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Filled IX - "Grace Limits"

9/23/18

September 23, 2018 • Paul Barnard

Filled IX “Grace Limits”

Filled IX “No Limit Grace”
intro: Steps to change whether initial or continuing

*THE SIN*
*Act 9:1* But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest*Act 9:2* 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.

- Unresovled sin and condemnation go hand and hand

* The way we deal with condemnation is justification of our lives lowering God’s standard for us in our minds
* *1Ti 1:15* The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
* So bad he had to change his name!

- let go through the process of resolving sin in our lives
*THE DRAWING*
*Act 9:3* Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.*Act 9:4* And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”*Act 9:5* And he said, *“Who are you, Lord?”* And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. *Act 9:6* But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

-One of the first steps to new life is recognizing the spirit as He draws you to Him.

*THE REALIZATION*
*Act 9:7* The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
*Act 9:8* 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. *Act 9:9* And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

-We must come to the realization that we are blind and must trust.

*THE OPPORTUNITY *
*Act 9:10* Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”*Act 9:11* And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

-Who will God send to you to get your attention and show you the way?

*THE RECEPTION*
*Act 9:12* and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” *Act 9:13* But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.*Act 9:14* And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

-We all Struggle with the “is this real” question. We as believers must trust God as well.

*THE CHANGE*
*Act 9:15* But the Lord said to him, “Go, for *he is a chosen instrument *of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. *Act 9:16* For I will show him how much *he must suffer *for the sake of my name.”

-Total change in thinking for Saul and for Ananias

*Act 9:17* So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, *“Brother Saul*, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

-I trust God in you.

Conclusion:
NEW LIFE

*Act 9:18* And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
- I once was blind but now I see