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Search The Scriptures: August 19, 2001
THINGS WE LEARN FROM PAUL
INTRODUCTION:
A. Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to a thirty-minute bible study. I am J.R.
Bronger and on behalf of the Danville church of Christ I’m pleased to have you join us for
today’s broadcast of the bible study program Search the Scriptures. My friends, when you
study the bible with us on Search the Scriptures, I think you will find a throwback to the
bygone years when men and women took seriously their study of the sacred scriptures. If you
wish to have your emotions stirred with motivational rhetoric or if you wish to be appealed to by
modern gimmicks designed to shield from you what we are trying to accomplish - then you
probably will not find Search the Scriptures to your liking. If, however, you are interested in
knowing the word of God, then you will be appreciative of what this program is doing. We are
simply endeavoring to restore original Christianity in the hearts and minds of honest men and
women. We would like to lead listeners - like you - out of the folly, confusion and division of
modern so-called Christianity, and back to the religion of Jesus Christ. This is because we still
believe what the bible says in Rom. 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God to salvation for
everyone who believes.
B. Also, if you have any questions or comments, or if you would just like to browse our web site,
you can do so at www.danvillechurchofchrist.org. Let us hear from you. Furthermore, if you
hear a sermon or a topic discussed on Search the Scriptures you would like to have, either on
cassette tape or CD, just let us know because we will be happy to give it to you absolutely free
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of charge. There will not even be any postage for you to pay. Just write to us or call us and let us
know which sermon you would like. If you order a lesson, please do so by the date the study
aired.
C. With these brief introductory remarks out of the way, let’s begin our bible study. In writing to
the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul said in Phil. 4:9, the things which you learned and
received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. This verse
says several things, both about God and about Paul. About God - it says that he will be with us,
and he will provide us with divine peace throughout our life as a Christian. And, earlier in verse
7 Paul wrote, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus. But, our text of Phil. 4:9 also tells us that Paul was
encouraging other believers to follow the example he was setting by his life. This great man of
God often asked others to conform to his pattern of belief and behavior. For example, in 1 Cor.
11:1, he wrote, imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. And then again in 1 Cor. 4:16 he said,
therefore I urge you, imitate me. Of course, Paul was not asking Christians to emulate him if he
begins to depart from the scriptures. He was not asking Christians to simply follow him
regardless of where he went in his belief or his practice, because, in speaking to these same
Corinthians he said in 1 Cor. 4:6, now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to
myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is
written. Paul only wanted believers to follow him as he followed Christ and as he remained
within the parameters of God’s word. This is in stark contrast with what many preachers and socalled
Pastors demand from their flocks today. Today’s preachers, pastors and religious
dignitaries demand and expect blind allegiance regardless of what the bible happens to be
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saying. For example if a preacher says that Jesus was born in Egypt instead of Bethlehem he
expects his people to accept this without question, and to defend him against all detractors. He
expects and often demands that his flock blindly accept his word as though that word was the
word of Almighty God. This arrogant attitude was not the attitude of the apostle Paul, who spoke
and wrote under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Paul expected to be imitated, but not
if he left the word of God. Also, in asking believers to follow his example Paul implies that he
was a man who lived in complete harmony with his message. He certainly was no hypocrite - he
did not preach one thing and then live another. This - too - is something that is all too common
today. And, that is, a preacher saying one thing and then actually doing something altogether
different. I can’t help but think of men of the cut of Jimmy Swaggart. And, yes, my friends,
Swaggart is still preaching, singing and testifying to what God has done in his life. He preaches
long and hard on the virtues of purity within the body of Christ, while engaging a prostitute. The
apostle Paul was not like that. He lived what he preached, and he urged others to live lives
worthy of imitation. He said to Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:12, be an example to the believers in word,
in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. My friends, many great truths from God are
found not only in the writings of Paul, but in the examples he left us. In this morning’s study I
wish to list and discuss a few important lessons we can learn by studying the conversion of the
apostle Paul. Certainly we can’t address every example worthy of our consideration, but we will
note five crucial ones.
I. The conversion and transformation of Paul reveal to us the lesson of true commitment. There
was nothing half-hearted and commonplace about this man’s conversion. When he was
converted to Christ there was a striking change in the life of Paul. Think for a moment of whom
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this man was. His given name was Saul, and he was from the city of Tarsus in what was then
known as Asia Minor. He had been traveling from Jerusalem to Damascus on a religious
mission when he saw a vision of the raised Christ. In Acts 9:3-5 the bible says, as he journeyed
he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to
the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And he
said, who are you, lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard
for you to kick against the goads. The reason this vision had the impact upon Saul that it did
was due to his background. He said in commenting on his prior life in Acts 32:1, men and
brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. He was a man living
each day doing what he genuinely and sincerely believed to be the will of God. Even if what he
was doing was harmful to others. He said in Acts 26:9, I myself thought I must do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Paul was an educated man, one who would not have
been easily swayed by superstition or spiritualism. This vision on the road into Damascus could
not have been a trick, because he would have immediately seen through it. According to the New
Testament, Paul spoke at least two languages fluently. Beginning in Acts 21:40 and reading
through Acts 22:2 we read, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people.
And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now. And when they heard that he spoke to
them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. In addition to speaking Aramaic,
and perhaps writing in Greek, Paul was fluent in Hebrew. He was no backwoods illiterate prone
to superstitions. Also, he was highly cultured. He was well versed in Greek poetry and quoted
freely from some of them. In Acts 17:28 he quotes Aratus when he said, for we are also his
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offspring. He quotes a poet named Epimenides when he says that Cretans are always liars, evil
beasts, lazy gluttons, in Titus 1:12. And then in 1 Cor. 15:33 he chooses a statement from a
Greek poet named Menandar to make this point. Evil company corrupts good habits. Now, the
fact that Paul knew the writings of these men, and the fact that he lifted some quotations from
them do not lessen their scriptural truth. Paul wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and all
that he said was true. The statements of these men, while not inspired, were true, and Paul under
guidance from God, made spiritual applications of their sayings. But the point I’m trying to make
is this - that Paul was highly educated and cultured. Also, he was educated in Jerusalem under a
famous teacher called Gamaliel. Paul said in Acts 22:3, I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of
Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of
our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. His education was intended
to prepare him for advancement in the Jewish religion. In his training as a Rabbi he would have
received an academic achievement comparable to a Ph.D. He was a Pharisee, a member of the
most popular Jewish denomination. Some suggest that perhaps he was also a member of the
Sanhedrin Council. If he wasn’t - he definitely had access to the high priest. Because he received
his commission to persecute Christians directly from the high priest. Paul had no love for the
church - instead he persecuted brethren, even consenting to the death of those who would follow
Jesus. He was more than simply biased against the church. He was the leader of the opposition.
He had everything to lose and nothing to gain (in the world’s view) by being converted to Christ.
Yet he was converted! And, what’s more, he became the most able proponent of Christianity,
and its bravest defender in his day. He said in 1 Cor. 15:9-10, for I am the least of the apostles,
who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the
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grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more
abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. And for the
remainder of his life Paul served the Lord amidst hardships and imprisonments. Legend tells us
Paul was eventually executed in Rome at the hands of Nero’s executioner, but he never lost his
faith and his commitment. Whenever we see the translation of this man’s life - we see an
example of commitment. Why did he throw away his brilliant future? Why did he reject the
power and prestige - to say nothing of the lavish lifestyle of which he was assured? Let’s let him
answer, as he does in Phil. 3:7-10 when he writes. But what things were gain to me, these I
have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count
them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my own
righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know him and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death. This, my
friend, is an example of commitment. And anything less is defective and will not insure our
salvation. Jesus said in Lk. 14:33, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be
my disciple. This is something impossible to comprehend by the world. And those satisfied
within their comfort zones in denominational churches cannot fathom such dedication. I know of
a denominational church in Indianapolis that is surrendering every bit of conscience and
principle in their effort to convince a young man that he made a mistake when he left that
denomination. They are praying for miracles. They are damaging family relationships. They are
beside themselves with anxiety. They can’t possibly understand why this young man would
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leave that church - and the authority that he had by serving on its board of directors. They simply
can’t comprehend his commitment to Christ. Also, I know of a woman who has diligently served
Christ for more than twenty-five years along with her husband and children. Yet, her fleshly
brothers and sister, as well as others, believe she is being deluded and brainwashed. They cannot
understand the meaning of her heart felt commitment. These people need to learn about
commitment from Paul. His transformation from persecutor to protector is understood only by
understanding commitment.
II. But another lesson learned from Paul is a lesson in true conversion. Paul said in 1 Tim.
1:15-16, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in
me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to
believe on him for everlasting life. Paul is reminding us that if conversion is possible for him, it
is possible for anyone. He is basically saying, “If God is able - and he is - to save me, then he
can save you. If I can change - then so can you.” Some people deny that they are able to change.
This is often the contention of those seeking to apologize for everything from murder to child
molestation. They are saying that every illicit act - regardless of how reprehensible it might be -
is not the fault of the one engaging in it. Rather, he or she is a slave to some force deep within -
that compels such behavior. We are told the homosexual cannot change, that the pedophile
cannot change, that the wife beater cannot change, that the whoremonger cannot change, and the
list goes on. But, my friends, the example of Paul shows us the fallacy of such thinking. He
changed, and his conclusion is, so can anyone. Of course, the key obviously is, one must have
the desire to change. Whenever Paul encountered Jesus in the vision, he was told what he must
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do. And later commenting on this, he said in Acts 26:19 I was not disobedient unto the
heavenly vision. Ladies and gentlemen, Paul could have disobeyed the vision, about that there
can be no debate. But he did not, because he desired to do right. He changed because he had the
passion to do precisely what Christ wished for him to do. Three things become evident when we
analyze the conversion of Paul. Three things that are indispensable if one is to be converted to
Christ. First: We note that Paul accrued an unflinching faith in Christ. In Acts 22:10 in
recounting his conversion Paul says, so I said, what shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me,
arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you
to do. Acknowledging the Lordship of Christ, Paul goes into the city to await further
instructions. This, my friends, is the action of a believer. After his initial encounter with Jesus,
Paul became a believer in the resurrected Christ. Secondly: We observe that this faith led him to
repentance. In Acts 9:9-11 we read, and he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor
drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord
said in a vision, Ananias. And he said, here I am, Lord. So the Lord said to him, arise and go
to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus,
for behold, he is praying. From spiritual blindness to physical blindness. And, from persecution
to praying, Paul had made a change. And, change is the core meaning of repentance. In Paul, we
can see a believing - penitent man. However, he was not yet saved, because his sins had not been
forgiven. So this brings us to the third thing that we can observe in his conversion process. This
is revealed in the message preached by Ananias in Acts 22:16. There Paul is told, and now why
are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the
Lord. Paul’s sins were not forgiven on the road into Damascus. He was not saved when he saw
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the vision. He was not saved until his sins were washed away, and they were not washed away
until he was baptized in water. This, my friends, is a lesson in true conversion. This is how Paul
was converted. And remember it was Paul who said, the things which you learned and received
and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. If your conversion
was different from that of Paul’s, then on what are you basing your hope of salvation? Believing
and repenting of his sins, Paul was baptized in order to wash away those sins. And, writing later
to the church at Corinth, Paul makes it clear that in order to go to heaven, one must remain
converted. He said in 1 Cor. 9:27, but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest,
when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Paul recognized the
possibility of being lost after having once been saved. He said that he needed to discipline (or
subdue) his body daily unless he becomes disqualified as a Christian. If he did not wish to lose
his relationship as a saved believer, Paul said that he had to daily subdue his passions, and his
lusts. If he did not, then he would become disqualified. What Paul is saying is far removed from
standard denominational theology. One of the main stays of denominationalism is the doctrine of
“Once saved always saved.” Not only is that doctrine not taught in the bible, it is certainly not
seen in the example of Paul’s conversion. He knew the possibility of being lost if he did not
subdue his passions. By looking at Paul’s conversion we learn one must believe and repent and
be baptized in order to be saved. And, that one must stay converted in order to stay saved.
III. A third lesson that can be seen in Paul, is a lesson in the grace of God. Let me revisit a
point I made a few minutes ago when I looked at 1 Tim. 1:16. Remember, there Paul noted,
however, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all
longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life. This
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mercy Paul received is further explained in verse 14. There he comments by writing, and the
grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
And the point he makes mustn’t be lost, my friends. And that point is, if God’s grace is able to
save a persecutor and a murderer. If God’s grace can save a blasphemer like Paul, then it can
save anyone for anything. If one is willing to believe, and repent, and be baptized like Paul was,
then one can be saved regardless of how corrupt, immoral and wicked he may have been. I had a
good friend named Sam in Southern Kentucky. This friend passed on a few years back. But, in
his younger days, Sam was a soldier for his country during World War II. In the war he saw a lot
of combat and he engaged in some of the atrocities of war. After the war, Sam married a woman
who was a Christian, and for years he would attend church services along with his wife, but he
never allowed himself to be moved by the gospel. He refused to surrender to the teaching of
Christ. One day Sam finally opened up as to why he had not submitted to Christ. He said that
while a soldier he had killed and wounded other human beings made in the image of God. And
that he sincerely believed these atrocities were such an outrage to God that he could never be
forgiven of them. However, once Sam came to realize that God could and did forgive Paul of
murder (not during a war - but while he was persecuting believers) Sam finally obeyed the
gospel of Christ and became a Christian, and died in hope of eternal life. Now, I don’t know how
many there are who share Sam’s apprehensions, but I would guess there are quiet a few.
Especially in light of the perversions being placed on what is often called the unpardonable sin
from Matt. 12:31-32. Without spending time examining that text, I will remind you that these
verses do not mention an unpardonable sin. They speak of an unforgiven sin - not an
unforgivable sin. And, my friends, there is a difference! An unforgiven sin is any sin of which
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we are unwilling to repent. John wrote in 1 Jn. 1:9, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Now, I ask you, from
what unrighteousness will the Lord forgive us? ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! Therefore, this
verse reminds us that we needn’t spend our life in fear, dread and disbelief because we have
committed some grievous - unmentionable sin. God’s grace will reach even you, regardless of
what you may have done - if you will receive that grace on his terms. Paul knew this, and he
never let that fact escape his memory. He acknowledged that he considered himself to be the
chief of all sinners. Furthermore, he acknowledged in 1 Cor. 15:10, but by the grace of God I
am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. My friends, whenever we become
throughly aware of the extent of God’s grace in our lives, we will never lose sight of others who
have a need for it. I often stand in absolute astonishment at the attitude of many who claim to
love Christ. They will sit in the confines of church building or preacher’s studies knowing the
world is lost and bound for torment, but they will not spend one minute of their time to instruct
the lost. Are they indifferent to the grace of God? If we are not trying to reach the lost with the
saving gospel of Christ, then we are abusing the grace of God that saved us. Paul would have
received God’s grace in vain if he was unwilling to share it with those who desperately were in
need of salvation. Ladies and gentlemen, churches of Christ better become seriously committed
to the great commission of Christ. If we do not, then we are abusing the grace of God.
IV. But, then there is a fourth lesson from Paul that can be learned. And that is, we can learn a
lesson in sacrifice. After listing all the things men consider important, Paul said in Phil 3:7, but
what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. This, my good friends, is the
apex of sacrifice. Paul did not merely give up a little of this and a little of that. He sacrificed all
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that previously had been precious to him, so that he could become a Christian. He was willing to
do what another man was unwilling to do. Matthew tells us of a man whom Jesus told in Matt.
19:21, if you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Consider the tragic response in verse 22, but when
the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Unlike this rich man, Paul sacrificed all that he had - his wealth, power, prestige and the
accolades from his contemporaries. Ultimately he even lost his life for Christ. In one of his final
epistles Paul writes in 2 Tim. 4:6-8, for I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and
the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who
have loved his appearing. This, my friends, is because of his willingness to sacrifice his life in
service to Christ.
V. Finally we can learn from Paul the worth of the Christian life. He said in 2 Cor. 5:1-2, for
we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to
be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven. All his struggles, and sacrifices - all his
labors and battles were endured with one single thought in mind. Being clothed in heaven with
immortality. And the hope of being with the Lord who loved him. Paul believed the promises of
God without wavering. He lived his life as a Christian so that he could lay aside his shield and
sword, and hear the Lord say well done my faithful servant. The driving stimulus of his life is
revealed in Phil 1:21. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Truly it can be said of Paul
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that he - after a life time of service - went on to be with the Lord.
CONCLUSION:
A. These are but a few of the lessons we can obtain by studying the conversion of the apostle
Paul. In review they are: Lessons in Commitment - in True Conversion - in the Grace of God
- in Sacrifice, and in the Value of a Christian life.
B. With this, our time is gone for this morning. Be sure to stay tuned for some important closing
announcements. Also, please join us next Sunday morning at 7:00 as we once again Search the
Scriptures. Until then, for the Danville church of Christ, this is J.R. Bronger saying goodbye
for now.