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Sermon #5490

Saul on the Road to Damascus

A Sermon about Saul on the Road to Damascus from Acts 9:1–5

Originally preached Nov. 7, 1954

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Scripture

Acts 9:1-5 ESV KJV
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as …

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Sermon Description

The circumstances of life can turn dire in a matter of moments. The facade of life gets ripped away and in an instant, the saving grace of God stands in clear contrast to the path that leads to destruction. Paul was on that path. As he traveled the road to Damascus, God broke through with a blinding light and dropped the persecutor Saul to his knees. In this sermon about Saul on the road to Damascus from Acts 9:1–5 titled “A Fact of History,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the inward change that happens when one gains a clear view of the Savior’s face and hears the words of Jesus. The hatred, depravity, and desperation that once filled the heart is replaced by peace, contentment, and faith. Outside circumstances cannot change the heart. That is where the gospel does its work. New life begins when the light of Christ tears away the autonomy of life and reveals the desperate dependency on the Savior. It is then that all can know true victory over sin, death, and the devil.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The change in Paul's life was due to an internal change, not external circumstances.
  2. Many seek to change external circumstances to find happiness, but true change comes from within.
  3. Some adopt a "stoic" philosophy to endure difficulties, but Paul experienced true joy and victory.
  4. Paul's transformation was due to encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.
  5. Christianity is based on historical facts, not just experiences or teachings. The central fact is Jesus Christ.
  6. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who entered into human history. This is the incarnation.
  7. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
  8. Jesus came to save humanity from sin and reconcile us to God. He satisfied God's demands and conquered Satan, sin, and death.
  9. If we could save ourselves, Jesus would not have had to come. But we cannot save ourselves. Only Jesus can save us.
  10. To know God and find true happiness, we must believe in Jesus Christ and accept what He has done to bring us to God.
  11. One day, every person will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. For those who believe, it will be joyful. For those who do not, it will be terrifying.
  12. Jesus is calling each person today, saying "I am Jesus, who died for you that you might live."

Face to Face with Christ

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.