Paul - Running the Race
Saul was living his life in the traditions and in the culture of the time. Within him came a righteous anger to oppose anyone or anything opposed to his beliefs. How often can we find ourselves in the same situation.
Saul was living his life in the traditions and in the culture of the time. Within him came a righteous anger to oppose anyone or anything opposed to his beliefs. How often can we find ourselves in the same situation. We do things that we believe with every fiber of our body to be correct and right. We are willing to go to any length and do anything to guard our beliefs. It does not have to be about religion, it goes far beyond that.
First meeting
- Acts 7: 57 - 60
- Acts 8:1-3
- Acts 9:1-2
- First thoughts?
- What do you all remember about his background of who Saul was?
- Pharisee of a Pharisee
- Most likely knew the old testament better than most in his day.
- Zealous for the Lord
- Training from Gamaliel was the finniest available
- He at first did not believe the Way
- Pharisee of a Pharisee
Change of Heart
- Acts 9: 3-9
- What do you think was going through his mind?
- What stands out to you?
- Acts 9: 10 - 18
- What do you think was going through the mind of Ananias?
- What else stands out to you?
Disbelief
- Acts 9:26-31
- Why where they afraid?
- Why did they send him out?
- God started using Paul's righteous anger for another purpose
- Why?
Uniquely equipped
- Let's look at to passages that shows why he was uniquely equipped
- Acts 22:1-5
- He was relating to those he was speaking too. Giving his credentials for people to understand and respect what he was saying.
- Again why did God use Paul?
- He was relating to those he was speaking too. Giving his credentials for people to understand and respect what he was saying.
- Philippians 3:3-6
- He states that works of the flesh means nothing. No matter how good we are, it is not enough alone.
- But he goes right on to say
- Philippians 3:7-14
- Finial thoughts?
Paul's unique equipment allowed him to have a voice that related with others. He was able to walk the walk, and talk the talk. He knew how people thought, and what and why they did the things they did. However, God opened his eyes to see what truly mattered most. Paul was able to drive the hard conversations not because of who he was, but because of who God said he was. Christ's Love and forgiveness transformed Paul in to a the man that wrote most of the new testament. He boldly spoke about Christ, just like we have all been called to do.