Intro story 1

I read many years ago the rather sad story of a young man who was about to graduate from college.
He very much wanted a car and expected his dad to give him one.
On the day of graduation, his father was there with a gift, but it wasn’t a car.

It was instead a Bible.
Well, the son being rather brash and unkind, took the Bible and was deeply disappointed in his dad.

Although they didn’t cut ties, they weren’t close.
Several years later, the father died.

When he was going through things, he found that Bible, the one he never opened.

Opening it up, he discovered that inside was a check with the exact amount for the car he wanted. All he had to do was open the Book.

Stories like that remind us sometimes that the very best thing in the world is right in front of us but we may not be aware of it.
In our reading this morning, Saul wasn’t aware of what was going to happen to him.

In a very real way, the hunter is going to become the hunted.

Intro story #2

Richard Connell, in his story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, tells a compelling narrative about a big game hunter, Roger Rainsford.
Roger is a world known big game hunter, travelling to faraway places to hunt dangerous quarries.
One day though, traveling to a hunt, his ship encounters a terrible storm and is capsized.

Only by sheer will and great swimming does Rainford make landfall.

It’s a foreign island but after a time, hearing shots, he knew the land was inhabited.

He makes contact with a Russian General Zaroff and his servants.

That night, they have a great dinner, a banquet for the hunter.

During the course of the meal, his host, the General talks giddily about his next hunt.

That he’ll be hunting something supremely intelligent, really capable and has great reason.

But wait, says Rainsford, “Animals don’t reason!”

To which the General replies slyly, “One does.”

That’s when he knows. Rainsford himself is to be this Russian General’s next quarry.

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Paul here is undergoing something of a similar effect.
He is, after all, hunting in a very terrible way.
As we know, Paul is actively persecuting people on “The Way,’ That’s what they called Christians early on.

Makes sense and sometimes I think we ought to go back to it.

First of all, it’s very Biblical – Jesus tells us that “He’s the Way” so to be on it immediately involves Jesus.
It also indicates an active, participatory calling, not something just intellectual for our minds.

Being on the way connects activity, movement and progress. You’re heading somewhere, heaven by way of personal Holiness.

Who was Saul really before this event?
Philippians 3:4-6: “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”
Here’s what that would sound like in modern terms:

“Listen, if anyone thinks they have impressive credentials, I have more. I was born into the best family, with deep roots in the most influential community. From my childhood, I was immersed in the finest traditions and education. It’s like being born into a wealthy, well-connected family, attending an Ivy League school, and excelling in every aspect.
I wasn’t just an average student; I graduated at the top of my class. Picture someone with multiple degrees from the most elite institutions, who not only excelled academically but also was a leader in various organizations and recognized for their achievements.
I was a member of the most exclusive circles, someone who adhered strictly to all the rules and traditions. Think of someone who follows every law and regulation to the letter, gaining a reputation as a model citizen.
In my career, I was unmatched in my dedication and zeal. Imagine a top lawyer, a star athlete, or a leading business executive known for their relentless drive and passion. I was considered the best in my field, a rising star with a spotless reputation.
When it came to defending my beliefs, I was fervent and uncompromising. I went above and beyond, working tirelessly to protect and promote what I believed in. It’s like being a prominent activist or public figure, known for taking strong stances and making significant impacts.
In summary, I had it all—status, education, reputation, and dedication. By any modern standard, I was at the pinnacle of success and sophistication.”

This was who Paul was.
But despite his privileges, Paul was doing some horrible things, persecuting those on the Way.

And we know he loved his job. Damascus is 150 miles from Jerusalem.

That makes it a week and a half travelling time, one way.
Saul was travelling great distances in his persecution of the church.

So, what exactly was Paul doing?

He tells us later in Acts 26:9-11

“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests, I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.  Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme.  I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.”

Paul was a bad guy who thought of himself as the savior.

Likely we’ve all met people like that.
Maybe we’ve even been that person ourselves if we’re honest about it.

And Yet

And yet this is the person that God chooses to do something BIG through?

If you trace your faith backwards in time, you’d find its roots run right through his man and the churches he planted on behalf of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Yet, this is the person that God chooses to have pen a great portion of our New Testament by.

This person.

Really???
And it’s just God showing off.

He can take the worst possible material and create the best possible ending.

Just think about the Cross.

Is there anything WORSE humanity could have done to the Son of God?

And yet God uses the cross to save us through.

What we intend for bad, God used to His Good.

In the same way, God takes this terrible example of humanity and glorifies him in such a way that we’ll be talking about him forever.

God has that kind of power.

What does this episode teach us?

First of all, it reinforces the idea that we proclaim.

“Christ is ALIVE!”

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is as present among us today as ever.

He lives, as the song goes and, because of it, I can face tomorrow.

Sometimes we can look out on the world and it looks pretty bleak.

Remember this episode when it does.

Because it reminds you that God is still at work even when things look dark.
He is still converting people to his love and grace.
Things will get better by these people.

Secondly, God can and does choose even the worst among us to rehabilitate.

Personally, I thank God for that.

While I was no Saul, I was a terrible person, lying cheating, stealing.
Somehow God got me caught up in all of this wonderfulness for whatever reason I’ll never know.

Like yesterday, Bible School.
What a great day under the sun!

God’s power is not limited, He can change ANYBODY.

That mean there’s hope in the world for everybody.

No one is out of luck when it comes to faith.

I here think of Augustine, another important Christian from early on.

His writings were very influential in the rise and development of Christ’s church.
He was a bad dude, especially using women.

But God changed him, too.

Third, it teaches us that Jesus is in UNION with His church.

This is important.
Jesus CARES about what is happening at His church.

Jesus cares about what is happening at Cook’s.

Jesus cares.
Jesus sees us.

Big day yesterday. I wish you could’ve been here.

Volunteers, kids, MESSY THINGS AND WATER BALLOONS.

It was a majestic day in which we got to teach little kids about the power of God!

This is a good thing and Christ rejoices with us.