Why are some teams so fun to hate? QUESTION 1 #BeautyfromAshes BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 107
THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Sports fans can take it hard when someone changes sides. The classic rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees was fueled when Boston sold Babe Ruth to New York. The Babe had switched sides. Wayne Gretzky was a national treasure in Canada, and his countrymen were outraged when he went to play for the Los Angeles Kings. The greatest hockey player in history changed sides. Cleveland Cavalier fans loved LeBron James, but there was great outrage when he abandoned them for Miami. (Of course, all was forgiven when he came back four years later.) Switching sides. That s how many Jews viewed Paul s conversion to faith in Christ. Originally called Saul, he was a rising star in the ranks of Judaism. He was making quite a name for himself as an aggressive defender of the Jewish faith against the new movement of people who claimed the resurrected Jesus was the Messiah. But then Paul changed sides. Something happened to him. More accurately, Someone happened to him. 10 8 SESSION 6
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Acts 26:9-20 (HCSB) 9 In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them. 12 I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. 15 Then I said, Who are You, Lord? And the Lord replied: I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and of what I will reveal to you. 17 I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles. I now send you to them 18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified. 19 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. Chief Priests (v. 10) The chief priests were composed of the current high priest, former high priests, leaders of the 24 orders of priests serving in the Jerusalem temple, the captain of the temple police, the priest in charge of the finances of the temple treasury, and other high-ranking priests. Goads (v. 14) A goad was a rod, about 8 feet in length and pointed on one end, used to direct and control oxen. Sanctified (v. 18) To be sanctified means to be made holy or set apart. At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart (from sin, self, and the world) to God. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 109
THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. Acts 26:9-11 It is becoming more common than ever to meet people who vehemently oppose Christianity and any belief in God. Some are offended that the gospel of Christ would call them sinners. Others don t like the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way to God. Many question any belief in a God who allows suffering, natural disasters, and violence and who condemns people born into other religions. At one time, Saul of Tarsus was one of those who opposed Christ and His followers. In fact, he had been a ringleader in seeking their destruction. Most people, however, remember him as Paul, the apostle who wrote much of the New Testament. But Paul never forgot who and what he had once been. At one point in Paul s ministry, he was taken into custody (Acts 21:33-36). He spent more than two years in custody, and during that time, he was able to present his case before King Agrippa (26:1-3). Agrippa was the last of the Herods, a family given rule by Rome over the Jews. Because he was determined to keep order among the Jews, he was interested in Paul, who had been charged with causing chaos among the Jewish people in the temple. So how did Paul defend himself against the charges? He first confessed he formerly had supported the Jewish animosity toward Christ. He had been consumed with hatred and rage toward the followers of Jesus Christ. He openly admitted to casting believers into prison and seeking their deaths. By acting on the authority of the Jewish chief priests, Paul believed he was doing the will of God. If you talk to someone strongly opposed to Christ, it s hard to imagine him falling in love with Jesus. But as we will see in the life of Paul, it happens. That s why I want to view people all people with the eyes of Jesus. They are image-bearers of God fallen, broken, and in need of His grace. They may oppose the gospel now, but they can just as readily convert to faith in Jesus and become great witnesses of His power. Just like Paul. What makes the gospel offensive to some people in today s world? QUESTION 2 110 SESSION 6
Acts 26:12-18 Paul described the unmistakable nature of his encounter with Jesus. He reported seeing a bright light and hearing a clear voice and a simple question and all three had come from Jesus. I can t help but wonder what went through Paul s mind at this point. Perhaps, I was definitely wrong about Jesus being dead. Or, Jesus has come to kill me as revenge for my acts of violence and persecution against His followers. Instead of a death sentence, Paul received: A rebuke. It is hard for you to kick against the goads (v. 14). This was a common phrase in both the Greek and Roman cultures an analogy of someone kicking against a pointed spike. To do so is pointless and painful! A call. But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and of what I will reveal to you (v. 16). I hope you hear God s grace in those words. No matter what you have done or how sinful you ve been, you can never be so bad that Jesus can t change you. You cannot make Him stop loving you regardless of your failures or opposition to Him. He knows your name and He chooses to pursue you even in your rebellion and stubbornness. Why? Because He loves you. Because He wants to save you. And because He has a purpose and plan for your life. What s your first impression of the mission Jesus gave to Saul? QUESTION 3 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 111
THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. "I now send you to them to open their eyes so they may When have you ever kicked against God s direction in your life? turn from darkness to light." A C T S 2 6 :17 B -18 A BEFORE & AFTER QUESTION 4 What goals and motivations defined your life before you encountered God? What goals and motivations define your life since you ve encountered God? 112 SESSION 6
Acts 26:19-20 To say Paul underwent a radical transformation would be a real understatement. The man who previously opposed Jesus was now obeying Jesus. He became the most influential Christian in the history of the faith. He wrote nearly half of the New Testament. A majority of what we know about church doctrine, leadership, and structure came from him. I don t want us to overlook one particular detail in Paul s testimony. Paul described himself to the Philippians this way: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless (Philippians 3:5-6). His Hebrew pedigree was second to none. Yet when Jesus called Paul, He sent him to the Gentiles! Paul was sent to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance (v. 20). For the Jews, this was the most scandalous element of Paul s testimony. Not only did Christianity s greatest enemy become its greatest evangelist, but the gospel compelled a Jew to reach out to Gentiles. If God can use Paul, He can use you. If He can turn a murderer into His messenger, then He can redeem your brokenness for His glory. When Jesus transforms you from the inside out, you will discover, as Paul did, you can t keep that to yourself. How would you describe the mission Jesus has given you? The news of what Jesus Christ has done for you is too good to hide. QUESTION 5 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 113
THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. LIVE IT OUT In His unmatched power, God gives new life to those who follow Him. Ask God to reveal any negative attitude that you may have against any specific groups of people. Ask God to help you see each person as He does. Memorize Acts 26:17b-18 as a reminder of God s mission for His people. Post this verse by your mirror or someplace you will see it often. Identify one person whom you know is opposed to faith in Christ. Make it a priority to pray for this person daily, asking God to open an opportunity for this person to come to faith in Christ. Be ready to share your own story of redemption and how God has saved you. God calls us to make a major shift and He s done everything necessary to make that happen. Jesus died for our our sins so that we can move from death in sin to life in Christ. This week, walk boldly in the life Christ offers and be ready to tell others about His power to transform. My thoughts 114 SESSION 6