Which Power Do You Choose? (Acts 9:1-22)
Gary McManus, 05/22/2016Part of the God's Word is Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
May 22, 2016 First Sunday After Pentecost
Acts 9:1-6, 17-22 (p. 1087 / p. 1100-1)
Today’s message: the basis of today’s
message comes from Duke Divinity School!
Charles Campbell, Professor of Homiletics
shares portions of this message in his first
class each term. It was printed, in part,
in Spring 2016 Divinity.
Holy Spirit Power
Acts 1:8: “you will receive power,” said Jesus!
The Word of God also has power:
John 1:1-5. Genesis 1, Isiaha 2:3-4
Pastor’s favorite: Psalm 68:11
(KJ21)
Here is one of my favorite scriptures concerning the Word of God
Psalm 68:11(KJ21): The Lord gave the word;
great was the company of those that proclaimed it.
The Word of God is powerful enough
to provide its OWN proclaimers!
This is what the Apostles said (Acts 5:29-32)
(See also Acts 2:11, Acts 2:22, Acts 6:8)
Acts 9:3-4:It is the word of our Lord and Savior
that Saul hears.
You know Saul’s life before this moment.
(1 Timothy 1:15, Galatians 1:13, Acts 7.57- 8:1,
Acts 8:3, Acts 22:4-5)
Saul, a terrorist?
ISIS is persecuting Christians:
March 17, 2016: Secretary of State John Kerry has
declared that ISIS is committing genocide against
Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities
in the Middle East.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-uncovered/nyc-man-who-joined-escaped-isis-speaks-out-n576916
2,000 years ago, Saul-Paul also believed as ISIS
does today that violence should be used for the
purpose of getting rid of Christians.
But what happened? You know what happened. . .
(Acts 9:4-17, and then 9:20)
Jesus said to Ananias: (v.15):
This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name. . .
and then be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Paul no longer persecutes. Paul preaches the Gospel!
Which is more powerful?
Who has the greater power today?
It is the power of the Holy Spirit.
[Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 31:1]
Our God is mighty to save.
(Psalm 106:8, Isaiah 63:1, Zephaniah 3:17)
This same Paul would write to the church:
Romans 15:13:”. . .trust in Him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Amen.
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