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Life and Message of Paul – Acts
9:15-16
Intro: Today we are talking about the Apostle Paul
or St. Paul as some call him. Paul was a
revolutionary figure. He transformed the
entire thinking and direction of the church.
He was responsible for writing over half the New Testament. He was a paradox of intellect and simplicity
of faith. On one hand the greatest
thinker the church ever had and yet his faith was that of a child.
1.
Paul was first known as Saul, Paul is his
Greek name. He was born in a city called
Tarsus in Asia Minor. He was born in a
Greek city, into a Jewish family that had Roman citizenship. He was educated in Jerusalem by Gamaliel, the
greatest teacher of his day. He was a
zealot and focused individual.
a.
Before his conversion, he supervised the
stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, went house to house in Jerusalem and
arrested , imprisoned and killed Christians.
It was on his way to Damascus with orders from the High Priest to
destroy the church that he met Christ.
He learned that day.
1.
Those that persecute the church persecute
Christ. Those that slander,
mock, curse and try to shame you, do this to Christ.
2.
It
is difficult to fight the will of God. Obedience and disobedience have their
consequences. Saul or Paul learned that
day when God has a call on your life it is best to give in. You will never be fulfilled until you do.
b.
Saul
or Paul was blinded by that encounter.
He was led into Damascus to wait but he was not idle, he fasted, prayed
and waited in expectation for God’s answer to this situation. We must never be idle in our times of
waiting.
3.
While Saul or Paul waited God spoke to Ananias
that Saul had already received a vision about him laying hands on Saul and to
give him a message.
This reminds us that before God asks us to do anything
He has already prepared the way. Ananias
reminded Christ about who Saul was but Jesus Christ revealed four things about
Saul which we can apply to our lives.
a.
He
was a chosen vessel of God. Paul says in his letters we are
vessels for noble and also ordinary purposes.
b.
Saul
was to bear His name and tell His name among the gentiles and the Jews.
Paul would make three missionary journeys to tell the Jews and Gentiles
about Christ. His last and fourth
journey was to tell a cruel, despot Roman emperor named Nero about Jesus
Christ.
c.
He
will be shown many things. Paul was given many incredible
truths, the mystery of the church, fuller revelation of the gifts and fruit of
the Spirit, 15 attributes of love, the administration and structure for the
church, just to name a few.
d.
He
must suffer for my name sake. Paul would be beaten with rods,
stoned, left for dead, be shipwrecked, suffer from starvation, betrayal and
loneliness. He would be imprisoned for
long period of time and eventually be killed for his faith.
e.
Ananias
went and told Saul why he was there. He
prayed and Saul received his sight. He
was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is
where Pentecostal scholars believe he was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He was baptized in water which was his
identification with Christ, followed the command of the Lord and publicly
declared to all his faith and decision to follow Christ.
f.
Paul
immediately preached about Jesus Christ.
No grass grew under this man’s feet.
He knew what Christ had done and he wanted all to know. Rom 1:16
4.
Here briefly are seven lessons we can learn
from Paul life.
a.
God
always prepares us for our work. Our family background and situation, where
we grew up, nationality, language, education, interests, giftings, talents,
abilities and likes all prepare us.
b.
Don’t
fight with God or His will. It has consequences good and bad.
c.
Find
out how to do the will of God. Paul shows us in Rom 12:1-2
1.
Present your body as a living sacrifice as
holy and acceptable to God. Paul says this is your reasonable
service.
2.
Don’t
conform to the world. Don’t let the images, standards,
materialism, pleasure, self seeking, self sufficiency and pride of this world
conform you.
3.
Be
transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Fill your mind
with the word of God, good literature, conversation and images. Whatever is holy, pure, righteous, truthful,
lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy, noble
and good report think on these things.
This is called walking in the Spirit.
4.
This
will help you know the will of God. His will is good, acceptable and perfect
for you.
d.
You are a bearer of Christ or ambassador for
Him. Not only are you to tell others, which is the great
commandment but you are to live your faith out in front of others. You are the only bible many will read.
e.
We
all have a mission, calling and destiny.
God has you
where you are, doing what you do for a reason.
You are the apostle Paul in your world.
f.
God
will show us many things. God will show you, teach you, lead and guide
you. He will show you what you knew to
know, when, where, why and how you need to know it. He wants us to know His will, plan and
purpose for our lives.
g.
We
will all face trials, tribulations, problems and reverses.
These however make us stronger, smarter, wiser, more resourceful,
dependent on him, and trusting in Him.
We learn do more prep, prayer, reading God’s word, and choosing our
relationships better. Paul was a great
example.
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