FAREWELL JERUSALEM Acts 22 FAREWELL JERUSALEM As you

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Acts 22

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • As you look back at your life, are there “unforgettable moments”?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • As you look back at your life, are there “unforgettable moments”? • The assassination of John F. Kennedy? • The explosion of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia? • The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 • The birth of your children?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • There are many events throughout our lives that we will never forget • For me, there is another day in my life that I will never forget • It was a day that changed my life forever • It was an “unforgettable moment” • It was the day I was born again • It was June 14, 1961, at about 9 PM

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • In Acts 22, Paul is making a defense of his faith • Context for Paul’s defense • Paul had been worshipping in the temple, when he was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile inside the temple (Acts 21: 27 -29) • A riot ensued (Acts 21: 30 -31) • The captain of the Roman guard broke up the riot, and bound Paul with chains (Acts 21: 34)

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • In Acts 22, Paul is making a defense of his faith • Context for Paul’s defense • Paul asked the captain for an opportunity to speak to the crowd (Acts 21: 39 -40) • Paul shared his personal testimony (Acts 22)

FAREWELL JERUSALEM • In Acts 22, Paul is making a defense of his faith • As Paul shares his story, there are three “unforgettable moments” that he describes” • His condition • His conversion • His calling

FAREWELL JERUSALEM As we look at Paul’s “unforgettable moments”, let’s also ask ourselves three tough questions

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Condition (Do we remember our condition? ) • Saul of Tarsus had a fantastic resume • Born a Jew • Educated by the greatest rabbi of his day • Devoted to God – top prosecutor in the early church • He had bound and delivered both men and women into prison

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Condition (Do we remember our condition? ) • Saul of Tarsus had a fantastic resume • Paul continued that approach to the moment of his conversion, as he was headed to Damascus to bring believers in bonds back to Jerusalem • He was saying to the crowd, “I was where you are now before I met Jesus. ” • Paul remembered how he once was

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Condition (Do we remember our condition? ) • Do you remember your condition before salvation? • Hopelessness? • Guilt? • Searching for something to fill the void in your heart?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Condition (Do we remember our condition? ) • Perhaps many of you were like me, you were “religious” before you were saved • But religion will never get us to heaven • Jesus said that in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven we must be born again (John 3) • Religion is man trying to get to God • Salvation comes when God reaches down to man

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Condition (Do we remember our condition? ) • The point we need to remember is that anyone can “lose their religion” today and can be “born again” • But if we are saved, I think it is good to look back to where we once were and then look at where Jesus has brought us • Again, the question is “Do we remember our condition before Christ? ” • If so, let’s consider Paul further

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Some time has passed since his conversion on the Damascus Road • But Paul remembers the event like it had just happened • We should note the detail Paul shares

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Paul’s Detail • He remembers the place – near to Damascus • He remembers the time – about noon • He remembers what he saw – a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me • He remembers what he heard – “Saul, why are you persecuting me? ” (Acts 9: 4)

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Paul’s Detail • Most importantly, he remembers Who he met – I answered, “Who are you Lord? ” and He said to me “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. ” (Acts 9: 5)

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • I remember my conversion • It was 58 years ago – June 14, 1961, about 9 PM • I was at Ne-So-Dak Bible Camp, in our cabin, after the sun had set • We were having a conversation, led by my pastor, Paul Forsberg • During the discussion, he asked if I wanted to receive Jesus as my Savior – I replied YES and was born again

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • I remember how I was different after that • My emotions abated – I expressed myself differently • My language was changed • I started reading the Bible, and read through the entire Bible • I looked forward to church, and yes, even to confirmation class

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Do you remember your conversion • I am not asking if you are religious, if you attend church regularly, if you pray, if you study your Bible, or if you have been baptized • Have you been born again? • What a blessing to know that this is one thing in our life that we can change - TODAY

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Some may ask, “How do I know if I have been born again? ” • Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5: 17 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation • When Paul met Jesus on the Damascus Road, he did not continue to persecute Christians

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Conversion (Do we remember our conversion? ) • Every aspect of Paul’s life changed • He went from being the greatest enemy of the church to serving the Lord and bringing people to God • Many can say they remember their conversion – yet, there is one more question our text raises

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Calling (Do we remember our calling? ) • In Paul’s testimony, he shared who he was before Jesus (His Condition) • He shared in detail the moment that he met Jesus (His Conversion) • Now he shares what Jesus wanted him to do • Jesus said in Acts 9: 15 at Saul’s conversion that Saul is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Calling (Do we remember our calling? ) • It is amazing to see who Jesus chooses to accomplish certain tasks • 1 Corinthians 1: 27, “God chooses the weak, the foolish things, …” • Jesus looked at Saul of Tarsus, a man deeply opposed to Him and His Church, planning to use this man to accomplish great things for His name.

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Calling (Do we remember our calling? ) • The very man who wanted to destroy the church more than anything was used to spread the gospel over all the world • God is still using Paul’s work to bring people to Christ today • Jesus saved Paul and set him apart to do a great work • Jesus does the same today

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Paul’s Calling (Do we remember our calling? ) • Do you know your calling? • Romans 12 tells us that there are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other • I think that God moved (called) me to Pinehurst to lead some Bible study groups, such as this class • I think of my wife, knowing she has a calling, but not sure of the specifics, yet reaching out to new things to see if that is where God wants to use her

FAREWELL JERUSALEM What about you?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Do you remember your condition?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Do you remember your condition? Do you remember your conversion?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM Do you remember your condition? Do you remember your conversion? Do you remember your calling?

FAREWELL JERUSALEM KNOW that you KNOW Jesus Today may be an “Unforgettable Moment” in your life