Transformed Acts 9 Pastor Spencer Fusselman Sunday April 16, 2023

Saul was a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:4–6) Proud of his Jewish heritage. He was also a respected pharisee having done his training under Gamaliel, a famous teacher of Israel. So he was a very well-educated Jew. He knew the scriptures well but allowed his own interpretation of scripture to taint his view of who the Messiah would be, look like, act like, and even teach like. He did not yet have the spirit to guide his understanding of scripture. He had heard the Gospel, yet he counted it as total blasphemy. To the point of leading the charge to eradicate the way. But on the road to Damascus, his eyes were opened! While physically blind, (temporarily) he was spiritually blind no more! He encountered Jesus Face to face and now had a clear understanding of all of the old testament prophesy that points to Christ, as evidenced by his writings in the new testament. His rock bottom moment may have looked different than you or I, but nonetheless, Imagine the Lord of Heaven's Armies, Whom you say you love and follow coming to you and asking why you are making Him your enemy? Imagine the heartache! Although he didn't hit rock bottom with a relationship, money, or a job, he hit a spiritual rock bottom that caused him to totally transform his life!