Our Savior Lutheran Church

Introduction

Last week we looked at the least familiar of the apostles, Matthias. Peter led the disciples gathered in the upstairs room in determining from the Old Testament that another should complete the apostolic number and ministry. Matthias had witnessed the miracles and teaching of Jesus from the time of His baptism until His ascension into heaven. God personally selected Matthias by lot, moving from privacy to prominence.

This week we turn to the apostle Paul. Unlike Matthias, Paul had no contact we know of with Jesus during His earthly life. In fact, Paul (called Saul at the time) hated the name and the followers of Jesus until he bumped into Jesus in a blazing encounter on the road to Damascus. A murderer instantly became a missionary for Jesus.

To Get Us Started

Before the larger world knew him as Paul, the Jews of Tarsus and Jerusalem called him Saul. Saul was on a fast track to prominence in first-century Judaism. He made opposition to the Jewish sect known as “The Way” his signature issue. Saul became a fanatical persecutor of these followers of Jesus who would one day be called Christians. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says a fanatic is someone “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often uncritical devotion” to something. Most of us have been harmlessly fanatical about something at one time or another.

1. About which of the following have you been at least a little fanatical at some time? Describe your fanaticism.

2. When have you found yourself trying to reason with a fanatic who would not listen to reason touching his or her pet idea? What was the experience like?

The Word

Saul of Tarsus was no doubt named after Saul, the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9:1-2, 17; 10:23-24). King Saul had been the most famous Benjaminite in the Old Testament. The parents of Saul of Tarsus must have had lofty ambitions for their son. They sent him to Jerusalem for the best education a future Jewish leader could receive (Acts 22:3). The Bible calls him “a young man” at the time Stephen was martyred (Acts 7:58). He may have been poised to begin his career. Like many Jews who interacted with Gentiles regularly, Saul used a non-Jewish name during those contacts. The Gentiles knew him as Paul.

Hebrew of Hebrews

Philippians 3:4b-6

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

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.

Zealous Persecutor

Acts 8:1-3

And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. [2] Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. [3] But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Conversion

Acts 22:4-16

I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, [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.

[6] "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. [7] I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'

[8] " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked.

" 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. [9] My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

[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.' [11] My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

[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. [13] He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him.

[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. [15] You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. [16] And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

Preparation for Ministry

Galatians 1:15-18

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased [16] to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, [17] nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

[18] Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.

Apostle To The Gentiles

Galatians 2:7-9

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. [8] For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. [9] James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

Romans 15:20-24

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. [21] Rather, as it is written:

"Those who were not told about him will see,

and those who have not heard will understand."

[22] This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

[23] But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, [24] I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Motivation as an Apostle

1 Timothy 1:12-16

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. [13] Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. [14] The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

[15] Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. [16] But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Observations

Before he put his faith in Christ, Paul was known as a tough-minded, no-nonsense, self-righteous Pharisee. After he professed Christian faith, other believers doubted his conversion for a long time. A number of years passed during which Paul studied and ministered in various locations. His story teaches us lessons about transformation and waiting for God to fulfill His purposes in His time.

Observation 1

No matter how sinful we are, God’s grace extends to all humanity.

Paul classified himself as the worst of sinners because of his violent and cruel acts against Christians (1 Timothy 1:15). He stated clearly, however, that God had mercy on him and would have mercy on anyone else who called out to Him, no matter how deeply they had become mired in sin (v. 16).

Do you think your sin is too great to be forgiven? If so, think again of the apostle Paul. Don’t let Satan deceive you into believing you cannot be saved because of your sinful lifestyle. The only unpardonable sin is rejecting Jesus Christ!

Observation 2

God works His greatest miracle when He transforms a practicing sinner into a godly saint.

Paul was a murderer who became one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived. That was a stupendous miracle of God. True, it would have been wonderful to see Jesus multiply the loaves and fishes to feed 5000 men and their families. More wonderful would have been witnessing Paul receiving Jesus as the “bread of life” and inheriting eternal life.

At some point each apostle experienced this greatest miracle in his life. I trust that this miracle has happened to you, too. If it hasn’t, you need to do what Paul did and bow before Jesus as your Savior and let Him start transforming your life from the inside out.

Observation 3

Once we become Christians, we can often see how God has been at work in our lives even before we passed from death to life.

Before Paul was born, God had a plan for his life. All of his early education in Judaism and Greek and Roman thought and his studies under Gamaliel prepared him for the great task of becoming the apostle to the Gentiles. Once he became a Christian, Paul drew on all his education and experience to communicate the Gospel effectively to both Jew and Gentile.

Can you see how God can use your preconversion experiences to help you serve Him? No matter how difficult your past circumstances, He is able to make “all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Observation 4

It takes time to become prepared to carry out God’s highest purpose in our lives.

Paul was a highly educated man when he became a Christian, but he was not ready to become an apostle to the Gentiles. He spent approximately ten years, both relearning what he already knew and discovering God’s great plan for the church. Paul served God during that time. He preached and evangelized almost from the moment he met Jesus on the road outside Damascus. Even that was part of his preparation.

Then the Holy Spirit told the leaders of the church at Antioch to “set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to” (Acts 13:2). During the next fifteen to twenty years of missionary endeavor Paul fulfilled his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles. God is preparing all of us for greater service. We must not get ahead of Him in terms of what we personally want to achieve. We should faithfully serve Him in every opportunity that presents itself. AS we are faithful in every small thing, God may entrust us with a major ministry (Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10).

Observation 5

The greatest motivation for serving Jesus Christ is God’s love and grace in saving us.

Paul never forgot God’s mercy in saving him, the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16). He passed on this “motivational message” to all of us by writing these words to Titus:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. --Titus 2:11-14

To Discuss

3. What’s the biggest reversal of position you’ve ever made in your life? How hard was it for you to make that reversal?

4. What did Paul put his confidence in during his pre-Christian days?

5. What activities did Paul engage in when persecuting the church?

6. What steps did the Lord Jesus take Paul through in his conversion experience (Acts 22:6-16)?

7. Why do you think the Lord Jesus repeatedly told Paul that he had been persecuting Him (Acts 22:7-8)? Why would that have been news to Paul?

8. Why would the Lord commission Paul to take the gospel to all people as part of his conversion?

9. From what sources did Paul get his confidence that he was to minister the gospel to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-18; 2:7-9)?

10. What principle guided Paul’s ever-widening sphere of missionary activity (Romans 15:20-24)?

11. What sin(s) are you most grateful that God in His mercy forgave through Christ’s sacrifice for you?

12. What do you think is your special calling to fulfill in the body of Christ?

13. Do you have a pioneering spirit like Paul, or do you enjoy building on the work of others? How does that affect the way you serve in Christ’s church?

14. How important do you think it was that Peter, James, and John approve of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-9)?

15. How important is it for pioneers and builders to cooperate in the church today? Why do you think that way?

Paul was a man of vision and drive. He worked tirelessly to pursue his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles in regions where no one else had evangelized. Most of us are not wired to be focused world-beaters like Paul, but we all can benefit from reflecting on his example of a purpose-driven life.

16. Paul was motivated in his apostleship by an overwhelming sense of God’s mercy that had delivered him from the sin of murdering Christians. What motivates you to serve the Lord?

17. What experiences, good and bad, from your pre-Christian days may make you a more effective or compassionate servant of Christ?

18. Who might we reach out to and invite to join our group for the next unit of study?

Next Week

Next week we move totally outside those whom we call apostles. For our next twelve sessions we will focus on the life of Joseph. Abused and sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph could have lived a life filled with bitterness and hate. Instead he stood on his faith in God to save him, and eventually returned home in triumph to pardon those who had wronged him. Disappointment can destroy a man, or placed in God’s hands, turn him into more than he ever imagined. Joseph is a study in “Overcoming Adversity.”