The Quest

  • Pastor Dwain Tissell
  • Mar 23, 2008
  • Series: Identity

THE QUEST
"Identity" - Part 2
Easter Sunday 2008
Acts 7-9
Dwain Tissell


Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:58 (NIV)


1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Acts 8:1 (NIV)


1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2 (NIV)


1. GOD WANTS THE MOST UNLIKELY PEOPLE.

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Acts 9:3-4 (NIV)



2. GOD REACHES US IN THE MOST UNSUSPECTING WAYS.

5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. Acts 9:5a (NIV)


3. GOD KNOWS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS: WHO ARE YOU, LORD?

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:5b-6 (NIV)

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,"Ananias!"
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 9:11-15 (NIV)

18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized... Acts 9:18 (NIV)