9 Sermons On Acts 9-23-25 2.0

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 ............................................................................... 5
Conspiracies ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3rd Sermon .............................................................................. 9
Jews .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
4th Sermon ............................................................................. 13
The Life of Paul ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5th Sermon ............................................................................. 17
xxxx.............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
6th Sermon ............................................................................. 21
7th Sermon ............................................................................. 25
8th Sermon ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
9th Sermon ............................................................................. 33
More Resources ..................................................................... 33
Scriptural References ........................................................... 38
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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 into the physical – 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.
Saul indeed knew divine protection in the

midst of persecution, but he also learned
3
1st Sermon
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
spirit 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?
3. How can we have a deeper faith in the Gospel?
4
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
5
2nd Sermon
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,
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.
6
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
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2nd Sermon
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?
8
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
9
3rd Sermon
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 refutes

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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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 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 plot to kill Saul and the supporters who helped him
escape has one thing in common – they were Jews. And as
much as we have seen the contrast and of these circumstances,
it is still a prevalent fact that they have a bond in nature. And
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3rd Sermon
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?
12
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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4th Sermon
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 Paul’s (Greek name is
‘Saul’) 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 emotions and 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.
14
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
n 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 being ‘killed’ by the Gospel. ‘Killed by the Gospel’
meaning, as Saul encountered the truth of Jesus (the Gospel),
he spiritually died to himself and made alive in Christ.
Saul did not only have 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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4th Sermon
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 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?
16
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
17
5th Sermon
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 the 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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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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5th Sermon
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, “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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6th 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
21
6th Sermon
The apostle Paul described the gospel as “veiled to

those who are perishing.”1 Those who are under this
predicament are under the law, the old covenant from the time
of Moses when the ministry was of death, according to chapter
three.
We do know that Jesus as the light of the gospel means
that this is the kind of brightness that changes anyone who
encounters it.
The situation of disbelief is no secret to

Jesus, that’s why he left his disciples with
the great commission to go into all the
world and preach the gospel.

Not that the gospel is too weak to change those who are
spiritually blind – we might have fallen into the same notion
unknowingly, especially when people dear to us can’t seem to
accept the upfront truth of Christ in God.
This situation of disbelief is no secret to Jesus, that’s
why he left his disciples with the great commission to go into
all the world and preach the gospel, empowering them with the
Holy Spirit.
Because of this, all believers – we who are disciples of
Christ - are then called to become those who would be used to
open the eyes of the world to behold him who is the light of the
gospel.
When we leave a commission this huge only to the
hands of those who are, by office, entitled as ministers,
preachers, or evangelists, then we are not exactly doing what
we have been qualified by God to carry out.
Most of the time, when we let open doors for the gospel
to come to a close because we are in doubt and fear, we are
hindering what’s supposedly a life changing encounter of
people with Jesus.
22
Grace in the Word

The way to get over ourselves and take the leap of faith
in becoming living examples to the watching world is to take
to heart what Paul said:
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus
Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
sake.”2 The way to display the light of the gospel is to proclaim
– and at the same time focus on - who the gospel is about.
Since Paul’s opposers were paying so much attention to
the effects of ministry to the apostle’s life, such as suffering
and persecution beyond one can bear, they were unable to bask
in the transforming gospel light.
Even if these opposers had chosen to look at Paul, they
would have seen the resilience and perseverance from God
with which he endured trying times with. In Paul’s own
accord, the things he had gone through were more than enough
to call it quits.
In Paul’s own accord, the things he had

gone through were more than enough to
call it quits, but since the ministry he held
was by the mercy of God, he did not lose
heart.
But since the ministry he held was “by the mercy of

God, [he did] not lose heart.”3 In a different perspective, the
apostle’s opposers would have realized the worth of this light
Paul was trying to shine to the world when he kept the goof
fight of faith until his last breath!
Grace in the World
We are the first ‘Jesus’ people encounter, so to speak.
When we live our lives in accordance to his will and gospel,
we become beacons of him who resides in us.
Instead of focusing on the times we seemed to have
failed in preaching the gospel to those around us, let us be
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6th Sermon
encouraged in the example lived by the one who we are

preaching about.
Instead of focusing on the times we seemed

to have failed in preaching the gospel to
those around us, let us be encouraged in the
example lived by the one who we are
preaching about.
Christ himself had been rejected by men, persecuted,

suffered for the sake of even the unbelieving. Who are we to
call it a day in ministering to the very people he had given his
life for?
What Now?
1. How are you an eye-opener of the world for them to see
2. How can you explain the value of our suffering with
3. What are the personal sufferings you have experienced
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7th Sermon
xxxx
“Only those who have learned well to be earnestly

dissatisfied with themselves, and to be confounded
with shame at their wretchedness truly understand
the Christian gospel.”
John Calvin
Power Truth
…but if we walk in the light as he
himself is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from
all sin.
1 John 1:7 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
25
7th Sermon
The nobleman had servants in the first place because he

was a lord – owner of properties and of people. In Jewish
tradition, a master who owns a servant must not shame him in
any way, demand engagement in hard, manual labor, or make
him subject to redundant and menial activities.
When the nobleman asked his servants to “engage in
business”1 until he returns, he did not specify how his people
should grow their ten minas. Therefore, there was no law on
Jewish servanthood that was broken.
We understand when someone is given a

big responsibility and is required to deliver
great results. But it’s difficult to wrap our
heads around gaining great things when the
resources are smaller.

With little resources at hand, we feel like we are
undermanaged. In terms of serving the church or the body of
Christ, when we are given little responsibility compared to
others – based on our personal perception – it’s easy to be
discouraged, feeling that there shouldn’t be too much
expectations given the little accountability?
We often gauge this as unfair, something that shouldn’t
be the case. We understand when someone is given a big
responsibility and is required to deliver great results. But it
proves to be difficult to wrap our heads around great gain when
the resources are much smaller.
For instance, we feel that a pastor – who has a higher
calling than us – should be able to serve God’s people day in
and out, even during off days, while us – some volunteers,
some congregants – think that we shouldn’t be expected the
same accord.
Grace in the Word
Come to think of it, the nobleman didn’t send servants
to claim the kingdom for him. It was in a far-off country. He
26
didn’t bring any of them along. Instead, he left them in-charge

of little portions of what would be a vast part of the kingdom
he was about to receive. Wasn’t that grace already – that the
servants didn’t have to go through what their master had gone
through?
Seeing the gains of his servants, the nobleman called
both the first and second servant faithful, even though the
former had generated more for him. He was only after
obedience than whatever the amount of the outcome.
True enough, when it came to the foolish servant who
had deliberately disobeyed the master’s order because of fear
and other excuses, he was not deemed worthy of a portion of
the kingdom that was already at hand because of his failure to
be trusted with something menial.
Jesus proved that servanthood is not about

how much has been entrusted – it’s about
serving the master regardless.
The same goes with the coming of the kingdom of God,

as Jesus compared the parable to. The gifts, accountabilities,
and responsibilities given to believers are nothing compared to
the immensity and eternity that lies when Christ returns. The
service on earth is but a preparation; a prelude, an on-the-job
training for when we worship Jesus in all his splendor in
heaven forever.
Grace in the World
There is no need to weigh who seems to have been
given a heavier responsibility in the body of Christ. As the
Jesus’ sacrifice and life-laying love should

encourage us to do the same for others as
well, especially towards those who we
share salvation with.
27
7th Sermon
The high and mighty King and Lord of all creation

stripped himself down to be a lowly servant for our sake. Let
his heart of servant leadership be a force that drives us to serve
others regardless of how little or how much we have.
What Now?
1. Does the amount of responsibility given you in church
2. How does your service get affected whenever you
3. How does the parable encourage you to serve others
28
8th Sermon
xxxx
“If I have faith, the believer cannot be restrained.

He betrays himself. He breaks out. He confesses
and teaches this gospel to the people at the risk of
life itself.”
Martin Luther
Power Truth
This is the message we have heard from
him and proclaim to you, that God is
light and in him there is no darkness at
all.
1 John 1:5 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
When looking at The Parable of the Ten Minas, it’s
hard not to center on the fruits of the servants’ labor – as the
29
8th Sermon
title connotes - when they were asked by their master to engage

his investment in business while he was away to receive his
kingdom.
However, how about putting perspective not on the
servants’ monetary returns but on the master’s return? It seems
that, because his day of arrival was not announced, it was
pushed back into the background. But was it really something
to be overlooked?
Because of the numerous things going

about in life, there are moments when we
are not so consumed by the timeline of the
second coming – and our actions and fruits
reflect it.

Sadly, just like the foolish servant, we too experience
bouts of negligence and complacency when we think about
Jesus’ return. Towards the end of the New Testament, the
apostles started calling that point in time the end times already,
yet Christ has not made his glorious arrival. What’s there to
rush?
Because of the numerous things going about in life,
there are moments when we are not so consumed by the
timeline of the second coming – and our actions and fruits
reflect it. We are less intentional when it comes to making the
name of Jesus known even with our simple, daily tasks. We put
off inviting our loved ones to church. And on a personal level,
we delay repentance from any on-going sin, thinking that as we
do every day, we still have time to do so tomorrow.
Grace in the Word
Jesus said about his coming: “but about that day or
hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father.”1 Doesn’t this give us a big push when it
comes to living our lives under the Lordship of Christ? Who
knows – the day could be today!
30
It’s not that these faithful ones had a good head start
compared with the foolish servant. They were given the same
load, the same commission, the same amount of time to carry
out the master’s work. But the foolish one wasn’t so sure that
he’d be caught up empty-handed by his master. And when the
nobleman did arrive at his complacent, excuse-making state,
the disappointed master said:
The faithful servants were prepared even

without knowing when their master was
coming back. Despite the nobleman’s
absence, these servants carried out his
works with good stewardship.
“ Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and
at my coming I might have collected it with interest?
…Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who
has the ten minas.”2
The foolish servant failed to grow the minas in any
way, even in a process that involves one-time investment of
strength and effort! Because of this, he was stripped away of
even the little that was entrusted to him.
It was late when this unfaithful servant learned that his
master was a man of his word – when he says he’ll return, he
surely will. His word was already a promise, a certainty of
what’s to come.
Grace in the World
Although it was too late for the foolish servant, we still
have time to set things right before God. Just like the return of
the nobleman, Jesus’ second coming cannot be missed by both
faithful and complacent alike. Let us be encouraged in the truth
of his word when he departed:
Just like the return of the nobleman, Jesus’

second coming cannot be missed by both
faithful and complacent alike.
31
8th Sermon
Finally, we should take preparedness into heart, even

when there is no visible sign of his return – this we gain by
having faith in the life that he brings that is to come, greeting
Christ with eagerness and joy in our hearts.
What Now?
1. At what points of serving God do you notice
2. Why is it important to keep the end-goal which is
3. What are you doing in preparation for Christ’s return?
32
9th Sermon
xxxx
4.
“The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to

preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do
something like washing the disciples’ feet- that is,
being willing to do those things that seem
unimportant in human estimation but count as
everything to God.”
Oswald Chambers
Power Truth
For once you were darkness, but now in
the Lord you are light. Live as children
of light…
Ephesians 5:8 NRSV
33
9th Sermon
Trouble in the Text

It is interesting that even though the nobleman probably
knew which of his servants were faithful and not, he still opted
to give each one of them ten minas equally. Given his decision,
should the blame then be on the master and not on the foolish
servant who had failed to obey and deliver good results? After
all, the servants didn’t ask for such accountability.
Since the ten servants who were each entrusted ten
minas were under the nobleman’s lordship, they didn’t really
have a choice but to accept what they were given. Does this
seem unfair? If the master really knew his people, why did he
risk losing a couple of resources over unfaithful servants? Why
didn’t he just delegated the task to those who would perform
better? That way, no one will get punished.
Our very lives are to be stewarded in a way

that is pleasing to God and is relevant to the
advancement of His kingdom.

It’s easy to be grateful when we receive something we
have asked for, such as blessings, providence, and other forms
of answered prayers. But what is our attitude when God gives
us something that feels more like a responsibility than a
blessing, especially if He has assigned it to us specifically for
the benefit of the body of Christ or for reaching out to the lost?
Stewardship means carefully using, controlling, and
managing anything that has been entrusted to us. For instance,
it could be in the form of wealth and possessions. It could also
be God-given talents, skills, and spiritual gifts. In fact,
everything that we have should be offered up to God. Our very
lives are to be stewarded in a way that is pleasing to Him and
is relevant to the advancement of His kingdom.
While we may say that we didn’t ask for any of these, it
was God’s choice to endow us with everything that we have.
As we claim that we are surrendered under the Lordship of
34
Christ, how much does this reflect when it comes to the good
stewardship?
Grace in the Word
In the same way, it didn’t matter to the nobleman that
not all his people were faithful. Being their master was enough
reason for him to give fairly to each one as he desired, and not
as his servants deemed fitting of the responsibilities they can
personally take on.
By giving his servants an equal amount of
responsibility, the faithfulness of his people was tested. Since
nobody asked to be given that kind of accountability, the
nobleman found only two out of three servants faithful - we
don’t know for sure what had become of the other seven.
In persistence in prayer, waiting for

deliverance comes with acting upon the
faith that indeed, God will deliver justice
for His chosen ones.
As for the foolish servant that remained complacent

and acted out of fear instead of reverence, the nobleman rid
him of his ten minas and said: “I tell you that to everyone who
has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even
what he has will be taken away.”1
Grace in the World
God did not ask for our permission when He had
entrusted us with our lives, spiritual gifts, talents, and skills.
He did not use anything as a gauge for us to receive these
things. Because we are His chosen ones, He has qualified us by
the blood of Jesus – that’s it. It’s not because of how good our
hands are.
Everything we have in Christ is to be

handled with good stewardship. They need
not come in great amounts or levels before
being given the proper attention.
35
9th Sermon
Let us not look at the responsibilities attached to our

God-given trust funds as burdens. Instead, we are to be
encouraged because of the privilege to serve Him for the
purposes of His will and the coming of His kingdom.
What Now?
1. What are the talents, skills, and spiritual gifts God has
2. What are the responsibilities that come with these?
3. How do you steward these God-given forms of mina?
36
More Resources
37
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
38
4
Proverbs 3:5,6 GNT
5
Psalm 23:4b BSB
39

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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

that God’s deliverance often comes in

Grace in the World

We may always insinuate that the battle is

“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

With Jesus on your side, you are the

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

Trouble in the Text

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 refutes

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 have a deeper knowledge of the truth,

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

With God’s love, there are no stubborn