being overlooked in the church. There was a daily distribution of food and they were not receiving enough. So the 12 apostles called the people together and they said, we have to do something. We need more people to serve these women. To get this food out. They said it would just not be right for those of us who are preaching and teaching God’s word to give that up so we can serve food. Both the physical food and the spiritual food matter and we can’t do both. We need help. So we recommend that you select 7 men to serve as deacons to do this work. Then we will continue to devote ourselves to prayer and the teaching of the word. So they did. They chose 7 men. One of them was a man named Stephen. The scripture tells us in chapter 6 v. 8 that Stephen was full of grace and power and performed great miracles among the people. As is the case when someone becomes an effective leader and if they are well liked often others will step up and oppose them and try to push them out of leadership. Call it jealousy, insecurity … whatever you wish but it is the work of Satan when this happens.
But in this case the Bible tells us in v. 10 they were unable to stand up against and His wisdom and against God’s spirit which was in Him. So when you can’t find any dirt on someone what do you do? You make something up. So they did. They said hey we heard Stephen preaching and he is saying some things about Moses and about Jesus that are blasphemy. And the word started to spread. People got all stirred up; and they grabbed him and took before the court. People testified against him. Chapter 7 opens with the court asking Stephen, is this true? At that point Stephen preaches a sermon which is found in chapter 7. It is a harsh sermon; sometimes preaching is harsh and he closed by telling them that they were stiff necked and unclean people. He had missed the course on “how to win friends and influence people.”
In v. 54 the Bible tells us that when they heard this they were enraged and obviously were angry and they gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen just continued to gaze into heaven. Stephen then makes an incredible statement …. He says I see the Son of God standing in heaven. There was a standing ovation for Stephen by Jesus Himself. The people couldn’t handle it so they started shouting and charged him and drug him out of the city and they stoned him to death. This was the first martyr for the faith. Now standing there at the time that this took place was a man named Saul. The scripture tells us in v. 58 that they took Stephen’s garments and laid them at the feet of this man named Saul.
The defining moment for this first martyr, Stephen became a defining moment for Saul. Early in our ministry my wife and I did a lot of work with youth and children. There was a camp in Northeast Arkansas we would take them to each summer located in the mountains. It was beautiful. As many times as we went there I would usually make the same mistake. When you’re almost to the camp you go over a large hill and then the turn to the camp was very sudden the sign was kind of hidden, so I would miss it. Would have to go up the road a brief distance to make a U-turn. If someone else was going to drive and we were giving him directions, we would say, go over the top of the hill, travel about a half-mile and then make a U-turn and you can get to it. It was almost easier to just include the U-turn in the directions.
My wife used to say every time I turn around one of our kids is leaving home. I don’t like this. I turn around and David has joined the Army, I turn around and Brian is in Nashville, I turn around and Ross is gone and now Allison. I said well you know what the problem is don’t you? You gotta stop turning around.
Turning around can be difficult and painful. I mean let’s face it when you have to turn around there is usually only one good reason. But turning around can be a defining moment in your life and mine. You have realized you’re going in the wrong direction. This is exactly what happened to a man named Saul.
Let me give you six quick facts about him.
• Saul was from the city of Tarsus.
• Saul studied under the Greek scholar Gamaliel.
• We first meet Saul when Stephen was martyred.
• Saul was personally responsible for the death and persecution of many believers. He was a very feared man.
• Saul came to Christ. His conversion was so powerful that he received a new name, Paul the apostle.
• Saul/Paul wrote about one half of the New Testament.
The first word that comes to my mind when I read this story is the word change. We all go through change. From the time we are born until the time we die, we go through two things. (1) Constant change. (2) Fighting that constant change.
Most of the change is gradual and we don’t notice it so much but when we look at family pictures and we look closely in the mirror we see the change. But the change I am talking about today is not just on the outside. We all change on the inside as well. I’m talking about the deep places where we hurt; inside of us. So occasionally I gave you a word from the original language to help us get a bigger grasp on a certain concept. So today I want to give you the Greek word Metanoia. It means to have a change of mind. You’re currently thinking one way about something and suddenly your mind changes and you get some perspective and your thoughts completely change. We sometimes call it doing a 180 because the change is so huge. In fact in Paul’s day the word metanoia was used in the military. They were marching in one direction and the captain would shout metanoia and the soldiers would do an about-face and head in a brand-new direction. The Greek New Testament word is metanoia. We say it in English as the word repentance. This change is the one that matters the most in life.
The three things I want you to notice/see about this radical change we call repentance. (1) All of us have a past. Some move on. Others don’t. Saul did. Saul, who became Paul was younger than Jesus. We think about five years. But this would’ve placed him in his early to mid 20’s at the time of Christ’s death. The Scripture here is very blunt as it says that “Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” He had gone to the high priest and asked him to write letters to the churches and if they came across anyone who was a follower of Christ, he would then be allowed to take them as prisoners. So Saul went all over, door-to-door at times arresting those who believed in Christ.
One of those who was brought in was this man named Stephen. They ask him about the stories he had been telling and he launches into a long explanation of over 50 verses where he explains why he believes in Christ and he closes his speech by blasting them for what they have done to Jesus. The Bible says that when they heard all of these words that they were furious and as I said, they gnashed their teeth at him. Dentists tell us that some people grind or gnash their teeth when they are angry or are on edge. It is an angry reaction. And often we are not even aware we are doing it. So they took Stephen away to be stoned to death.
When they stoned him, they took his robe and laid it at Saul’s feet basically saying, “we did this for you.” The Bible says Saul was there the entire time giving approval to Stephen’s death. This was Saul’s past. He did everything possible to go against what Christ did for. Saul was a Jew. For Saul, Jesus was not the Messiah; Jesus was not who he claimed to be.
I doubt anyone here today could identify with that kind of lifestyle. Most everyone here this morning we call themselves a believer in Jesus Christ. But I do think there are probably those among us who would say I’m not sure where I stand. Sure, I believe in Jesus but I’m not sure I believe everything the Scripture has to say.
• Did Jesus really heal people? Did he really take blind, deaf, lame individuals and change them into seeing, hearing, walking individuals. • Did Jesus really go out to the cemetery and shout the name Lazarus causing a dead man to walk out of the grave? Did Jesus really go to a wedding and change the water into wine? Yes he did and the operative word there is change. He changed people. Physically. Spiritually. In fact was Saul, he was actually blinded for three days, then this site was restored and he handed his life over to Jesus that day. You see the length and the breadth of God’s love-you see what he will do to get our attention? All because of his love he does this to give us a renewed purpose. All of us have a past. Some move on. Others quit. They just stop before they ever find their purpose.
2. Everyone has a purpose. Some find it. Most don’t. Saul did. Here was Saul, flattened, physically blinded. This man whose name struck fear in the hearts of so many, who had drug Christians from their homes to be killed, now was so helpless he had to have someone lead him into Damascus. Why? Because Saul had a confrontation with Christ himself and it was a moment of change. A moment where he found his purpose. We know the man he was-I have described him already. But look with me at his new purpose. Verse 15. The persecutor becomes the persecuted. • Now a Jew would carry the gospel to the Gentile world. • Now a man who worked to keep Kings in power would tell them that the only power we have comes from Christ; and his kingdom, not from an earthly kingdom. • Now this man who caused so many others to suffer would now suffer for the cause of Christ. And he did.
Paul was beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked three times, in constant danger, five times beaten with 39 lashes and placed in prison repeatedly. His response? • I will boast about how weak I am so that people can see how strong he is!
Now this is where I believe most of us drift away. We want to find God’s purpose, but we have already decided what we think that purpose should look like.
We think:
• I thought my purpose was to be important.
• Or to have a lot of things. I thought my purpose was for things to be easy. Instead it has gotten harder.
• I thought I could go right on doing all the things I did before.
Everyone has a purpose. Some find it. But when they do, they don’t always accept it and live it out. And the reason is usually related to confidence-a lack of confidence... In God and in ourselves. Lord, I can’t do what you are asking me to do and what we are essentially saying is Lord, I won’t do what you’re asking me to do.
Last. Everyone is called/chosen. Some accept this new life. Most do not. Saul did and so can we. Now this may sound harsh to say that most people don’t accept this new life we are chosen for, but unfortunately it is true. Jesus put it this way. He said there are basically two Gates. One is wide and the path is broad and no one will have any trouble finding it. In fact if you’re looking for it, just follow the crowd because that’s where they will be headed. Then he said that there is also a narrow gate that leads to eternal life and only a few will find it.
He goes on to say you better watch out for false prophets-the ones that lie and tell you you’re going to always be healthy, you can always be wealthy, you can always get whatever you want. When you hear that kind of preaching I’d give you a three letter word that describes what you should do. Run. As fast as you can and as far away as you can. The Bible says on that day-the day of judgement, many will say to me, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and even perform miracles and Jesus will respond with these words. I never knew you. I never knew you. Certainly the most haunting words we could ever hear.
God has chosen you to serve Him. You. He has called you and He has a purpose for you. Here is the way that works I believe. Let’s say today I have some extra funds so I say I want everyone to join me next door for lunch. Everyone. So I go next door and I tell Pam, here is a list of 100 people…everyone in church today. I want to pay for their meal. She says, will they all be here? I say well hard to tell but I want to go ahead and pay for it anyway. I will tell them to RSVP. To let you know. Some call, some don’t. Some show up. Some don’t. But still it’s paid for. Jesus paid for your sin. Jesus gives us purpose. It is up to RSVP. Up to us to respond. Have you responded?
