The Conversion Of Saul of Tarsus

Acts 9:1-9  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  (2)  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  (3)  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  (4)  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  (5)  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  (6)  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  (7)  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.  (8)  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.  (9)  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

INTRODUCTION:           Saul went to extreme lengths in resisting the Gospel.  Having scattered the church at Jerusalem (8:1), he sought permission to continue his quest.  

              Saul didn’t care if it was man or woman.     They were all threatened with “…threatenings and slaughter…”,    (v 1)

              Saul was on the road to Damascus when he found Jesus, (vv 3-6). And it is here we have recorded possibly the most dramatic conversion experiences of history.

              However, such an experience for us is that the circumstances and emotions accompanying salvation will be different for each believer.

              Salvation' is based upon the FACT of God's Word, not the FEELINGS arising from circumstances.

              As we read through our text we find there are four characteristics seen here found in every true conversion: ­

I.            THE LIGHT                                                                              (v 3)

A.              All Who Receive Christ

1.      Must come to the Light of the World

(John 3:19-21)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. ²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

(John 8:12)  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

II.           THE VOICE.                                                                              (v 4)

A.              Today, God Speaks To Man Through His Word.

(Romans 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1.           "...why persecutest…ME...?"

i.            Those who persecute the saints of God,

ii.           Are effectively persecuting the Lord Himself.

III.         THE CONVICTION.                                                                 (v 5)

A.              “…the pricks…”              

(Acts 2:37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

1.           Conviction of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit,

(John 16:8-11)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me; ¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; ¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

i.            Who uses the “sword of the Spirit”

a.           Which is the Word of God,

(Ephesians 6:17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

ii.           To prick the heart and conscience.

B.           A Man Cannot Be Saved Unless

1.           He is convicted of his sins

i.            But a man may “kick against” conviction

ii.               And could reject Christ.

2.           As did the men who stoned Stephan.

(Acts 7:54)  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

IV.         THE ACT OF FAITH.                                                               (v 6)

A.           It is NOT at this point that Saul received Christ as his personal Saviour. (That happens in v 18.)

B.           Saul called Jesus LORD. 

1.               This word “Lord” would be a

reference to Mr. or a respectful title.

i.            Like you and I would use for an unacquainted dignitary.

2.           Saul was “born” (Physically) at the time he saw Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:7-8)  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

3.           Saul was a blasphemer before he was saved.

(1 Timothy 1:1)  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

i.            His language in v 6 is far from blasphemy!

CONCLUSION: We have seen four things concerning Paul’s Salvation:

              He saw the Light.

              He heard the voice.

              He felt the conviction

              And finally we have seen his act of faith.

These are four things you should have seen in your salvation.

You should have seen the Light that wonderful light of Christ.

You should have heard the voice in your heart, saying yes; yes; yes.

You should have felt the pang of conviction, the guilt of what you had been.

Then your act of faith by you walking forward; and then you claiming Jesus the Christ as your Saviour, is your Salvation.

Well, the question is did you? 

Now understand as we said in the INTRODUCTION; not all of us will have the dramatic conversion experience that Paul experienced.

Not all of us will have the same change I had.  My change was much more dramatic than Sharil’s.  I was further down in the barrel.

I had to change more than she did.

Prayer

Luke 11:1-10  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  (2)  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.  (3)  Give us day by day our daily bread.  (4)  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.  (5)  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;  (6)  For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?  (7)  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.  (8)  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.  (9)  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  (10)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Emphasis on (Luke 11:9-10)

ASK       SEEK    KNOCK

INTRODUCTION:    I would guess after salvation there is nothing more important to talk about doing.  We are commanded to lead souls to Christ, but we must pray for them and for people we may not have met. 

I.            PRAYER IS FIRST DISCUSSED IN

 (Genesis 4:26)  And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

A.           We Have A Need Of

Psalms 65:2  O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. 

Matthew 7:7-8  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I can’t imagine a day without prayer, our family, church family, friends, all our government people they need our, MY, YOUR, prayer.  Ask for what we need but ask with sincerity and if it is God’s will it will be done.

              B.           Holy Spirit Aids In Our Prayers

Romans 8:26-27  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

We do not know God’s plan for our lives, consequently we do not have a clue as to what to pray for.  So the Holy Spirit intervenes and gets the prayer to Jesus the way it is needed for Jesus to send it on to God.

              ILLUSTRATION             Unspoken Prayer

Unspoken prayers are kept that way so the devil doesn’t have a clue as what we said to God. 

              C.           Our Prayers Are Odors To God

Revelation 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Prayer and praise should always go together.

(Revelation 8:3)  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 

No prayer sent through Christ was ever denied.  These prayers that have been accepted in Heaven have produced great changes. 

We presume these odors to be pleasant odors, representing favorable Christian holy prayers. 

What do you suppose deceitful, hateful prayers smell like?  Do they get to God?  Not according to the scripture.

II.           OUR PRAYERS THROUGH CHRIST ARE INTERCESSORY 

              A.           For Sinners

In these verses Jesus is praying for future believers.

John 17:20-21  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; ²¹  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

                 B.            For Weak Believers

 Luke 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

Though we may fall, we shall not be utterly cast down.  we are asked to encourage others.  We are like those of “little faith” such as Simon Peter, ME, YOU.

              C.           For Our Enemies

In this next verse Jesus was hanging on the cross.

Luke 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 

This prayer of Jesus’ was while He was being nailed to the cross or just after.

              D.           For Our Church

In this next verse John 17:9 Jesus is praying for His apostles (church).  To all that receive Christ’s Word, and believe in Him.  Christ has redeemed us , not to Himself only, but to God, by His blood.

John 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

III.         PRAYERS ANSWERED

              A.           Moses

 Exodus 15:24-25  And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?  ²⁵  And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 

              B.           Gideon

 Judges 6:39-40  And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.  ⁴⁰And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.  

IV.         POSTURES OF PRAYING 

              A.           Bowing 

Genesis 24:26  And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. 

              B.           On Face before God

Joshua 5:14  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 

              C.           Standing

1 Kings 8:22  And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

V.           WHERE SHOULD WE PRAY

              A.           Christ’s Command

Matthew 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

VI.         WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY

              A.           Morning

Mark 1:35  And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 

              B.           Evening

Mark 6:46-47  And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 

              C.           All The Time

 (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Pray without ceasing.

CONCLUSION:               What is your prayer life like?

You must have your salvation?  Prayers will be answered without salvation.

But he “God” requires salvation to enter heaven.

Are you ready?   If you don’t know or aren’t sure

Get it settled today before it’s to late.

Ground Zero

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

INTRODUCTION:             As I was listening to talk on the TV concerning the Muslims were going to build a mosque at “GROUND ZERO” apparently on the physical grounds.   I had no problem knowing the term, GROUND ZERO meant the Towers in NYC.  Most here today who are old enough to follow the news reports of the last few years most likely knows what the term GROUND ZERO means.

              Since the event of September 11th, we have grown increasingly concerned with this “Ground Zero” it has almost become “Holy” ground.

              I would like to move the focus of GROUND ZERO from New York City and the vacant lots of the WTC towers to Wellington, Texas Allow me to make some observations and applications, which will become obvious as the message unfolds. But first, my text:

Here in Wellington

I.            THERE ARE THOSE IN NEED AND THOSE                    (v 12)

REACHING OUT TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

A.           If One Had Been On Hand That Fateful Day, In NYC,

1.           A quick observation would have revealed two groups of people.

i.            There were those RUNNING FROM the confusion.

ii.           AND there were those RUNNING INTO the confusion.

B.           A Similar Phenomenon Exists Today.

1.           There are people who desperately want to get away from the confusion of the world, but they have no idea where to turn.

2.           That's where we come in.

i.            We must be characterized as those who are RUNNING INTO THE CONFUSION.

ii.               If I am going against the general direction of the crowd, I must know something they don't know.

C.           What Do You Know That The World Doesn't Know?

1.           Someone has characterized the work of the believer today as "random rescue raids into the kingdom of darkness."

  

Here in Wellington

II.           THERE ARE SOME IN DESPERATE NEED AND SOME WHO DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE A NEED.                (v 12)

A.           Those Who Are Trapped And Know It Realize Their Desperate Situation.

1.           Many who are sinners KNOW they are sinners and want help ... but they may not know where to turn.

2.           Some who are sinners KNOW they are sinners but think they can "work it out with God."

B.           Those Who Are Unconscious Are Not Aware Of The Serious Nature Of Their Situation.

1.           Some who are sinners do not realize the consequences of sin.

2.           It is our responsibility to help them to "awake to righteousness" ...tell them about Jesus Christ.

C.           Aware Or Not Aware, Anyone Without Christ Is In A Desperate Situation.

 Here in Wellington

III.         BY-STANDERS ARE SOON DRAWN INTO THE ACTION.

                                                                                                                       

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

A.           The Task Forces ALL To Respond.

              1.           “Go Ye”

B.           One Who Is Aware Of His Surroundings Cannot, Will Not, Allow Things To Go On Without His Becoming Involved.

1.           Given the opportunity to save a life or not save a life, how would you respond?

2.           I think everyone here would say, "If I could do something to save a life, I would do it."

3.           Given the opportunity to keep someone out of hell or let them go there by your silence, what would you do?

4.           If saving a life "physically" is so important, how much more important is it to change one's outcome for eternity?

Here in Wellington

IV.         THE WORK TO BE DONE CALLS FOR MORE THAN ORDINARY EFFORT.

A.           People Did Things They Thought They WOULD Never Do.

B.           People Did Things They Thought They COULD Never Do.

C.           Some Of You Here Today Probably Think That You COULD Never Lead A Soul To Christ.

1.           Do you think that,

              i.            Because you don't know how?

2.           Or do you think that,

              i.            Because you are afraid?

3.           Or do you think that,

              1.           Because you think that God could never use you?

Here in Wellington

V.           THERE ARE NO SPECTATORS.

A.           Being A Spectator Was Not Tolerated By Those Who Were Helping And Those In Need.

B.           The World Is Literally Going To Hell At An Alarming Rate ... Right Now ... There Is No Time For Spectators.

Here in Wellington

VI.         THERE IS NO THOUGHT OF STOPPING UNTIL THE TASK IS FINISHED.

A.           It Was Not Until May 2002 That The Worksite In NYC Was Declared "finished."

B.           I Want To Say With All The Passion In My Soul This Morning, THE TASK OF REACHING THE LOST FOR CHRIST IS NOT FINISHED.

1.           It won't be finished until the Lord returns.

2.           We can sit around and declare that "soul winning is hard" and "it's harder than it has ever been," but the truth of the matter is,

John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Here in Wellington

VII.        IT IS NOT ABOUT A PAT ON THE BACK ... IT IS ABOUT "RESCUING THOSE IN DEPSERATE NEED."

A.           There Were No Heroes ... Just Workers.

B.           There Is No Disgrace Is Being "Just A Worker."

1.           You don't have to have a Bible college education to share Christ with someone.

2.           You don't have to be a S. S. teacher to share Christ with someone.

3.           You just have to love them enough to want to keep them out of hell.

CONCLUSION:               Here in Wellington, there are those in need and those reaching out to meet those needs.

Here in Wellington, there are some in desperate need and some who don't know they have a need.

Here in Wellington, by-standers are soon drawn into action.

Here in Wellington, the work to be done calls for more than ordinary effort.

Here in Wellington, there are no spectators.

Here in Wellington, there is no thought of stopping until the task is finished.

Here in Wellington, it is not about "a pat on the back" ... it is about "rescuing those in desperate need."

We are living at GROUND ZERO (Here in Wellington)... Right Here In Our Town...

Smell the sweat, hear the cries, and see the ones, who don't know they have a need,

AND by God's grace, REACH OUT ... Don't Be A By-Stander...

USE MORE THAN ORDINARY EFFORT...

DON'T STOP UNTIL THE TASK IS FINISHED ... and FORGET ABOUT WHO GETS THE CREDIT...

Fanny Crosby wrote,

"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave.

Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen.

Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

By The Mercies of God

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

INTRODUCTION:           We see in these two verses a summary of the previous 11 chapters concerning all that God has accomplished for the believer. 

In           Chapters 1 - 5     Justifying the believer

                Chapters 6 - 8     Enabling the believer to live a righteous life,

Chapters 9 - 11  Being faithful to Israel

NOTE:  The context of these verses is to believers

I.            I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE,                                           (v 1)

Beseech means =  to call near, that is, invite — call for, beg

A.           Brethren,             (brothers in Christ)

1.           By the mercies of God, that

Micah 7:18  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

2.           Ye present          

a.           Your bodies

(Is an instrument of sin)

A step up to the altar, it is something that you do

Romans 6:6            Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Romans 13:14   But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

                                            b.           Make Your Body

1.)          A living sacrifice,

Matthew 16:25   For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

                                            c.            Make Your Body

                                                1.)          Holy,

Exodus 32:29  For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

                                           d.           Make Your Body 

1.)          Acceptable unto God,

Philippians 4:18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Cain and Abel each made a sacrifice only one sacrifice was acceptable

B.           Which Is Your Reasonable Service.

                Reasonable is  rational (“logical)

Noah                    His reasonable service was humiliation and six saved souls

Moses                  His reasonable service was asking God to take him, but save the chosen    

                              people.

Paul                     His reasonable service a life of sacrifice and eventually cost him his head.

Matthew              His reasonable service was to leave all to follow Jesus

Peter                   His reasonable service led to his crucifixion Upside down, opposite of Christ

C.           And Be Not Conformed                  (v 2)      

1.           To this world:

Be separated                     Be set aside                       Be different

Ephesians 5:8-11   For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  ⁹(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  ¹⁰Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ¹¹And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

The roads that led to our home in Palestine, Texas, had what I call tree tunnels, in the early morning and evening you really need your lights on, not to see with but to be seen. 

              That is what this verse is talking about being seen as a Christian.  Light the way for others, don’t you join in with them.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

D.           But Be Ye Transformed (direction changed

Repentance)

Jonah 3:8   But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

Zechariah 1:3  Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 51:10    Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Be transformed, it is our duty not God’s

1.           By the renewing of your mind,

              Repentance changing your direction

Acts 26:20  But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

E.           That Ye May Prove          (allow)

Ephesians 5:10   Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

1.           What is that good, and a

2.           Acceptable, and

3.           Perfect, will of God.

Matthew 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

James 4:15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

CONCLUSION:  We see for all this Paul is asking us to do certain things.

                        1.           Offer Ourselves to Gods service

                             a.           Holy Acceptable to God

              2.           Your Reasonable Service

              3.           Separate Ourselves from Unbelievers

              4.           Change from the old to the new

What I have been talking about through this verse from God, is what we as individual Christians ought to do.

              I want you to remember, that this verse was talking to Christians who weren’t doing God’s Will.  (Christian Sinners)

              This verse Paul gives us is telling each of us what we (as an individual) must do.  What it comes down to is either me or you.

              It always gets to that point doesn’t it.

              You see we as sinners make choices daily.  When we wake up in the morning our attitude may be I want to do God’s will today all day.  But generally something pops up or cuts you off in traffic and you are no longer in God’s will.

              Sometimes, most times, our problem is the world.  If we could just isolate ourselves and keep in a closet where we saw no one, heard no one and spoke to no one, we could be fully separated from the world.

              God does not want that we are to shine for the Lord, show others the way.

              He was tempted as we are.  You say Bro John Jesus wasn’t tempted with what I have been, yes He has.  He was tempted by the world and stood strong and rejected Satan with God’s word.

              Not the word of  some psychiatrist, judge, or some real smart person.

              He chose God’s Word to reject Satan.  Michael the Arch Angel

(Jude 9)  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

This Angel who we consider more powerful than we are could not stand-alone against Satan.  What gives you the idea you can?

              The devil is as a roaring Lion

(1 Peter 5:8)  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

              If you saw an actual lion coming through the Baptistry none of you would stick around to help me. You might say something to warn me but I would imagine the auditorium would be vacated and the doors closed before I had a chance to react.

              Why would you ignore the devil?  He is out to ruin you, ruin your testimony.