Saul on the Road to Damascus
A Sermon about Saul on the Road to Damascus from Acts 9:1–5
Originally preached Nov. 7, 1954
Scripture
1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And 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 …
Sermon Description
The circumstances of life can turn dire in a matter of moments. The facade of life gets ripped away and in an instant, the saving grace of God stands in clear contrast to the path that leads to destruction. Paul was on that path. As he traveled the road to Damascus, God broke through with a blinding light and dropped the persecutor Saul to his knees. In this sermon about Saul on the road to Damascus from Acts 9:1–5 titled “A Fact of History,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the inward change that happens when one gains a clear view of the Savior’s face and hears the words of Jesus. The hatred, depravity, and desperation that once filled the heart is replaced by peace, contentment, and faith. Outside circumstances cannot change the heart. That is where the gospel does its work. New life begins when the light of Christ tears away the autonomy of life and reveals the desperate dependency on the Savior. It is then that all can know true victory over sin, death, and the devil.
Sermon Breakdown
- The change in Paul's life was due to an internal change, not external circumstances.
- Many seek to change external circumstances to find happiness, but true change comes from within.
- Some adopt a "stoic" philosophy to endure difficulties, but Paul experienced true joy and victory.
- Paul's transformation was due to encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.
- Christianity is based on historical facts, not just experiences or teachings. The central fact is Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who entered into human history. This is the incarnation.
- Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
- Jesus came to save humanity from sin and reconcile us to God. He satisfied God's demands and conquered Satan, sin, and death.
- If we could save ourselves, Jesus would not have had to come. But we cannot save ourselves. Only Jesus can save us.
- To know God and find true happiness, we must believe in Jesus Christ and accept what He has done to bring us to God.
- One day, every person will stand face to face with Jesus Christ. For those who believe, it will be joyful. For those who do not, it will be terrifying.
- Jesus is calling each person today, saying "I am Jesus, who died for you that you might live."
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Saul's Conversion: Questions and Answers
What is the significance of Jesus' words "I am Jesus" to Saul on the Damascus road?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Jesus' statement "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest" is "the most amazing thing that has ever been said" and its effect on Saul was "absolutely shattering." This statement reveals the incarnation - that the eternal Son of God had come into the world as a man. Lloyd-Jones explains: "It is an announcement of the fact that the eternal son of God has come out of heaven and has entered into this world and into life." This declaration is "the most astounding, the most amazing thing that has ever been said" and "the most unique fact of all history, a fact by the side of which all other facts of history are dwarfed into insignificance."
How does Lloyd-Jones explain the transformation that happened to Saul/Paul?
Lloyd-Jones explains that the transformation in Paul didn't happen because his circumstances changed but because he himself was changed. Unlike worldly philosophies that seek to improve circumstances or develop courage to endure difficulties, Christianity changes the person from within. As Lloyd-Jones states: "The gospel solves the problem by changing us and not the circumstances." Paul was transformed from an unhappy man "breathing out threatenings and slaughter" to someone who could say "we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." This transformation occurred when Paul came face-to-face with Jesus Christ on the Damascus road - encountering not merely an experience but the central fact of history.
Why did Jesus Christ come into the world according to this sermon?
According to Lloyd-Jones, Jesus came into the world because of humanity's fallen condition and inability to save itself. He explains: "The son of God came into this world because of man's complete and total failure. Man, by nature, in a state of sin, is totally unable and incapable of saving himself and his world." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the love of God in this mission: "The very God against whom man had sinned and against whom he'd rebelled, had pity and had mercy upon men, and sent his own son to deliver that very rebel." Christ came to give perfect obedience to God's law, to bear the punishment for our sins, and to conquer Satan - accomplishing what we could never do for ourselves.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the central fact of Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones identifies the incarnation - that "the Son of God has been in this world" - as the central fact of Christianity. He declares: "I'm not here to preach what I understand. I'm here to present facts. And the fact I present is this, that that blessed person [the Son] entered into the womb of a virgin somehow or another." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christianity is not merely a teaching or an experience, but is "based solidly and surely upon certain historical events and facts." The reality that the eternal "I AM" became Jesus of Nazareth, lived, died, was buried, and rose again stands as the pivotal fact of all history - so significant that we divide time itself (BC/AD) based on His coming.
How does Lloyd-Jones respond to those who say they can't believe in Jesus?
Lloyd-Jones acknowledges that many people struggle to believe the truths about Jesus, the Trinity, and the incarnation. He points to Saul of Tarsus who initially "rejected it all" and "hated it," noting Saul "had very much more powerful arguments than you've ever thought of." However, Lloyd-Jones suggests that when confronted with the reality of Christ - as Saul was on the Damascus road - intellectual objections fade away: "When he had one glimpse of that blessed face, his little case vanished out of sight." Lloyd-Jones affirms that the facts about Jesus remain true whether we believe them or not, and warns that a day is coming when "every eye shall see him" - either to the joy of believers or the terror of those who rejected Him.
Face to Face with Christ
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.