According to a Harris Poll taken in December 2013, 74% of Americans believe in God. That number used to be over 90% per a Gallup poll in June 2011. So the number of Americans that believe in God has dropped a little bit, but around three-fourths of us still believe in God. How about you tonight, do you believe in God? Again, the majority of us probably would say that we do.
But what if I ask you some different questions? What if I ask you: have you encountered the living Christ? Not just, do you believe in Jesus, but have you truly encountered Him? Do you really know; personally know the one and only Son of God? Has He changed your life? Are you a radically different person now than you were before you met Him? I ask these questions, because several men mentioned in the Bible who encountered Jesus were radically changed.
When the apostle Peter encountered Jesus, he fell to the ground in front of Jesus and said “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, he said “Behold Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore to him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus responded to Zacchaeus “This day is salvation come to this house.”
Jesus also healed the sick and raised people from the dead. When people encountered Jesus, they were changed! They were radically different people. Tonight, I want us to look at Acts 9:1-20 and let’s see another radical encounter with Jesus.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Folks, Saul was a devout Jewish religious leader. He thought that he was doing God’s work when he killed and imprisoned Christians).
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (Folks, the Bible says Jesus is the Light. He is the light of world. Have you come to the light or are you still in darkness?)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Please notice that Saul is trembling and afraid. This was not a namby pamby encounter with Jesus. Saul was so afraid that he was literally shaking!).
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (Notice that Saul was blinded by the Light of Jesus Christ our Lord).
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Folks, when you are truly saved, God has a plan for your life and it isn’t about making your life more comfortable or more prosperous. It isn’t about you at all. It’s about glorifying God!).
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. (No health, wealth and prosperity Gospel here).
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
I love this story. It’s a great picture of a real encounter with Jesus; a real encounter with the living Christ. Saul was never the same after this amazing encounter with Jesus. His life was radically changed. The other thing I want you to notice is that Peter, Zacchaeus and Saul all recognized that Jesus is Lord. He is Lord even if you don’t realize it. But in order to be saved, you must recognize and admit that He is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). All three of these men called Jesus Lord.
Peter confessed his own sinfulness when he encountered Jesus. Do you recognize and admit that you are a sinner? We are all sinners, but you must realize and confess that you are one (Romans 3:23; 10). Zacchaeus also admitted that he was a sinner and repented from his sins. He told Jesus that he would give away one-half of his possessions. Have you truly repented from your sins by turning away from them?
When you have a real encounter with Jesus, you recognize that He is Holy and that you are not. You recognize that He is sinless and that you are a sinner. You recognize that you have to turn away from your sins, whatever those sins might be – lying, cheating, stealing, lusting, greed or pride (Acts 3:19). Be honest with yourself tonight. What is the sin that you love? (1 John 2:15). What sin do you have in your life that you don’t want to give up? Zacchaeus gave up his sin immediately when he encountered the living Christ.
Saul was immediately affected by his encounter with Jesus. Saul had actually murdered Christians! He was so full of darkness that he was blinded by the light of Jesus. He fell to the ground, shaking in fear. He was petrified by his encounter with Christ. He called Jesus Lord. He cried out “what will you have me do?” Have you truly had a life altering encounter with Jesus?
I ask you these questions tonight because here in the Bible belt, many of us have had some sort of religious experience. Just like Saul was a religious person. He had zeal without knowledge until he encountered Jesus. Are you counting on a religious experience that you had many years ago to save you from eternal damnation? Are you counting on a prayer that you said as a child? If so, has your life been radically changed?
Has your life been radically changed like Peter, Zacchaeus and Saul? Are you a new creature in Christ? Has your old nature passed away; behold are all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Are you a different person than you were before? I ask you these questions because many people claim Jesus as their Savior, but not everyone claims Jesus as Lord. When you have a real encounter with Jesus, you realize that He is Lord. Is He Lord of all? Is He Lord of your life? Is He Lord of your time, your talent and your money? Have you truly surrendered your life to Him?
If you honestly answer no to these questions then you have to question whether or not you are really saved. Saul went out right away and started sharing the glorious Gospel with others? Do you share your faith with others? Do you consistently read the Bible? How is your prayer life? Do you merely believe in God or do you truly follow the Master?
When you are truly saved, it is so life changing, that Jesus described it as being born again. You pass from spiritual darkness to spiritual light (1 John 1:5-7). You are changed from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:1). Before you are saved, you are dead in your trespasses and sin. Those who die in their sins will suffer in Hell forever (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). But when you are really saved, you are made alive in Christ Jesus and He gives you everlasting life!
Are you spiritually alive tonight? If not, please, please get right with God, right here right now. Cry out to Jesus like Saul did, Lord what will you have me do? In another place in the Bible a sinner cried out to God, Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Recognize and admit that you are a sinner. Cry out to Jesus for Him to save you and then turn away from your sins and put your faith in Him.
Jesus said unless you repent you will likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Repent by turning away from your sins and trust Jesus. Surrender your life fully to Him tonight. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Be saved tonight. Be radically changed. Be made alive in Christ Jesus tonight. Then go out and tell others about the wonderful gift from God that you have received. Because when you have encountered the living Christ, you are compelled to share the Good News with other people. You are radically different. Come to Jesus.
(This message was lifted up in the open-air on the square in downtown Springfield on June 6, 2014)