Living Testimony: Gratitude

Initial Thoughts

Series Overview: Paul’s life was radically transformed by Christ, from a persecutor of Christians to a ‘living testimony’ of the transforming grace of God. Join us as we consider how our lives may reflect the same hope that defined Paul and birthed communities of faith throughout the ancient world.

“Who has strengthened me” is Paul’s remembering to his conversion experience in Acts 9:1-19.

“I acted ignorantly in unbelief” makes me wonder what it means to act “in belief.” Are the behaviours Paul attributes to himself - blasphemer, persecutor, and man of violence - meant to be the opposite of behaviours one with belief would exhibit? Does belief bring about honouring, protecting, and peacemaking?

And is mercy the catalytic moment for Paul?

The salvation that Paul experienced is to be used to “display the utmost patience.” Patience reveals the true nature of God’s salvific purposes for the world. They are patient in that they believe all things might be saved, redeemed, or made new.

How does impatience keep us from seeing God’s hand at work?

“making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.” 1 Ti 1:16. Paul believes in the transforming love of Christ because he has experienced it firsthand. He also believes that to be for more than him. He knows that all those created are invited to a full life

Four titles are given to God

“King of the ages”

implies a supreme reign

“Immortal”

Not bound to any one generation

“Invisible”

Perhaps comments more on our blindness than God’s hiddenness

“The only God”

What are the other god’s we serve?