WHAT JESUS TOUCHES, HE CHANGES (8 OF 8)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Acts 22:3-16
This content is part of a series.
What Jesus Touches, He Changes (8 of 8)
Series: The Last Chapter
Jeff Strite
Acts 22:3-16
OPEN: There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day her preacher noticed how proud she seemed to be of her pretty cross, and said to her, ''Honey, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're wearing? It was an ugly, terrible, wooden thing.''
The little girl smiled and said: ''Oh, I know that. But they told me in Sunday school that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.''
(From a sermon by Howard Strickland, ''Another Testimony'', Sermoncentral.com)
Whatever Jesus touches... He changes.
And that's what our story today is all about.
Jesus touched Paul, and Paul was never the same again.
Now, before we get to our text for this morning, I want to introduce you to Saul.
Of course, those of you who know the Bible well know that Saul was Paul's name up until he became a Christian, and after his conversion he eventually became known exclusively by the name of Paul.
(http://www.ssjohnandSaul.org/img/SAUL/Saul%20map.png)
Saul was born a Jew in a city called Tarsus down on southern coast of what now call Turkey. Somewhere early in his life, his family moved to Jerusalem and while there Saul had the opportunity to study at the feet of a man named Gamaliel, one of greatest Jewish Rabbis of the day.
Saul was a man who took his faith seriously.
He later described himself this way:
''(I was) circumcised on the eighth day,
of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;
in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
as for zeal, persecuting the church;
as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.'' - Philippians 3:5-6
One day he might have grown up to be decent Jewish rabbi. Perhaps he'd have been even greater than Gamaliel himself ... if it hadn't been for Jesus.
Saul hung out with the Pharisees and the Pharisees despised Jesus.
They had nothing g ...
Series: The Last Chapter
Jeff Strite
Acts 22:3-16
OPEN: There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day her preacher noticed how proud she seemed to be of her pretty cross, and said to her, ''Honey, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're wearing? It was an ugly, terrible, wooden thing.''
The little girl smiled and said: ''Oh, I know that. But they told me in Sunday school that whatever Jesus touches, He changes.''
(From a sermon by Howard Strickland, ''Another Testimony'', Sermoncentral.com)
Whatever Jesus touches... He changes.
And that's what our story today is all about.
Jesus touched Paul, and Paul was never the same again.
Now, before we get to our text for this morning, I want to introduce you to Saul.
Of course, those of you who know the Bible well know that Saul was Paul's name up until he became a Christian, and after his conversion he eventually became known exclusively by the name of Paul.
(http://www.ssjohnandSaul.org/img/SAUL/Saul%20map.png)
Saul was born a Jew in a city called Tarsus down on southern coast of what now call Turkey. Somewhere early in his life, his family moved to Jerusalem and while there Saul had the opportunity to study at the feet of a man named Gamaliel, one of greatest Jewish Rabbis of the day.
Saul was a man who took his faith seriously.
He later described himself this way:
''(I was) circumcised on the eighth day,
of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;
in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
as for zeal, persecuting the church;
as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.'' - Philippians 3:5-6
One day he might have grown up to be decent Jewish rabbi. Perhaps he'd have been even greater than Gamaliel himself ... if it hadn't been for Jesus.
Saul hung out with the Pharisees and the Pharisees despised Jesus.
They had nothing g ...
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