Come to Paul: one of the most amazing men who ever lived!
• I want you to know who Paul is and then you will understand him and what he is telling you.
• He wrote 13 Books of the New Testament so you need to get where he is coming from.
• At the end of his life he passionately begs all of us to do four things which we should never let go of.
1. Endure in the Hard Times
2. Read God’s Word
3. Share Christ
4. Stay Faithful to the End
Paul’s Background
Paul was born in Tarsus, a thriving city with a renowned educational system
• Born into the tribe of Benjamin
• Circumcised on the 8th day
• Grew up to be a Hebrew of Hebrews and a keeper of the law
• Educated in the School of Gamaliel in Jerusalem
o From his teenage years, he stood out and became well known throughout the Jewish community.
o It was about this time, another 12 year old astounded the Jewish leaders, his name was Jesus.
• Paul’s father was a Pharisee and he became a Pharisee
• At this point, Paul began to rise above all of his contemporaries
It was out of this background that He came to hate Jesus and the Church!
• Acts 26:9-11 (NASB)
9 "So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 "And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 "And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
• Persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal. 1:13)
But then it all changed… in 34 AD (4 years after the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ).
Paul’s defining moment.
Acts 9:1-9 (NASB)
1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
God then sent Ananias to him.
• Paul is healed and is baptized
Paul’s conversion is so incredible it gives Credibility to the reality of Christ and Christianity.
• He had nothing to gain and everything to loose by converting.
• He would give up Power, Popularity, Position and Prominence.
o For nothing and in the end He would be tortured and killed.
Paul’s is given by God a purpose and a calling.
Acts 26:14-18 (NASB)
14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
15 "And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 ~'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
It is hard to kick against the goads
• Goad: is a spiked stick used for driving cattle or oxen.
• Kick is present, active, infinitive: to keep kicking
• Are some of you here today kicking against and fighting against God’s direction and calling for your life?
• God wants to open your eyes, turn you from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God.
• He wants to forgive you of your sins, give you an inheritance and make you truly special!
Paul’s life after coming to know Christ is amazing!
3 years Jesus taught Him…
• He went away to Arabia and where Jesus appeared to him and taught him.
• Remember in Acts 26:16 Jesus said He would appear to him again
Galatians 1:11-24 (NASB)
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;
14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;
23 but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy."
24 And they were glorifying God because of me.
Paul becomes a leader in the Church in Antioch
• He and Barnabas go out to plant Churches
• 3 missionary journeys
Paul would suffer for the cause of Christ
2 Corinthians 11:24-29 (NASB)
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
Paul was Caught up into Heaven like John would be in Revelation
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (NASB)
1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
Paul suffered from a Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NASB)
7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul arrested and would be brought to Rome to stand before Nero
• While arrested he was chained to the Praetorian Guard
o The guards was headed by Burrus, Nero’s most trusted adviser.
• These were the elite of the elite.
• The sons of Senators of Rome—Rome’s future leaders.
• God used this time for Paul to lead many of these men to Christ
o Philippians 1:12-13 (NASB)
o 12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
o Philippians 4:22 (NASB)
o 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
• During this time, Paul would write the Prison epistles
• Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon
Paul was most likely released and arrested again when Nero started and intense persecution of the Church.
• Nero was vile and evil. Went on a murderous rampage.
o He killed Burrus
o Nero killed his wife who was pregnant kicking her till she died
• Then became even more demented…
o He eventually married a young boy, castrating him and making him dress as his first wife.
o He would have Christians tied to poles in his garden and light them on fire as he rode through on his chariot.
• He imprisoned Paul in a horrid place, beating him and then beheading him.
Prior to that, we have Paul’s Last Words in a letter to Timothy
• 4 Thing he wanted Timothy to keep doing.
• 4 Things we are to keep doing:
1. Endure in the hard times.
In the Hard times, do not get bitter, get better.
2 Timothy 3:10-14 (NASB)
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
Paul wanted Timothy to not be dissuaded by anything or anyone.
• Us to, no one and nothing should stop us from being faithful in our walk and love for Christ.
• Like Job we accept whatever God allows to come our way, trusting in Him.
• Like Esther in tough times we step up not step back
• One of the next signs to be fulfilled before the coming of the Lord is a world wide persecution.
• 2 Timothy 3:1 (NASB)
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
• Matthew 24:9-13 (NASB)
9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.
13 "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
• So we need to Keep Enduring
2. Read God’s word.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NASB)
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Word of God is what we need in good times and tough times
John 16:33 (NASB)
33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
By being in the Word and having the Word in you, you will find strength and joy.
3. Share Christ.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB)
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
All of us are called to go and make disciples.
All of us are to share God’s good news in season and out of season.
When we think about the last days it is more important than ever.
Matthew 24:14 (NASB)
14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
We want to reach the last person so Jesus will come.
4. Stay faithful to the end.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NASB)
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
