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.