Turned Around: How to Truly Change
“The man who used to attack us has changed. He is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 1:23 NIrV
1. You need an outside source of power. “Who are you Lord?”
“As I was..approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ Acts 9:6-8 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17ESV
2. You need a fully surrendered heart. “What should I do?”
“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’ Acts 22:10 NLT
For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Acts 22:15a NLT
3. You need a new community.
The Lord said, “Go over to..the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man..named Saul. He is praying to me right now... “But Lord..I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done..” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument..” Acts 9:11-15 NLT
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord..how the Lord had spoken to Saul..[and]..that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. Acts 9:26-27 NLT
4. You need a new attitude. “I HAVE TURNAROUND POWER!”
I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NCV
“the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you..” Romans 8:11 HCSB
Message Notes: The Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version, New International Version, New King James Version, New Century Version, Hohman Christian Standard Bible version. Reach out for New Life, by Robert H. Schuller.