9 Sermons On Acts 9-23-25 May 28 2019

9 Sermons on Acts 9:23-25
Saul Escapes from Damascus

9 Sermons on Acts 9:23-25 Saul Escapes from Damascus
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1st Sermon ............................................................................... 1
Spiritual Warfare ........................................................................... 1
2nd Sermon ............................................................................... 6
Conspiracies ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3rd Sermon ............................................................................ 10
Jews .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
4th Sermon ............................................................................. 14
The Life of Paul ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5th Sermon ............................................................................. 18
Plans ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
6th Sermon ............................................................................. 22
Prudence ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7th Sermon ............................................................................. 27
Watchfulness of Believers............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
8th Sermon ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Saving Power of God ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
9th Sermon ............................................................................. 36
Spiritual Vitality ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
More Resources ..................................................................... 36
Scriptural References ........................................................... 41
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9 Sermons on Acts 9:23-25 Saul Escapes from Damascus | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan
1st Sermon
Spiritual Warfare
“That’s the funny thing when trying to escape. You

never really can. Maybe temporarily, but not
completely.”
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Power Truth
No testing has overtaken you that is not
common to everyone. God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tested beyond
your strength, but with the testing he
will also provide the way out so that you
may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV
1
1st Sermon
Trouble in the Text

The symmetry of Saul’s situation of being hunted down
by the Jews is his turn-around from being a persecutor of the
gospel, to a pursuer of the gospel. The tensions that may be
seen here in a snapshot are either the clarity of his intentions,
the genuineness of his conversion or the Jews fearing for their
lives. With these tensions, Paul was persecuted and hunted
down. Turmoil and struggles in life came in.
But truth be uncloaked, turmoil and struggles are not
only human-emanated but are driven by a spiritual warfare
between God and the devil: “For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against… spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.”1
Why did the Jews still plotted to kill him even though he
was already preaching the gospel? Where did this spirit of
doubt and confusion ensue?
But truth be uncloaked, turmoil and

struggles are not only human-emanated but
are driven by a spiritual warfare between
God and the devil.
Trouble in the World

Just as Saul, the present-day Christian is not exempted
from these kinds of struggles, of being pushed against the wall
on every corner of our puny lives.
Certainly, each and every one of us have experienced
being slandered and deceived, financially murdered,
emotionally crushed, and spiritually bullied. Left and right,
home, office or school, family, friends or acquaintance, there is
always a warfare going on. And all this time we have attributed
these to wrong decisions, wrong relationships, bad character,
lack of wisdom, and so on.
But have we ever realized that as constant as these come
to our lives, there are actually spiritual forces triggering all the
things that are going on?
2
Have we ever re-counted that in and from the beginning,

the fallen angels are spiritual beings and they concealed
themselves to the physical – as the serpent? Thus, from the fall
of the spiritual beings emanated the fall of the physical man.
So it follows, we struggle not against the physical but
against spiritual forces of evil. Have we ever discerned that the
battle is won in the spirit first then we become victorious in the
natural?
The errors that we might fall into are to ascribe so much
power on the devil, or, to disbelieve in them. One is
‘superstition’. One is ‘sub-stition’. One is over-belief, one is
under-belief. The devil is pleased with both errors.
So it follows, that we struggle not against

the physical but against spiritual forces of
evil. Have we discerned that the battle is
won first in the spirit then we become
victorious in the natural?
Grace in the Word
With the Jews’ plot to kill Paul, this essentially began

the many things he must suffer for “My name’s sake”2. Saul
now was the persecuted instead of the persecutor.
Saul now knew what it was to be persecuted for his faith.

He also knew the mighty deliverance of God. Saul, indeed,
knew divine protection in the midst of persecution, but he also
learned that God’s deliverance often comes in humble ways.
There is nothing triumphant about sneaking out of a city by
night …hiding in a basket.
But as exemplified by Paul’s surrender to the will and

purpose of God, God Himself made a way for him to escape.
3
1st Sermon
Saul indeed knew divine protection in the

midst of persecution, but he also learned
that God’s deliverance often comes in
humble ways.
Grace in the World

This is still not a literal battle in the physical but in the
heavenly places. Things in the natural are product of the things
in the spiritual.
To bring about change, it must be accomplished in the
spiritual realm before it manifests in the natural realm.
You see, the devil cannot make a good person bad. The
devil makes a flawed person worse. And he does it thru lies.
He stimulates thoughts that may be running inside you.
We may always insinuate that the battle is between
good and evil but more than that, the conflict revolves around
truth and lies. And the only truth is the word of God. Let’s bind
ourselves to His word. His word is His will ---his good,
pleasing and perfect will.3
We have no authority or power to wage war unless we
surrender to His will. Let’s abide in His word, and we will
exhibit spiritual freedom, strength, and maturity.
If God is for us, who can be against us4. Greater is He
who is in us than he who is in the world5.
We may always insinuate that the battle is

between good and evil but more than that,
the conflict revolves around truth and lies.
What Now?
1. What are the things that we should do to abide in God’s
will?
2. How will you perceive and respond to turmoil and
struggles in life?
4
3. How can we have a deeper faith in the Gospel?
5
2nd Sermon
2nd Sermon
Conspiracies
“It is impossible to escape the impression that

people commonly use false standards of
measurement — that they seek power, success and
wealth for themselves and admire them in others,
and that they underestimate what is of true value in
life.”
Sigmund Freud
Power Truth
Be alert at all times, praying that you
may have the strength to escape all these
things that will take place, and to stand
before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:36 NRSV
6
Trouble in the Text

Besieged by the Jews, Paul has nothing to hold on to but
the truth – the Gospel; the salvation that came from a live
encounter with Christ, Himself.
The overarching factors why Paul was downtrodden by
the dubious antagonists are pride and fear. The pride of the
Jews was stricken of its ‘cultus’ traditions being taken over.
“Cultus’ is the oral history of old behaviors. And for some
Jews, their unbelief resulted to fear for their lives. And with
these notions, they resorted to conspire for murder. All they
thought of is to eradicate anything or anyone that threatens
their pride, or anything that causes them fear – born is
conspiracy.
The precarious scenario of security made Paul all the more
strong in his faith, as he had no one to hold on to but God.
What options did Paul have when the city gates were
being guarded and watched day and night with the antagonists
on their toes ready to pull the trigger?
All they thought of is to eradicate anything

or anyone that threatens their pride, or
anything that causes them fear – born is
conspiracy.

Conspiracy is like a secretary always telling you that
her boss is unavailable for an appointment. Conspiracy is like a
flash mob homicide. Conspiracy is an element of treason.
Conspiracy is a band of liars. Conspiracy is to attempt a
nepotic power-grab. Conspiracy is to hide the truth.
Conspiracy is to convince people that there is supposedly
another conspiracy.
Mirroring the motive of the Jews, the current world in
vogue presents this option to man in times of a pride-threat and
fear for survival. As scaled to our everyday lives, it may be for
promotion, jealousy, insecurity, animosity, narcissism and etc.
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2nd Sermon
And just like this particular time of Paul with the

supposed Christ-believing, Messiah-crazed Jews, the present
church can be a perfect place for camouflaged hypocrisy,
which results to implied or un-implied conspiracy. Why? Just
like the Jews, church spiritual giants are expected to be
Gospel-ers. Their every act will and may always be regarded
without evil intentions. And with a moral license tucked,
conspiracy can be a great tool to manipulate people with
unthinking blindness to the point of moral carnage.
And with a moral license tucked,

conspiracy can be a great tool to
manipulate people with unthinking
blindness to the point of moral carnage.
Grace in the Word

The animosity of this particular bunch of Jews towards
Paul is caused by pride and fear that resulted to conspired evil.
“…But Saul learned of their plan”1. Beyond a shadow

of an allegory, God absolutely had a hand on this. God, with
His mighty sovereignty, providentially sent supporters to help,
encourage, and ‘counter-conspire’ to save Paul. God was, is
and will always be bigger than any conspiracy.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the

purpose of the LORD that will stand”2. “The LORD directs the
steps of the godly”3.
God was, is and will always be bigger than

any conspiracy.
Grace in the World

In light of a world where conspiracy is pervasive, the
power of the Gospel is unfazed. The Gospel will never be
defensive nor needed to be defended. The Gospel does not
look for trouble, but due to the truth’s double-edge, it will
8
always run smack to offend an act of sin but eternal safety to

its surrenderers.
God is overstatedly able to thwart any conspiracy to

save you and me if He wills. He may use people, situations,
emotions or anything in His creation to show His power and
glory over any evil plans. It may come in different ways and
in its perfect time.
Just like Paul, let us never back down to any wall that
presents itself to derail our relationship with the Gospel.
With Jesus on your side, you are the majority.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified

because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he
will never leave you nor forsake you.4”
With Jesus on your side, you are the

majority.
What Now?
1. Why do you think the antagonists conspired to kill
Saul?
2. If you were put in a position of conspiracy, how would
you deal with the situation?
3. Do you really that God will always save you in in the
face of any conspiracy? Why?
9
3rd Sermon
3rd Sermon
Jews
“I want to run. To do what I always do, have always

done, for the last five years of my life. Escape, flee
into the shadows. But this time, I stand my ground.
I'm tired of running.”
Marie Lu
Power Truth
How can we escape if we neglect so
great a salvation? It was declared at first
through the Lord, and it was attested to
us by those who heard him.
Hebrews 2:3 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
10
As it is evidently presented in the story, there are

differences in dispositions among the groups of Jews. One
group plotted to kill Saul, and the other saved him; one group
didn’t believe in him, the other did; one group persecuted him,
the other supported him. Why?
Jews, during the Apostles’ times tend to be thought of

as a single homogenous group. But the Jewish people have
always had internal distinctions, and over the years have
developed diverse ethnic and religious identities. They are one
people, different religions. They are one people, different
ethnicities.
What kept Jews of these diverse philosophical and

religious groups together as one people were common Jewish
practices such as following dietary restrictions known, holding
weekly Sabbaths and worshiping at the Temple in Jerusalem,
among others. These somehow are unspoken agreements that
kept the Jews exclusive.
The reformed Saul introduced the Gospel and refuted

religious traditions. How would you think a diverse set of
people react to a different ideology and belief that threatens
their breathed practices?
What kept Jews of these diverse

philosophical and religious groups together
as one people were common Jewish
practices such as following dietary
restrictions known, holding weekly
Sabbaths and worshiping at the Temple in
Jerusalem, among others.

Somehow the Jews during Saul’s time may seem to be
synonymous to our present. Have we ever experienced the
feeling of having an aggressor where in fact may turn out to be
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3rd Sermon
an instrument sent by God to bless us? If pride is not around, I

guess everyone would nod his or her heads in agreement.
We are all part of a certain unit – family, company,
peer, relationships, church, race and religion. In each of this
unit that we are at, there is exclusivity even though
personalities may be diverse. We protect our unity; we protect
our systems and processes; we protect our time with each
other; we protect our property; we protect our beliefs; in short,
we protect what is ours.
There is no problem about being protective; the danger
lies when we are being over-protective. Being over-protective
may cause us to be close-minded. It turns out to be a disease of
idolatry. And when idolatry comes into the picture, it comes
with a package. It comes with fear, anxiety, pride, rejection,
anger, worry, and so the list goes on. In short, being over-
protective may result to unprotecting, not only our unit, but
also our very own selves.
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from
God’s love for them.1”
How many times did we turn down something that was

actually a blessing in disguise? How many times did we reject
stretching in our lives, which beleaguered us of a deadly un-
growth?
There is no problem about being protective;

the danger lies when we are being over-
protective. Being over-protective may
cause us to be close-minded. It turns out to
be a disease of idolatry.
Grace in the Word

The plotters to kill Saul, and the supporters who helped
him escape have one thing in common – they were Jews. And
as much as we have seen the contrast and have these
circumstances, it is still a prevalent fact that they have a bond
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in nature. And this bond [of exclusivity] will also be the way
of bridging the Gospel to their hearts.
Experiencing the Gospel results to breaking all
differences. No matter how deep the roots are, no matter how
painful the pain is, no matter how great the sins are – the
Gospel is able to heal all of these. This is the how vast the
love of God is.
No matter how deep the roots are, no

matter how painful the pain is, no matter
how great the sins are – the Gospel is able
to heal all of these. This is how vast the
love of God is.
Grace in the World

As Christians of today, we are never out of possibilities
as long as we open up to the God of impossibilities. Let us
keep in mind that no matter how we plotted to kill the Gospel,
the Gospel will also be the one that will save us.
Let us keep in mind that no matter how we

plotted to kill the Gospel, the Gospel will
also be the one that will save us.
“And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins,
and there is no sin in him.2
What Now?
1. How do you think being over-protective may turn to be
idolatry?
2. What are the idols that we need to uproot in our lives?
3. Why can the Gospel be life transforming?
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4th Sermon
4th Sermon
The Life of Paul
“But many of us seek community solely to escape

the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary
is central to the art of loving. When we can be
alone, we can be with others without using them as
a means of escape.”
Bell Hooks
Power Truth
“…Who gave himself for our sins to set
us free from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and
Father”
Galatians 1:4 NRSV
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Trouble in the Text

Paul, the “Apostle of the Gentiles,” was born in Tarsus.
A strict Pharisee with the Hebrew name Saul, was a protégé of
Gamaliel and consented to the death of the Christian martyr
Stephen.
He began a vicious campaign of persecution against

Christians. And Saul, yet breathing out threats to slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest. He
professed that if he found anyone who is spreading this new
‘doctrine’ in Jerusalem, whether they were men or women, he
will bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Have we ever known a fearful man such as Saul who

would strike down the church and kill Christ-believers, more
so, it was the Gospel that he was striking down?
Have we ever known a fearful man such as

Saul who would strike down the church and
kill Christ-believers?

We may know the story of the unreformed Saul’s
(Greek name is ‘Paul’) pursuit to kill Christians, but we may
have ‘Paul’s’ also during this lifetime of ours.
Knowingly, there are killers of the Gospel in our present

age. On the more obvious sense, they may be cultists; they may
be government officials; they may be murderers; they may be
heretics; they may be a lot of maybe’s.
Unknowingly, the killers of the gospel may not be

humans. These may also be non-physical. This may be
arrogance; this may be ignorance; this may be politics; this
may be addiction, gambling, immorality, vices, wrong
relationships, anxiety, worry, depression, and the account goes
on.
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4th Sermon
Our very own self-made salvation projects may be our

very own killer of the Gospel, the very killer of our faith.
These are the ‘Saul’s’ (Paul) of our lives.
Our very own self-made salvation projects

may be our very own killer of the Gospel,
the very killer of our faith.
Grace in the Word

As Paul – who before his Christian conversion
was known as Saul – was on the road to Damascus to extend
his ravages, he suddenly saw a blinding light and fell to the
ground, hearing Jesus speak to him. He was then led by hand,
blind, to Damascus, where a Christian named Ananias met
him. Paul was cured of his blindness, believed on Jesus, and
was baptized.
We realize that we are talking about a killer of the

Gospel, but this time being ‘killed’ by the Gospel. ‘Killed by
the Gospel’ meaning, as Saul encountered the truth of Jesus, he
spiritually died to himself and was made alive in Christ.
Saul did not only acquire a deeper knowledge of the

truth, more importantly he experienced a deep conviction for
the truth.
With God’s love, there are no stubborn hearts that

cannot be softened. God’s mercy is so huge that it would bend
anyone’s prideful heart into submission realizing the greatness
of His love.
Repentance is not the key to change. Change is just a
by-product of repentance, and this is what Paul exhibited upon
a true life-surrender to the will and purpose of God.
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With God’s love, there are no stubborn

hearts that cannot be softened. God’s
mercy is so huge that it would bend
anyone’s prideful heart into submission
realizing the greatness of his love.
Grace in the World

This is a good oppurtunity of self realization. What are
the killers of the Gospel in our lives? What takes us out of our
faith radar? There is hope. And it is time. It is time to die to
ourselves and live in Christ.
Let us profess, “He must become greater and greater, and I
must become less and less.1”
There is hope. And it is time. It is time to

die to ourselves and live in Christ.
Great, indeed, is sin but the love of God is greater. “But

because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in
mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.2”
What Now?
1. What are the self-made salvation projects that we have
in our lives?
2. Is there anything in our lives that we allow to be bigger
and stronger than the love of God?
3. Just like Paul, till what extent will we pursue to share
the Gospel of Christ?
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5th Sermon
5th Sermon
Plans
“You're trying to escape from your difficulties, and

there never is any escape from difficulties, never.
They have to be faced and fought.”
Enid Blyton
Power Truth
When they had brought them outside,
they said, “Flee for your life; do not look
back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee
to the hills, or else you will be
consumed.”
Genesis 19:17 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
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If we carefully scrutinize the passage, we will clearly

see an observable factor between the lines – Plans. As duly
perceptible, there are three cabals involved in the account:
One, the Jews who conspired; two, Saul, who resorted to
options; and three, the followers who countered the scheme of
the conspiring Jews.
The conspiring Jews planned, but planned only
according to what was obvious: “Day and night they kept close
watch on the city gates in order to kill him.1” Saul, with his
determination, only had one thing on his mind: to be able to get
to Jerusalem. The followers had to be creative to be able to pull
off an unorthodox feat.
Even if the conspiring Jews wrote a killer plan (you can
say that literally, as well), plans may still go skewwhiff more
often than not.
It may be good to rehearse: Do you think the conspiring
Jews had a well-thought plan? What do you think was Saul’s
reaction when he learned about the ambush plan? How do you
think did Saul’s supporters come up with a ‘Mission
Impossible’ stunt like that – “his followers took him by night
and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall” 2?
Even if the conspiring Jews wrote a killer

plan (you can say that literally, as well),
plans still go skewwhiff more often than
not.
But with all the great thoughts to consider,

here is the best question that we may ask
ourselves:
DO WE PLAN ACCORDING TO GOD’S

WILL?
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5th Sermon
In our numerous attempts in life, how many times did

we write our things-to-do’s and came up short with it?
When a project starts going off the rails, your first
impulse might be to doubt your original plan: “If only we had
accounted for….” “Next time we need to…” “It’s too bad we
didn’t…” It’s a common reaction. But pinning all your woes
on poor planning will never help you fix a project while you’re
in the middle of it. Instead, it shifts your solutioning to the next
project, rather than helping you save the initiative you’re
working on at the moment.
If you spent months crafting a great plan and then failed
to take the next steps—perhaps because you ran out of steam,
other priorities or crises caught your attention, or you failed to
take into account competing projects—all that planning time
does not have to be wasted. Even a yearly plan that’s
impeccably designed will encounter unexpected obstacles in
twelve months.
Do you have recourses in place to pivot around those

obstacles? Just like the conspiring Jews, do we only set our
eyes on the obvious? Or like Saul, how do we emotionally
react when plans fail or when an issue comes up? On the part
of the Jews, how are we going to counter an issue that arises?
But with all the great thoughts to consider, here is the

best question that we may ask ourselves:
DO WE PLAN ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL?
Grace in the Word
Saul had one thing in mind: pursue the will of God.

The conspirers only had one thing in mind: to kill Paul. The
supporters had both things in mind: To pursue the will of God,
and to thwart the schemes of the enemy.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the
purpose of the LORD that will stand.3” “Trust in
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the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you
know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will
show you the right way.4”
Never rely on what you think you

know. Remember the LORD in everything
you do, and he will show you the right way.
Grace in the World

The sovereignty of God supersedes any plan of man.
The purpose of God overtakes any desire of man. It is
imperative that we know the roles: God rules, we trust and
obey. God rules, we trust and obey. God rules, we trust and
obey. Now say it 100 more times.
Just as Saul, no matter how huge the barriers are and
how big the risk of danger is, he must have remembered Dav id
saying, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me 5”.
It is imperative that we know the roles:

God rules, we trust and obey. God rules, we
trust and obey. God rules, we trust and
obey. Now say it 100 more times.
Every plan is based on variables that are outside of

human control. We may make a plan assuming that certain
things are true today will continue to be true tomorrow, but no.
Only one thing is constant…not ‘change’…GOD.
What Now?
1. How many times did we plan without consulting God
first?
2. What are the roles that we should know in God’s plan?
3. Who among the three cabals performed the correct
role?
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7th Sermon
6th Sermon
Prudence
“Why escape your intended purpose by copying

and trying to be someone else? You will discover
who you were meant to be only after you have
shown confidence being yourself.”
Suzy Kassem
Power Truth
I will punish the world for its evil,
and the wicked for their iniquity;
I will put an end to the pride of the
arrogant,
and lay low the insolence of tyrants.
Isaiah 13:11NRSV
22
Trouble in the Text
Prudence is the care and true feel that any

one suggests when making a choice or taking action. Prudence
is at its test in the text and it involved three factions: Again, the
conspirers, Saul and the supporters.
The conspirers, before being conspirers, were underfed
with information. With their pride and fear towards Saul, they
just acted upon what was in front of them. The bible did not
say if they were intentionally misinformed about Saul’s
conversion, or they just didn’t want to take chances. With
Saul, being a learned man seemed to act out of dependence.
He, too, was scared. The supporters seemed to be the prudent
among the three factions. They were the ones who learned
about the conspiracy. They trusted in God’s deliverance so
strenuously, even to he extent of thinking out a detailed escape.
This requires a lot of thinking, imagination and gut.
We can clearly see that Paul was till, at this time, a
work in progress. He was incautious of his dispositions as his
emotions to pursue were so upfront. What could have
happened if the supporters were not prudent enough on Paul’s
escape?
Prudence is the care and true feel that any

one suggests when making a choice or
taking action.

How many times have we acted upon choices that
mistakenly driven by emotions alone? Not that emotion is not
to be considered, but the problem lies when we become
reckless in our decisions, hasty decisions that result to a
lifetime unchangeable scenario.
Prudence is tested during unexpected situations that
require an immediate response …not reaction. There’s a huge
difference between reaction and response. Reaction is
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7th Sermon
something drastic, or an action by reflex. While response, on

the other hand, is an action based from pre-decisions. Pre-
decisions are moral convictions which we stand on even before
a situation occurs, Thus, we have already established a
standing disposition on what action we would enforce upon.
How do we gain prudence? How do we acquire it? Is it
just a list of guidelines? Do we have to be a learned man to
gain it?
Prudence is tested during unexpected

situations that require an immediate
response …not reaction.
Grace in the Word

We can see that the supporters of Paul were clearly the
prudent ones in the picture. But anyone would really see it,
even the course of planning that they took was very risky and
dangerous. There is more to planning, or even the love for
Paul, can be a reason of their prudence.
It is the love of God. Yes, their love for God was the
vessel that gave them the wisdom and passion to save Paul, but
it is primarily the effectual power of the love of God that
caused them to these.
“We love because He first loved us.1 “But what matters
is a faith that expresses itself through love.2” Faith and love
will always have an interface. God initiating love to Paul and
the believers compelled them to have faith in Him. And faith
being expressed thru love, they were trusting God’s love to see
them thru.
Believing that no matter what course of action or choice
they make, if it is by faith that it is the will of God, His grace
will save them. It is Paul himself that wrote, “For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith…”3.
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Yes, their love for God was the vessel that

gave them the wisdom and passion to save
Paul, but it is primarily the effectual power
of the love of God that caused them to do
these.
Grace in the World

Faith works by love. It is energized by love. Faith is put
into motion by love.
Today, if you think about it, you and I still only have
one ‘do not’ — Do not get out of love. That’s our one
commandment. We are to walk in love, which covers a lot of
ground. In fact, we realize that our love walk is connected to
everything we do in life as believers, including our faith. Paul
makes it quite clear that faith—without love—is going
nowhere.
You and I cannot pick and choose what we want to

believe from God’s Word and disregard the rest. It’s all
connected, and it all centers around love. Faith and love are
intricately connected. Don’t think that you can walk in true,
God-designed love without walking in faith; neither can you
walk in faith without walking in love.
Prudence is a by-product of having faith expressed thru

love that is born out of the love of God.
Prudence is a by-product of having faith

expressed thru love, which is born out of
that is born out of the love of God.
What Now?
1. When is the exercise of prudence at it’s best?
2. How does prudence emancipate in us?
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7th Sermon
3. What are the steps that we should do to grow our faith?
26
7th Sermon
Watchfulness of Believers
“Perhaps there are times when your life is so

unbearably miserable, and yet the only part of you
that can run away from it and leave is your mind.”
Joanna Cannon
Power Truth
For at that time there will be great
suffering, such as has not been from the
beginning of the world until now, no,
and never will be. And if those days had
not been cut short, no one would be
saved; but for the sake of the elect those
days will be cut short.
Matthew 24:21-22 NRSV
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Trouble in the Text

As Paul’s rescind from being watchful for believers, he
became watchful as a believer. Being a villain of the Gospel,
he became a villain to the Pharisees. And with a bounty on his
head, he had to be watchful from the prying eyes of the
persecutors of the Gospel.
A this point, Paul was coined as a traitor to the
Pharisees; he was doubted by the Grecian Jews; he was hated
by the Hellenists because he debated fiercely with them; he
was even doubted by the very peers of the apostles; and
eventually he will be having a riff with Peter. His presence
definitely invites a tumult of restlessness.
And this tag that he had, all the more augmented the
notoriety of the believers as a fold. This made it more arduous
for the believers to missionate the unbelievers.
How onerous it is for believers to be watchful of
persecution and evil schemes when they have to be watchful of
their very own reputation and integrity.
How onerous it is for believers to be

watchful of persecution and evil schemes
when they have to be watchful of their very
own reputation and integrity.

And to touch the ground of earth reality, being watchful
does pose an exigent toll on the today-believer - regardless be
it a born-again newbie or a spiritual Hercules.
A now Christian needs to be watchful of four things on
the elementary: first, his God’s delight; second, his rectitude;
third, the enemy’s devices; and fourth, his interaction with his
environment. Each of these, alone, is gigantic and intractable.
Paul himself wrote “…offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…”4. We should be
28
watchful on our worship and surrender unto God. “Create in

me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”5
Integrity comes from the word, ‘integer’ which means, whole.
Our Christianity should be genuine, even to ourselves.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy 6”.
We need to be watchful of the enemy’s schemes. And we need
to b e watchful of our reputation “…for man looks at the
outward appearance…”7.
A now Christian needs to be watchful of

four things on the elementary: first, his
God’s delight; second, his rectitude; third,
the enemy’s devices; and fourth, his
interaction with his environment.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the

devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour.”8
Tough, isn’t it?

Grace in the Word
Paul certainly realized that he has nothing to boast of.
From being powerful and feared, he went nose down realizing
that all the while he was a weak person. And this is the reason
why the need for a Savior and Lord was very real to him. He
realized he needs the mercy that only God can give and only in
His grace he can live. True enough that he wrote, “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”9
As reckless as he is, Paul was only watchful of one thing
– his God. He set his eyes on the Author and Finisher of his
faith. And being watchful of his God empowered him to be
watchful of the many things that God entrusted him.
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7th Sermon
Paul had a reckless certainty in the reckless love of God.

We infer that the watchfulness of believers is just a corollary of
God’s impetuous but faithful love.
We infer that the watchfulness of believers

is just a corollary of God’s impetuous but
faithful love.
Grace in the World

Just like in our present-world, we may have to be
watchful of ourselves from temptation, sin and sinister gadgets.
But instead of walking away from them, let’s walk towards
God. Why? There will always be an opportunity to be tempted
and fall into sin wherever and whenever. Avoiding them is
good, but focusing on God makes you turn away from them.
Just like in our present-world, we may have

to be watchful of ourselves from
temptation, sin and sinister gadgets. But
instead of walking away from them, let’s
walk towards God.
“…in all your ways submit to him, and he will make

your paths straight.”10
What Now?
1. What are the areas of our lives that we haven’t
surrendered to the Lord?
2. What are the self-saving guidelines that we need to
unbound ourselves from in our lives?
3. Aren’t you just so glad that we are saved by grace
through faith and not of works? How would we
respond to the extravagant grace of God?
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God’s Saving Power
“Of course I can run, but what I’m running from is

the reality that I can’t run.”
Craig D. Lounsbrough
Power Truth
The one who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but the one who does not
believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
When looking at the story of Saul’s encounter with
Jesus on the way to Damascus, it would be too easy to see the
miracle of his conversion. Every kid would be fascinated on
the Marvel-type encounter of God and man. We can see the
distinct divergence of the feared Saul to the fearful Paul; he
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8th Sermon
searched for people, then ironically, he was blinded; He was a

debater for the law, then became a debater for grace.
It is really an awesome transformation, yes it is. But
focusing on the transformation of Saul alone might cause us to
miss out one the more important thing – the saving power of
God.
Instead of seeing the saving power of God, the
highlight might be wrongly focused on the conversion of Saul,
the bravery of Saul, the wisdom of Saul, the pursuit of Saul.
Saul, Saul, Saul.
We have nothing against Saul. In fact, he is awesome.
But have we asked ourselves how all of these came about?
It is really an awesome transformation, yes

it is. But focusing on the transformation of
Saul alone might cause us to miss out one
the more important thing– the saving power
of God.

Lamentably, the Acts 29 Christian has undergone these
so many times, ourselves. How many times have we celebrated
because our loved one got healed when we prayed for healing?
Now, how many times did we celebrate because our God is the
Great healer? How many times did we enjoy the benefits of
our salaries and bonuses? Now, how many times did we realize
that our God is the Great Provider? How many times did we
feel so uplifted and victorious when we got a promotion or
have found a job? Now, how many times did we actually awe
in wonder that our God is a promise-fulfilling God; that He is
the lifter of our heads; that He is faithful to us even though we
are not faithful in acknowledging Him.
How woeful it is that many of us have become to be
after the blessing, and disregard the blessor. Are we having a
relationship with the gift of life, or the Giver of life? Even
ministers are not exempted from these. Are we passionate in
32
growing disciples and reaching out to unbelievers, or do we

just love the performance of preaching? Opportunity to serve
God, or airtime?
Even ministers are not exempted from

these. Are we passionate in growing
disciples and reaching out to unbelievers,
or do we just love the performance of
preaching? Opportunity to serve God, or
airtime?
Grace in the Word

Now, let me take you several verses back from our
text. “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light
from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and
heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me?” “Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.1”
With these verses we can see that the conversion of

Paul is not a change of activity but a change of the heart, a
renewing of the mind. Let me make it more clear, we are
talking about a man who lambasts believers, curser of the
Gospel, hunter of Jesus-followers and in one zap of God’s
presence, he calls Him… “LORD” - that is the saving power of
God.
The saving power of God is centered on Saul’s heart.
The Holy Spirit convicts the heart, the convicted heart renews
the mind, and then the renewed mind directs the actions. The
behavior and volition of Saul was just a by-product of the
saving power of our God.
And with Saul being infected by the saving power of
God, it brought upon the courage and bravery to share the
Gospel to others. And so it infected his supporters as well.
This, in turn, brought bravery and courage to even think of the
unthinkable – they “took him by night and lowered him in a
basket through an opening in the wall.2” Little that they know,
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8th Sermon
that at the foresight, what they were lowering down in a basket

wasn’t Saul alone, but the saving power of God being
delivered to the hearers.
The saving power of God is centered on

Saul’s heart. The Holy Spirit convicts the
heart, the convicted heart renews the mind,
and then the renewed mind directs the
actions. The behavior and volition of Saul
was just a by-product of the saving power
of our God.
Grace in the World

The glory belongs to the saving power of God - which
is the work of Jesus at the Cross. Jesus dying at the Cross for
the love of the world brought salvation to mankind. Salvation
is a free gift, a free gift that cost so much to the point that no
one can pay it back. You will just have to receive it.
Every gift is meant by God to lead us to the greatest
gift – Himself.
Will you receive that gift right now?
Salvation is a free gift, a free gift that cost

so much to the point that no one can pay it
back. You will just have to receive it. Every
gift is meant by God to lead us to the
greatest gift – Himself.
What Now?
1. What are the things that we realize in Saul’s God-
encounter?
2. Why is it important to search our intentions if we are
acknowledging the saving power of God?
34
3. Will you receive that free gift of Salvation right now?

Pray now and repent.
35
9th Sermon
9th Sermon
Spiritual Vitality
4.
“Build you a life you don't need to escape from by

balancing your time, by taking rest when you need
to, but doing things you love and enjoy.”
Akiroq Brost
Power Truth
“…calling to the mountains and rocks,
‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of
the one seated on the throne and from
the wrath of the Lamb’.”
Revelation 6:16 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
36
It is riveting that even a very learned man, a protégé of

the greatest scholar Pharisees (Gamaliel), would humble down
to be discipled by the apostles.
A few verses after our text goes like this, “Saul stayed
with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking
boldly in the name of the Lord.1” Now ‘staying with them’
does not necessarily mean to say Saul was just being an
introvert and he was just literally staying with them from afar.
No. He had fellowship with them. He dined with them. He
listened to them. They taught him a lot. The converted man
seems to not being contented by just being converted. He
wanted to gain – Spiritual Vitality.
Spiritual vitality means having a living faith. Faith to

be a living faith means it is moving; it is not stagnant; it stands
over adversities and victories, success and failures. It is alive.
But let’s look at the following verses some more. “He

talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to
kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him
down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.2 “
We do agree that knowledge of the word of God is vital

to spiritual vitality and that the word of God runs offensively
as well. But the question is, was Paul growing his faith at this
point, or is he winning debates to the point of people wanting
him to be killed? Let’s check Jesus out. Did He debate with
the Pharisees? Was He framed to be killed because He was
winning debates? No. He was not battling with the minds,
instead, He was conquering the hearts.
At this point, Paul was passing thru training, a training
of character and humility.
Spiritual vitality means having a living

faith. Faith to be a living faith means it is
37
9th Sermon
moving; it is not stagnant; it stands over

adversities and victories, success and
failures. It is alive.

Ok, everybody in the classroom, raise your hands if
you’re guilty as Saul. Oops! Was I the only one raising my
hand? I guess not. Almost all (if not all) Christians have
somehow gone thru what Saul went thru. With so much fire in
the word and with so much emotion, we did argue to prove our
faith right? The problem here is this, didn’t we notice that the
devil tricked us and got into our “fire” and “emotion”. Little
that we know, we were actually fighting for ourselves already.
Our pride was being slighted. It hurt us when we are losing to
an argument. And so we craved more for the Bible – not to
have the Holy Spirit convict us but so we can accuse our
tormentors in debate.
Pastors, priests, small group leaders, lay preachers are
not spared from this. The loss of spiritual vitality may come in
different forms. To enumerate a few: Revolving your life
around a romantic relationship; an addiction to career;
dependence on alcohol; compulsion for gadgets; fixation for
peer attention; enslavement to sex.
Oh no! That can’t be, I’m a Christian!
Oh yes, I’m not finished yet. It can be busyness in the
ministry; It can be mismanagement of time; it can be a desire
to the leadership pedestal; it can be not reading the Bible. I
wish to go on but this book would have to extend if I did.
The problem here is this, didn’t we notice

that the devil tricked us and got into our
“fire” and “emotion”. Little that we know,
we were actually fighting for ourselves
already.
Grace in the Word
38
Saul, thru his course in life, learned that spiritual

vitality involves three things: “…faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love.”3 And so he writes, “If I have the gift
of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but
do not have love, I am nothing.” 4
It is one thing to have knowledge about God, it’s
another thing to have a continual relationship with God.
It is one thing to have knowledge about

God, it’s another thing to have a have a
continual relationship with God
Grace in the World

Spiritual vitality is not a one-time experience; it is a
way of life. Having a relationship with God is all of life, not
just a priority.
We grow because we are dead to ourselves but alive in
Christ. That is a faith that is alive.
We change not only because of the depth of our sins,
but also because of the bigness of our God.
Spiritual vitality is not going beyond the

Gospel; it is growing depper in the Gospel.
Spiritual vitality is not going beyond the Gospel; it is

growing deeper in the gospel.
What Now?
1. What is Spiritual Vitality?
2. What are the dangers that we can think of what it is?
3. How do you gain Spiritual Vitality?
39
More Resources
40
Scriptural References
1st Sermon:
1
Ephesians 6:12 NIV
2
Acts 9:16 NLT
3
Romans 12:2 NIV
4
Romans 8:31 NIV
5
1 John 4:4 YLT
2nd Sermon:
1
Acts 9:24 NIV
2
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
3
Psalm 37:23 NLT
4
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
3rd Sermon
1
Jonah 2:5 NIV
2
1 john 3:5 NLT
4th Sermon
1
John 3:30 NLT
2
Ephesians 2:4, 5 NIV
5th Sermon
1
Acts 9:24b NIV
2
Acts 9:25 NIV
3
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
41
4
Proverbs 3:5,6 GNT
5
Psalm 23:4b BSB
6th Sermon
1
1 John 4:19 NLT
2
Galatians 5:6 GWT
3
Ephesians 2:8a NIV
7th Sermon
4
Romans 12:1 NIV
5
Psalm 51:10 NLT
6
John 10:10a NASB
7
1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV
8
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
9
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
10
Proverbs 3:6 The Bible
8th Sermon
1
Acts 9:3-5 NIV
2
Acts 9:25 NIV
9th Sermon
1
Acts 9:28 NIV
2
Acts 9:29-30 NIV
3
1 Corinthians 13:13
4
1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV
42

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9 Sermons on Acts 9:23-25

Saul Escapes from Damascus

Printed in the United States of America

“That’s the funny thing when trying to escape. You

1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV

Trouble in the Text

But truth be uncloaked, turmoil and

Trouble in the World

Have we ever re-counted that in and from the beginning,

So it follows, that we struggle not against

Grace in the Word

With the Jews’ plot to kill Paul, this essentially began

Saul now knew what it was to be persecuted for his faith.

But as exemplified by Paul’s surrender to the will and

Saul indeed knew divine protection in the

Grace in the World

We may always insinuate that the battle is

3. How can we have a deeper faith in the Gospel?

“It is impossible to escape the impression that

Trouble in the Text

All they thought of is to eradicate anything

Trouble in the World

And just like this particular time of Paul with the

And with a moral license tucked,

Grace in the Word

“…But Saul learned of their plan”1. Beyond a shadow

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the

God was, is and will always be bigger than

Grace in the World

always run smack to offend an act of sin but eternal safety to

God is overstatedly able to thwart any conspiracy to

With Jesus on your side, you are the majority.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified

With Jesus on your side, you are the

“I want to run. To do what I always do, have always

As it is evidently presented in the story, there are

Jews, during the Apostles’ times tend to be thought of

What kept Jews of these diverse philosophical and

The reformed Saul introduced the Gospel and refuted

What kept Jews of these diverse

Trouble in the World

an instrument sent by God to bless us? If pride is not around, I

How many times did we turn down something that was

There is no problem about being protective;

Grace in the Word

No matter how deep the roots are, no

Grace in the World

Let us keep in mind that no matter how we

“But many of us seek community solely to escape

Trouble in the Text

He began a vicious campaign of persecution against

Have we ever known a fearful man such as Saul who

Have we ever known a fearful man such as

Trouble in the World

Knowingly, there are killers of the Gospel in our present

Unknowingly, the killers of the gospel may not be

Our very own self-made salvation projects may be our

Our very own self-made salvation projects

Grace in the Word

We realize that we are talking about a killer of the

Saul did not only acquire a deeper knowledge of the

With God’s love, there are no stubborn hearts that

With God’s love, there are no stubborn