Sermon snippet – Simply Heaven – Part IX
INTRODUCTION – Eight weeks ago we studied Colossians 3:1-2 to help us set our affection “on things above,” on the reality of heaven. Last week, in Acts 7:54-8:4, we met Saul at the martyrdom of Stephen. Saul was a vehement and vicious enemy of Christianity, but in Acts 9:1-19, he is converted to faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
- JESUS IS LORD, INCLUDING LORD OF HEAVEN
Verse 3 tells us of “a light from heaven”; this light is the glory of God the Son, Who was and is in the heaven that He is preparing for us (John 14:1-6). Even as Saul (who we know better by his other name, Paul – Acts 13:9) asks, “Who art Thou, Lord?” (verse 5), he is answering his own question, for to call Jesus “Lord” is to correctly call Him “God.” Paul’s response of verse 6 – “Lord, what will Thou have me to do ?” – is the only reasonable response, for Jesus is Lord of all, including of heaven.
- JESUS WILL GO TO ANY LENGTH TO REACH US
It should be enough that Jesus died on the Cross to take the penalty of our sins and that He rose from the dead on the third day as He promised in order to give eternal life. The facts are undeniable. Yet, Jesus keeps reaching out, as He did in dramatic fashion to Paul. Paul never stopped marveling at Jesus’ powerful pursuit of him, writing in Ephesians 3:18-19a that his prayer was that each of us “may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ.” It is unlikely that our conversions were as spectacular as Paul’s but the intensity and fervency of Jesus’ pursuit of us is just as great. He has spoken to us from heaven with His Word and through God the Holy Spirit; His light from heaven has led us out of our personal darkness.
- JESUS TOOK PAUL’S CHARACTERISTICS AND USED THEM FOR GOOD
Paul was zealous in his persecution of Christians (Acts 8:1-3). His very presence on the Damascus Road was a result of this zeal (verses 1-2), and later he acknowledged that his former fervor had been completely misdirected (Acts 22:3-4). Jesus took this intense enthusiasm and directed it to great good, including the missionary journeys of Paul. Paul was also a renowned scholar (Acts 22:3), and Jesus used this intellect to give us much of the New Testament (from Romans to Philemon). What Jesus did with Paul, He can do with each one of us. If we place our attributes and interests in His heavenly hands, He will employ them for everlasting good.
CONCLUSION – May we thank our Savior for the transformations in others and in us.These changes remind us of our future and ultimate sanctification in heaven – if our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus was in heaven in the first century, he is there now, shining His light to us.