The Best Way to Succeed in 2025 is Ask God the RIGHT QUESTIONS
The story of saul (Acts 9: 1-9; 26:12-19)
The first mention of Saul in Scripture is at the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 7:58; 8:1) Saul was a zealous young pharisee; student of the great teacher Gamaliel. Acts 8:1 tells us all we need to know about him. “Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death.” His story began in earnest in chapter nine.
“Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (9:1-2)
His story of radical transformation through an encounter with Jesus began here:
As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6
Later in Acts 26, Paul, a prisoner, stood before King Agrippa to present his defense for being wrongly imprisoned. Here we learn more about Saul’s motives.
“…I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26:9
He went on to share some specifics of what Jesus told him about his calling and mission to the Gentiles.
(Jesus said) “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision…” Acts 26: 12-19
Now we get to the heart of this message: the two questions that changed Paul’s life forever AND how his responses give us a blueprint for success in our own lives!
Two Questions that changed Paul’s life forever:
- Who are You, Lord?
- What do You want me to do?
The answer to the first question led to Saul’s understanding that Jesus is God, the One he had been really persecuting. If you are a born-again Christian, you answered the first question when the Holy Spirit revealed that you were hopelessly lost in your sins; desperately in need of the Savior. You responded by: (1) confessing your sins and repenting, (2) believing Jesus is Who He said (God in flesh) and did what He had to (death and resurrection), (3) receiving Him as Savior. (John 1:12)
Our answers to the second question go a long way in determining the plans we make and paths we take and the level of success (or failure) we will experience. I listed five things we can observe and learn from Paul’s responses and life.
- Listened to the voice of Jesus
“Who are You Lord?” (2:6)
- Obeyed His command
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” (26:
- Trusted His plan (not his own)
“But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.” Romans 15:15-18
- Endured despite the difficulties and satanic attacks
“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11: 24-28
“For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and Satan hindered us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18
- Fully invested his life in accomplishing God’s purpose. Ready to go Home.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Invitation
If this invitation finds you apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, I say this with certainty. You are exactly where satan wants you; the most dangerous place anyone can be. I have Good News! Jesus suffered the most heinous death by crucifixion to pay the penalty for our sins. He said we are all sinners in need of a Savior. He also said He is the only way – the door to salvation. (Matthew 4:17; 9:13; John 14:6)
To those who receive Jesus, He gives eternal life in Heaven. Those who reject Him will spend eternity suffering in Hell, wishing they had not refused His love, mercy and grace. I plead with you not to close this message without confronting yourself in light of the truths I presented. I may be the last evangelist or Bible teacher the Lord puts before you to beg you to surrender to Jesus. Will you humble yourself and receive Him today? I am praying you do!
For Christ’s sake,
