Paul was an eyewitness to important events. “Last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born...

Paul was an eyewitness to important events. “Last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due

time” (1 Cor 15:8). Stephen’s martyrdom. Jerusalem Conference.

ACTS 8 :1 -3

God’s People Need Zeal

Paul was zealous to do what he believed was right. “Concerning zeal, [Paul was] persecuting the church” (Phil 3:6). “I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my

own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal 1:14).

Paul’s zeal was used in improper ways. “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to

knowledge” (Rom 10:2).

God expects us to be a zealous people. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no

work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Eccl 9:10).

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:10-11).

Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

What can you find around here to do?

ACTS 9 :1 -9

A Religious Man Can Be Lost

Paul was a very religious man. He persecuted the church because of his religion. Paul was “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the

tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee” (Phil 3:5).

Yet, he is lost on the way to Damascus.

Many religious people will be lost. Those who trust in religions other than Christianity will be lost.

“If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except

through Me” (Jn 14:6). Those who trust in false forms of Christianity will be lost.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21).

A false teacher’s “message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim 2:17-18).

Are you a lost religious person? Coming to worship doesn’t make you a “saved religious person.” We can look right on the outside, but be dirty on the inside (Matt

23:25-28).

ACTS 9 :20-22

People Can Change

“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (v 20).

People can turn their lives around. Paul did. The Corinthians had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the

name of Jesus (1 Cor 6:9-11).

ACTS 13 :1 -3

God Has a Work for Us

God had work for Paul. “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I

have called them,” v 2. The Lord always intended to use Paul as a minister to the

Gentiles. “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before

Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). “Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). The Lord wanted Saul to be a minister to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18).

The Lord calls us to service in two ways: One: He does so through Scripture.

About salvation: “He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 2:14).

How are we called to ministry by the Holy Spirit in the Word? Scripture was inspired through the Spirit. Scripture calls us to minister:

Two: He does so through our natural abilities. God arranged the body for His glory (1 Cor 12:12-32). God gives His people non-miraculous gifts (Rom 12:6-8). “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards

of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet 4:10).

We Need to Reach People Where They Are

Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogues first. In Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:14ff). In Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-3). In Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

We, too, must start where people are. Jesus and the woman at the well (Jn 4:10).

ACTS 15 :36-41

Brethren Can Disagree

Paul and Barnabas disagreed. Sometimes brethren cannot work together. Because Paul and Barnabas disagreed, there were two

missionary journeys instead of one.

ACTS 16 :25

We Should Worship in Difficult Hours

When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns. We, too, need to worship when life becomes difficult. Job: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be

the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).We can draw courage and strength from our brethren.

ACTS 20 :27

We Need to Preach the Whole Counsel of God

Paul was innocent of people’s blood.Preachers today must preach the whole counsel of

God. If we fail to teach the lost, God will require their blood at our hand

(Ezek 33:8). We are to preach the Word “in season and out of season” (2 Tim

4:2).

ACTS 23 :1

We Can Have Clean Consciences

“Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). We, too, can have clean consciences. Conscience can be wrong.

We need to educate our consciences. “He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat

from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).How is your soul?