Three Things Paul Knew

THREE THINGS PAUL KNEW?

There were three things Paul knew that helped him be faithful in the most difficult of circumstances. He knew who he was, he knew who he believed and he knew and was convinced that God is able. Let us read 2 Tim 1:1-18.

Things are pretty tough for Paul right now. He’s in Rome and in jail. Some of the brothers have deserted him. Phygelus and Hermogenes. He’s suffering and to top it all off, some of the brothers are ashamed of him. But Paul knew some things that helped him to be faithful even to the point of death.

HE KNEW WHO HE WAS

If someone asked you who are you? Beyond giving your name what would you say? Would you say a teacher, a salesman, a lawyer. Paul knew who he was and he let people know it.

I am a herald, an apostle, a teacher. A herald is someone that announces important news ( a trumpeter). Let’s look at some other scriptures.

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

1 Cor 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

(2 Cor 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

(Gal 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--

(Eph 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

(Col 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

(1 Tim 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

(2 Tim 1:1 NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

Phile 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker.

A lot of things could be taken away from Paul but they couldn’t take that away.

HE KNEW WHO HE BELIEVED

Paul believed in Jesus and he testified about him.

Acts 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Acts 22:4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,

Acts 22:5 as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

Acts 22:6 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

Acts 22:7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ’Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

Acts 22:8 "’Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. "’I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.

Acts 22:9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

Acts 22:10 "’What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. "’Get up,’ the Lord said, ’and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’

Acts 22:11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

Acts 22:12 "A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.

Acts 22:13 He stood beside me and said, ’Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

Acts 22:14 "Then he said: ’The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.

Acts 22:15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’