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Sermon Notes

Acts
“The Story-Changing God!”
Acts 9:1-19 // October 11, 2026
 
“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” Acts 9:1-6
 
“There may be no transformation with as far-reaching implications for history as the conversion of Saul of Tarsus” John Macarthur
 
“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord…” Acts 9:1
 
“…went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” Acts 9:1-2
 
“Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” Acts 9:3-6 
 
“The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:7-9 
 
“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’” Acts 9:10-14
 
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’” Acts 9:15-16 
 
“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.” Acts 9:17-19a 
 
Two Realities About Your Story
1. Every Jesus follower has a radical story of life change 
 
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3 
 
“But God…”  Ephesians 2:4a 
 
"You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." Genesis 50:20
 
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
 
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
 
Don’t misrepresent God’s grace by minimizing your story
 
2. Every Jesus follower’s story can be used by God 
 
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NLT) 
 
“though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed…” 1 Timothy 1:13-14a 
 
There’s more grace in Jesus than there is sin in you!
 
Biblical Reality: 
Joseph was abused. Job was bankrupt. Gideon was afraid. Samson was a womanizer. Moses had a speech problem. Rahab was a prostitute. David was a murderous adulterer. Jonah was a coward. Noah was a drunk. Peter was a liar. Paul was a terrorist! God specializes in using broken people to do powerful things.