There Is More

Yesterday, Brother Bryan preached a sermon, “Rise Up, There Is More.”

I love when I have those ah-ha moments with a sermon, when a sermon really preaches to me.  I have always loved the story of Saul to Paul. 

I think we’ve all had our Saul-to-Paul moments where God transformed us.  It may not be a moment when the light blinded us, but it is a time we can go back to and say, “Yes, I was changed.”  

Paul’s full testimony is found in Acts 26 because it covers his pre-Christian activity, his conversion, and the calling that drives his mission.  If you don’t know the story, the shortened version is this-

Saul was struck down on the road to Damascus (Acts 9); he experienced a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ. A sudden, blinding light from heaven flashed around him, causing him to fall to the ground. He heard a voice asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The voice was that of Jesus.  Saul was left completely blind for three days, during which he neither ate nor drank while staying at the house of Judas. Those he was traveling with had to lead him by the hand into the city. The Lord sent a disciple named Ananias to lay hands on Saul. Saul’s sight was restored; he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he was baptized.   Saul immediately began preaching.  Jesus transformed him from one who persecuted and tortured Christians into a primary apostle.  

Acts 26 is where Luke recounts Paul’s conversion for a third time, and in this retelling Paul focuses on the commission Jesus gave him.

In this scripture, Jesus gives Saul a challenge. 

Acts 26:15-18

¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. ¹⁷ I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them ¹⁸ to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Christ had a lot more for Saul to do.  He gave him a directive- get up, stand on your feet- I am sending you to open eyes and turn them from darkness to light.  The same God that knocked him down stood him up.  He was giving him a challenge, a commission.  

 If I had been Saul, I would have been scared to death.

But all of this had to happen for Saul to change.  Christ was equipping him for his new job of bringing people to Christ.  

How was Saul equipped? Saul had seen what Jesus did and what Jesus could do.  Christ prepared him by making him a servant and a witness.  He was a servant to do the job, and a witness to share what he had seen.   Saul had a testimony.  

This is what Jesus said to Saul after he said, “Get up.”  He told him he had given him a purpose; he had appointed him.

This is exactly what he tells us as Christians.  Get up and go; you have more to do; you have a purpose.    

Our more may challenge us.  Our more may be difficult.  People may not accept us as changed or going through a transformation.  Our more may be outside our comfort zone, but Christ has given us a directive, and we are to act on it.  Just as Saul, He equips us with what we need for our more.  

With this being said, the major takeaway is this:

No one is beyond God’s grace, and true change and transformation redirect your deepest passions from destruction to service.  There is more for you no matter where you are right now.  (reminds me of God stories)

You will find your more when you:

Start your day in His word.

Serve as Jesus served

Fill your cup with Christ so you can fill other cups.

As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”

As Tara Leigh says: He’s where the joy is.  

Have a great week, Cupcake loves you and so does Jesus