Acts 9:19-22

19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.


Today’s title is “At Once He Began to Preach”
One of the things that disappoint preachers and pastors most is the people that do not show any change despite their long attendance of the church. Those people are not usually rebellious to the leadership of the church. More often than not, they follow the general rules and orders of the church better than others. They are generally supportive of the leaders. But they do not show any substantial changes in their life and behavior that we pastors often see from others. On the other hand, pastors occasionally see a dramatic change in someone who used to be highly critical or negative to the leaders. Their change comes so quickly and suddenly that even church leaders are greatly surprised. There are these uncanny things in a congregation that no pastors can be self-confident about any things or anybody in the ministry. The conversion of Saul was spectacular and dramatic. It is certainly worthy to be told forever. But what’s even more amazing for many church leaders in the transformation of Paul’s life is his passion for the gospel. In view of many other Christian conversions, Paul’s passion for the gospel was unusually strong even considering the dramatic encounter with the Lord. Such strong passion, unlike many others, quickly turned into an action that continued for the rest of his life without any let-up. We can see such passionate and immediate commitment of new Paul to the preaching of the gospel in today’s passage. Today’s passage shows that Paul at once began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God after he spent only several days in Damascus since he encountered the Lord. And Paul’s gospel message was the hard-core gospel that Jesus is the Messiah. In doing so, he revealed no lack of confidence as if he was made for this moment. Yes, Paul was surely extraordinary in many ways. But I don’t think this passage is merely depicting the great apostle only. I believe this passage challenges us all who continue to remain mediocre Christians who never felt any such passion even though we encountered the same Lord that Saul encountered. I have many things to reproach myself. How about you? Are you not a mediocre Christian who needs the quick and total transformation as we see in Paul? You can and you should. You have the same gospel and the same Lord as Paul. Amen!