Presented by Rev. Augustine T. Sanwu Certificate of Theology (CTh), BSc , MSc.

1. Saul's Conversion Acts 9:1-19 Presented byRev. Augustine T. Sanwu Certificate of Theology (CTh), BSc , MSc. Founder: St Augustine International School – Ghana Email: Augustines2003@Yahoo.co.uk

2. Passage(the pharisees were determined to eliminate this new sect) Acts 19:1-2 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 2

3. Introduction The sermon is divided into 3 points • Saul's background • Saul's calling • Saul’s conversion 3

4. Recap on Pentecost(Jesus was crucified to halt this way) In Acts 2:17, it reads: "'And in the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams. Manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is Lord 3000 converted on Pentecost 4

5. Saul's background His was born a Jew. Both parents were Jews so he called himself a “Hebrew of Hebrews”. Born in Tarsus as a Roman citizen and as a free man he had the right to travel freely through the Roman world. His knowledge about the Jewish traditions and Law was extraordinary – he studied in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. 5

6. Saul's background The bible describes him as blameless with regards to the righteousness of the law. He was a man of no ill morals; but he terrorised the early church. He gave approval to the killing of Stephen. (Acts 7) Saul agitated the Christian community – he could not rest while Christians were living in peace. He heard of a community living in Damascus and decided to go there and give them some disturbance. His mission was to enquire among the synagogues at Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem as criminals. 6

7. Saul plotted with the high priest Acts 19:1-2 He connived with the religious hierarchy to destroy the early church. He agreed with the high priest to go to Damascus where the believers were and to disturb their peace. Damascus Where next? 7

8. Sin is rooted in all aspects of society What would cause a religious man to kill another in the name of religion? Sin. What is it that causes families to fall out? The answer is Sin. What is it that motivates a young man to stab another young man? Sin. What causes one human race or a tribe to persecute another human race or a tribe? Sin. Story of a disgruntled woman attack on an innocent missionary. Story of the immigrant baker. God is calling for repentance where ever there is sin – Amen! 8

9. Sin is rooted in all aspect of society In Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Nigeria, we hear of religious crimes. On the news last week a Muslim woman was jailed in Sudan for converting to Christianity and marrying a Christian. The root cause of these religious extremes is sin. What is sin? Sin is unbelief! 9

10. Sin is rooted in all aspect of society What is sin? Sin is unbelief! Unbelief is sin because it is an insult to the truthfulness of God. Sin incurs a penalty – The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. 10

11. Saul's calling In Isaiah 6 – God called Isaiah from the temple. God uses a variety of ways to call man back to the fold. In Exodus – He called Moses from a Burning Bush. Are you been called this morning?

12. Are you been called this morning? In Isaiah 6 – He called Isaiah in the year King Uzziah died. God called Isaiah from the temple. • God uses a variety of ways to call man back.

13. Are you been called this morning? When Isaiah heard the voice that shook the foundation of the door post, he cried; woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.

14. In this passage, He called Saul in shining light. Are you been called this Morning? Oh! What a Light! I need some help. Why are you persecuting me? “Eh! the man up there never use pyjama for Suit u know” It is hard for you to kick against the goads

15. Saul's CallingActs 9:7 • The light from heaven symbolizes the • appearance of Jesus in glory. • The light was visible only to Saul. • Don't expect everybody around you to see or hear what God is saying to you. Saul's companions did not fully comprehend.

17. God’s Calling and Man's Conversion: Two-Way communication Process - A good relationship requires Active Listening • Pay attention • Show you are listening and empathetic • Provide feedback – respond to God • Don’t defer • Respond appropriately

18. Relationship with God requires effective communication? • Motivational – feel part of the God family. • Easier to give direction, control and create a single direction – working towards the same goals. • Makes decision making easier – accurate and complete information. • Improves our relationships with the Lord and fellow believers. A

19. A good relationship requires Effective Communication As part of your Christian life . . . • Who do you communicate with? God, people – important to communicate with God and people. • How do you communicate with them? Lifestyle, verbal discourse, body language, fasting, prayer

20. Effective Communication includes Listening

21. Conclusion • God calls in various ways -Your calling may be different from Moses, Isaiah or Saul but it is still a call. • Sin is unbelief – The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. • Communication with God is a 2 way process; learn to listen and respond instantly when you hear from God just like Moses, Isaiah and Saul.