The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

Sermon Summary

Big Idea: Jesus builds His church through preaching.

In this week’s sermon from Acts 9:19–31, we explored how Jesus builds His church through the preaching of the gospel. No matter the location or circumstance, whether in Jerusalem, Samaria, or Damascus, preaching remains the consistent tool Jesus uses to reconcile enemies, overcome fear, and strengthen His people. We saw this powerfully displayed in the transformation of Saul and the unifying work of the Spirit across cultural and personal divides. The gospel doesn’t just inform; it builds, multiplies, and brings peace. As we walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, we are reminded that Jesus is still building His church today.

Sermon Outline

The preaching of the gospel produces…

1. The Fruit of Peace

2. The Fear of the Lord

3. The Strength of the Spirit

Sermon Text: Acts 9:19-31

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 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?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. 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. 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. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 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.