Acts 9:23-30

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Today’s title is “Flying On A Basket”

When you become a Christian saved by God’s grace, you will see some dramatic changes in your life. You see something you never experienced to see. You live a lifestyle that you never imagined before. You find something irresistibly joyous and ecstatic in the things that you previously presumed to be boring and tedious. I remember a comment from a man who used to enjoy worldly pleasures such as drinking and frolicking. He said, “I never knew before that I can be so happy and joyous without drinking”. Yes, a genuine Christian who was born again in Christ will find greater joy and delight than he has never had before. Indeed he will see a new heaven and earth. At the same time, they will meet new challenges which they would never experience apart from Christ. AS quick and strong was Paul’s passion for the gospel, so was the conspiracy and threat against him. After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him. They kept a close watch on the city gates in order to kill him day and night. Paul wasn’t able to go through the gate. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. Has Paul ever imagined that he would be lowered in a basket through an opening in the wall before? Of course not. But as we all know, this was just the beginning of his Christian life that would go through many more challenges and crises including in the city of Jerusalem. What was your Christian life experience so far? It may not have been as dramatic as Paul’s. But no Christian can be completely free from similar challenges and crises like Paul’s at all. It only varies in intensity. What was the greatest challenge and crisis in your Christian life? Did you ever go through a crisis where you have to go flying on a basket? Don’t just think that it will never happen to you. It can. It will. Just be sure that you will be safely lowered from the crisis and be lifted up in the end to the safe haven. Amen!