{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 9: Persecutor Persecuted","description":"We dig into Acts 9:15-16: \u201cBut the Lord said to Ananias, \u2018Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.\u201d   This isn\u2019t about Saul being punished for who he used to be, but rather there is a cost to following Christ, but we see Saul understanding it is worth every penny of the cost. We see persecution taking place right after his conversion.   As Saul went from synagogue to synagogue preaching of Jesus, people didn\u2019t trust him and wanted to kill him because they felt he was guilty of blasphemy against  God by claiming Jesus to be God\u2019s son. They saw him as a religious traitor.    Acts 9:23-30 \u2043 Conspiracy to kill him in Damascus \u2043 Shunned in Jerusalem \u2043 Befriended by Barnabas \u2043 Received by the Apostles \u2043 Conspiracy to kill him by the Hellenistic Jews \u2043 Returned to hometown of Tarsus   In 2 Corinthians 11:23b-27 we read of his imprisonments, exposure to death, beatings, stonings, whippings, shipwrecks, and being in constant danger, facing daily his concern for the body of believers.    This news of Saul\u2019s persecution causes us to: 1. Admire him for his courage in sharing the Good News of Jesus.   2. Recognize that he was saved from hell by direct intervention of Jesus. Jesus' intervention resulted in Saul knowing everything he has is a gift from God.  We too have sinned and are saved by Jesus resulting in the free gift of salvation - and so we live for Him. We may suffer like Saul\/Paul - under the enemy\u2019s attack. But our courage is found in God and in Saul\u2019s encouraging last written words. \u201cI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award on that day!\u201d   God is good, and He brings His people through each and every day, including the darkest ones.     Now What? Learn about God at https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   View live or on demand: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/tuesday-bible-class   For the full list of videos in this series, Dig Deeper, https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/dig-deeper   For more check out our Sunday series, God ACTS! https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/god-acts-then-now   Join us Sundays  https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service   Or watch from our Youtube channel https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@AwakeUsNow\/videos   Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app. ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"