Decide Who To Align Yourself With

Finding our place in the Glory

Ian Johnson

Mar 17, 2005

Finding our place in the Glory

March 2005.

One of the greatest scientists of our time was Albert Einstein. He was a man who was so focused on his scientific theories. He was so focused; he often neglected even the simplest things of life, such as personal appearance (as evidenced by his hair). One time, Albert Einstein was taking a train out of town for a speaking engagement. As he sat in his seat engrossed in his work, the conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. Looking up in shock, Einstein realized he didn’t know what he had done with his ticket. Frantically, he began to search his coat pockets, and then his briefcase. Gently, the conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought ticket. Don’t worry about it." But, as the conductor moved along, he looked back to see Einstein on his hands and knees searching under the seats for his ticket. The conductor walked back, "Dr. Einstein, please, don’t worry about it. I know who you are." Exasperated, Einstein looked up and said, "I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going."

Where are you Going? and who is in Charge?

The Apostle Paul was on a journey before he knew the Lord:

Saul’s Conversion ACTS 9 9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers,* so he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" 5 "Who are you, sir?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice, but they saw no one! 8 As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. 9 So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water. 10 Now there was a believer* in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. 11 The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you arrive, ask for Saul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again."

This encounter with the Glory of God changed Saul from a committed Pharisee to Paul Apostle extraordinaire

You see Saul knew what it was to be committed to a cause. He knew about Lordship and authority before his encounter.

To understand this we need to understand Paul’s life.

He was a Pharisee after the Law, totally committed to the Old covenant and its ways. A star pupil of Gamiael one of the greatest teachers in Judaism. Galatians 1:13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted the Christians.* I did my best to get rid of them. 14 I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age, and I tried as hard as possible to follow all the old traditions of my religion.

And yet when surrounded by the Light of His Glory Paul could only say V5 "Who are you...Lord?

This encounter in Glory and Holiness changed history!

Who are you Lord? Adoonai who are you? Paul had the same revelation that Peter had at Pentecost

Acts 2 32 "This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. 33 Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ’The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’* 36 So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!"