Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

Acts 9:1-31Acts 9:1-31 (pew Bible p843-844) (pew Bible p843-844)

I was born in the city of TarsusI was born in the city of TarsusCapital city of the province of CiliciaCapital city of the province of CiliciaA centre to be proud ofA centre to be proud of

A place of commerce, learning A place of commerce, learning We embraced a Hellenistic spirit and Roman We embraced a Hellenistic spirit and Roman

politicspoliticsWe were a happening placeWe were a happening place

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

My ancestors were brought here in 171My ancestors were brought here in 171BCBCTo promote businessTo promote businessGiven Roman citizenshipGiven Roman citizenshipBut born a JewBut born a Jew

Tribe of BenjaminTribe of BenjaminLong line of PhariseesLong line of PhariseesMom and dad named me after Israel’s first kingMom and dad named me after Israel’s first king

Saul—also of the tribe BenjaminSaul—also of the tribe BenjaminFluent in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languagesFluent in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languagesStrictly obeyed the LawStrictly obeyed the Law

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

I was well cultured I was well cultured Learned to weave goat’s hair into clothLearned to weave goat’s hair into cloth

Used for tents, sails, awnings and cloaksUsed for tents, sails, awnings and cloaksI could support myselfI could support myself

Educated in Greek studies and literatureEducated in Greek studies and literatureTravelled to Jerusalem as a young manTravelled to Jerusalem as a young man

Pharisaical studiesPharisaical studiesGamaliel—grandson of Hillel—the best of the Gamaliel—grandson of Hillel—the best of the

bestbestI rose very quickly in the synagogueI rose very quickly in the synagogue

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

As I was rising in rank in JerusalemAs I was rising in rank in JerusalemA young carpenter causing problems for A young carpenter causing problems for

ususClaims of being God’s SonClaims of being God’s SonTeaching heresyTeaching heresySilencing the best of our teachersSilencing the best of our teachers

We put an end to thatWe put an end to thatTrumped up chargesTrumped up chargesHurry up trialHurry up trialHad him crucifiedHad him crucified

That’s all I have to say about thatThat’s all I have to say about that

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

The ProblemThe ProblemHis followersHis followers

Claimed that he rose from the deadClaimed that he rose from the dead Like that happensLike that happens

Claim that He is the Messiah we look forClaim that He is the Messiah we look for A common criminal—give me a breakA common criminal—give me a break

Claim that He is alive and empowering themClaim that He is alive and empowering them More realistically they get their power through More realistically they get their power through

SatanSatanI determined that I would put an end to thatI determined that I would put an end to that

A dangerous sect that would get us all killed and A dangerous sect that would get us all killed and destroy the faithdestroy the faith

Strike fast, strike hard, bring justice!Strike fast, strike hard, bring justice!

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

One Day—Acts 6One Day—Acts 6Guy from “the Way” Guy from “the Way” Upset my buddies from the “Synagogue Upset my buddies from the “Synagogue

of Freed Slaves”of Freed Slaves”They couldn’t answer his argumentsThey couldn’t answer his argumentsTrumped up chargesTrumped up chargesKilled him for blasphemyKilled him for blasphemy

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

During the trialDuring the trialHe told the history of our nationHe told the history of our nationHe accused the Sanhedrin of:He accused the Sanhedrin of:

Killing the prophetsKilling the prophetsKilling the Messiah that they predicted would Killing the Messiah that they predicted would

comecomeDeliberately breaking the LawDeliberately breaking the Law

Then he looked up like he was looking Then he looked up like he was looking into Heaven and said he saw this Jesus into Heaven and said he saw this Jesus standing at God’s right handstanding at God’s right hand

They were furiousThey were furious

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

The KillThe KillThey dragged him out of the cityThey dragged him out of the cityLaid their coats at my feetLaid their coats at my feetStoned himStoned himHe prayed for their forgiveness before He prayed for their forgiveness before

he diedhe died

Whatever!Whatever!

They were only preserving the faith!They were only preserving the faith!

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

I’d right this shipI’d right this shipThe Law had to be obeyed before The Law had to be obeyed before

Messiah could comeMessiah could comeDestroy the hereticsDestroy the heretics I wasted the churches in JudeaI wasted the churches in Judea I got authorization to chase down those I got authorization to chase down those

who fled my wrathwho fled my wrathAs far away as DamascusAs far away as Damascus

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

On RouteOn RouteBright light Bright light Dropped meDropped meThe voiceThe voice

Called me by my nameCalled me by my nameAsked me why I was persecuting HimAsked me why I was persecuting HimI knew instantly who it wasI knew instantly who it wasHe told me who He was, to get up, go to the He told me who He was, to get up, go to the

city and wait His instructionscity and wait His instructions

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

Why didn’t those with me know His Why didn’t those with me know His voice?voice?Understand what He said?Understand what He said? I opened my eyes—I was blindI opened my eyes—I was blind I got to my feetI got to my feetThey led me into the city—helpless as They led me into the city—helpless as

those that I would have taken back to those that I would have taken back to JerusalemJerusalem

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

For Three DaysFor Three DaysCould see nothing but what I had doneCould see nothing but what I had doneMemories Memories

Good days of childhoodGood days of childhoodLearning to weaveLearning to weaveLearning the beauty of the LawLearning the beauty of the LawPrayers of thanksgivingPrayers of thanksgivingThose that I had hurtThose that I had hurtFamilies that I had destroyedFamilies that I had destroyed

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

In my darknessIn my darkness More and more I could see this JesusMore and more I could see this Jesus The angelic face of StephenThe angelic face of Stephen His words of forgivenessHis words of forgiveness The believers whose lives I had smashedThe believers whose lives I had smashed The truth of their storiesThe truth of their stories The truth of this JesusThe truth of this Jesus How blind I had been to justiceHow blind I had been to justice I couldn’t eat—The hurt I caused made me sickI couldn’t eat—The hurt I caused made me sick

Isn’t it strange that when I could see, I was Isn’t it strange that when I could see, I was blind? And, now that I was blind, I could blind? And, now that I was blind, I could

see?see?

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

People still feared me butPeople still feared me butMy heart had changedMy heart had changed I had met JesusI had met JesusHe somehow was alive in my heartHe somehow was alive in my heartThe rage was goneThe rage was gone I was knocked off my high horseI was knocked off my high horse

No longer proudNo longer proud I really just wanted Jesus’ will for meI really just wanted Jesus’ will for meHe sent me Ananias—one of His faithful He sent me Ananias—one of His faithful

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

He called me “brother Saul”He called me “brother Saul” He should have been afraidHe should have been afraid At the very least, he should have never accepted At the very least, he should have never accepted

me as brother—but he didme as brother—but he did Ananias laid his hands on meAnanias laid his hands on me

Said he came to give me back my sightSaid he came to give me back my sight Said he came so that I could be filled with the SpiritSaid he came so that I could be filled with the Spirit

He prayed for meHe prayed for me Instantly something like scales fell from my Instantly something like scales fell from my

eyeseyes I was baptizedI was baptized

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

This Jesus that I had denied was real!This Jesus that I had denied was real!

I had met Him on the road to I had met Him on the road to Damascus!Damascus!

He humbled me!He humbled me!

Showed me how blind I was in my self-Showed me how blind I was in my self-righteousness!righteousness!

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

He forgave me!He forgave me!

His people accepted me!His people accepted me!

I told everybody about this Jesus!I told everybody about this Jesus!

He indeed is the Son of God!He indeed is the Son of God!

Riding High Horses to Blind Riding High Horses to Blind JusticeJustice

How about you?How about you?1.1. What hobby horse is blinding you to the truth?What hobby horse is blinding you to the truth?

2.2. Are you riding high in blind justice?Are you riding high in blind justice?

3.3. Are you passing judgment on those Jesus Are you passing judgment on those Jesus loves?loves?

4.4. Are you religiously protecting what you Are you religiously protecting what you believe in at the expense of people?believe in at the expense of people?

5.5. Are you denying the truth about Jesus Are you denying the truth about Jesus because of your pride?because of your pride?

Jesus is watching, waiting!Jesus is watching, waiting!

Don’t make Him knock you down to get your Don’t make Him knock you down to get your attention!attention!