It seems that we're going to have to continue our battle with the vocal chords today. I apologize in advance, but hope you'll be able to weather the storm with me as we make our way through Acts 9:1-9. This passage contains the familiar story of Saul's conversion. It's often referred to as his Damascus road experience. It is a story that will be repeated over and over again in the Book of Acts, and, over the centuries, its retelling among believers, has made this man the poster boy for evangelism. But what's fascinating about this account is that there were no witnesses, no apostles, or no other believers to share the good news of Jesus Christ with Saul. Unlike the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul had no Philip to who shared the gospel with him. No, in this case, Saul was met by Jesus Himself. He had a face-to-face, up-close-and-personal encounter with the resurrected Lord. So much about this story comes across as illogical, not just unusual. Here was Jesus, who had returned to His Father's side in heaven, making a personal appearance back on earth, in order to transform the life of one man. And you have to ask, "Why this man?" After all, he was as anti-Christ as they came. He despised anyone and everything having to do with Jesus. His whole goal in life was to capture, persecute and put Christians to death. But God had other plans for Saul. He had always had other plans for Saul. And while we might not always understand God's methods or fully perceive His motives, we can trust that He is doing what is best because He is accomplishing His sovereign will.
