Main Point: God doesn’t erase who you are—He redeems it for His purpose.
1. Who Was Saul?
Scripture: Acts 7:58 – 8:3
- Saul approved of Stephen’s execution.
- He hunted down Christians—men and women—and dragged them to prison.
- Saul was educated, respected, feared… and wrong.
Key Truth:
Saul wasn’t lost and looking—he was proud and wrong.
He thought he was doing right while causing destruction.
Reflection:
- Have you ever thought your way was working—until it landed you in trouble?
2. When God Steps In
Scripture: Acts 9:1–9
- On the road to Damascus, a light from heaven stops Saul.
- Jesus speaks: “Why are you persecuting Me?”
- Saul is blinded and led by the hand.
Key Truth:
God didn’t kill Saul—He humbled him.
Sometimes hitting bottom is the most merciful thing God can do.
Reflection:
- Has God ever had to blind you to get your attention?
- Could this moment in your life be your Damascus road?
3. Still You… But New
Scripture: Acts 9:10–22
- God calls a man named Ananias to pray for Saul.
- Saul is healed, baptized, and immediately begins preaching.
Saul becomes Paul:
- Saul = Hebrew name (his background).
- Paul = Roman name (his mission field).
- Name change is first mentioned in Acts 13:9.
- It wasn’t a reset—it was a redirection.
Key Truth:
God didn’t change Paul’s personality—He changed his purpose.
Paul stayed bold, direct, and passionate—but now for truth.
Reflection:
- If God used your same personality for His glory, what would that look like?
- What if the fire you used to destroy could now be used to build?
4. Paul Didn’t Get Soft—He Got Stronger
Scriptures: Galatians 1:11–24, 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
- Paul was rejected at first—people remembered his past.
- He proved his transformation through perseverance.
- He suffered: beatings, prison, hunger, betrayal—but never gave up.
Key Truth:
God doesn’t just use the squeaky clean—He uses the surrendered.
Paul’s scars proved his faith, not his failure.
Reflection:
- Are you willing to suffer for something that matters?
- What pain have you gone through that God could use for His purpose?
5. What About Your Past?
Scripture: Philippians 3:4–14
- Paul lists his old achievements—status, religion, reputation.
- Then he calls it all garbage compared to knowing Christ.
- He presses forward, forgetting what lies behind.
Key Truth:
Your past doesn’t disqualify you—but you must let go of it.
What defined you before can’t control you now.
Reflection:
- What are you still holding on to?
- Who are you still trying to impress or prove something to?
- Are you ready to press on toward something greater?
Closing Challenge: From Prisoner to Preacher
- Paul wrote many of his letters from prison—just like some of you are now.
- He didn’t waste the time. He used it to change the world.
- You don’t have to become someone else—just surrender to Someone greater.
Final Scripture:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17
Challenge to You:
- Will you let God use your past to write a new story?
- Will you give Him all of who you are—flaws and all?
Full Message