Dear Brothers and Sisters,
God was surely at work among us on Sunday as we talked about the “Road to Transformation” using the life of Saul turned Paul. From Acts 9, we see:
Transformation begins with a personal CONFRONTATION. (Vs. 1-6) Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. God had a completely different plan in mind for Saul’s life and before Saul could embrace that plan, he had to encounter the Resurrected Lord. In order for Saul to SEE the Lord, Jesus had to physically blind him. God has unique ways of getting our attention!
Transformation continues with a CRISIS of BELIEF moment. (Vs. 6) Jesus told Saul to go into the city. Not knowing what would happen, with his friends having to lead him by the hand due to his blindness, Saul obeyed. Saul’s obedience to the Lord was the turning point in his life. All the belief in the world wouldn’t have transformed him unless he acted on what he believed.
Third, we see in Saul’s story that there is a COMMUNAL component. (Vs. 7-12) Saul had to rely on his friends to help lead him to the city and on an Ananias to touch him and bring healing to him.
Transformation also involves a CROSS to carry. (Vs. 15-16) Saul had been causing Christians to suffer. Now he would experience a kind of suffering himself. Following God isn’t easy. It isn’t supposed to be. We aren’t transformed by EASY!
Finally, those who undergo transformation with Christ, their lives reflect CONSPICUOUS change. (17-22) What happened to Saul internally, spiritually, on the inside, completely altered the way he lived his life.
So the road to transformation . . . are you on it? Have you been confronted personally with the person of Jesus Christ? It’s not about what your grandparents, parents, or spouse believes, it’s about what you believe. And if you believe, are you acting on that belief? Are you willing to accept the people into your life that God wants to use to help shape you or are you still trying to go it alone? What cross has Jesus asked you to carry in His name and is it in your hands or have you set it down for a while? Would anyone be able to say that your life proves that Jesus has been resurrected? How conspicuous is Jesus’ life being lived out through yours? What part of the road to transformation, if any, are you on?
In the process of transformation,
Pastor Melissa
