Series: Advancing
Message: All I Do Is Win . . .
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Reflection: Sam Millen
Live Wonder: Jessyka Albert
Live Adventure: Jessyka Albert
Live Purpose: Jason Calvert
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Acts 9:1–9 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: In Saul’s recorded address to King Agrippa (Acts 26), details are added regarding what took place on that pivotal trip to Damascus. Saul heard Jesus say, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). Timothy J. Keller picks up on this insight and explains that “Goads were sharp sticks used to move animals in a right direction” (Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, p.175). Keller believes that “Jesus is indicating that although Saul was angrily opposed to Christianity, there was something deep inside that was pushing him unwillingly toward acknowledging its truth” (p. 175).

It could be said that Saul’s salvation, although highly dramatic in its final climactic scene, was actually a slow, gradual process. God intervened in the end, not only to rescue the believers in Damascus, but to save Saul from himself. Saul heard Stephen speak to the Sanhedrin and witnessed how the first Christian martyr died without bitterness, even praying that God would forgive his enemies as they hurled rocks at him. Saul must have been impacted deeply. As Keller points out, his later theology relied heavily on the themes in Stephen’s discourse. However, instead of surrendering, Saul became more determined In his resistance against Christianity. On the deepest level, Saul wasn’t really fighting against Christianity. He was fighting a battle within himself, and any believer within Saul’s reach took the brunt of his inner turmoil.

Have you ever had a gnawing feeling that something may be true (or someone may be right)? Maybe you were too frightened to explore the possibility because of the implications. Digging in is a defense mechanism. But becoming more adamant does not lead to inner peace. Saul didn’t really have any excuse. After all, his own teacher (Gamaliel, see Acts 22:3) had already admonished the Sanhedrin not to oppose the followers of Jesus, because there was a slight chance they might find themselves fighting against God (see Acts 5:39). Yes, Saul was blindsided by Jesus on the road to Damascus. But maybe it wasn’t a total surprise. It was time to surrender.

Recalibrate: Have you ever been angry at someone because you knew down deep that he or she was right?

Respond: Ask God for discernment and humility.

Research: Read one of the suggested commentaries from the bibliography on this passage.

Recharge: Wonder/Adventure/Purpose

Saul’s anger and bitterness were hurting him and others around him. What do you need to let go of in order to rid yourself and your family of harm? Play a game with your child by asking to take something away from them and give them something else in return. When we let go of something negative, we make room for more love.

What makes you really, really angry? Why? How do you feel when you’re angry? Not so good, huh? Saul was a very angry man, but when he met Jesus, that anger melted away and turned into something beautiful, a passion to tell more people about Jesus!

Have you ever been lost? I mean really lost. With GPS at our fingertips these days this is hard to accomplish, but it still happens. How did you get to your desired destination? Did you ever arrive at all? Were you on time? It seems like no matter where you are on planet Earth there are magical road signs—U-turns. Have you ever noticed that when God chases and embraces, it always involves doing a U-turn? Sometimes U-turns are dramatic. Sometimes they’re subtle. What U-turns is God intentionally placing in your life, perhaps not only for you, but also for those around you? Saul went from leading to needing to be led. Those who were being led by Saul ended up leading him. What about church? Who leads whom now? What would it look like if the roles were reversed? What about culture? Does culture lead church or does church lead culture?