The Road to Damascus Acts 9:4-5 (NIV) Rev. Danny Chiew

 🕊️ Sermon Summary: The Road to Damascus
Scripture Reference: Acts 9:4-5 (NIV)
Speaker: Rev. Danny Chiew

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.

In this powerful sermon, Rev. Danny Chiew walks us through the pivotal moment in Acts 9 where Saul encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This divine encounter marks the beginning of Saul’s transformation into Paul—the apostle who would go on to shape much of the New Testament church.

1. Jesus is on the road for YOU

Saul’s journey was abruptly interrupted by Jesus—not in condemnation but in grace. Jesus blinds Saul so that he might truly see. In the same way, our salvation is by grace, not merit. Sometimes, we must be “blinded” to our old ways to truly encounter Jesus.
Just like Saul, many of us were once blind—chasing ambitions, opinions, or ideologies that opposed God's truth. But our Lord Jesus comes to us in grace, not condemnation. Saul was blinded to truly see, and through that blindness, he encountered the light of salvation. Salvation is never earned—it is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Jesus comes for us—no matter how far we've gone.

📖 Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

📖 John 9:39 (NIV)

"Jesus said, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.'"

2. God calls us to faithfulness, not necessarily to comfort

Our Christian journey often involves suffering, sacrifice, and tests of faith. God’s calling does not promise an easy life but a faithful one. Rev. Danny reminds us to stay committed even when the path is hard—because God walks with us.

📖 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

📖 Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

3. God has better plans for us

Paul’s mission changed drastically from persecuting Christians to preaching Christ. God sometimes redirects our paths to fulfill His greater purpose. A true conversion doesn’t stop at belief—it transforms our character, purpose, and lifestyle.

📖 Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’"

📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

📖 Galatians 1:23-24 (NIV)

"They only heard the report: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.' And they praised God because of me."

🕊️ Conclusion

The road to Damascus was not just a turning point for Saul—it’s a powerful reminder that Jesus meets us where we are, interrupts our misguided paths, and calls us into a life of purpose, even if it involves struggle. Through grace, God transforms us, repurposes our lives, and walks with us through every season.

✅ Takeaway Sentence:

When Jesus meets you on your road to Damascus, let His grace blind your past and open your eyes to a new life in Him. 

🙏 Reflection and Discussion Questions

1. Can you remember your conversion experience? Has it impacted/changed your life?
Yes, I remember the moment I truly encountered Jesus—not as a distant figure but as a living Saviour. It changed my priorities, softened my heart, and gave me purpose. I began to see life through a lens of grace, hope, and eternal perspective.

2. In what ways do you see God’s grace at work in your own salvation?
God's grace rescued me from self-reliance and pride. I now recognize that it wasn’t my good works or knowledge that saved me but His mercy. His grace continues to uphold me daily in times of weakness, reminding me I am deeply loved despite my flaws.

3. In what areas do you struggle to remain committed to our Lord Jesus? How can you overcome it?
I struggle with consistency in prayer and devotion during busy or stressful seasons. To overcome it, I commit to setting aside intentional quiet time, journaling my prayers, and staying accountable through fellowship and Bible study groups.

4. What do you intend to do today so that your own ‘Road to Damascus’ can be more meaningful?
Today, I will intentionally pause to reflect on God’s calling for me. I will renew my commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly, and reach out to someone in need—to be a vessel of grace as Paul was after his conversion.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Journal 2 Chronicles 6 - 10

Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for this opportunity to gather as a disciples group, united in faith and fellowship. Thank You for Your presence in our midst and for the gift of community where we can grow in Your Word and encourage one another. Lord, we are grateful for the powerful sermon shared by Reverend Aaron Liu on "There Is a Fountain." We praise You as our Creator, our Conqueror, and our Redeemer. Thank You for the cleansing fountain You have provided through Jesus Christ, washing away our sins and renewing our spirits. May Your Word take deep root in our hearts today, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions. Bless our time together, Lord. May this gathering be filled with love, wisdom, and spiritual refreshment. Let our conversations glorify You, and may we grow closer to You and to one another. We surrender this meeting into Your hands, asking for Your guidance and presence to lead us in all that we do. In Jes...
Read more

Exploring the Depths of Colossians: A Grateful Reflection on Rev. Dr. Ong Meng Chai's Profound Insights

Image
  Figure 1: From Left to Right: Wesley Church Participants: Kevin Yeo, Iris Wong, Andrew Gan, Ai Leng, Lily Yong, Angie Ng, Rev. Dr. Ong, Rev. Dr. Ong’s wife: Sandra, Rev. Aaron Liu, Ai Suan, Rosalind Chong, Jessyln Gan, Alex Chong In the spirit of shared learning and spiritual enrichment, we are delighted to bring you a recap of today's, Saturday, 25th November, 2023, an interesting and profound workshop on the book of Colossians, featuring a series of four insightful talks by the esteemed Rev. Dr. Ong Meng Chai. This workshop has been a profound journey into the depths of the book of Colossians, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Dr. Ong for his remarkable contributions, engaging talks, and the wealth of wisdom he has generously shared with us. Rev. Dr. Ong's dedication to unraveling the intricacies of Colossians has left an indelible mark on our understanding of this biblical book. His talks have been a beacon of knowledge, shedding light on interesting findings, ...
Read more

Enrolling in God’s Brigade : Galatians 5:1; 13–25 Reverend Aaron Liu

Image
29th June 2025 – Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade Enrolment Sunday Sermon Title: Enrolling in God’s Brigade Preacher: Reverend Aaron Liu Scripture: Galatians 5:1; 13–25 Sermon Summary: On this Enrolment Sunday, Reverend Aaron Liu reminded us that joining the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade is symbolic of a much greater calling—our enrolment in God’s eternal brigade . The message centers on the true meaning of freedom in Christ —not as a personal entitlement, but a divine responsibility . Through Galatians 5, Paul encourages us to:    1. Stand Steadfast in Freedom 📖 Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Freedom is a responsibility , not just a right. We are freed from sin, not to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others. True Christian freedom resists returning to the bondage of legalism or self-indulgence. 2. Serve Selflessly in Love 📖 Galatians 5:13–14 – “Serve on...
Read more