Week of Meetings 1970-04 Saul of Tarsus — Stan Ford

The Great Commission and the Early Church

Those of you that were with us this morning will remember that we were thinking a little of the 8th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. I pointed out to you that the Lord Jesus, in the 28th of Matthew, in giving the Great Commission to the Church, said, Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.

We saw this morning how very quickly the early church did this very thing. I reminded you that all nations had arisen from the three sons of Noah, Han, Shem, and Japheth. And we saw that in the 8th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles was the conversion and the beginning of the instruction of this man, the son of Han, the Ethiopian eunuch.

This evening, we're going to consider something of the 10th chapter of the Acts, and we're going to see how, in the 10th chapter, not the son of Han, but the son of Shem, came to know Christ and began his instruction in the things of God.

I was thinking that we might even tonight have linked with it the 10th chapter and consider not the son of Han, or the son of Shem, but the son of Japheth, but I feel that maybe our time is slipping away just a little too fast.

I'm going to ask then that, before we turn to the 9th chapter of Acts, we might read a few verses from the 26th chapter of that same book. Acts 26. Now, we all know that the Acts of the Apostles is mainly instructing pre-men.

First, Simon, then Stephen, the book divides itself into those three parts, circling around three men, as we all know. When we come to this 26th chapter, we find this man's soul, and we find him bearing testimony before the last of the Jewish king.

I think it's always good for us to remember that, from that day to this, the Jews have not had a king. This was the last of the Jewish kings, and more than this, they will not have a king until he who was born the King of David, to reign over the house of Jacob, will reign.

But, here in the 26th chapter, we will commence reading for the sake of time in verse 4. Says this man, My manner of life from my youth, which was of the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straightest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.

And now I stand, and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers, unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope, say King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews?

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I very thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which thing I also did in Jerusalem.

And many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them, and I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme.

And being exceedingly mad against them, I prosecuted them evil unto strange cities. Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw in the bay a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me, and then which journeyed with me.

And when we were all called unto the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord?

And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon my feet, for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sin, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Saul’s Encounter on the Road to Damascus

And then, if I may turn back to the tenth chapter of the Acts, please. Acts chapter ten, Acts chapter nine, pardon me, Acts chapter nine. And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto a high priest, 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.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

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 pricks. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Now may the Lord add his blessing to the reading of his own question. I wonder if you join me, please, as we ask the Lord's blessing. Shall we pray? O God and Father, we lift our hearts to thee a precious evening, and in the precious name of the Lord Jesus, we ask that that which we have read from thy word, the Spirit himself may take, and make real to each one.

We realize that unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. So we ask thee that thou thyself, the great master builder, would this evening in this place build into the church of God those who will trust the Lord.

For we ask it in his name. I don't think any man or woman would be in a moment's doubt when I suggest to you that surely one of the greatest, if not the greatest, one of the greatest of God's servants in the New Testament, a man who has left his mark upon holy wit as much, if not more than any other, was this Saul of Tarsus.

This, the son not of Ham, but the son of Jacob. And you will grant me that to him God gave the great revelation of the church. This mystery that was hidden in times past, but was revealed unto this man.

And I am certain that all of us are most concerned that we shall know concerning his conversion. Concerning, indeed, the things that appertain to him, his becoming a Christian. And so this evening, with your permission, I want us to think a little of that which the word of God tells us of him as a man.

Oh, I will be considering a little with you of the things that he taught and the things that he said. But I want us to consider a little of him as a man. I'm going to ask that you will think with me of four very simple things.

Saul’s Conviction and the Need for Repentance

First, I'm going to say a word about his conviction. You see, I've been preaching the gospel long enough, in this and so many other countries, to no longer have any doubt that the man or the woman that comes to Jesus Christ is the man or the woman who first of all realizes he needs, she needs to come to Christ.

The message of the Christian faith has never changed. Oh, sometimes we have found that God's people have emphasized one part of it more than enough. But the message of the Christian faith has never changed.

And that is it. Repentance towards God in our Lord Jesus. Faith in the Lord Jesus. It is repentance towards God. It is not just repentance. It is faith in our Lord Jesus. This evening, as we think a little of this man, I think it's essential for us to say a word concerning his conviction.

Saul’s Conversion from Conviction to Faith

And then I'm going to ask you to consider with me a word concerning his conversion. That conviction is not enough. To realize our need of God is not enough. But acting upon the fact that God has brought us to know his need, we must pass from conviction to conversion.

That's not enough. Remember the words of Jesus? Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, Son, Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things. I want to say a word not only about his conviction and his conversion.

Saul’s Commission to the Gentiles

I want to say a word about his commission. Consider what God said to him, and how he went forth to exercise that commission. And then last of all, of course, I want to say a word, if you will permit me, about his concern, that the man who received the commission from God was the man who in every breath he took, in every word he said, in every place he went, in every prayer he made, was the man that showed his absolute concern for us.

Firstly then, a word about his conviction. And I must ask your permission, if it were, to take a scripture here, and a scripture there, and from those scriptures, draw a conclusion.

You may not come to the faith. Now girls, please, I don't want to have to say this now.

Those people behaved very nicely when I was speaking to you. So I'll expect you to behave while I'm speaking to them. Now don't let me look again. I think you will grant me that I'm going to draw one or two conclusions, and you may feel that I am not drawing these conclusions correctly.

If this be the case, then I do ask you to consider it with me, to think with me, and I believe you will see why I have come to the conclusion that these were the things that led to a tremendous conviction in the heart of this man, Saul of Damascus.

First of all, you will remember that the first time he's mentioned, we find him at the stoning of Stephen. Now the remarkable thing to me is this, that when eventually he stands before the last of the Jewish king, and defends himself, and at the same time gives his testimony, he mentions nothing about Stephen.

But here are this young man, this young man who stood and observed Stephen as Stephen was thrown to death. But at that time, there began in his heart and in his life, there began the great sphere of conviction.

Saul’s Family and the Prayers of Believers

What else that always strikes me about Saul of Tartus, you know, is that Saul of Tartus had a family. He had kinsmen. And the last chapter of the epistle to the Romans tells us that those kinsmen of his may I read it to you? my kinsmen and fellow-prisoners, who were not amongst the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

A statement to make. That here he was, this was not where they would kill his sister, that sister that's referred to in the epistle. I know not who they were. I only know that when Paul writes from Rome, he speaks of kinsmen that are his fellow-prisoners, but who were in Christ before him.

Now, does it seem feasible that such a young man as Saul of Tartus, in his persecution of the Christian church, should be a young man that those who of his family were in Christ would never have prayed for him?

I've got a feeling that many a time in the home of his kinsmen, prayers were handed to glory. Oh God, they're out of breath. Oh God, they're too forceful. It's the likelihood that they also would be persecutors of the church, or brethren of the flesh.

Pray on. We've a God who is. By the way, perhaps for your consideration, you may well notice that a fact in the life of Saul of Tartus was associated with prayer. You've noticed that. He mentioned it in the Bible.

He said a prayer meeting. He mentioned it in the Bible. He said a prayer meeting. Or it's a bloody prayer meeting. Where Stephen's always going to cry and yell at him. So he's praying, laying off his sins on their charge.

Next time he mentions it, he has to pray. He's got his things around. He's got to pray. He's praying. Who wants that more? What do you do? Next time he mentions it in the Bible, he says a prayer meeting.

Go into a home, and Ananias says that this is the perfect union of the church. And God says, don't you worry. Behold, he prayeth. Or we may remind you, before we finish, of other occasions, that I've a feeling that the man who saturated his ministry in prayer was the man who was saturated in prayer even before ever he came to know Christ.

Prayer as the Context of Saul’s Conviction

His sins were not laid off. Stephen never lived to see his prayer answered, but hallelujah, it was answered. Praise God it was.

His conviction of end.

Is there someone here this evening, and you find yourself as the subject of the prayers of many men and women. Though like this man, Saul of Tarsus, you may have turned your hand against God, and you're back to the things of God.

May I say this to you? Is it not apparent that deep within your very being, because you have been the subject of many prayers again and again, you have found yourself convicted of the fact that you've never touched in the faith.

Now I don't know you here, you see. I've met in years of the past in other parts of America, but it's just a few of you I can catch you on the fingers of my hand. I only know this that most of you I know not.

But I suggest that there may be even found in this place tonight, someone who's been the subject of the prayers of a husband, the prayers of a wife, the prayers of parents, the prayers of children. Again and again on life's journey you have felt the arrow of conviction as it's come.

Saul’s Conversion in a Prayer Meeting

But if you will notice his conviction, would you please notice his conversion? Oh yes, he was convicted at a prayer meeting I suggest. But bless God he was converted at a prayer meeting. Is it good to be at prayer meetings?

Do you know friend, I've a feeling that if only we gathered more in prayer, I've a feeling maybe we would see more blessings. And here he was converted at this prayer meeting. Oh peculiar one I know, he's praying.

Who are you Lord? What will thou have me to do? Sometimes when speaking of Saul, I say four things about him. Sometimes I say here was a man who was a thinking man. Here was a man who was a fighting man.

Here was a man who was a fallen man. But praise God here was a man who was a forgiven man. Here was a man who was a thinking man. Why when he stands before Griffith to bear his testimony, in I think this is the ninth part of that twenty-fifth chapter of Acts, which is what he said, I thought, I thought he said to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Saul as a Thinking Man Who Expected the Messiah

He was a thinking man. O 'er dare him again and again as he sat at the feet of Gamaliel. He had listened to the promises God had made, that one day he would send his son, one day the Messiah would come.

Suddenly there begins to walk through the streets of Jerusalem. Suddenly there begins to teach down by the petrifices of Galilee, someone who claims and others who claim for him that he's the Messiah.

And though Saul never went to see him, and Saul never listened to his preaching, and Saul never once heard one, yet there within his heart he began to ponder. And he came to this conclusion, that this man was an imposter.

That this man was not the Christ. I thought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He was a thinker. But if he was thinking, he was fighting. For that same chapter goes on, and in that same verse it says, and many of the saints that not only was he one who thought that the claims of Christ were claims that could not be substantiated, but he went out to fight against Christ.

Saul’s Fall, Forgiveness, and the Light of Christ

But the wonder is this, that if you lift your hand against God, we have a God who's able to deal with it. No problem to him. And he was a poor man. How he fell to the ground, he fell to the ground first of all because there appeared a great light that shone around him.

If, thank God, I have a God who sends a great light and shines it around us. Oh, we don't see a light as Paul saw it in heaven. But I have spoken to very many folk in this very service tonight, who were there witness to the fact that when first they were brought to face the claims of Christ, it was like a dazzling light.

Folks who say their prayers and read their Bible. And I didn't hear it in the chapel, and I didn't hear it in the service. I was having a drink with some of the boys, and suddenly the door of the pub opened, and there walked in a little Salvation Army lad with a bundle of war crimes on him.

And she went from one to another and said, will you buy a war crime? I said, I'll buy a war crime if you'll sing us a song. I thought if she would, she'd sing Daisy Bed or something like that. I'm happy to sing a song.

Will you ask the men to be quiet? And I said many a song. Well, I didn't mind the girl singing, but I didn't want matches. I didn't want to be the chairman of a religious meeting in the pub where I used to drink.

But she put me on the spot. And I turned to a crowd of drinking, cursing men, and said, men, will you listen? Just up on the table of a public bar, a high-street hotel in my hometown, on a hill far away, stood an old, groggy cross.

Oh, I didn't know that. I'd never heard it before. To learn a thing the first time it's done. But I can remember a response which yesterday, not as a boy, but as a man. Leaning on the bar and looking at her.

Oh, I didn't see a light streaming through the window. Only dazzled. Jesus had said to his disciples, let your light so shine before heaven. That day I saw a light. Converted that light. To girls, to caretakers, takers, and to God.

I say, friends, what light did you see shine? This man fell to the ground, for he saw a light shining. And that always humbles us, doesn't it? Brings us love. But God not only shone that day, but God spoke that day, and said, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And this is a marvel to me. There were others with Saul. There were others that fell to the ground. There were others that heard but a sound, but couldn't make out the word. I'm speaking for a little company like this, and sometimes for a very large congregation.

Have I been up to you many? At the end of the permit, one, two, five. Come forward and testify for us. We like to trust Christ. Sometimes for a little congregation like this. The one person to whom God spoke.

To whom God spoke. But he spoke to them as individuals.

For he failed to. Sir, he's speaking to you tonight. And Adam, he's speaking to you tonight.

And would you notice God not only shines, and God not only speaks. But, oh, blessed be his name. God saying, for the man who was thinking, and the man who was fighting. He fell to the ground, and glory to his name.

He was forgiven. Forgiven. Oh, there's mercy with the Lord, that he might appear. There's salvation without God. Oh, may I ask you tonight. Have you such a conversion as this? Make disciples of all nations.

Paul’s Commission and the Power of Prayer Meetings

But if there was his conversion, as well as his conviction. Never let us forget that there was his commission. Is it not remarkable? I suggest to you that in his conviction, he was at a prayer meeting.

At his conversion, he was at a prayer meeting. I know this. That the outcome of his commission. Was that here was a man who fulfilled it completely. In prayer meetings. Did you hear that? He fulfilled it completely.

In prayer meetings. He received his commission. He started out on his first missionary journey. And where did it begin? Did it not begin at Antioch? I won't pass any comment very much about that. It's sufficient to remind you that those that were called to work of God.

Were those that had proved themselves in their own district. They'd been working in Antioch long enough for the whole church. To know that they were capable and able. They did not come from some other place.

And then someone say, we will commend you to the work of God. But they worked in Antioch. They proved themselves. And the Spirit of God said, separate unto me Paul and Barnabas for the work of the ministry.

Whereunto I have called them. And isn't it remarkable that when God calls. He calls the best talent that's in the church. The very best. Why the church in Antioch would have said, but we can't spare Barnabas.

Separate them. And here, blessed be his name. It was at a prayer meeting for the scripture dares to say this. That they fasted and they prayed. They sent them forth. Just a second missionary journey. Wasn't it a prayer meeting?

But suddenly this man saw four men of Macedonia. Praying, come over to Macedonia and help us. And away they went. And isn't it remarkable the first city they arrived at in Macedonia was Philippi. And where did they go?

They went down to the water's edge. Where the women had gathered to pray. They liked that. Do you know one of the best churches that ever was founded in Macedonia was the church at Philippi. And it was founded by women.

Oh have God blessed them. It was a prayer meeting. And here Saul received his commission. And he went about the task. And he went to predict in prayer. Oh God give us to pray. I'm glad that you mentioned sir that you have two prayer meetings this week.

A brethren's prayer meeting and a sister's prayer meeting. And you said it was down by the water's edge didn't you? The sister's prayer meeting. Who knows? God may work in this district because the sisters gather down there in prayer.

Revelation, Repentance, Release, and Remission

Oh bless God. But would you notice something more? Would you notice that this commission. Oh you must please forgive me running through things quickly. But there are so short times. Listen. First of all that commission that Paul received.

This is what the risen Christ said. I want you to go to the Gentiles to open their eyes. So the first commission that Paul received was to go forth and open eyes. It was the commission of revelation. Would you notice that kind of thing?

Not only revelation to open their eyes. But repentance to turn them from darkness to light. Would you notice then release? The power of Satan unto God. Then would you notice that they might receive remission?

The forgiveness of sins. And hallelujah riches and inheritance with those that are sanctified. Oh sir. I want to tell men and women this you know. I don't want to be quiet about this. Tell men and women that there is revelation.

That our eyes can be opened. That we can see the Lord. Oh you must pardon me talking about myself. I don't pray often in my testimony. When I was a lad of thirteen and a half. I was a man when I trusted the Savior.

Not a boy. I owe to Jesus Christ that I was ever able to. I owe to Jesus Christ the fact that I was able to stand here and speak to you in a new tongue. I owe to Jesus Christ the fact that it's my privilege every year to conduct the Bible readings in the University of Cambridge.

But I was the first man in academic for forty years last year to preach at the University of Cambridge. Do you dare? Blessed be his name. He was transformed. And I tell you what he was. He was forgiven.

He saved me. Santa Claus. Peter Edwards. In an assembly. He taught me. Taught me the things of God. I owe to him and to his words. You know I'm not saying there's anything wrong with these things. What I'm trying to do is glorify the Lord.

I'm trying to tell you that Christ is real. If you and I are prepared to come to him and turn to him. We'll receive the commission and he'll say open their eyes. Turn them from darkness to light. From the power of Satan unto God.

And brethren and sisters I know something about that. I wouldn't cross the road to listen to a man tell you how bad he's been. I wouldn't cross the road. I don't want to hear it. He forgets it. And the Bible says let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

To listen to a man tell you how bad he's been. I only know this. From darkness to light and what the power of Satan unto God. Oh there's freedom in Jesus Christ. And will you notice not only revelation.

And will you notice not only repentance but relief. And will you notice not only relief but remission. To receive the forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness. Oh I think that's a wonderful word. I wish I could tell you all that was in it but I really haven't time.

The Forgiveness of Sins and the Riches of Salvation

But if you come with me in the 103rd Psalm. Do you remember? Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits. Bless the Lord O my soul. And then he goes on and he gives us that long list of things.

For which we can bless and he says who will give us all. He will give us all. You know one of the most interesting things to me is this. When I open my New Testament. Translated in the 103rd Psalm. The text in version of the Bible.

The same word that's translated in the 103rd Psalm. He forgives all my misdeeds. I notice that it's translated three different ways in the New Testament. Not all. If you've got a New Testament. A good New Testament.

You've got all of it. And when in the fourth chapter of Matthew. When Jesus called the disciples and said. Follow me and I will make you bishops of men. This is what we mean. And they left. Left. Their necks would follow him.

And the word that's translated left. Is the same word. Finished with the neck. We want to have nothing more to do with them. So when we trust Christ. God says I'm finished with your sin. I don't want to have anything more to do with it.

He's left it. It's forgiven. I'm glad of that. I had the go at Peter when he said. Don't you remember. I'll tell you a lot more as well. That the blood of Jesus Christ is God's. And the Lord said. He's left us.

If you want to get away there in that 11th chapter of John. When Jesus cried with a loud voice. And raised ladders from the dead. This is what he said. Loose him and let him go. You've got a whole lot to say to me.

The same word that's translated left. Is the same word. Same word. How small of a thing is this. Turn to the 27th of Matthew. When Jesus died on the cross. He cried with a loud voice. And yielded up the ghost.

And yielded up his ghost. Loose.

He forgives. You won't never be put any better.

The Old Testament used to put it this way. That the salvation of God. Is from the power of sin. If you look upon it how. One day he has taken us away from his presence. And it's always his forgiveness.

He forgives. I don't know whether the apostle could hear the risen Christ say. That they may receive the forgiveness of sins. And then go on and hear him say. And an inheritance with those that are saved.

All the riches. Not only the revelation and repentance and release and remission. But the riches. Of God's salvation. With those that are saved. I reckon I believe it's better on the cross. Listen it's good to live with Christ now.

I believe it's better on the cross. Absent from the body of the Lord. To be with Christ. Which is. Father. Then may I come to a close. Is conviction. Is conversion. Is commission. Is concern. What is our concern?

Paul’s Concern for the Salvation of Others

Are we convicted? Are we converted? Have we received his commission? His concern. Let me quote it to you again. In that twenty-ninth verse of that twenty-sixth chapter of Acts. When the Caleb said. O most thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

This is what Saul of Tarsus said. This is what Paul the preacher said. I would to God. But not only thou but all that hear me this day. Were both together. Such as I am. Then he looked down at the chains.

And set these on. Here's his concern. But what he himself. Had received. What he himself.

Sent an angel. It was his concern that others should not.

Let's see afresh that risen Christ. Let's hear him as he looks into the face of his disciples. They. Disciples. Holy. The Ethiopian Jew. Japheth. Praise God. Whoever you may be. Son of Ham. Shemar Japheth.

There's mercy with the Lord. That he might be here. If by chance tonight there's someone here. I don't know. But if by chance there's someone here. Who's never trusted Christ.

Please God you may trust him. I may trust him now.

So we go to prayer. Oh God and Father we rejoice together this evening. For the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ. Is Lord. Glorious. That made the bank of his mind on loving God. Here he is. He asked that tonight at this place.

There he goes. Having heard his voice. We pray again Lord. That by grace and communion of God the Holy Spirit. Be the abiding joy portion of all who love the Lord in sincerity. And we see clearly. Faith.

It's what Jesus said.