Empowered Life: Worthy of Purpose

Empowered Life: Worthy of Purpose | David Molver | 20 July 2025

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What if your past didn’t disqualify you, but prepared you? From persecutor to preacher, Saul’s story reminds us that God doesn’t cancel people; He converts them. And when He does, everything changes.

Acts 9:1–31

INTRODUCTION

The journey through Acts so far has revealed key truths about walking in the Spirit:

• Acts 3 – “Your hands aren’t empty”: God uses what we already have.

• Acts 5 – “Empowered Life”: What holds us back from Spirit-filled living.

• Acts 6–7 – “Kingdom Culture” and “Worthy & Faithful”: Stephen’s courage and sacrifice.

Now, in Acts 9, we witness Saul’s radical transformation and the truth that:

God can redeem anyone, redirect anything, and repurpose everything—for His glory.

1. Worthy: Your Past Doesn’t Disqualify You

Acts 9:4, 15

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?""He is a chosen instrument of mine…"

• Saul was zealous, educated, and feared—a persecutor of Christians.

• Yet Jesus meets him not with judgment, but with a blinding grace.

• Saul’s past is not hidden from God—and it doesn’t stop God from using him.

Two key applications:

• Shame: Your past doesn’t disqualify you. If God called Saul, He can call you.

• Pride: Some are like Saul—confident in sin, self-righteous. God may need to “blind” you so you can truly see.

Saul responds immediately: filled with the Spirit, baptized, transformed.

Key Thought: God doesn’t cancel people. He converts them. And when He does, everything changes.

2. Your Hands Aren’t Empty: God Uses What’s In Your Hands

Acts 9:15

"He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name..."

• Saul’s background—his training, intellect, and drive—was not wasted. God redeemed it.

• Before Christ: used for persecution.

• After Christ: used for proclamation.

Application:

• What’s in your hands? Education? Story? Skills? Pain?

• God can use even the darkest parts of your past to build His Kingdom.

Challenge:

• Don’t underestimate what God has placed in your hands.

• Like Peter, Stephen, and Paul—offer it to God.

3. Kingdom Culture: Are You the One Who Receives or Rejects?

Acts 9:13, 17, 27

“Lord, I’ve heard about this man…”“So Ananias went…”“Barnabas took him…”

• Ananias obeyed even though it didn’t make sense.

• Barnabas stood beside Paul and helped open doors.

Challenge to the Church:

• Are you like Ananias or Barnabas—willing to trust God with those He calls?

• Or are you critical, judgmental, and dismissive of the “Sauls” in your life?

The way we speak about others—leaders, newcomers, or even those being baptized—can either build or break the body.

Every Saul needs someone to say: “You belong here. I believe in what God’s doing in you.”

Walk in Purpose on Purpose

• Saul doesn’t just believe—he becomes someone new. Eventually called Paul (Acts 13).

• His life is transformed and used to shape the early Church.

From murderer to author of 13+ New Testament letters, including the powerful 1 Corinthians 13—Paul’s life is a testimony to what conversion can do.

You cannot be filled with the Spirit and remain the same.

Today you might be:

• The Saul – walking the wrong way but ready for a turnaround.

• The Ananias – being asked to trust and obey God’s voice.

• The Barnabas – called to walk alongside and support others.

"You are worthy of purpose—not because of what you’ve done, but because of who Jesus is."

FOUR INTROSPECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Have I truly been converted, or am I just going through religious motions?

2. Am I allowing God to use what’s in my hands—or am I holding back because of fear or shame?

3. How do I respond when God calls someone unexpected—is it with welcome or with judgment?

4. What’s stopping me from stepping into purpose, obedience, and transformation—especially through baptism or community?t look like for you to be faithful—even if it cost you comfort or approval?