Clueless No More - July 7, 2019
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Clueless from the Start
Clueless from the Start
Intro: As intense as Saul (the Apostle Paul) was about life, he still got a lot wrong! He’s such a big hero of mine, it’s hard for me to accept that, but we’re going to look at some big things he had to learn so God could use him in such a mighty way.
Paul was Clueless about Who he was Fighting!
Paul was Clueless about Who he was Fighting!
As he was on his way to track down those who belonged to “The Way”, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me.” Saul’s response:
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Clueless about His Real Mission
Saul (later known as Paul) was there speechless and unable to see as he got up off the ground. He was clueless about what mission he would be on from now on.
Jesus sent Ananias to restore Paul’s sight . . AND to tell him some of what was ahead:
This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles . . I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. (Ac 9.16 NIV 1984)
His first Clue knocked him on the Ground!
But he then was able to see — and discovered he real life’s calling (including the suffering it would all entail).
We don’t like it, but we get a lot wrong!
We don’t like it, but we get a lot wrong!
I’ve believed a lot of bogus ideas along the way and it’s important for us to keep facing the misconceptions we’ve adopted if we’re going to keep learning the truth. Look at some of misconceptions we encounter — especially about our need for God or for a savior:
Christianity is Not for Me!
“I don’t want to go to Church”
“It’s a Western thing and you have to agree with others politically”
“It’s just another religion — there are MANY ways to God.”
“I can’t believe that it’s ONLY by Jesus that I can be forgiven.”
“You can trust the reliability of the Bible; it’s probably not actually the Word of God.”
I’m not sure I’d like it:
“I don’t want to be under someone else’s authority. I’m in control!”
“I don’t want to have to change; I like my life as it is.”
I’m OK without religion.
“I don’t need a savior. I’m not really a bad person.”
“I can handle things on my own.”
Once we reject our wrong ideas and conclusions, we can find the Truth! Look what happened with Paul . . .
Paul Grasped the Depth of His own Sin
Paul Grasped the Depth of His own Sin
see: 1 Tim 1:12-16
Clueless about His own Sin -- 1 Timothy 1:12–16
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.
1 Tim 1:13 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.
1:15 - Jesus came to save sinners — of whom I AM THE WORST!
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.
Once we reject our wrong ideas and conclusions, we can then accept the Real Savior. Jesus CAN save us — NO MATTER how bad we have lived!
“I’m TOO bad to be saved.”
Clueless about His own Faulty Righteousness
see: Philippians 3:3–7
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. 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. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Paul had a Religious Resume like no one else!
But then he came to see that it all counted FOR NOTHING! He could never get right with God by his own efforts or acheievements!
All of it was revealed to be TRASH:
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Phil 3:6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
BUT, when Paul met Jesus, the Risen Savior, PAUL was Clueless NO MORE!
see: Philippians 3:8–10
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,