Transformation

In Acts chapter 9 we read about Saul’s conversion.  It is an amazing story if you think about who he had been and who he was called to be.

Saul was a man on a mission.  He approved of the stoning of Stephen and in Acts 8:3 it says, “Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”  He certainly had a passion for completing his mission.  That was bad news for the early Christians.

But God had another plan.  The Lord told Ananias that Saul was “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”  (Acts 9:15)  After being blinded during his mission on the road to Damascus, Saul was found by Ananias:

“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

Saul became Paul - still a passionate man with a mission.  But now a mission in the name of Jesus Christ!  What an amazing transformation that was!

That is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  Last Sunday we celebrated the resurrected Jesus on Easter Sunday.  At Bayside, we heard about this all important news that changes everything and transforms lives.

So this week have you thought about how the resurrection of Jesus Christ has changed you?  Have you been transformed?

Saul opposed Jesus Christ and was actively persecuting those who believed in our resurrected savior!  But upon seeing and realizing the power of the resurrected Jesus, Paul was called to be a missionary that has impacted so many people in the name of Jesus!

Two questions:

1) Who have you been in the past? 

2) Who have you been called to be? 

If you know and believe in the resurrected Jesus – there is a transformation between the two!

-Pastor Tom