07-Paul1
Saul
I Will
“Four Spiritual Secrets”
Introduction – I can do God’s will
A. Review
1. Jacob’s Efforts
a. Bartered, Stole and outsmarted
b. Result – fleeing for his life
2. Why was Jacob successful?
a. Not because of his own efforts
b. God was with him
B. Contextual Setting
1. The Church
a. Church in infancy
b. Centered in Jerusalem
c. Leadership by the Disciples
2. Jewish Leaders
a. Same ones who crucified Jesus
b. Persecuting Church
c. Stoning of Stephen – First Martyr
C. Reading – Acts
1. 7:58 – 8:5
2. 9:1-31
I. The Teaching (What does it say?)
A. How does Saul fit into this? – 7:58-8:5
1. He’s leading the events
a. Approving authority for Stephen’s murder
b. Ravaging the church
c. Scattering the church
2. How is God Using him?
a. He scattered the Church – 8:4
b. The Gospel is spread – 8:5
B. How does Saul’s role change? – 9:1-31
1. He’s trying to contain the church – 1, 2
2. He meets Jesus – 3-9
3. He commissioned for ministry – 10-19
4. He begins his ministry – 20-29
5. God changes his ministry – 30, 31
II. Who is working here? (What does it mean?)
A. How is Saul working?
1. Trying to destroy the church
2. Killing leaders
3. Imprisoning followers
4. Containing the movement
B. How is God working?
1. Separating true believers out
2. Showing the world that these are true believers
3. Sending the Gospel out to the world
4. Choosing an Apostle to the Gentiles
III. Who does God use? (What does this mean to me?)
A. Those who believe in Him
1. He used the apostles
2. He used Stephen
3. He used the Jewish Christians
B. Those who don’t believe in Him
1. He used Saul before his conversion
2. He gave Saul the opportunity to meet Him
Conclusion
A. If we want to be used by God we must
1. God is in control
a. He controls what happens to His people
b. He uses good and bad to spread the Gospel
2. God uses those who believe
a. Believers are used to build the Church
b. Believe and act and God will make sure you’re acting according to His plan
B. Assignment
1. Paul and the Spiritual Secrets
2. Philippians 3