Faith Unleashed: The Legacy of Paul the Apostle
Notes
Transcript
Good morning, church family. It's wonderful to see all of you here today as we continue our series on Heroes of the Faith. We've been looking at men and women in the Bible who lived by faith and were used by God to change the world. Today, I want to tell you about someone whose story proves that no one is too far gone for God to use. His name is Paul, and his life shows us that true faith transforms everything it touches.
You know, when I think about Paul, I think about second chances. I think about how God can take the most unlikely person and turn them into a world-changer. If you've ever felt like your past disqualifies you from being used by God, Paul's story is for you. If you've ever wondered whether faith really makes a difference, Paul's life will answer that question with a huge “Yes”.
Before we dive into Paul's story, we need to understand what was going on. Paul lived in the first century, about thirty years after Jesus died and rose again. The early church was just getting started. These first Christians are meeting in homes, sharing their faith, and trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus. And there's this man named Saul – that's Paul's Hebrew name – who absolutely hated those Christians. He thought they were destroying the Jewish faith, and made it his personal mission to stop them.
Let's look at how everything changed for him. Turn with me to the book of Acts, chapter 9. Acts tells the story of the early church, and this is where we meet Saul for the first time as an adult. Let me read verses 1 through 6.
1 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest
2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him.
4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied.
6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Can you imagine this scene? Here's Paul – or Saul as he was known then – on his way to arrest Christians. He's got official papers in his pocket. He's probably rehearsing what he's going to say when he gets to Damascus. Maybe he's thinking about the Christians he's already thrown in prison. And then, boom! A light from heaven knocks him to the ground.
Now, I want you to notice something important here. Jesus doesn't ask Saul, "Why are you persecuting Christians?" Instead, He asks, "Why are you persecuting me?" You see, when someone hurts God's people, they're hurting Jesus himself. The church isn't just an organization or a building – it's the body of Christ. When Saul was attacking Christians, he was attacking Jesus.
And look at his response: "Who are you, Lord?" Even in his confusion, even flat on his back on a dusty road, Saul recognized he was dealing with someone powerful. When Jesus identifies himself, Saul's whole world turns upside down. Everything he thought he knew, everything he believed about those Christians, everything he was fighting for – it all crumbles in an instant.
That is what a real encounter with Jesus does. It doesn't just tweak your opinions or adjust your behavior. It completely changes your entire life. Saul went into that experience as a violent enemy of the church. He came out as Paul, the man who would become Christianity's greatest missionary.
You know what strikes me about this story? God didn't wait for Saul to clean up his act. God didn't say, "Once you stop persecuting my people, then I'll reveal myself to you." No, God met Saul right in the middle of his sin, right in the middle of his hatred, right in the middle of his misguided passion. That's the kind of God we serve – a God who pursues us even when we're running in the opposite direction.
Some of you might be thinking, "Well, that's great for Paul, but I've never had a blinding light experience. I've never heard Jesus speak to me out loud." And you're right – most of us haven't had that exact experience. But here's the thing: we all need that moment when we realize who Jesus really is. We all need that moment when we stop running our own lives and let Jesus take control.
For some of us, it happens dramatically like it did for Paul. For others, it's a quiet moment of surrender. But either way, real faith begins with a personal encounter with Jesus. It begins when we stop trying to be good enough on our own and accept that Jesus loves us just as we are.
Now, meeting Jesus was just the beginning. What happens next is what we call transformation. Let me show you how Paul himself described this change in his life. Turn with me to Galatians chapter 2, verse 20. This is Paul writing to a church about twenty years after giving his life to Jesus.
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Now, that's a powerful statement, but what does it mean? Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ." He's not talking about physical death – he's obviously still alive and writing this letter. He's talking about the death of his old way of life. The old Saul, the one who persecuted Christians, the one who thought he could earn God's favor by following all the rules perfectly – that person is dead.
"I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." That is the heart of a changed life. It's not about trying harder or being better. It's about letting Jesus live his life through us. It's about waking up each morning and saying, "Jesus, I can't do this on my own. I need you to live through me today."
You see, before Paul met Jesus, he was all about following rules. He was a Pharisee, which meant he was an expert in Jewish law. He knew all 613 commandments in the Old Testament, and he tried to follow every single one. He thought that if he could just be good enough, God would accept him. But after meeting Jesus, he realized that wasn't how it worked. God's acceptance isn't based on our performance; it's based on his love.
This is such good news for us today. How many of us are still trying to earn God's love? How many of us think, "If I can just go to church enough, if I can just read my Bible enough, if I can just be nice enough, then God will love me"? Paul's transformation shows us that's backwards. God loves us first, and then we change because of that love.
Paul says he lives "by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Notice how personal this is. Paul doesn't say "who loved the world" or "who loved people in general." He says "who loved me." This is personal. Jesus didn't die for a faceless crowd; he died for you. He died for me. He died for each person in this room.
When you really grasp that – when you really understand that the Creator of the universe loved you enough to die for you – it changes everything. It changes how you see yourself. It changes how you treat others. It changes what you live for. This is the transformation Paul experienced, and it's the transformation available to every one of us.
Let me tell you what this looked like practically in Paul's life. Before his transformation, Paul was known for his violence. He was throwing Christians in prison. He was standing by, giving approval when Stephen, one of the early church leaders, was stoned to death. But after his transformation, Paul became known for his love. He planted churches, encouraged believers, and spent his life telling others about Jesus.
Before his transformation, Paul was all about his own reputation. He had the right pedigree, the right education, the right connections. But after his transformation, he considered all of that garbage compared to knowing Jesus. He went from being a respected religious leader to being beaten, imprisoned, and mocked for his faith. And he counted it all as joy because he was living for something bigger than himself.
This is what transformation looks like. It's not just changing your behavior; it's changing your heart. It's not just following new rules; it's living with new purpose. It's not just believing different things; it's becoming a different person.
Now, you might think that after such a dramatic conversion and transformation, Paul's life would be smooth sailing. You might think God would reward his faith with an easy life. But that's not what happened. In fact, Paul faced incredible hardships. Let me show you how he handled these trials. Turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 7 through 10.
7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.
8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul had what he calls a "thorn in the flesh." We don't know exactly what this was. Some think it was a physical illness, maybe an eye problem. Others think it was a spiritual struggle or opposition from enemies. The point is, Paul had something in his life that caused him constant pain and difficulty.
Paul prayed about this problem. Not just once, but three times he begged God to take it away. Have you ever been there? Have you ever had something in your life that you desperately wanted God to remove? Maybe it's an illness, a difficult relationship, a financial struggle, or a personal weakness. You pray and pray, but the problem remains.
Look at God's answer to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." God doesn't say, "Tough it out, Paul." He doesn't say, "Stop complaining." He says, "My grace is enough. In fact, I'm going to show my power through your weakness."
This completely changed Paul's perspective. Instead of being ashamed of his weaknesses, he started boasting about them. Not because he enjoyed suffering, but because his weaknesses gave God an opportunity to show his strength. When Paul was weak, he had to depend on God. And when he depended on God, amazing things happened.
Think about it this way. If Paul had been naturally talented at everything, if he'd never struggled or suffered, people might have said, "Well, of course Paul can do all these things. Look how gifted he is." But because Paul had obvious weaknesses and struggles, when God used him, everyone knew it was God's power at work, not Paul's ability.
Paul faced incredible trials throughout his ministry. He was beaten with rods three times. He was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times and spent a night and day floating in the open sea. He was constantly in danger from robbers, from his own countrymen, from Gentiles, from false believers. He went without food, without sleep, without proper clothing in the cold.
Why am I telling you all this? Because sometimes we think that if we just have enough faith, life will be easy. We think that being a Christian means being protected from all hardship. But Paul's life shows us that's not true. Faith doesn't eliminate trials; faith helps us endure trials. Faith doesn't make life easy; faith makes life meaningful.
Paul could face all these hardships because he knew they were temporary. He knew that compared to eternity with Jesus, even the worst suffering on earth was for just a moment. He could endure prison because he knew true freedom in Christ. He could face poverty because he knew the riches of God's grace. He could accept weakness because he knew God's strength.
This is so relevant for us today. We all face trials. Maybe not shipwrecks and stonings, but we face our own challenges. Illness, job loss, relationship problems, depression, anxiety – these thorns in the flesh are real, and they hurt. But Paul shows us that God's grace is sufficient for whatever we're facing.
When you're going through a trial, you have a choice. You can become bitter, asking "Why me?" and turning away from God. Or you can become better, allowing the trial to deepen your dependence on God and strengthen your faith. Paul chose the second option, and God used him to change the world.
I love how Paul puts it: "When I am weak, then I am strong." It sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? But it's one of the deepest truths of the Christian life. When we admit our weakness, we open ourselves to God's strength. When we stop pretending we have it all together, God can work through us in powerful ways.
Faith isn't meant to be lived alone. Real faith changes not just the individual but entire communities. Let me show you what this looked like in Paul's ministry. Turn to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, verses 6 through 9.
6 and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,
9 for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
This is Paul writing to the church in Thessalonica, a city in modern-day Greece. Notice the chain reaction that's happening here. Paul came to Thessalonica and shared his faith. The Thessalonians didn't just hear the message; they imitated Paul's faith. And then they became examples to other believers. And then their faith became known everywhere.
This is how faith spreads – not through programs or strategies, but through transformed lives. People saw how the Thessalonians lived, and they wanted what they had. They saw joy in the middle of persecution. They saw hope in the face of difficulty. They saw love in action. And they were drawn to it.
Paul's influence on communities was amazing. Everywhere he went, he left behind groups of believers who were radically different from the culture around them. In a world where people worshiped many gods, these Christians worshiped one God. In a world where might made right, these Christians served others. In a world divided by race and class, these Christians welcomed everyone as family.
Paul's faith created communities that were different. These weren't just groups of people who believed the same things; they were families who cared for each other. When someone was in need, others helped. When someone was struggling with sin, others gently restored them. When someone was discouraged, others encouraged them. They shared their possessions, their homes, their lives.
This kind of community was unheard of in the ancient world. Jews and Gentiles eating together? Slaves and masters worshiping side by side? Women being valued and included? This was revolutionary. And it all flowed from faith – faith that in Christ, all the old divisions were gone.
Paul understood that faith isn't just about getting to heaven when you die. Faith is about bringing heaven to earth right now. It's about living in such a way that people around us get a glimpse of God's kingdom. It's about creating communities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Paul's letters to these communities show us what he valued. He didn't write to them about building bigger buildings or organizing better programs. He wrote about character. He wrote about relationships. He wrote about living out their faith in practical ways. He urged them to work with their hands, to care for widows and orphans, to be honest in business, to honor their marriages, to raise their children well.
This is the kind of influence we're called to have today. Our faith should make a difference in our families, our workplaces, our neighborhoods. People should be able to look at us and see something different – not perfection, but transformation. Not self-righteousness, but genuine love. Not judgment, but grace.
As we close today, I want to bring this home to where we live. Paul's story isn't just ancient history; it's a pattern for our lives today. His journey from persecutor to preacher shows us that no one is beyond God's reach. His transformation from rule-follower to grace-receiver shows us the heart of the gospel. His perseverance through trials shows us how to handle hardship. And his influence on communities shows us how faith can change the world.
But here's the thing – Paul wasn't superhuman. He struggled with the same things we struggle with. He wrote about battling his flesh, about doing the things he didn't want to do and not doing the things he wanted to do. He wrote about discouragement, about feeling overwhelmed, about times when he despaired even of life itself. The difference wasn't that Paul was perfect; the difference was that Paul knew where his strength came from.
In one of his letters, Paul wrote these words: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Notice he didn't say, "I can do all things because I'm talented" or "I can do all things because I try really hard." He said, "I can do all things through Christ." His confidence wasn't in himself; it was in Jesus.
This is the secret to Paul's extraordinary life. He understood that faith isn't about what we can do for God; it's about what God can do through us. He understood that our weaknesses don't disqualify us; they actually make us useful in God's hands. He understood that our past doesn't define us; God's grace does.
Think about where you are today. Maybe you're here and you've never had that personal encounter with Jesus. You've heard about him, you know the stories, but you've never made it personal. Today can be your road to Damascus. You don't need a blinding light; you just need an open heart. Jesus is saying to you what he said to Paul: "Why are you running from me? I love you. I died for you. Let me transform your life."
Or maybe you're a believer, but you're stuck. You had that initial encounter with Jesus, but the transformation seems to have stalled. You're still trying to live the Christian life in your own strength. You're exhausted from trying to be good enough. Paul's message to you is simple: stop trying and start trusting. Let Christ live through you. Exchange your strength for his.
Perhaps you're in the middle of a trial right now. You've prayed for God to remove your thorn in the flesh, but it remains. You're wondering if God has forgotten you, if your faith is weak, if you're doing something wrong. Paul's life reminds you that God's grace is sufficient. Your weakness isn't a liability; it's an opportunity for God to show his power. Don't waste your trial. Let it deepen your dependence on God.
Or maybe you're wondering if your life really matters. You look at Paul and think, "I could never have that kind of impact. I'm just an ordinary person in a small town." But remember, Paul's greatest impact wasn't through his dramatic missionary journeys; it was through the communities he influenced. Your faith can transform your family. Your faith can impact your workplace. Your faith can change your community. You don't have to travel the world to make a difference. You just have to live out your faith where you are.
As we think about Paul's legacy, we need to ask ourselves: What legacy are we leaving? When people think of us, do they think of someone transformed by grace? Do they see in us the same joy, the same perseverance, the same love that characterized Paul's life? Are we creating communities of faith that give the world a glimpse of God's kingdom?
You see, Paul understood something crucial: faith isn't just about believing the right things. Faith is about being transformed by the right Person. It's about letting Jesus Christ so radically change your life that you can say with Paul, "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
This kind of faith changes everything. It takes persecutors and turns them into preachers. It takes the proud and makes them humble. It takes the weak and makes them strong. It takes ordinary people and uses them for extraordinary purposes. This is the faith Paul lived, and it's the faith available to each of us today.
As we close, I want to challenge you with this thought: What would happen if we really lived like Paul? What would happen if we really believed that God's grace is sufficient for our weaknesses? What would happen if we really let Christ live through us? What would happen if our faith really influenced our communities?
I believe we would see the same thing Paul saw – lives transformed, communities changed, the gospel spreading like wildfire. Not because we're special, but because the God we serve is special. Not because we're strong, but because his power is perfected in our weakness. Not because we're worthy, but because his grace is amazing.
Paul's story reminds us that heroes of faith aren't perfect people; they're forgiven people. They're not people without struggles; they're people who trust God in their struggles. They're not people who have it all together; they're people who let God put them together.
Today, you can be a hero of faith. Not by being perfect, but by being available. Not by being strong, but by admitting your weakness. Not by having all the answers, but by knowing the One who does. Paul's legacy continues in every person who says yes to Jesus, who lives by faith, who allows God to transform their life and influence their world.
The God who met Paul on the road to Damascus is the same God who meets us today. The Jesus who transformed Paul's life is the same Jesus who offers to transform ours. The Spirit who empowered Paul for ministry is the same Spirit who empowers us. The faith that changed the world through Paul is the same faith available to us.
So let me leave you with this question: What's stopping you from living the kind of faith-filled life Paul lived? Whatever it is – your past, your weaknesses, your trials, your doubts – it's not bigger than God's grace. Paul's life proves that. Your life can prove it too.
Let's pray.
