Scripture:
Acts 9: 1-20 (King James Version) "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the 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? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 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. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 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. 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, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 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. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."
Our text is Verse 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,"
This man Saul actually thought Jesus was an impostor. The followers of Christ were deceived as well. But, suddenly as Saul traveled toward Damacus with authority from the high priests to bind, imprison and even put to death more of those who followed Jesus. Saul was struck down by the power of God and humbled in the dust of the Damascus road. Jesus revealed Himself to Saul and He was a changed man. Saul was convicted - converted - and commissioned by the Lord. He was gloriously saved and set free.
Turn Right = Go Straight
Saul was led from there into Damacus to a house on "a street called Straight." (Verse 10-11) Straight Street was a famous street because of what happen on it. In this message we we will discuss what happened on that "street called Straight". Things happened there that can happen to you - right now.
It was at this street called Straight that a man rejoiced in a new found salvation. Down on his face before God no doubt Saul marveled at the mercy and grace of God that had been manifested to him on the Damascus Road. How in just a moments time he came to know that Jesus was no impostor. For He had seen Him alive. He heard His voice and answered His call to serve Him. Sauls life was wonderfully transformed.
This street called Straight was a place where a man really learned to pray. The Lord told Ananias that He would know Saul because He would be praying. Behold He prayers. Straight street became a place of prayer. When a person really asks Jesus in to their heart and is "born-again", he begins to pray. .....Paul became a great man of prayer. No doubt, whenever Paul thought of Straight Street he said, "that's where I learned to pray"?
What is your place of prayer? Where is your Straight Street? This place is a good place to find out what God wants you to do for Him. Saul said, "Lord, what would you have me to do?" Have you asked that question? If you are a Christian, what are you doing for the Lord?
On Straight Street a man openly identified himself with the Lord and His people. (Verse 18) The great persecutor identified himself with God's people. **************
The street called Straight was a place where a man was healed by the power of God. Saul was healed of his blindness. Right there on Straight Street Saul came to know and experience the healing power of God. If you need healing today there is a place .....Straight Street .......of healing.
A man was introduced to new wonderful fellowship. Fellowship of the saints. Verse 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. *This verse doesn't say who "they" were. Were they believers, followers of Christ? Verse 11 - "And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayereth" *These were followers of Christ who had opened up their home. Verse 17 - "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said,Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus..........." *Notice Ananias did not say, "Are you Saul of Tarsus"? He said, "Brother Saul".
Lastly, this street called Straight was a place where a man went out to be a mighty witness for Christ. Verse 20 says, "straightway he preached Christ....that He was the Son of God. God can do for you, right now, all that He did for Saul and send you out to tell others about Jesus.
Today......
What do you need from God?
