Kicking Against the Pricks
Acts 9:5
Intro: This one
statement Jesus made caused Saul to tremble and to be astonished.
It’s high time that the Word of God made the child of God to
tremble and to be astonished!!
This statement tells three stories.
This statement was three very private and very personal
revelations.
I. It is a Story
of a Secret Difficulty – it is hard
HARD: hard, harsh, rough, stiff; violent, rough, offensive,
intolerable
Saul’s life appeared to be prosperous.
He was a Pharisee. – they were highly respected and regarded
as the leaders of their day
He was a member of the Sanhedrin. – this placed him in the
highest echelons of society and prosperity
He was of the tribe of Benjamin. – a well documented history
and heritage; rare in those days.
He was schooled in Tarsus at the feet of Gamaliel – the most
influential man in the Sanhedrin’s learning circles.
He was sanctioned by the authorities to arrest Christians.
He was a leader, very well educated and very respected.
BUT….
His life had become HARD – difficult; intolerable (and
nobody knew it but him and God!!)
When he was working, he looked successful – but he was
struggling.
When he was at the synagogue, he looked powerful, but he was
struggling.
When he was carrying out his sanctioned duties, he looked
prosperous, but he was struggling.
He struggled all day – it became intolerable.
Nobody knew it, but God knew it.
This public revelation of a private and secret life was what
caused Saul to tremble and to be astonished.
A lot of people have succeeded in putting on the face and
pretending to be happy.
People have learned how to go through the motions and mask
their frustration and their hurt.
The day that Jesus Christ revealed to Saul and to the world
that his life was hard was an astonishing revelation.
·
Proverbs
13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
·
Isaiah
48:22
There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
·
Isaiah
57:21
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
This statement that was heard all around by those traveling
with Saul was devastating to Saul.
This statement was as powerful as the statement was that
Jesus made to the woman at the well when he asked her to bring her husband.
God specializes in pulling the masks off.
The woman at the well’s testimony was “Come, see a man,
which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?”
II. It is a Story
of a Stubborn Defiance – Saul’s actions toward Christ was a backward
kick with the heel
The statement “kick against” is the picture of an animal
that is protesting with a violent reaction.
For example: A cow that is being branded will kick
backwards.
A horse that is being saddled that doesn’t want to be
ridden.
It is an action that is taken when there is a conflict of
wills; an attempt to impose one’s will on another
Though Saul’s actions appeared to be in conjunction with God
and His work, it was contrary to it.
Saul’s every step, every action, every word, every thought,
every accomplishment was IN DEFIANCE to Christ.
Saul’s life was one of fighting AGAINST God – not fighting
FOR or WITH God.
Every bit of truth he’d heard or known was buried deep in
his heart and mind.
He’d succeeded in deceiving himself that he was doing right
when he was in fact doing wrong.
His very life was described as “persecuting Jesus”.
PERSECUTEST: in any way whatever to harass, trouble,
molest one; to persecute; to be mistreated,
III. It is a Story
of a Sovereign Desire – God was pricking him – God was after him.
God had his number.
Stephen’s death was no accident.
This trip to Damascus was no accident.
God was on his trail.
This “way” he had heard about was God’s way. (vs. 2 that if
he found any of this way…”)
His way was in direct conflict with God’s way – and God
wanted him to get out of the way and get in the way!!!
And God knows the right way to get you in the way!!!
God had a plan for Saul, and it involved Saul surrendering
to God’s way.
Notice Saul’s response in verse 6.
A. It
brought about a Soberness – he trembled and was astonished
B. It
brought about a Surrender – Lord…
C. It
brought about a Service – what wilt thou have me to do
