Turning Points: “Blinded To See Clearly”

 Turning Points

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. My name is Stuart Davidson. I am the pastor here and I want to take this moment to welcome all of our visitors. We are glad that you joined us for worship. If you are watching online, we are so thankful that you have taken the time to tune in. Over the last 8 weeks, we have been engaged in a series entitled “Turning Points”. In all our lives there are those big moments, those massive events, where we are catapulted into making a critical or crucial decision. Years later, we look back at that moment and regard it as one of the most life defining, trajectory altering moments of our lives. Men, do you remember the moment when you saw your wife for the first time? Ladies, do you remember when you heard the cry of your first born child. Do you remember getting that letter in the mail, opening it, and seeing that you had been accepted to college? Not all turning points are pleasant to remember. A turning point could be a job loss. It could be the passing of a loved one. A turning point could be any moment in our lives where God institutes a circumstance that alters our existence or turns us from the direction that we were once heading. 

After all, not all paths are created equal. True, everyone is on a path, but not all paths are good. Not all paths bring about beneficial results. Not every path is helpful. This morning we are going to be talking about a man who was on a path. His path was filled with hate, malice, and murder. You might think that this man was a terrorist. You might think that this person was devoid of anything spiritual in his life. You’d be wrong. In fact, this man was deeply religious, completely zealous, and wholeheartedly committed to God. He was educated by the finest minds. He was incredibly intelligent. He had memorized the whole of the Old Testament. He was able to quote chapter and verse. He had a deep understanding of the text. He bragged about his ability to keep the letter of the law. This man was seen as a celebrity in religious circles. He was widely praised, highly sought after, and known far and wide. 

Who is this man?

Well, he actually went by two names. Depending on his context, his name slightly changed. To the Jews, he was know as Saul. This name fit him because he himself was from the Hebrew tribe of Benjamin. This name, Saul, would have been a common name among the Jews. He was likely named after Israel’s first King, King Saul, who was also from the tribe of Benjamin. 

You might know him better by his Greek or Roman name. Of course I am speaking of Paul. Paul who wrote a 3rd of the New Testament. 

“But pastor, didn’t God change Saul’s name to Paul after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, after receiving Christ as Savior and Lord?”

That is a common misunderstanding of Paul’s world. The simple answer is “no”. God did not change Saul’s name to Paul. He went by both names. You see friends, God did not change Saul’s name, God changed Saul’s mission. Saul embraced his Greek name, that being Paul, because God changed his mission. Paul, using his Greek name, would eventually take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He would take the Gospel to people who were non Jews. To the Jews, he was Saul. To the Gentiles, he was Paul. Paul was whoever, and whatever God needed him to be in order that the Gospel would be shared. This truth gives new meaning to Paul’s statement captured in I Corinthians 9:22, 

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (ESV)

This morning’s message is entitled, “Blinded To See Clearly”.

Today’s Message:

“Blinded To See Clearly”

Folks, do me a favor this morning and fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Paul traveled a destructive path but Jesus had a different plan. 

Today’s Thought:

Paul Traveled A Destructive Path, But Jesus Had A Different Plan.

This is so true. This morning we will be reading from Acts 9:1-9. Simply put, Saul hated Christians. He wanted them dead. Not arrested. Not jailed. Not detained. Saul wanted to go from town to town, from village to village, from house to house, to find Christians. He wanted to rip them from their jobs, their lives, their families, and he wanted to kill them in the streets. His mind was wrapped and twisted believing that this calling on his life was from God. He believed that his actions were justified. The only comparison to Paul’s behavior would be that of the current day Hamas. Many of you may have seen the Hamas, just this week, traded the bodies of the Bibas family. On October 7th, 2023, Hamas stormed the Bibas’ home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. They kidnapped Shiri Bibas who was 33 at the time along with her two sons Ariel and Kfir who were 4 years old and 9 months old. They also captured Shiri’s husband. Hamas separated them. Not long after the attack, Hamas murdered Shiri and her two precious sons. Just this past week, Hamas paraded their caskets through the streets of Gaza to the cheers, cries and affections of their adoring militant fans. Their bodies were traded for live Hamas terrorists who had been captured by Israel. It is an affront to our sensibilities as Christians to see such barbaric behavior. 

“How could someone be cheered and applauded for such bloodthirsty acts of violence?”

Well friends, this behavior is nothing new. The depths of darkness that the human spirit possesses cannot be plumbed. The atrocities that we would commit against one another is frightening. 

When we read of Paul’s conversion, we don’t really understand the path of destruction that he was walking. Paul being covered to Christianity would be like the leader of Hamas coming to Christ. If you read the Scriptures, Christians and early church leaders initially refused to meet with Paul because they were afraid that his conversion was a trick. His conversion, they thought, was a ploy to expose them so that he could capture them, drag them into the streets, and murder them. 

Again, God didn’t change Saul’s name. What good is a name change? The miracle of this story is not that Saul became Paul. The miracle of the story is that God changed Saul’s heart, He changed His mind, and He saved His soul. 

I love what F.F. Bruce said about Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. Listen to what he wrote in his book entitled “Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free”

“For Paul, the experience on the Damascus road was a radical transformation, a complete reorientation of his life and mission. This pivotal moment marked the transition from Saul, the zealous persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the devoted apostle of Christ. It was not merely a change of mind but a profound spiritual upheaval that redefined his identity and purpose. From that point forward, Paul’s life was dedicated to the proclamation of the gospel he once sought to destroy.”

Today’s Quote:

“For Paul, the experience on the Damascus road was a radical transformation, a complete reorientation of his life and mission. This pivotal moment marked the transition from Saul, the zealous persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the devoted apostle of Christ. It was not merely a change of mind but a profound spiritual upheaval that redefined his identity and purpose. From that point forward, Paul’s life was dedicated to the proclamation of the gospel he once sought to destroy.”

F.F. Bruce’s “Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free”

Friends, as you open your Bibles this morning, I want to remind you that…

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

Im reading from the New Living Translation this morning. 

Today’s Scripture:

Acts 9:1-19 NLT

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. So he went to the high priest. [2] He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them-both men and women-back to Jerusalem in chains. [3] As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" [5] "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! [6] Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." [7] The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one! [8] Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. [9] He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. [10] Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. [11] The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. [12] I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again." [13] "But Lord," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! [14] And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name." [15] But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. [16] And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." [17] So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] Instantly something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. [19] Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His name, praise His holy name.”

3 Lessons To Learn About Paul’s “Turning Point”…

I. Confronted by Christ – A Collision with Grace vs. 3-6

Well friends, as I was giving this message a good look over, I felt the Lord lead me to 3 lessons to learn about Paul’s “Turning Point”. The first lesson comes from verses 3 through 6. Fill in these blanks for me this morning. Paul was confronted by Christ. He had a collision with grace. 

[4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" [5] "Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

“Paul, on the brink of destruction, was suddenly confronted by Jesus. This wasn’t just an interruption; it was a transformative meeting with the resurrected Christ.”

It is difficult to understand the world of that Paul lived. At least for modern sensibilities and audiences. We like to think that we live in such civilized times. Paul’s world was filled with violence. It was not unusual to see cruel public executions. The Roman government regularly crucified criminals. Jewish punishments could consist of public stoning, beatings, and banishment. Remember friends, there was no healthcare to speak of. Vagrancy and homelessness were everywhere. Men, women, and even children suffering from severe physical deformities and illnesses would have been everywhere begging for spare change, food, and housing. The days were hard and the times were extreme. 

This was the world of Paul. It was time of religious extremism. If you were a Jew, a Pharisee, you grew to hate the new found Christian religion. IN these days it was not called Christianity, it was called “The Way” and religious Jews wanted to purge it from the world. The Way threatened their power, their authority and their very way of life. If you were Roman, you also hated this new religion because these followers of Christ believed that He was a King and a King He was. The Romans felt that this Jesus character was a threat to Roman rule. They thought that if these Christians were not crushed under an iron fist, they may rise up, start a revolt, and threaten the Roman government. 

Paul, a zealot, had permission from the Sanhedrin, the Pharisee ruling council, to hunt down Christians. He had permission from the Pharisees and he had encouragement from Rome. After all, Paul was a dual citizen of Israel and Rome. Hunt down these followers of Christ at all cost. Rip them from their homes. Take them from their jobs. Separate them from their children. Kill. Destroy. Make an example of them all. This was Paul’s mission. 

Listen to how Paul describes his life before the road to Damascus, 

Galatians 1:13-14 NLT

You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion-how I violently persecuted God's church. I did my best to destroy it. [14] I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul again talks about his attitude towards the believers of Christ saying, 

1 Timothy 1:13 NLT

even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people.

I think that you are starting to get the picture. In our modern times, it is hard to grasp the nature of a person like Paul. How is it possible for a man to be so vile? How is it possible for a man like Paul to do such heinous acts and find his biggest supporters in the family of God? 

What this shows is how easily people of intelligence and religious zeal can be deceived by Satan.

Paul’s life was radically altered on the road to Damascus when he encountered Jesus. Paul should have been condemned, found guilty for his actions. Instead of guilt, he found grace. Paul should have been punished for threats against Christ. Instead of punishment, he found patience.  

Paul was an enemy to the faith. He should have been alienated. Instead of alienation he received adoption into a new family. Instead of rejection, he found redemption. Paul should have been silenced for his blasphemy. Instead of silence, he was saved, sanctified, and sent to proclaim the gospel. He should have been bound in chains for his crimes against the church. Instead of bondage, he found blessing, true freedom in Christ. Paul deserved to be blinded forever by his sin. Instead, his eyes were opened to the truth. What should have been his ruin became his restoration, and the one who once sought to destroy the church became one of its greatest builders—all because of the boundless grace of Jesus.

I love what Jesus says in Luke 19:10. 

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

So, what does that mean for you and I today? It means that no one is to far gone. It means that no one is out of Jesus’ reach. It means that you can never go far. It means that sin’s grip is never so tight that God can’t loosen it. It means that when someone is confronted with the reality of Jesus Christ, he or she can’t help but have their lives redirected by the revelation of Christ. 

3 Lessons To Learn About Paul’s “Turning Point”…

I. Confronted by Christ – A Collision with Grace vs. 3-6

II. Changed by Christ – A Conversion of the Heart vs. 8-9

So, Paul was confronted by Christ. Next, he was changed by Christ. He had a conversion of the heart. Let’s go back to verses 8 and 9. 

“Paul’s transformation was immediate and undeniable. What once fueled his persecution now became his passion: the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Friends let’s talk about the human heart. 

Let’s talk about the heart. Not just the spiritual heart, but the physical one beating inside your chest right now. It’s an amazing organ, working tirelessly to pump life through your body. But sometimes, the human heart fails. And when that happens, there’s only one solution—a transplant.

In 1967, something remarkable happened in the field of medicine. A South African surgeon named Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the very first human-to-human heart transplant on December 3, 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The recipient, was dying of heart disease. The surgery was groundbreaking—Barnard took a healthy heart from a young woman who had died in an accident and placed it in another man’s chest. The surgery was a success as far as medical innovation was involved. There was just one problem. The man who received the new heart eventually went into rejection. His body’s immune system rejected his new heart. He lived for only 18 days before succumbing to pneumonia. But this moment changed history, proving that a failing heart could be replaced with a new one.

Now, that’s incredible science. But here’s the thing: God was in the heart transplant business long before Dr. Barnard ever picked up a scalpel. Long before medical technology, before hospitals, before surgery, God saw that humanity had a serious heart problem, and He made a way to replace our diseased, sin-filled hearts with something brand new.

When God created Adam and Eve, their hearts were perfect—completely pure, totally in alignment with God. There was no sin, no rebellion, no disease. How do we know? Because when God finished His creation, He looked at everything and said it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31, ESV). That means there was no evil in the world—no death, no corruption, no heart failure, either physical or spiritual.

But then came the fall. One act of disobedience changed everything. Adam and Eve took what God had forbidden, and in that moment, sin entered the world. Their hearts, once pure, became corrupt. And not just theirs—ours too. The Bible makes it clear that this sin nature has been passed down to every single one of us. We aren’t born with pure hearts—we’re born with hearts that are sick with sin.

Listen to how the Bible describes the human heart after the fall:

•Genesis 6:5 (ESV): “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

•Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT): “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”

•Romans 3:23 (ESV): “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

That’s the diagnosis. The heart of man is corrupt, deceitful, wicked—and here’s the worst part: most people don’t even realize it. They’ve bought into one of Satan’s greatest lies—the idea that they’re basically good people.

You hear it all the time, don’t you?

•“I’ve got a good heart.”

•“I try to be nice.”

•“I’m not perfect, but I’m better than most people.”

That’s the deception. Jesus said the exact opposite. He warned us that the road to destruction is broad and many are on it, while the road to life is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). But most people flip it! They think the path to heaven is wide, and only the really bad people—murderers, criminals, and villains—are on the road to destruction. That’s not what Scripture teaches. The truth is, we are all born on the road to destruction.

Paul was on that road. Oh, he didn’t think he was. He thought he was doing the right thing, living righteously, obeying the law. But in reality, he was blind. He wasn’t just on the road to Damascus—he was on the road to destruction. And when Jesus confronted him, He did more than knock him to the ground. He opened his eyes to the truth: Paul’s heart wasn’t righteous—it was rebellious. He wasn’t serving God—he was fighting against Him.

That’s the realization every single person must come to. Because until you see the sickness of your heart, you will never see your need for a transplant.

Colossians 2:13 (GNT) says, “You were at one time spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were Gentiles without the Law. But God has now brought you to life with Christ; he forgave us all our sins.” Did you catch that? We weren’t spiritually sick—we were spiritually dead! There was no hope for our hearts to get better on their own. 

Dead hearts don’t heal. 

Dead hearts don’t get stronger. 

Dead hearts need a miracle.

And that’s exactly what God does. He doesn’t just clean up our old, broken hearts—He gives us a brand-new one.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT) says, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

Paul experienced that heart transplant on the road to Damascus. One moment, his heart was full of pride, anger, and self-righteousness. The next, he was humbled, blind, and desperate. That’s what it takes, friends—a realization of your need.

So let me ask you: What is the state of your heart?

Have you realized your need for a heart transplant? Not a physical one, but a spiritual one? Because without Christ, your heart is still in rebellion. It doesn’t matter how religious you are, how kind you try to be, or how many good deeds you do. A sick heart cannot fix itself. It needs a Savior.

And the good news? Jesus is the Great Physician. He has already provided the cure. Through His death and resurrection, He offers you a brand-new heart—one that beats for Him, one that desires righteousness, one that is truly alive.

Paul experienced it. Many of us in this room have experienced it. Have you?

Because the road to destruction is wide. And you may think you’re walking the road to life, but if you haven’t had a heart transplant, you’re still on the wrong path.

Jesus is here today, offering you what you can never earn—a new heart, a new life, a new direction. Will you receive it? Will you surrender, like Paul did?

Because once you’ve been changed by Christ, everything is different. Your heart, your mind, your desires—everything. And once He changes you, He calls you. That’s where we’re heading next.

3 Lessons To Learn About Paul’s “Turning Point”…

I. Confronted by Christ – A Collision with Grace vs. 3-6

II. Changed by Christ – A Conversion of the Heart vs. 8-9

III. Commissioned by Christ – A Calling to Serve vs. 15-16

Paul wasn’t just changed—he was commissioned. Fill in these last blanks for me this morning. Paul as commissioned by Christ. He received a calling to serve. Because when Jesus gives you a new heart, He also gives you a new purpose. Let’s look at verses 15-16.

Acts 9:15-16 NLT

But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. [16] And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

“Paul was not only saved but sent. His transformation led to a new mission—proclaiming the very gospel he once sought to destroy.”

I was 17 years old when I set off to Samford University. I was very naive, but thought I knew everything. I thought I was ready to learn but I was very arrogant. I thought that God was calling me to ministry but in my heart of hearts, I wanted to be famous while making Jesus known. I’m not sure that is even a thing. 

My first week at Samford, I was invited to visit my academic advisor. He was the head of the philosophy department. I remember walking into his office and I was amazed. From floor to ceiling, on all four walls, were books. Stacks and stacks of books. I’m sure that I strutted in like I owned the place. I’m sure that I was full of myself, big headed. My sense of entitlement probably proceeded my entering this professor’s office. I remember sitting down on the other side of his giant desk. He asked me, “Stuart, why are you entering the ministry”. 

No one had really ever asked me that question before. 

I said, “Well, I love Jesus to start. I suppose that I want to go into the ministry out of thanks for all that Jesus did for me. I feel that the Lord is calling me to share the Gospel.”

I remember patting myself on the back thinking, “boy that was a great answer”. I thought to myself, “I bet he’s never heard an answer like that before”. I thought “I bet that answer probably changed his life”. 

He kicked back in his chair, pulled his glasses down on his nose, and he said, “Mr. Davidson, that is just about the dumbest answer to that question that I have ever heard.”

The meeting went downhill from there. 

I walked out of that office questioning everything. Why was I going into ministry? Was my calling real? Was it true?

29 years later, I know that God has indeed called me into ministry. I have been commissioned by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel. Repent for the Kingdom of God is near. 

Today I would have told that professor that I have a deep sense of conviction placed within me by the Holy Spirit. Ministry is not something that just popped into my head. It has been a continual movement of the Spirit in my heart to serve Him. I would tell that professor that I have an unquenchable desire to teach and preach God’s Word. I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of Christ to save sinners. It is an urgent, compelling, and constant desire. I would tell that professor that I have had many wise, spiritual, and loving people in the church confirm my calling. Lastly, I would tell that professor that God has clearly lended me the gifts necessary to be a servant and a leader among God’s people. God has given me the gift of encouragement, the gift of teaching and preaching, among many others. 

You see, Paul was presented a question on the road to Damascus. “Paul, why are you persecuting me?”

The question was not, “Paul, why are you going into the ministry?”

That was not where Paul’s heart was, but after Paul’s heart transplant, Jesus sent a servant to tell him more, to teach him, to encourage him. The unsung hero of the story is clearly Ananias. This man who overcame his fear, who listened and obey God’s command to go and share the Good News with Paul. 

What a beautiful story!

Jesus has given us all a mission, a co-mission, the Great Commission if you will… 

Mark 16:15 KJV 

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Friends, have you ever wondered why the calling to preach the Gospel is not called the Great Mission? Instead it is called the Great Co-Mission. Why?

If you are on a mission, you can be by yourself. If you are on a Co-mission, you are not alone. You have a partner. You have a friend. You have someone to stand with you, to encourage you. 

The other day I heard an African Proverb. It really stuck with me. The proverb stated, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”

Christ has co-missioned us, not me, not you, us. We are in this together. He doesn’t just want us to go fast, God want us to go far! Paul was gifted Ananias. He was also gifted with other partners: Barnabas, John Mark, Pricilla, Aquila, the Philippians, and many others. 

You may not realize it, you may not understand it, but God has called us, co-missioned us to disciple people from all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Paul experienced conviction which led to a commission, which impacted his calling to serve. My prayer is that Paul’s Conversion will be your catalyst for conviction. 

Would you pray with me?

Lets Paul’s Conversion Be Your Catalyst For Conviction!

Let’s Pray.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your boundless grace, the kind that met Paul on the road to Damascus and turned a persecutor into a preacher, an enemy into an evangelist, and a sinner into a servant. Just as You changed Paul, You offer that same transformation to us. Open our eyes to the true condition of our hearts. Break through the deception that tells us we’re good enough on our own, and help us see our desperate need for a new heart, a heart only You can give.

Lord, don’t let us just admire Paul’s conversion—let it be our catalyst for conviction. If we need to surrender, let us do it fully. If we’ve been changed, remind us that we’ve also been commissioned. Give us boldness to share the gospel, faithfulness to follow Your call, and a heart that beats in step with Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.