Title: Regain Your Sight
Acts 9:1-18 records that the apostle Paul, who was Saul, met Jesus on his way to Damascus. When he first met Jesus, Apostle Paul was blinded. But when Ananias laid his hands on him and prayed, he could see again.
- Saul was spiritually blind
Saul is not representative of unbelievers. This is because even before encountering with Jesus, Saul was a Jew by blood, he received education under Gamaliel, the best law teacher/theologian of his time, and was a faithful Pharisee/churchgoer who did not hesitate to do dirty work (Acts 22:3-4).
The Bible says Apostle Paul took the lead in persecuting the followers of Jesus to protect God and the church in which he believed in. It is recorded that he captured people, put them in prison and even killed them. When Deacon Stephen was martyred, the persecutors took off their clothes and threw them in front of Saul. This means Saul was the leader in killing Deacon Stephen (Acts 7:57-59). Therefore, Saul is not the representative of the non-believers, but the believers. He is not a representative of non-churchgoers, but churchgoers. He is not the representative of those who do not serve in the church, but those who devote themselves by sparing their time and money.
However, Saul’s problem was that he had not yet met Jesus Christ and did not believe in Him. On the way to Damascus, Jesus came to Saul in the light. And Saul asked, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.’ Seeing their conversation, we can see that Saul had not met Jesus before, he did not know how Jesus was, and did not believe in Him (Acts 9:3-5). The Bible says that Saul became blind after Jesus. It is a historical event but also it tells us that Saul has been spiritually blinded.
It is obviously important how much you serve and devote yourself to the church, and how much you give as offerings. But what is more important than this is whether we have met Jesus and believe in Jesus. The founding pastor said that when we go to God, He will ask two questions. The first question is, ‘Have you received the forgiveness of your sins?”
Since Jesus is the one who will save his people from their sins, this question ultimately means whether you have met Jesus, accepted Him, believed in Him, know Him, and love Him (Mat 1:21). Apostle Paul also said those who do not love Jesus should be cursed (1 Cor 16:22).
Dear my brothers and sisters, have you met Jesus Christ? If we have not yet met Jesus, have not received Him, and do not know who He is, then no matter how diligently we live a church life and serve, we are bound to be spiritually blind. Then, how can we get out of spiritual blindness? We must pray humbly. It records that when Saul encountered a sudden absurd situation of becoming blind, he fasted for 3 days. Acts 9:11 tells us that these 3 days fasting was not a period he could not eat because of discomfort, but a period of fasting and prayer (Acts 9:8).
Because God saw Paul praying earnestly, He decided to send Ananias to Saul and heal him from his physical and spiritual blindness.
- Paul regains his sight
After he became blind, Paul prayed earnestly and God sent Ananias to pray for him. When Aninias laid his hands on him, the Holy Spirit was with him, and both his physical and spiritual eyes were opened (Acts 9:17).
The life of Paul, whose spiritual eyes were opened, was 180 degrees different from before. He no longer worked for his self-righteousness. He did not put his zeal first. Rather, he confessed that it was only by grace that he became who he is, and he lived a life exalting only Jesus, confessing that he was dead and that only Jesus Christ is alive. Apostle Paul confessed that he was blameless in the law, but now he acknowledged that he was the worst sinner (1 Cor 15:10; Gal 2:20).
The founding pastor explained that the reason Paul changed was because he was able to see again. To see again is to see things anew. It goes beyond your existing thoughts.
Are we giving our best to God? Are you giving all your talents to God?
We saw that Apostle Paul served with all his zeal before he met Jesus. There was nothing wrong with him being full of zeal or passion, but the problem was that he did not know Jesus. So, even after meeting Jesus, serving and devotion should not weaken (1 Cor 15:10).
Apostle Paul confessed that he labored more than any of the apostles. I pray in the name of the Lord that our TLCC saints will return all the talents we have received from God.
Conclusion
Apostle Paul saw the resurrected Jesus.
Dear fellow believers, what does it mean to you that Jesus was resurrected? It can be defined in many ways, but in one word, it means that Jesus is still alive and still with us.
If we don’t look at the resurrected and living Jesus, everything we do has no meaning, isn’t it?
Although it is so kind of you and I am so honored if you are willing to help me operating this church. I hope that our members do not become cooperative and devoted just because you want to help me.
You must acknowledge the living Jesus so that your hard work and dedication today can be for Him. And no matter how hard and exhausting it is, you will not lose the driving force but continue such serving and dedication throughout.
Dear my brothers and sisters, Jesus is alive. Our Father God is alive, and He is right next to you. So, let’s do everything only for Jesus, only for our Father, and only for His glory (1 Cor 10:31). Amen.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 