Hear AND Heed!
What could you do if you hear God‘s voice but do not heat it?
… Do not obey.
Direction change
Repentance
One of the most dramatic examples of God’s transforming power at work
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Act 9:1-9
Paul was strong willed - it took significant input to change his direction
Bottom line is he did change direction.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:1 (ESV) But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Saul was powerfully motivated - he felt he was doing this to honor God!
Jer 17:9 (ESV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:2 (ESV) and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 (ESV) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
Act 9:4 (ESV) And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Rom 14:4 (ESV)
4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
1Co 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:5 (ESV) And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
God got Saul’s attention enough that Saul started asking questions…
1Jn 4:1-3 (ESV)
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:6 (ESV) But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Act 9:7 (ESV) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Act 9:8 (ESV) Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
Hear AND Heed!
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Act 9:9 (ESV) And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
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Count the cost but heed the call!!
Mat 16:24-27 (ESV)
Hear AND Heed!
Php 3:1-15 (ESV)
Paul counted the cost! He willingly gave up all that he had gained in the world’s eyes in order to attain what was really valuable – those things in eternity!
Hear AND Heed!
