May 4, 2025 Series: Comeback Stories Sermon: The Murderer Who Became a Missionary Scripture: Acts 8:1-3 “And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” INTRODUCTION: Never underestimate the GRACE of God to transform a life! Saul’s Background: Pharisee and Murderer Young Pharisee “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 righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Philippians 3:5-6 NIV 2. Murderer “dragged him (Stephen) out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Acts 7:58 NIV "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." Acts 9:1 Saul’s Conversion: “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”” Acts 9:4-6 NIV “Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,” Acts 9:8, 18 NIV "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit..." Acts 13:9 Paul the Missionary: Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' Acts 22:21 Message Application: No one is beyond redemption. Pray for those who need a comeback. Come to Jesus for your own comeback. CONCLUSION : Through the grace of God the man who was the greatest persecutor of the church became it's greatest defender! WHAT A COMEBACK STORY! ★ Support this podcast ★
