For the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a front-row seat to the salvation of UNLIKELY candidates. Such is the mercy of God and the power of the gospel! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 9:1-10
TITLE: An Unlikely Candidate
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet

POINTS:
Now that Jesus has Saul’s attention, he does three things-
1. Questions Saul
2. Reveals Himself to Saul
3. Commissions Saul

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”Remember what Jesus taught his disciples—If they receive you, they receive me. If they reject you, they reject me. Such is the union between Christ and his people—What you do to Jesus’ people you do to Jesus.”

“Jesus knew Saul before Saul knew Jesus. Same with you—Before you knew Jesus, He knew you. Before you had affections for Christ, He set his affections on you.”

“If you’re not a Christian, whatever you think you need—you need Jesus more right now. If you are a Christian, allow amazing grace to amaze you once again.”

”HUMANELY speaking, none of us are LIKELY candidates to live for and be used by God. But God is infinite in wisdom and sovereign in salvation. He has supreme power and authority in the work of saving people from their sin.”

QUOTES:
John Calvin - “Saul was an untamed beast who was a rabid, blood-thirsty enemy of the church.”

Justin Holcomb - “Just as Paul had shattered the lives of many of God’s people, God shattered Paul’s pride and self-sufficiency, forcing him to seek as a blind supplicant the mercy of the people he hated”

John Piper - “God’s mercy and power are not limited to people who have been set up for Christianity by a good family or a church association or a clean moral track record. The chief of sinners was converted. And that means hope in evangelism and in your own faltering walk with the Lord”

Derek Thomas - “Paul was arrested in midflight, breathing murderous thoughts! This should give us cause for great hope about those who appear to be utterly indifferent, hostile toward the gospel. There is no telling what God can do, in an instant”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Deuteronomy 21:23
Galatians 3:13
Isaiah 6
Colossians 1:21
Titus 3:3
Ephesians 2:1-3
Romans 5:8,10
2 Corinthians 5:21

APPLICATION:
Who is the UNLIKELY candidate God has put in your life? Is there someone you aren’t sharing the gospel with, not because of fear, but for one reason - you don’t think they would ever believe on account of their:

• Lifestyle and sexual choices

• Politics

• Past conversations—values and philosophies of life

• Religious upbringing