SAUL's RAGE

After Stephen preached, 

"Now when they heard this they began gnashing their teeth at him.  Acts 7:54 NASB

the angry mob dragged him out of the city to the LION's GATE (Saint Stephen's Gate)

"When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.   They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the LORD and said, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit!"  Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "LORD, do not hold this sin against them!"  Having said this, he fell asleep."  Acts 7:58-60 NASB

Saul's rage began persecuting Christians

  
"Saul was of the official witnesses at the killing of Stephen.  A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.  (Some godly people came and buried Stephen with loud weeping.)  Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church.  He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail."  Acts 8:1-3 NLT

The believers fled from Jerusalem

"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.  And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did."  Acts 8:4-6 NKJV

Saul's Mission to Damascus

"Then 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."  Acts 9:1-2 NKJV

SAULS's RAGE ... 136 miles in 6 days!

"As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,  "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"  He said, "Who are You, LORD?"   The LORD said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."  Trembling and astonished, he said, "Lord, what will You have me do?  The LORD said to him,  "Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.  Saul rose up from the ground.  And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.  So they led him by the hand and brough him into Damascus.  For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank."  Acts 8:3-9 MEV

Ananias a disciple of Jesus had a vision

"And the LORD said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." Acts 9:11-12 NASB

Ananias fears Saul

"But LORD," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!  And we hear that he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest every believer in Damascus."  But the LORD said, "Go and do what I say.  For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as the people of Israel.  And I will show him how much he must suffer for me."  Acts 9:13-15 NLT

Ananias visits Saul

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the LORD Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."  Acts 9:16-17 NKJV

Saul is healed by God

"Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again.  And he rose up and was baptized.  When he had eaten, he was strengthened."  Acts 9:18-19 MEV

Conclusion
Let God heal you of your anger and rage.

Learn to forgive.

HIKE TO EMMAUS WITH JESUS

"But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared."  Luke 24:1 NLT

The modern city of Emmaus is 20 miles away, but the ancient village was only 7 miles from Jerusalem.

"That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem."  Luke 24:13 NLT

"As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.  Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them."  Luke 24:14-15 NLT

"But there eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.  And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?"  And they stood still, looking sad."  Luke 24:16-17 NAS

Many scholars believe Cleopas, is the same person mentioned in John 19:25.  Perhaps Clopas and his wife Mary hiked with Jesus to Emmaus. Is this mother Mary's sister?

One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him,  "Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?"  Luke 24:18 NAS

"And He said to them,  "What things?"
"And they said to Him,  "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him."
"But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.  Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened."  Luke 24:19 -21 NKJV

If Saturday is the second day since these things happened and Friday the first day since these things happened; was the Crucifixion on Thursday?

"Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrive at the tomb early, astonished us.  When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.  And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."   Luke 24:22-24 NKJV

"And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"  Luke 24:25-26 NASB

"Then Jesus quoted passages from the writing of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the scriptures said about himself."  Luke 24:27 NLT

"By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey.  Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late."
So he went home with them.  As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God's blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them.  Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  And at that moment he disappeared!"   Luke 24:28-31 NLT

"They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"  Luke 24:32 NASB

"They rose up and returned to Jerusalem at once.  And they found the eleven and those who were with them assembled together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  Then they reported what had happened on the way, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread."  Luke 24:33-35 MEV

WHAT WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT 

IF YOU WENT HIKING WITH JESUS?