Acts 9:1-6 HOW TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD

Intro: If you were to have a face to face encounter with the Lord Jesus, and could ask
Him any question you wanted, what would that question be? I suppose you would have to
think long and hard about what you would ask Him, but I am guessing that many would
be asking, “Lord, what would you have me to do?” That experience did happen to the
man in our text, and he asked that very question. He also received a response from the
Lord.

In this passage, Paul asked 2 very important questions. Questions to which we need sure
answers. Those questions are: 1.) Who art thou Lord? (v.7) This is the single most
important question in all of life. Who is Jesus Christ to you? Your answer determines
where you will spend your eternity! 2.) Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? This is the
second most important question in life. God’s will and His will alone should be the
heart’s desire for every child of God. Ill. The context. Paul was told to go into the city
and there, he would be told what to do. God did not hide His will from Paul, and He will
not hide it from you!

This morning, I am going to preach to you about How To Know The Will of God. Now,
before you can know Gods will for your life, you must have an understanding of how His
will operates. There are three ways in which we may understand the will of God.

1. Gods Sovereign Will - This is a decision of God that is always carried

out, nothing in the universe is ever able to stop it. God is God and He

accomplished what He wishes. Gods Sovereign will is mysterious and is

known only to God.

2. Gods Moral Will - This, too, is forever settled and is unchanging.

Some things are right and some things are wrong, (It matters not what

society says!) This Moral will is revealed in the Word of God and the

conscience of man.

3. Gods Particular Will - He has a will that is particular and peculiar to

your life. (Ill. Saul - Acts 9:15) This particular will will vary from saint

to saint
I can see all 3 aspects of the will of God at work in my life. It was His Sovereign will that
set His love upon me and saved me. It was His moral will that I stop cursing, drinking,
etc. It was and is His particular will for my life that I become a preacher of the Gospel.

Even though you and I are such a small part of Gods vast creation, and our lives seem
very insignificant, God knows you! He loves you! Even the very hairs of your head are
numbered and known by Him. As a result, He has designed a particular plan for your life,
and, He has promised to reveal it to you and to guide you into it.

Before we get into how to know His will, I am first going to address some myths
concerning the will of God.

1.) God Will Give You A Road Map - God does not give roadmaps, He gives

relationships. As you follow Him, He will reveal His will unto you. (Ill. Israel

- Ex. 13:21 - The Pillar of Cloud and Fire!)

2.) God Doesnt Want You To Have Any Fun - Some see God as a Cosmic

killjoy. That is, if you surrender to do His will, you will have a hard and an

unhappy life. Many are afraid to find His will because they are afraid of what

they might be asked to do. (Ill. Put yourself in the place of God. How do you

treat your children? Isnt He better than us? Luke 11:11-13

3.) God Only Speaks To A Certain, Few Holy People - Gods will is not limited

to those with position. He just doesnt speak to the Pauls, the Spurgeons and

the Grahams. He has a will for every saint at every conceivable level of

commitment. If you choose to follow in His will, you will be lead to a holier

life. But, He calls us where we are!

4.) You Have To Wait On A Damascus Road Experience - Sauls experience

certainly was dramatic, but it wasnt normal. God spoke to Saul in the

earthquake, but more often, He speaks in the still, small voice - 1 Kings 19:11-

12.
5.) God Only Reveals His Will To The Young - God calls people of all ages, He

never stops using His saints. If He were finished with you, He would have

called you home. If you are sitting on the sidelines, I can guarantee you that

you need to seek His will! It is never too late to do the will of God.

6.) Gods Will Is Hidden From Us And We Have To Find It Ourselves - (Ill.

The absurdity of a Father hiding His will from His son!) God never hides His

will He reveals it! He wants you to know His will so you can get about doing

it. (Ill. This is not a cosmic Easter egg hunt!)

Now that we have discussed several myths concerning the will of God, allow me to share
with you a couple of easy steps that will lead us into knowing the will of God.

I. GODS GUIDANCE IS PROVISIONAL

(That is to say, God expects certain things from us. Unless we are able to

deliver these characteristics, we will probably remain in the dark concerning

His will.)

A. Be Willing To Obey Him - Ill. Saul wanted Gods will. Too often, we

make our plans, set them in motion and then call God in to bless them. To genuinely do
His will, we must put our will aside and be will to do all that He asks us to do. (Ill. Can
you honestly say, Wherever He Leads Ill GO?) Ill. Why should God reveal His will to us
when He knows we arent going to do it anyway?

B. Display A Spirit Of Meekness - That is, be teachable - Psa. 25:9. Ill. Saul -

He displayed a teachable spirit. If you arent teachable, and think you know it all already,
then you will probably never know His will.

C. Be Open To God - Earnestly, sincerely pray for Gods guidance. Report for

duty. Dont wait to be drafted, just show up and ask Him if He has an assignment for you.
If God isnt showing you anything, perhaps you should examine your life to see just how
much time you really spend with Him in private. Too often he is speaking, but no one is
listening!
D. Be Yielded To God - Ill. Saul - Acts 9:8-9, As soon as he had a word from

God, he got busy doing it. Again, God probably not reveal His will to someone who isnt
going to do it anyway. If all areas of your life are yielded and open to His will, then you
can expect that He will reveal Himself to you. Are you willing to do His will regardless
of the cost? Luke 14:26-33.

II. GODS GUIDANCE IS PRACTICAL

(Ill. God will reveal His will in ways that will be plain to see and understand.

He used several in the Bible. These are still His ways.)

A. Through Miracles - Ill. Saul - Normally, God wont speak to a man like He

did to Saul. This was a miracle! Occasionally, He will speak in the fashion, but dont wait
on it before you start to serve Him!

B. Through His Word - Ill. Saul - v.5. Gods Word holds the answers to all of

lifes questions - Psa. 119:89. (Ill. Matt. 5:18) When you are in doubt concerning His will,
go back to the Bible and read. (Ill. This is Gods primary mode of address!)

C. Through His People - Ill. Saul - Acts 9:8-20. God used Ananias to speak

His will to Saul. Never discount the counsel of the godly people all around you - Pro.
24:6. (Ill. The danger of pride - It will cause you not to listen - 1 Cor. 10:12.

D. Through His Spirit - Ill. Saul - Acts 9:17. The Holy Spirit is in us, John

14:16, and he will guide us unto all truth, John 16:13. One of the distinguishing marks of
Gods sheep is their earmark - John 10:1-14. God speaks to people through the Holy
Ghost. (Ill. Beware of listening to voices!)

Conc: God has a big plan for your life! Do you know what it is? If not, be meek,
teachable, open and yielded to God. Listen for His leading voice in His Word, His people
and His Spirit and He will reveal His will unto you - John 14:21. He wants you to be in
His will, and therefore, He will never leave you in the dark!

If you know His will, are you doing it? If not, there is no time like the present to
surrender and yield to do the will of God.

Sermon By Alan Carr

Conversion Accounts - Saul of Tarsus
Kevin Cauley
Date written: November 29th, 2007
Scripture ref: Acts 9:1-9

SUBJECT: Conversion

TITLE: Conversion Accounts - Saul of Tarsus

PROPOSITION: In the conversion of Saul we see 1) Selective Confrontation, 2) Sincere

Contrition, 3) Serious Concern, and 4) Scandalous Conversion.

OBJECTIVE: To study and understand the conversion of Saul so that we may explain it
to others.

Aim: That each would understand how Saul’s conversion serves as a model for
everyone’s conversion.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Acts 9:1-9

2. About the Text:

1) Acts chapter 7 shows to us the death of Stephen.

2) Those who stoned Stephen laid their coats at the feet of Saul.

3) At the beginning of Acts 8 we read about a great persecution that arose against the
church.

4) Saul was at the head of this persecuting effort.

5) Because of this persecution the church was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

6) Good things happened as we noticed from Acts 8.

7) However, Saul continued his onslaught taking his persecutions to these new areas.

8) The threat against the church was serious.

9) Something had to be done about Saul, the greatest enemy of the church.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

DISCUSSION: In the conversion of Saul we see…

I. Selective Confrontation

1. Saul’s Persecutions Continued

1) Saul persecutes the disciples.

2) He goes to the high priest to request letters.

3) These letters were for him to bind disciples from Damascus and bring them to
Jerusalem

4) His persecution of the church has expanded beyond Jerusalem.

5) Acts 22:4-5 “And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into
prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the
estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to
Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.”

6) Acts 26:9-12 “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the
saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when
they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every
synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them,
I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with
authority and commission from the chief priests,”

2. Jesus confronts Saul.

1) Saul is on the road to Damascus.

2) It is about noon (Acts 22:6, Acts 26:13).

3) He saw a great light from heaven shining around him, brighter than the sun (Acts 22:6,
26:13)

4) This light was also seen by those journeying with him (Acts 26:13).

5) He and those who were journeying with him fell to the earth (Acts 26:14).

6) Saul then hears a voice in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 26:14).

7) The voice says, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick
against the pricks” (Acts 26:14).

8) Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord.”

9) The voice answers, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting. It is hard for
you to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5).

3. Jesus selects Saul.

1) Saul answers and says, “Lord, what shall I do? What will you have me to do?”

2) There is a two-fold answer to Saul’s question.

3) First, Acts 26:16-18 tells us the Lord’s full purpose for Saul, “But rise, and stand upon
thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a
witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will
appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom
now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

4) For the immediate future, Jesus says to Saul,

a. “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).

b. “Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are
appointed for thee to do.” (Acts 22:10).

5) Saul was not told what to do immediately to gain forgiveness; that would be left to
another.

4. Lessons

1) To persecute the church is to persecute Jesus.

a. We can take comfort that Jesus knows about the persecutions we face from others.

b. Jesus takes the persecution of His church personally.

2) Sincerity is necessary, but not sufficient.

a. Paul said that he lived with a good conscience (Acts 23:1).

b. Yet, he was sincerely wrong.

3) God may use the most unlikely of people to accomplish His will.

a. Who would have thought that God would take his greatest opponent and turn him into
His greatest advocate?
b. Saul was the enemy of the Christ who became Christ’s greatest witness (Acts 26:9-12)

4) God didn’t use a miracle to save Saul.

a. God always saves people through words.

b. Acts 2:40 “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.”

c. Cornelius was told “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be
saved” (Acts 11:14).

d. James 1:21 “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and
receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

II. Sincere Contrition

1. The time of Saul’s Contrition - three days.

1) Acts 9:9 “And he was three days without sight…”

2) The number three certainly has some significance in the scripture.

a. Egypt was without the sun for three days of darkness (Exodus 10:22).

b. Israel was punished with three days of pestilence by God because of David’s sin (2
Samuel 24:13).

c. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17).

d. Esther called for fasting for three days and three nights (Esther 4:16).

e. Jesus resurrection was on the third day (Mark 8:31).

3) The time seems to be associated in scripture with a period of suffering and

punishment.

4) Certainly Saul suffered for these three days as he contemplated the evil he had done
against God.

2. The trial of Saul’s Contrition - blindness.

1) In Acts 22:11 Paul said, “And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led
by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.”
2) Acts 9:9 “And he was three days without sight…”

3) Blindness was a punishment that God had historically used for the sinful.

a. In Genesis 19:11 the men of Sodom are struck with blindness.

b. It was one of the curses reserved for the disobedient (Deuteronomy 28:28).

c. Elisha smote the enemies of Israel with blindness in 2 Kings 6:18.

d. Elymas was also punished with blindness by Saul himself in Acts 13:11.

4) Blindness also made one unfit for the priesthood (Leviticus 21:18).

5) No doubt Saul would have understood the seriousness of his errors being stricken blind
by God.

3. The thoroughness of Saul’s Contrition - fasting.

1) Acts 9:9 ” And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”

2) Saul fasted in the most serious way neither eating or drinking anything.

3) Fasting was a customary way to express sincere and deep contrition.

a. David fasted when his child was ill (2 Samuel 12:16).

b. Samuel had the people fast in relationship to their sinfulness (1 Samuel 7:6).

c. Nehemiah fasted and prayed when he heard of Jerusalem’s condition (Nehemiah 1:4).

4) Fasting was associated with prayer as well.

a. In Acts 9:11 the Lord told Ananias that Saul was praying also.

b. Acts 13:3 says that this was done prior to sending Paul and Barnabus on their first
journey.

c. It was also done when ordaining elders (Acts 14:23).

5) Fasting was an act that was associated with the most serious of circumstances.

4. Lessons

1) God punishes for sin.

a. There is punishment in the church for sin (2 Corinthians 2:6).

b. God uses government to punish sin (1 Peter 2:14).

c. There is also eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

2) It is right and appropriate to be sorry for our sins.

a. 2 Corinthians 7:10 ” For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be

repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

b. Psalm 51:3 ” For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”

III. Serious Concern

1. The Lord appears to Ananias.

1) Ananias was a disciple at Damascus (Acts 9:10).

2) The Lord appeared to him in a vision.

3) Ananias listened.

4) The Lord said to Ananias:

a. Go to “Straight Street.”

b. Go to the house of Judas.

c. Enquire there for Saul of Tarsus.

d. He is praying.

e. He has seen a vision of you putting your hands on him to receive his sight.

2. Ananias expresses his concern.

1) Ananias knew of Saul of Tarsus.

2) He expressed how much evil Saul had done to the saints in Jerusalem.

3) He related how Saul had authority to bind all that call on Jesus’ name.

3. Jesus explains to Ananias further.

1) Go.
2) Saul is a chosen vessel.

3) He will bear my name before kings and the gentiles.

4) He will suffer many things for my name’s sake.

4. Lessons

1) Jesus uses preaching to take his message to the lost.

a. 1 Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not
God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

b. Titus 1:3 “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is
committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;”

2) Faith requires trust in God and Christ.

a. Ananias had legitimate concerns.

b. Nevertheless, he went according to the Lord’s will.

c. We’re reminded of Peter’s words, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken
nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).

3) Serving Christ involves an amount of suffering.

a. 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.”

b. 1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf.”

IV. Scandalous Conversion

1. Ananias found Saul and told him what to do.

1) He entered the house.

2) He put his hands on Saul.

3) He said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as
thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the
Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17).
4) We have Ananias’ extended words in Acts 22:13-16 “Brother Saul, receive thy sight.
And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath
chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear
the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen
and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.”

5) We see the order of the events here.

a. Ananias comes to the house.

b. He lays his hands on Saul.

c. Saul receives his sight.

d. Ananias tells Saul that he must become a witness.

e. Ananias commands Saul to immediately be baptized to wash away his sins.

6) Acts 91:18 summarizes these events, “And immediately there fell from his eyes as it
had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”

2. Saul witnesses in Damascus and etc.

1) Acts 9:19-22 “And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul
certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached
Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed,
and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and
came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But
Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is very Christ.”

2) Paul describes what he did after his conversion in Acts 26:19:20 ” Whereupon, O king
Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of
Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the
Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”

3. The witness of Saul was so great that the Jews of Damascus plotted to kill him (Acts
9:23-24).

4. Lessons

1) Baptism was commanded for Saul to “wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).

a. Here is a man who saw and heard Jesus.

b. He was not told by Jesus what to do.

c. Ananias was told to tell Saul what to do.

d. Saul was not saved before his sins were washed away.

e. He was saved when he was baptized.

2) Saul was obedient to the Lord.

a. He obeyed the command to be baptized.

b. He went out and preached that Jesus was the Christ.

3) Saul showed works of repentance in his life.

a. Acts 26:20 “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and
throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and
turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”

b. He practiced what he preached.

4) What a scandal for the high priest to have his greatest servant to become his greatest
foe.

a. What a coup for the church.

b. The Lord solved the immediate problem of persecution.

c. The church continued to grow.

d. God can take the greatest of problems and turn them into the greatest of solutions.

e. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

f. Is this how we look at evangelism?

CONCLUSION:

1. In the conversion of Saul we see…

1) Selective Confrontation

2) Sincere Contrition

3) Serious Concern
4) Scandalous Conversion

2. Paul’s conversion is a wonderful example of God’s forgiveness.

1) Paul told Timothy, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that
he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them
which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

2) This goes to show that if Paul can be saved, anyone can.

3. Invitation