EPISODE 0073 | Nobody Liked Paul
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0073
In this episode, we take a closer look at the Apostle Paul, a man whose dramatic transformation from persecutor to preacher challenges how we view faith and grace. Paul’s boldness and unwavering commitment to the Gospel confronted the cultural norms of his time and still speaks to the diluted, comfortable version of Christianity we see today. His life reminds us that God can redeem and use even the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes.
The story of Paul is a wild one because he went from a hater of Jesus to the most prolific and influential Christian the world has ever seen.
Nobody Liked Paul:
1. Saul Persecuted the Church
He was a religious leader of his day (Saul)
He thought very high of himself
He killed those that believed in Jesus
He was filled with pride
Acts 22:1-5 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language,[a] the silence was even greater. 3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
This Origin story relates to every believer and is the center of the Gospel Message. God saves sinners, of which includes all of us.
2. Saul’s Conscience Condemned Him.
It didn’t start at his encounter with Christ but the seeds were planted here: NOTE: The Holy Spirit was already working on Saul.
Acts 7:51-58 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
Acts 7:54-58 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
3. Saul Encounters Christ.
Paul has an encounter that would leave him CHANGED
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,[b] 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 got in Paul’s Way. Paul was faced with a moment of discission, a crossroads. A Moment of Destiny. Paul was blinded and given a choice.
Paul had to make a decision. Would he obey the Lord and follow His Path or no. He was not forced.
Jesus confronts Pauls conscience. Holy Spirit in the world and in a situation.
Paul’s Life Changed direction. Paul didn’t just have behavior modification, He a transformation in his HEART.
4. Saul Becomes Paul
It’s not easy to live a life that you think is right, and then later in life you learn you actually weren’t right. Paul’s name was actually SAUL.
Meaning of the Names:
Saul: In Hebrew, "Saul" (ָשׁאוּל , Sha'ul) means "asked for" or "prayed for." It was a common Hebrew name, famously borne by the first king of Israel.
Paul: The name "Paul" (Παῦλος, Paulos) in Latin means "small" or "humble." It is not of Hebrew origin but rather Greek or Roman. The adoption of the name Paul reflects Saul’s mission to the Gentiles, as it was a common name in the Roman Empire.
5. Paul Loved the Church.
Colossians 2:8 (NLT) "Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ."
Paul wasn’t going to live his life for himself. Paul knew God had called him
6. Paul Spoke Clearly About Culture.
So even in his own afflictions the Apostle Paul is still caring for the church, looking after the people.
Ephesians 4:17-18 (NLT) "With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him."
Romans 1:18-20 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
7. Paul Faced Criticism from Everyone.
Galatians 1:10 (NLT) "Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT): You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Philippians 3:18-20 (NLT) "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior."
8. Paul finished the race
The Apostle Paul fought the good fight of faith!
The Process of Paul’s Spiritual Transformation:
1. God changed His Heart. (The Holy Spirit)
2. God changed His Mind. (The Bible)
3. God changed His Hands. (The Church
Want to hear more from the Nobody Like Paul Series? Watch all messages in the series here!
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