The Kingdom of God 3

Acts 9:3-5a

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting… 

Philippians 3:10-12

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. [12] Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my GOAL, but I PRESS on to TAKE HOLD of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE, WHICH WAY IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

1. How do I navigate when life becomes complex? 

Saul . 

Acts 9:1-4a Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground… 

The complexity of Saul of Tarsus: 

• By birth a Jew. 

• By conviction a Pharisee. 

• By citizenship a Roman. 

• By education a Greek.

2. How do I choose when my emotions are tugging me a certain way? 

Damascus Experience. 

Acts 9:4b-6 heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

The place of the confrontation that re-orders your purpose. 

Ananias. 

Acts 9:10-14 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 

The place of pushing through to trust in the Lord.

3. How do I exert the influence that others deserve? 

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 

Philippians 3:10-12 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 

The complexity of Paul shifted to One message after his Damascus Road experience: 

• By grace became a Christian. 

• A missionary 

• A theologian 

• An evangelist 

• A pastor 

• A teacher 

• An author of Books that help us even to this day.

Conclusion:

John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.