Conversion

Series: New Horizons

Conversion

Acts 9:1-31

Some conversions are dramatic, and some are almost imperceptible.   

Every saved person has a life-changing moment.   

Acts 9 details the second-most influential dayin the history of Christianity.  

context   

After Stephen’s death, persecutionbreaks out against the church.   Believers scatter throughout the Roman empire, but this has a negative effect on Judaism—wherever the church is located, they are seeing Jews convertingto Christianity.   

the story

Whatever is done to the church is done directly to Jesus. 

Any time a person is converted, there are those who are skeptical.  

Following Christ does not insulate from hardships--it often accelerates them.

conversion lessons:

Salvation is by God’s initiative.  

All people are spiritually blindwithout Christ.  

o   Irreligiousblindness

o   Religiousblindness

God can save the worst of sinners. 

Conversion is a dual realization:I’m worsethan I ever dreamed, and He is more graciousthan I’d ever hoped.

  Every person who issaved in Christreceives a new purpose for Christ.

today’s takeaways

·      Your past does not disqualify you from God’s grace.

·      Your past does not disqualify you from future usefulness.