Paul, A Hero to Follow!
Introduction
Play clip of Last Action Hero
Most of us enjoy a story that involves a hero; a person who in the midst of an adverse or evil situation rallies with courage, determination to save the day perhaps it is for the cause of justice, or to save an individual. This hero often acts regardless of the dangerous risks.
Those types of movies stir our hearts, most of us admire these individuals and aspire to be able to make those same type of decisions if ever faced with the same circumstance. This is true whether we are watching a fictional action figure or hearing of how a civilian or Soldier has performed heroically. I love to watch movies or read stories about real life heroes. I want my kids to emulate the same characteristics: determination, courage, mental fortitude, perseverance and most importantly faith. Yes faith, it is the faith of heroes that really catches my attention because it is their faith that enables them to be so bold, strong, courageous, etc. To do incredible things that are contrary to what our finite minds can comprehend. The publisher YWAM has a series titled Christian Heroes: Then and Now, in addition other publishers and movie producers have focused on Christian Heroes of the Faith. In these stories of Heroic Christians, ordinary believers rise up enabled by their faith and give testimony through their actions that God is still alive and at work here on earth. This morning we are going to talk about a hero of the faith. One of my heroes that I try to emulate. His life and words are powerful and he is the Apostle Paul. Paul is one of my heroes and over time you will find out why. The main reason though is because it was Paul ambition to imitate Christ. In everything Paul did, he did to imitate Christ Jesus; and this is why we can imitate him. 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul even exhorts us to do just this, Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1). My message this morning and the next few times that I am able to preach is based on the following proposition: Imitate Christ By Imitating Paul.
Before we take time to look at the Apostle Paul’s life, we first have to ask and you each have to answer the following questions?
I. Why - Imitate Christ
Why imitate Christ? And do you care to imitate Christ.
A) Reasons to imitate Christ
1) Directed
2) Wise
3) Fruit: love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
4) Fulfillment – Purpose in life
Read Purpose Driven Life, p 27, P 171
B) Do you desire to imitate Christ
Many of you work hard to be a Soldier. How serious are you in becoming like Christ.
Talk about the Gospel.
II. How - By emulating the Apostle Paul
A) Paul was a worthy servant of Christ
Philippians 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
B) Don’t be intimidated by Paul
It is all by God’s grace
Last message, Be Strong Soldiers by God’s grace in Jesus Christ
The source of this grace is Christ Jesus; it is available to those who are ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, “in Christ Jesus” (cf. 1:9b, 13; discussed in 1 Tim 1:14). As such, this same empowerment is available for all Christians, not only for some select group whose members think they are empowered by some special grace. This is similar to Paul’s ongoing point that Timothy is to be enabled by the Holy Spirit (1:7, 9b, 14). This call to divine empowerment will be enlarged in the call to perseverance in vv 3–7 and theologized in vv 11–13. The repeated article (τῇ) before the phrase ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, “in Christ Jesus,” shows that the phrase modifies χάριτι, “grace.”
IS 40, but they that wait for the Lord… be an eagle not crow. Eagles fly effortlessly, while crows and other birds flap continuously.
III. What – Paul was a Bond S.L.A.V.E
“In the Epistles that he wrote, the apostle Paul often referred to himself as a "bond slave of Jesus Christ". The bond slave was one who chose to serve, usually out of love for the Master. In the Old Testament, this type of servant—when he made it known that he would rather serve than be set free—would, as a visible token of his loving servitude, have a hole punched in his ear! The Law of Moses stipulated that the servant would be taken to a door, or door-post, and "his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever" (Exodus 21:6[b], KJV). The outward sign of the hole in the ear made it clear to all that this individual was a loving and willing servant of his master. There was no legal stipulation which would allow anyone to reverse this decision—once the hole was made in the ear, it was binding for life. Not only could the servant not back out, the master couldn’t either! (Which is just another of many illustrations of the eternal security of the believer).”
An executive friend and I were going on a business trip to Italy. He was a rock climber, very macho and profane. I said to myself, This is going to be bad. He’s not a believer. He’s going to chase every skirt he can see. But by the end of the trip, he had never looked at a woman or made a single suggestive comment. As we were seeing the sights, he kept saying, “I wish my wife could see this.” Every day he wrote her. I realized he was totally in love with his wife, and it protected him from any other woman. He wasn’t even tempted. By being a slave, totally committed to one person, he was totally free. I realized that only in total slavery do we have total freedom. I believe Paul experienced this as a “bond slave of Christ.”[1]
Paul a Bond S.L.A.V.E for God
Servant to others
Laser focused on Christ (imitate and followed to the T)
Ambassador / representative of God
Valient proponent of the Gospel (defending and promoting to non-believer and beleivers)
Emptied of self (sacrificed himself for the glory of God)
Conclusion
Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church pastor and was even sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there endured deplorable working conditions and poverty-level wages. Their families were malnourished and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small stipend he received from the church allowed him a moderate life-style, which, in contrast to the poor, seemed unfair.
One cold February evening, while he watched the miners trudging home, he spotted an old man staggering toward him across the fields, wrapped in a burlap sack for warmth. Van Gogh immediately laid his own clothing out on the bed, set aside enough for one change, and determined to give the rest away. He gave the old man a suit of clothes and he gave his overcoat to a pregnant woman whose husband had been killed in a mining accident. He lived on starvation rations and spent his stipend on food for the miners. When children in one family contracted typhoid fever, though feverish himself, he packed up his bed and took it to them.
A prosperous family in the community offered him free room and board. But Van Gogh declined the offer, stating that it was the final temptation he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.
The Son of God did the same when he became a human being. He laid aside the glory of heaven and the status of divinity in order that we might learn of God’s love through him.
Notes
Paul Quick Facts
14 of the 27 books were written by the Apostle Paul
Writings difficult to understand 2 Peter 3: 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Roman Citizen (Acts 16:37)
Life before a Christian
Knew the Old Testament (Acts 13)
Persecuted the Church
Acts 7:58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8:1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Acts 9:1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 26: 9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 “And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. 12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
Acts 9: 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Pharisee
The picture of the Pharisees derived only from the Gospels and formerly accepted as historical, that they were little more than legalists and hypocrites and were culpably blind to Jesus’ message, has largely been discredited as early Christian polemic against Jewish and rabbinic leadership
According to Josephus, the Pharisees were the group most influential with the people, were noted for their accurate and therefore authoritative interpretations of Jewish law, and had their own traditions and way of life to which they were faithful. They had a simple standard of living and cultivated harmonious relations with others.
They were admired for their piety, simple life style and strict observance of the law.
In the nt: In the nt the Pharisees play the role of Jesus’ opponents and are almost always cast in a negative light, because they are presented as proponents of a way of living Jewish life that differed from Jesus’ way. [2]
Doctrinal Beliefs (DTS New Testament Notes)
Essence:conformity to the law; God’s grace comes only to the doers of the law.
Twin pillars of their belief system were the Torah (primarily the Pentateuch) and Tradition.
Torah
Written law must be interpreted and applied
One must ascribe divine authority to the interpretation and application of the law leading to the concept of oral law (“the tradition of the elders,” MK 7:3) which they viewed as equally authoritative with the written law.
The whole nation was a priestly people and all of life was the setting for the law observance. So they undertook to apply to adherents the rules of ritual purity laid down for the priests in Leviticus. Thus there was a great concern for:
1)ceremonial cleansings and purifications
2)proper preparation of foods
3)careful observance of the sabath and agricultural laws
4)meticulous tithing and fasting.
Gamaliel
2. Son of Simon and grandson of Hillel (according to later, but doubtful, tradition), Gamaliel was a doctor of the law and a member of the Sanhedrin. Representing the liberal wing of the *Pharisees, the school of Hillel, as opposed to that of Shammai, he intervened with a reasoned and persuasive speech at the trial of the apostles (Acts 5:33–40).
Paul acknowledged him as his teacher (Acts 22:3), and he was held in such high honour that he was designated ‘Rabban’ (‘our teacher’), a higher title than ‘Rabbi’ (‘my teacher’). See J. Neusner, The Rabbinic Traditions about the Pharisees before 70, 1, 1971, pp. 341 ff.
The Mishnah (Soṭa 9. 15) says, ‘Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died there has been no more reverence for the Law, and purity and abstinence died out at the same time.’ As we might expect from this reputation among the Jews, there is no evidence, despite early suggestions (e.g. Clementine Recognitions 1. 65), that he ever became a Christian.
[3]
Verses
Acts 7:58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him (Stephen); and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 8: 1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Acts 9: 1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 23:6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”
Acts 26: 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
Acts 9:14-16 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Philippians 3: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
Romans 11:1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Acts 22: 1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.” 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said, 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. 4 “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
Acts 5: 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found afighting against God.”
Acts 26:4-6 4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;
Life as a Christian
Minister to the Gentiles
Acts 13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and ckings and the sons of Israel;
Dedication
Boldness in Speech
Acts 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
Lived in Danger
Acts 14:5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,
Acts 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
Acts 16:22-23 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;
Acts 28:3-6 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
Attitude towards suffering
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 16:23-25 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding athe jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Theologian
Acts 15:9-10 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, bcleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you aput God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which bneither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Set Apart by God
Acts 19:11-12 God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
Acts 20:9-10 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.”
Titles for Paul
Bond Servant
A prisoner of Christ Jesus
An Apostle
Perspective
2 Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
Galatians 2:19 “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Quotes
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
1 Corinthians 10: 31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
----
[1]Smith, F. (1986). Vol. 5: Learning to lead : Bringing out the best in people. The Leadership library. Carol Stream, Ill.: CTi.
nt New Testament
[2]Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.). San Francisco: Harper & Row.
[3]Wood, D. R. W., Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996, c1982, c1962). New Bible Dictionary. Includes index. (electronic ed. of 3rd ed.) (Page 395). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
a Prov 21:30; Acts 11:17
c Acts 25:22f; 26:1, 32; 2 Tim 4:17
a Acts 16:27, 36
b Acts 10:43
a Acts 5:9
b Matt 23:4; Gal 5:1