Week 3 – Jeff Maness – May 20th, 2018
On the night that Paul encountered Christ, what must he have been thinking? We’re not told what he thought, be we do now how he felt at the end of his life. In the final days of his life, Paul recounted the first days of his faith. That even though Paul was the “worst of sinners”, Christ saved Him to show He can save anyone.
Mixtape May: Paul
Main Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 & Acts 9:1-15
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1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”-and I am the worst of them all.
1 Timothy 1:12-13 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.
Acts 8:3 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 2
Acts 9:1-2 1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
1 Timothy 1:14 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
Acts 9:3-5 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission (to arrest Christians), a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”
1 Timothy 1:16-17 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
Acts 9:6, 8, 11-15 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
We should never forget who we were BEFORE Christ, but our faith must be rooted in who we are IN Christ.
If Jesus could save Paul, then Jesus can save all.
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