The Life-Transforming Power of Jesus

Sunday, July 27, 2025
Pastor Jojo Ma

19 For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. 23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

I.          Followers of Jesus tell others about Jesus [v20]
II.        Followers of Jesus nurture their relationship with Jesus [vv22-23]
III.       Followers of Jesus expect opposition because of following Jesus [vv23-25]
IV.       Followers of Jesus support new followers of Jesus [vv26-27]
V.        Followers of Jesus speak boldly for Jesus [vv27-29]

I.         Followers of Jesus tell others about Jesus [v20]
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Almost everything in the New Testament hinges on this great reality --- that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

If followers of Jesus tell others about Jesus, who will you tell about Jesus this week?

II.        Followers of Jesus nurture their relationship with Jesus [vv22-23]
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. 23 When many days had passed…

Gal 1:17-19 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

As a follower of Jesus, are you taking time each day to be with Jesus and grow? Are you taking certain times away to be alone with Christ, deepening your knowledge of Scripture and communing with God in prayer and reflection?

III.      Followers of Jesus expect opposition because of following Jesus [vv23-25]
23…the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

2 Tim 3:12  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

IV.       Followers of Jesus support new followers of Jesus [vv26-27]
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

We all need a “Barnabas / Paul / Timothy” relationship. Someone who can help us grow and someone we can help grow.

V.        Followers of Jesus speak boldly for Jesus [vv27-29]
27…and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 28:31  [He was ] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Who will you share Christ with this week? Who might you invite to church next week? Think of 1 or 2 people. Pray for boldness. Then trust God and get going.