October 25, 2026
The Last Person You'd Expect
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Do you know someone you know needs God, but absolutely would not accept him?
Acts 8:1-3 NIV
And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 9:1-2 NIV
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Following Jesus might mean being persecuted or tested by others.
Acts 9:3-4 NIV
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Jesus is watching over you and takes responsibility for your life. So be bold!
Acts 9:5 NIV
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Acts 9:6 NIV
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Jesus is patient with all of us, desiring that we will soften our hearts and turn to Him.
Acts 9:10 NIV
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.
Acts 9:11-12 NIV
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Acts 9:13-14 NIV
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Ananias is a lot like you and me. He doesn’t want to stop and love Saul.
Acts 9:15-16 NIV
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Acts 9:17 NIV
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 9:18-19 NIV
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
The moment you understand and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, I encourage you to be baptized. And then, like Saul, get to work!
Acts 9:20 NIV
At once, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
Only about 4 out of 10 people in Hendricks County are connected to a church.