EPISODE 0050 | How To Lose Friends & Influence People
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0050
Today we learn from the life of the Apostle Paul, who shows us firsthand how to lose friends and influence people. Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus led to a radical transformation—alienating his former allies but allowing him to become one of the most influential figures in the early church. We’ll explore how Paul’s journey teaches us about the power of grace, the necessity of humility, and how God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to make a lasting impact.
Lessons From The Apostle Paul
1. Paul had a past.
• He was a religious leader of his day
• He thought very highly of himself
• He killed those that believed in Jesus
• He was filled with pride
2. Paul had an encounter with Jesus.
Acts 22:6-10:6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. 10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’
When we have an encounter with Jesus it will leave us different.
What happens?
• Jesus changes our DIRECTION: Paul was headed one way, and it changed once Jesus came in.
• Jesus changes the way we think: Paul got a new PERSPECTIVE on life once Jesus came in.
• Jesus changes the way we act: Paul didn’t just have behavior modification, He a transformation in his HEART.
3. Paul was humbled.
1 Corinthians 15:9: 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
Humility says:
• I’m not always right
• I have so much to learn
• I can’t do this on my own
4. Paul built people. Paul reached the world through a team of believers committed to ministry.
5. Paul loved the church.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8: 7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.
6. Paul finished the race.
The Apostle Paul fought the good fight of faith!
2 Timothy 4:7: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
7. Paul’s work continues on in us today.
Although the Apostle Paul has gone on to be with the Lord, his:
• Teachings
• Encounters
• Love for Jesus
• Fruit
• Life Lessons
All still live on to this day.
We as a church we know about Christ because of Paul’s life and ministry.
Resources
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