One More: The Enemy
(Acts 9:1-22)
The Enemy (Devin H. Dunn)
Big Idea: Jesus pursues his enemies with grace, transforms them through the gospel, and sends them out as his witnesses.
Saul was one of the greatest enemies of the early church. He devoted his life to persecuting Christians, imprisoning believers, and attempting to stop the spread of the gospel. Yet, while Saul was pursuing the destruction of the church, Jesus was pursuing Saul.
The story of Saul’s conversion reveals the extraordinary grace of Jesus Christ. He does not wait for his enemies to become his friends before extending his mercy. As Saul would later write in Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1. Jesus Pursues His Enemies (Acts 9:1–9)
On the road to Damascus, Saul encountered the risen Christ in a blinding light. The man who believed he was defending God discovered that he had been fighting against him.
Jesus confronted Saul, not to destroy him, but to call him to himself. Saul’s physical blindness revealed his spiritual blindness, and everything he once believed about himself and God was turned upside down.
Like Saul, we were all once enemies of God because of our sin. Yet Jesus graciously pursues us, confronts our sin, and calls us to find new life in him.
2. Jesus Sends Us Toward His Enemies (Acts 9:10–19)
While Saul waited in Damascus, Jesus called a disciple named Ananias to go to him. Ananias knew Saul’s reputation and feared approaching him, but he obeyed.
When Ananias arrived, he greeted Saul with two remarkable words: “Brother Saul.”
The enemy had been welcomed into the family.
Through Ananias, Saul received the ministry of a fellow believer, regained his sight, and was baptized. Jesus could have accomplished this without Ananias, but he chose to use an ordinary disciple to participate in his extraordinary work.
The same is true today. Jesus is the one who saves sinners, but he calls his people to bring the gospel to them, even those who seem hostile or beyond the reach of grace.
3. Jesus Transforms His Enemies into His Witnesses (Acts 9:19–22)
Immediately after his conversion, Saul began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. The man who came to Damascus to silence the gospel was now preaching it.
The persecutor became a preacher. The enemy became an evangelist.
This is how the gospel has spread for two thousand years. Jesus pursues sinners, transforms them through his grace, and sends them to share the message that saved them.
Saul was pursued by Jesus and ministered to by Ananias. Now Saul would become an Ananias to others.
This is the mission of Redemption Story Church: To glorify God by making disciples who gather, grow, and go in the gospel. We are not simply saved into God’s kingdom; we are invited to participate in its mission.
Questions for Reflection and Application
Who is beyond God’s grace? Are there people you consider too sinful, hostile, or opposed to Christianity to ever come to faith?
Where is Jesus confronting you? Are there areas of pride, sin, or self-righteousness that you need to surrender to him?
Who is your “one more”? Who is close to you but far from Jesus, and what step can you take this week to pursue them?
Are you willing to be an Ananias? Is fear or discomfort keeping you from sharing the gospel with someone God has placed in your life?
Has the gospel made you a witness? How are you sharing the grace you have received with those around you?