Paul's Calling

Introduction

Quick review of Sundays sermon

1. Paul had the Gospel (v.18)

a) He had been converted

He was an enemy of God.

Romans 5:10 KJV 1900

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Before someone gets saved they are considered an enemy of God. Because God is perfectly Holy and without sin, anyone who is otherwise is considered an enemy of God. He has made a way for all of humankind to know Him and be saved, and when a person freely chooses to not believe in the gospel, their disobedience must be punished. No one is without excuse. There are three ways that God has given evidence of Himself in this world.

Creation

Psalm 19:1 KJV 1900

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(explain verse)

2. Conscience

Romans 2:14–16 KJV 1900

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

(explain verse)

3. Christ

John 8:56–59 KJV 1900

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

(explain verse)

So no one has an excuse- when someone sees these things and truly seeks after the true God they will find Him. Lots of examples of missionaries discovering this.

The only person who has an excuse is the young child who cannot comprehend the things of God. this is known as the age of accountability. There is not a specific age, it is just when the child is able to understand that there is a god and things like that

story of david and bathsheba

David saw Bathsheba bathing, had a servant bring her in, had sex with her, found out she got pregnant, and so he had her husband Uriah killed. The punishment for his sin is that his baby would die.

2 Samuel 12:23 KJV 1900

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

So David said he will see his child again

And so everybody needs to be converted to Christianity, if not, they are an enemy of God.

— Not only was Paul converted TO Christianity, but he was converted FROM staunch pharisaical judaism.

Philippians 3:5–6 KJV 1900

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.

(explain verse)

Paul was the poster boy for the pharisees. He even learned under the rabbi Gamaliel, which is one of the most famous Rabbis ever, people still talk about him and adore him today.

— So Paul had the Pharisee attitude of because i do more good works than you, I am holier than thou.

— HIS IDENTITY WAS ROOTED IN WHAT HE DID, NOT WHAT GOD DID.

But when he became a Christian, he realized that this was no longer the case, this is not the way that God intended it.

A lot of us still struggle with that as Christians, we think that what we do will gain us favor with God, but that is not the case. We are new creatures in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin, but we are sons and daughters to God.

Colossians 3:1–25 KJV 1900

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

So Paul gives us this list of things to stop doing and things to start doing.

but he starts and ends this list with the fact that the only way that we can stop doing these bad things and start doing these good things is because of Christ and what He has done. You are now of Christ, you are of God.

— We have to keep our focus on Christ through faith, Keeping Christ at the forefront of our minds, and that is how we can put off the former things, and put on the new man and new things.

b) He preached

to Jews

to Greeks

c) People were amazed

2. Paul had Grown

He was a student of Scripture

a) He was constantly learning

Galatians 1:15–18 KJV 1900

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

b) He offended the Jews

the gospel is offensive

3. Paul had a Gang

a) Disciples helped him learn

b) Disciples helped him preach

c) Disciples helped him escape