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June 28, 2026

Turn Away from Causing Others to Suffer

  • AJ Runkles
In this sermon, AJ Runkles explores how God transforms hearts and minds through the gospel, using Saul's conversion in Acts 9 and the truth of Genesis 1:27. Blending biblical teaching with neuroscience, he challenges believers to repent for causing others to suffer. He challenges the church to honor the image of God in every person, and pursue the lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus.

Sermon Notes

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.

Humans are made in the image of God and, as such, deserve worth and dignity.

Genesis 1:27 NIV

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

Violence, psychological abuse, exploitation, neglect, and betrayal are the most common forms of suffering humans cause other humans.

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.

Saul has a Cognitive Misalignment.

Saul has a Cognitive Transformation.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Immediate Cognitive Dissonance:

Acts 9:4 NIV

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Short-Term Identity Reconstruction

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 13:9a NIV

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…

Long-Term Neural Pathway Development

  1. Romans 12:17-21 - Reject Revenge
  2. Ephesians 4:29-32 - Stop Verbal and Emotional Harm
  3. Colossians 3:8-10 - Stop Adverse Emotions
  4. I Corinthians 13 - Love Like Jesus
  5. Titus 3:1-2 - Be Gentle to All

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