“THE MAN OF GOD WHO LOST HIS RELIGION”
“THE PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLE PAUL”
Before Paul was saved… Religion
1. He was trusting in religious ceremony. “circumcised”
He had been circumcised. Many people are trusting in their infant baptism or some other ceremony performed by their Church in order to get to Heaven.
2. He was trusting in his racial heritage. “stock of Israel”
Paul said that he came from good "stock." Just because you happen to be of a certain race or live in the USA is no guarantee of Heaven.
3. He was trusting in his good family name. “Tribe of Benjamin”
Benjamin was the Son of Jacob’s right hand. The first King of Israel came from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul had his name’s sake.
4. He was trusting in his leadership ability. “Hebrew of the Hebrews”
If the men from Mars were to ask, "Take me to your leader," they would have taken you to Paul. (Saul of Tarsus)
5. He was trusting in his Church affiliation. “Pharisee”
Paul not only attended Church, he was a presiding elder in the Church.
6. He was trusting in his Church participation. “zeal”
Religion was everything to the Paul. It was his cause. He would literally want to kill anyone who disagreed with his religious view point.
7. He was trusting in his moral integrity. “blameless”
He called himself "blameless" not "sinless." His outward testimony was impeccable. The law condemned his heart and his conscience. That is why Paul was so miserable. He went around "breathing threatening."
When Paul got saved… redemption
God picked...
(John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you...
I was pricked...
(Acts 9:5) 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.
And so I kicked...
(Acts 9:5) 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.
Until it clicked…
(Eph 1:18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened...
And it sticked!
Through every trial and persecution, Paul felt and knew the presence of the Lord.
Now that I am saved… relationship
The old is passing away… considered to be loss and dung
The new is coming into place… Jesus Christ himself
1. What is so great about knowing Jesus? I have no fear of Hell.
He had been robed in the imputed righteousness of Christ.
2. What is so great about knowing Jesus? I have resurrection power.
I have given the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.
3. What is so great about knowing Jesus? I have new friends.
A relationship with Jesus and the family of beloved saints.
4. What is so great about knowing Jesus? I can now attain unto my true purpose in life.
I can apprehend that for which we have been apprehended.
5. What is so great about knowing Jesus? I have a bright future.
I am running to obtain a prize. Salvation is a gift. The prize comes from "running." Are you laying up treasure in Heaven?
What is your personal testimony?
Philippians Chapter 3 1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
