Paul Part 1
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· 5 viewsYour greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God is telling the truth about yourself.
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New Series: We are starting a new series today on the Apostle Paul.
The most significant figure in the New Testament outside of Yeshua is Paul.
Give Statistics on Amount of Space dedicated to the life of Paul, the writings of Paul.
I would argue that almost 2/3 of the books of Acts almost 20 chapters is dedicated the life of Paul.
28% of the entire New Testament was written by Paul.
The total word count of Paul’s writings (including Hebrews) is 50,190 words.
50,190 words
Compare this to:
Tom Sawyer 69,066 words
Diary of Anne Frank: 82, 762 words
The Lord of the Rings 455, 122 words for Volume 1
Yet, we can confidently say that though there are longer books written throughout the ages none have had as much influence on world-wide culture as Paul.
His influence is felt in philosophy, psychology, law, civics, religion, business, geography, history, ethics, science.
There is so much about his life because there is something God wanted us to learn from this man’s story. Not just his story but the story of all the people surrounding Paul: Barnabas, Peter, James, Timothy, Titus.
To learn from his life, we have to see his past. We have to know who Paul was before he became the Paul we knew. We need this because each part of his life I believe is a key to the success of our faith on our congregation and our movement.
When I think of Paul, actually Saul of Tarsus, his given name by his parents. I am reminded of a young, zealous Torah student named Yigal Amir. Brought up in an orthodox Jewish family, zealous for Law of Moses, the traditions of his forefathers, and for the Land of Israel. So zealous that in November of 1995, he assassinated the Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin.
Rabin had taken part in the Oslo Accords, working out agreements toward peace with the Palestinian leadership. In 1994 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with his political rival Shimon Peres and with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. He also signed a peace treaty with Jordan. All this was too much for hard-line Israelis, who saw his actions as hopelessly compromising national identity and security. The news media described the assassin as a “law student,” but in Europe and America that phrase carries a meaning different from the one it has in Israel today and the one it would have had in the days of Saul of Tarsus. Amir was not studying to be an attorney in a Western-style court. He was a zealous Torah student. His action on November 4, 1995, was, so he claimed at his trial, in accordance with Jewish law. He is still serving his life sentence and has never expressed regret for his actions.
Rabin had taken part in the Oslo Accords, working out agreements toward peace with the Palestinian leadership. In 1994 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with his political rival Shimon Peres and with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. He also signed a peace treaty with Jordan. All this was too much for hard-line Israelis, who saw his actions as hopelessly compromising national identity and security. The news media described the assassin as a “law student,” but in Europe and America that phrase carries a meaning different from the one it has in Israel today and the one it would have had in the days of Saul of Tarsus. Amir was not studying to be an attorney in a Western-style court. He was a zealous Torah student. His action on November 4, 1995, was, so he claimed at his trial, in accordance with Jewish law. He is still serving his life sentence and has never expressed regret for his actions. - from, Wright, N. T.. Paul (pp. 36-37). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.
Or, even more closely to Saul of Tarsus I think of Yaakov Teitel. Teitel confessed to having carried out a pipe-bomb attack against the liberal Israeli writer Ze'ev Sternhell, as well as the murders of a Palestinian taxi driver and a West Bank shepherd in 1997, and a 2006 attempted bombing near the settlement of Eli, three bombings against police targets and a Christian monastery in 2007, and sending a booby-trapped package that injured a teenage boy to the home of a Messianic Jewish family in Ariel.
Wright, N. T.. Paul (pp. 36-37). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.
Paul was infamous long before he was famous.
Now Saul was in agreement with Stephen’s execution. On that day a great persecution arose against Messiah’s community in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the emissaries.
Some devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
But Saul was destroying Messiah’s community, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he was throwing them into prison.
“I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, trained strictly according to the Torah of our fathers, being zealous for God just as all of you are today.
I persecuted this Way to the death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prisons—
as the kohen gadol and all the council of elders can testify about me. I also received letters from them to the brothers, and I went to Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem even those who were there in chains—to be punished.
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The greatest contribution Paul could make to the Kingdom of God may not have been all he did, but in admitting who he was.
I thank Messiah Yeshua our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to service—
even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Yet I was shown mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
and the grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love that are in Messiah Yeshua.
Why does Paul have to keep admitting it? Wasn’t once enough? Why not be more vague about the past and speak in generalities? Furthermore, why not tell the ugly and then launch into a victory monologue like Joel Osteen? Instead he says this
Trustworthy is the saying and deserving of complete acceptance: “Messiah Yeshua came into the world to save sinners”—of whom I am foremost.
Yet for this reason I was shown mercy—so that in me as the foremost, Messiah Yeshua might demonstrate His complete patience, as an example for those about to put their trust in Him for eternal life.
For some have already gone astray after satan.
If any woman of faith has widows in need, let her help them and not let the community be burdened, so it may help the real widows.
1 timothy 5:
“The greatest contribution I can make to the Kingdom of God is the story of Messiah’s grace towards my sinful past.”
We Section
The greatest contribution you make to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you embrace.
The greatest contribution you make to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but in admitting who your past.
Everyone one of us has a past we are ashamed of us. Everyone of us has a skeleton in our closet that you are just hoping that no one will ever find. In your mind, it is dark, ugly and if your wife knew, if your husband knew, if your boss knew, if your children knew, if your friends knew...
The heart seeks to self-justify.
You Section
In spite of what you know about your own past, in spite of the skeletons in your closet, the default mode of the human heart is to say “I will accept you; if, you are not to bad of a person.” The heart seeks to self-justify.
The failure to own the skeletons in our own closet is precisely what convinces so many of us that our opinions and motives are above reproach while those who admit their sin, are evil or stupid, or inept, or so crooked they can’t be straightened out.
The failure to own the evil in our own past is precisely what convinces so many of us that our opinions and motives are above reproach while those who admit their sin, their evil are stupid, inept and crooked.
If you want to move forward, you have to tell the truth on yourself.
opinions and motives are above reproach while those who contradict us are stupid or malign
The failure to recognize the evil in our own hearts is precisely what convinces so many of us that our opinions and motives are above reproach while those who contradict us are stupid or malign
When you are ashamed of your past or do something wrong, there are two typical reactions that pull in opposite directions. On the one hand, you could just hide what you have done. If nobody finds out, then it may feel like you didn’t do it at all. On the other hand, you might just want to partially and vaguely confess what you have done wrong. That at least tips the hat in the direction that you may have done something wrong and helps people to know you are not perfect and you know it.
The problem is that your heart knows what you have done. And, people know your faking it and masking your past.
The reason why you may not be reaching new people with the Gospel is because you are not real with yourself or other people.
The greatest contribution that Paul made for the Kingdom of God was being real about his need for the grace of God.
Get Real about Your Past
If you love the mercy of God, you cannot be indifferent to difficult people
The Past We Must Tell
even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Yet I was shown mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
The Past We Must Tell
Your past is evidence of the Savior not a blemish to hide.
The determining factor in your relationship with God is no longer your past, but Messiah’s grace.
and the grace of our Lord overflowed with the faith and love that are in Messiah Yeshua.
We are all tempted to put our trophies on display.
It reminds me of the true story of a pastor who had various large game trophies from Africa displayed around his home: a zebra skin, an antelope hide, the foot of a great elephant turned into a sitting stool. All these trophies were very impressive, and the pastor was asked to tell their origin.
He began to explain where each animal was taken, but then, as the minister was speaking, it became obvious that he also was sensing the hidden questions on my and other guests’ minds.
People were thinking, Aren’t these endangered species? Though these are impressive, large game trophies, isn’t there something inherently wrong in displaying them? Sensing the questions (which he had probably answered for many previous guests), the pastor offered qualifications for each of the trophies he presented.
He said, “These animals were shot before they were rare, before there were restrictions on such hunting, and I personally did not shoot them. My father-in-law did.”
In effect, the pastor was forced to apologize for the very trophies that he displayed.
Your trophied accomplishment are nothing compared to Messiah’s grace trophy called your life.
The grace of the Messiah should compel you just like Paul to do the same. You may want to put the trophies of your righteousness, your obedience, your stewardship, your accomplishments on display but don’t do it.
That is not the Gospel, that is self-salvation. Don’t send a message to your wife, husband, children, co-workers that you are so good, so perfect that God is required to move on your behalf.
My past reminds me but it does not define me. Take your cues about you from the One who Redeemed you, not your past.
Tell the truth on yourself. The reason God has done anything in your life is because you have said like Paul
Trustworthy is the saying and deserving of complete acceptance: “Messiah Yeshua came into the world to save sinners”—of whom I am foremost.
My past reminds me but it does not define me.
My past is of evidence of the Savior not a blemish to hide.
I thank Messiah Yeshua our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to service—
Get Real about Your Fears.
My past is the reason why I am a better leader, husband, father, friend, today.
You may think that your past could be the roadblock for your future success. The opposite is true. Your past is the reason why you will be a better leader, husband, father, friend, today.
Get Real about Your Fears: We Must Face
People will disrespect me.
People will undermine me.
The Fears We Must Face
People will abandon me.
People will distrust me.
Experience is not the best teacher… EVALUATED experience is the best teacher
Yet for this reason I was shown mercy—so that in me as the foremost, Messiah Yeshua might demonstrate His complete patience, as an example for those about to put their trust in Him for eternal life.
In, my humanity I really struggle with this and I don’t always get real about my fears. I want to believe that God will be good to this congregation, my family, my wife’s work and to you guys because somehow I can be good enough.
I don’t want to share my inabilities, my struggles, the internal storm that rages inside of me out of fear, ultimately, of letting people down.
When I face the reality of the inability of my works to merit God’s favor, then I recognize I must depend on his goodness and not mine. At times this dependence is scary because it lifts control from me, but there is no other choice when I recognize the true character of even my best works: according to Scripture they are only “a polluted garment” ().
That sounds strange I know but first you have to be careful about creating a doctrine of perfection for the priesthood but not for the people. Not even Paul himself will say he can be perfect in this world. Second, we know leaders in the New Testament who were accused of wrong, Peter for instance
When I face the reality of the inability of my works to merit God’s favor, then I recognize I must depend on his goodness and not mine. At times this dependence is scary because it lifts control from me, but there is no other choice when I recognize the true character of even my best works: according to Scripture they are only “a polluted garment” ()
Further, when you and I communicate that is God’s ability and not ours that is accomplishing great things, those who are lost will know there is a family of faith for them.
When I face the reality of the inability of my works to merit God’s favor, then I recognize I must depend on his goodness and not mine. At times this dependence is scary because it lifts control from me, but there is no other choice when I recognize the true character of even my best works: according to Scripture they are only “a polluted garment” ()
The greatest contribution you may make to the Kingdom of God is by admitting your weakness not your trophies.
Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
People will undermine me.
Shame
of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
People will abandon me.
Disconnection
People will distrust me.
The greatest contribution you may make to the Kingdom of God is by admitting your weakness
1 timothy 1:
The power to do what God requires resides in God.
Get Real about being Desperate for God
The power to do what God requires resides in God.
of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
The Compassion We Must Keep Alive
Get Real about Grace and Keep it Alive
What is this all about for you and me?
God is moving on planet earth not through our deeds but through the desperation we confess.
We must have a compassion for people, not just a passion for God.
Yeshua said “yes” to forgiving me so you could know he says “yes” to forgiving you. Yeshua keeps forgiving me so you can know He will keep forgiving you.
The old timers used to say it this way, “stay close to the cross.” Stay close to that moment when Yeshua saved you, don’t believe for a second that anything that is happening now is because of something you have done, remember everything now is a gift of God’s grace and mercy.
One day the son sat in the family’s living room looking at a photo album of better and happier days past. He came across one picture that he asked his mother to look at. The picture showed the teen as a young child under the approving smile of his mother. The teen pointed to the photograph and said, “Mom, when I look at this picture, I understand why you don’t love me anymore. When I look at this picture of you, there is such hope in your eyes for me, but I have dashed all your hopes. I don’t know how to fix who I am and what I have done. Still, Mom, please forgive me that I have dashed all your hopes.” And what did she do? Her hardness broke, and she embraced him, with her heart renewed in love for him. She did not delude herself that there would be no more troubles. What moved her were neither protests of not having really done anything wrong nor fresh promises to do better. What moved her was the statement of absolute desperation from her child. This is what moves God also.
In 20 years of ministry, I have watched and observed that those who “know no evil” and boast a record of so-called innocence with good works fail to recognize how far short of his holiness they actually fall. The reality is, they know they fall short but they just keep putting on the mask.
Yeshua said “yes” to forgiving me so you could know he says “yes” to forgiving you.
God is not building his Kingdom on the back of your so-called innocence with good works that fail to recognize how far short of his holiness they actually fall, nor when we promise that we will do better in the future.
The nature of the gospel that we confess is that though there is no reason for God to love us, yet he does.
Until we recognize and confess that there is no reason that God should be moved to love us other than the need we bring, we have no gospel to preach or claim. Our faith is most evident not when we boast about our goodness but when we cry out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
When we are most like Zaccheus up in the tree. When we are like the Lepers crying out.
I recognize that this is dangerous preaching. To claim that it is our desperation for God and not our works for God that will change the world sounds like we can just live and do whatever we want. That is not the case. What we will learn from Paul in the coming weeks is that our motive for doing good at all is because we were shown grace and mercy.
Yeshua keeps forgiving me so you can know He will keep forgiving you.
When you start to confess your desperation for God, trust me religious people will abandon you
Conclusion
Conclusion
With wonderful precision and a bit of trepidation the apostle Paul’s story assures us that the greatest thing we will ever do is tell the truth on ourselves. He challenges us to not get too far from the Messiah Yeshua’s mercy, to not forget where you have come from because it might be the thing that helps someone get to an eternal somewhere.
Tell Rick Meadow’s story.
The determining factor in your relationship with God is no longer your past, but Messiah’s past. Illustrate the rebuilding of the house. We anticipate some changes but what about when it goes wild. Chip and Joe