Bill Acton :: Acts 9:10-30 - The Preparation of Paul as a Witness for Christ

Sermon Outline for Acts 9:10-30

The Preparation of Paul as a Witness for Christ

1. The Ministry of Ananias – Act 9:10-19 – “Body Life”
   1. His identity - “A disciple in Damascus”
   2. His call and commission – Act 9:10-11
      1. He was selected by the Lord
      2. He was to communicate God’s will to Paul
      3. His question to the Lord – Act 9:13-14
      4. The Lord’s reply
         1. “Go”
         2. The message
            1. Concerning Paul’s election – Act 9:15
            2. Concerning Paul’s mission – Act 9:15-16
               1. To speak to the world
                  1. Gentiles
                  2. Jews
                  3. Kings
               2. To suffer in His name
      5. The obedience of Ananias – Act 9:17
2. The Lord’s Working in Paul
   1. “Behold he is praying” – Act 9:11
      1. Prayer is a convincing evidence of spiritual resurrection
      2. Prayer reveals a change in Saul
      3. His praying
         1. It was real
         2. It was right
         3. It was in Jesus’ name
   2. Paul received his sight – Act 9:18
   3. Paul was baptized
   4. Paul was controlled by the Holy Spirit – Act 9:17
   5. Paul was strengthened
   6. Paul witnessed in Damascus – Act 9:20
      1. It was immediate
      2. It was faithful - proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God
         1. The Lordship of Christ
         2. When you accept His authority, He becomes Saviour – Rom 10:9
      3. It was effective – Act 9:21-22
   7. Paul’s time in the Arabian desert “D.D. degree”
      1. His time there could have taken place between Act 9:22-23
      2. Gal 1:15-18 reveals that Paul was in Arabia before he conferred with any of the Apostles in Jerusalem
      3. In the stillness of the Arabian desert, a Jewish Pharisee was transformed into the Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles
   8. Paul back in Damascus – Act 9:23-25
      1. The hatred of the Jews
      2. The help of the disciples
      3. The escape to Jerusalem
   9. Paul in Jerusalem – Act 9:26-29
      1. His first action - to join with the disciples
      2. His cold reception
         1. They were afraid of him
         2. They did not believe that He was a disciple
      3. His gracious friend, Barnabas
      4. Paul’s bold witness – Act 9:29
   10. Paul sent to Tarsus – Act 9:30 - He stayed there 7 or 8 years
3. The Churches of Judea, Samaria and Galilee – Act 9:31
   1. They had rest and peace
   2. They were increasing in number
   3. They were being edified