Paul said that in every city the Spirit warns him. He tells him that he will face prison and suffering. He goes on, “But my life MEANS NOTHING TO ME. I only want to FINISH THE RACE. I want to COMPLETE THE WORK the Lord Jesus has given me. He wants me to give witness to others about the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:23-24) Paul says it is all about completing the task Jesus assigns to us and finishing in glorious victory!
Paul stated, “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of SEVERE TESTING by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must TURN TO GOD IN REPENTANCE and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:19-21)
HOW DID GOD USE PAUL?
- HALF OF THE NEW TESTAMENT STEMS FROM PAUL AND THE PEOPLE WHOM HE INFLUENCED.
- PAUL’S LETTERS ARE WRITTEN IN KOINE, OR “COMMON” GREEK, RATHER THAN IN THE ELEGANT LITERARY GREEK OF HIS WEALTHY CONTEMPORARIES.
- PAUL WAS ON HIS WAY TO DAMASCUS WHEN HE HAD A VISION THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE, ACCORDING TO GALATIANS 1:16: “…when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and CALLED ME BY HIS GRACE, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him AMONG THE GENTILES, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.” (Galatians 1:15-19)
- PAUL WAS VERY PROTECTIVE OF THE GOSPEL: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are TURNING TO A DIFFERENT GOSPEL— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are THROWING YOU INTO CONFUSION and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if WE or AN ANGEL from heaven should preach a gospel OTHER THAN THE ONE WE PREACHED TO YOU, LET THEM BE UNDER GOD’S CURSE!” (Galatians 1:6-8)
We can accomplish this task by, “Studying (the rich and powerful, God breathed, Word of God) earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, one who correctly explains the Word of Truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham