That's All In The Past

That's All In The Past, Now Let’s Praise God (Galatians 1:18-24)

Paul’s Past Concerning Sin

Acts 26

Philippians 3:4–7 “Though 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: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

1 Timothy 1:12–16 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Paul’s Past Concerning the Savior

Acts 9

Paul’s Past Concerning the Saints

Acts 9:10-19 (Influence From People’s Words)

Acts 9:20-22 (Influence By Preaching the Word)

Acts 9:23-28 (Influence By People’s Way of Thinking)

Barnabas being an advocate for Saul

Romans 1:11 “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;”

Romans 14:1 “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”

Romans 15:1–2 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Paul did the same to those that believed in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:3-12

Imagine a new employee makes a mistake on his first week.

The arrogant veteran says:

“I can't believe they hired this guy. He doesn't know what he's doing.”

The advocate says:

“He's new. I made plenty of mistakes when I started. I'll show him how we do it.”

The advocate doesn't lower the standard. He helps the inexperienced person reach the standard. That's a great picture of how mature Christians should treat young converts.

Arrogance asks:

“Why doesn't he know what I know?”

Advocacy asks:

“How can I help him learn what I know?”

Galatians 1:23–24 “But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.”

They didn’t put Paul down because of his past. They glorified God because Paul’s past had been erased and the future was new!

We should encourage those that are young in the faith to grow in Christ.