Live Stream Feed | February 02, 2020
Rising Above the Static – The Paul Edition
I encourage you to read the works of Paul. Explore how Paul rises above all the static in his life. His story can be found in Acts as well as the 13 books Paul is recognized as authoring: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus.
Static in our lives DISTRACTS and FRUSTRATES us.
Static makes it difficult to hear.
What static did Paul experience? Paul definitely felt the pressure of static in his life. Some issues of static in his life were: murder, persecution, pride, anger, imprisonment, flogging, shipwrecks, ministry dysfunction, and being beaten with rods.
8 TAKEAWAYS FROM PAUL RISING ABOVE THE STATIC
ONE – IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU START
The bible introduces Paul in Acts at the stoning of Stephen and persecuting Christians. If God can use Paul, he can use you.
Acts: 7:54 – Acts 8:3
When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
TWO – JESUS CAN RADICALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Jesus knows exactly what experience you need to radically get your attention and transform your life.
Acts 9:1-9
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” -“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
THREE – RELATIONSHIP TRUMPS ALL
You can have all the external advantages of the world but nothing compares to an intimate personal relationship with Jesus.
Philippians 3:4–9
though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
FOUR – BE CONTENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
Paul drew his strength from the Lord. He fixed his eyes on the Lord -not on his circumstances.
Philippians 4:11–13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
FIVE – LEAN INTO GROWTH
You don’t have to be perfect. Keep moving toward the goal.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
CHALLENGE
A radical experience with Jesus is available to all. Ask for a personal radical experience.
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