Sermon Tone Analysis

Non-Conformist!

We know the scripture says to be transformed (Rom12:1-2) and to be conformed to image of Christ (Rom8:29); but does that mean we have to be a conformist?

“Whoso would be a man must be a non-conformist” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I read at one time this line from a prayer that was offered up when some deacons were being seated into their position within the body.

“O Lord, grant that these brethren may ever want to be like other people.”

Whereas I wish I knew where the quote came from, but I don’t know it was from someone who got it from someone, who got it from someone, but the point is valid.

We are not called to be conformist, we are not called to be like each other, except like minded (Php2:2).

Each of us has a calling, each of us has a story, each of us is an individual that makes up the body of Christ (Rom12:4-5).

Each of our conversion stories are different, but yet we make up the body.

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Like minded yes, but not conformist - (Php2:2)

Transformed as one body but not conformist (Rom12:4-5)

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Conformist (noun) - a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices.

(adjective) - (of a person or activity) conforming to accepted behavior or established practices; conventional

Now, speaking of non-conformist we do need to be very careful that the wrong kind of individualism can destroy vs. fulfill In our passage tonight we see the story of God’s call on Saul of Tarsus to be transformed to be Paul an apostle a bond-servant of Christ Jesus by the will of God (Eph1:1; Php1:1) His conversion, His freedom was a threat to those who believed in conformity.

The charge - Paul’s non-conformity is proof that his message and his ministry were not really of God.

The defense - Paul starts to make his defense drawing back to his own personal history, his conversion story (in short version).

Paul’s audience and reason: The churches of Galatia to prove his apostleship was from God not from man.

(Gal1:1, 1:11-12)

and then add to that a portion of our passage today

So, now, a couple of questions.

What is the origin of Paul’s message (v.12)?

What was Paul preaching (v.11)?

Paul states his theme and his ministry are of divine origin, not from man.

He did not invent the Gospel, nor did he receive it from man, but from Jesus Christ the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb12:2).

The message and the ministry were divinely given (Heb12:2) so anyone who adds to or takes from them is doing so in danger of divine judgment (Rev22:18).

John had revelation of Jesus Christ, well, so did Paul!

The results were the same, they were not conformed to this world but transformed by the washing of the water of the word.

God’s Word, divinely given and we hold in our hands today.

The facts we read in the conversion of Saul not only substantiate his claim, but provide evidence to us for our faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul will draw for us, or paint a picture for us to prove his claim, using his own personal history and of others to do it.

The Persecutor - Prior to conversion

We all have a story, we all have convictions, but what if the convictions were mis-guided, mis-informed?

What if your story was not totally written but is being written?

Paul uses his history to show his story that was being written after being guided into the Light of the Lord.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

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Saul was persecutor of the church; with a clear conscience (1Tim1:5; 2Tim1:3; Act24:16 are some good references)

He breathed murderous rage (Act9:1-2)

He did it for what he believed was a good cause (Act26:9-11)

He came from a good line, good history, good training (Act22:3; Php3:4-5; Act23:6)

So, who could have converted this man (Act9:9-18)

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Saul was persecutor of the church; with a clear conscience (1Tim1:5; 2Tim1:3; Act24:16 are some good references)

He was a persecutor of the church, the way, the believers in Jerusalem and he did it was a clear conscience, prior to his conversion and after his conversion (expand very brifly)

He breathed murderous rage (Act9:1-2)

His persecution started in Jerusalem, but soon it was going out from Jerusalem.

Saul was persecutor of the church; with a clear conscience (1Tim1:5; 2Tim1:3; Act24:16 are some good references)

He breathed murderous rage (Act9:1-2)

He did it for what he believed was a good cause (Act26:9-11)

Now, in Saul’s defense he was doing what he believed was right, what was godly, what was pleasing to God, only to find out he had mis-information, was mis-guided.

He came from a good line, good history, good training (Act22:3; Php3:4-5; Act23:6)

He had status, he was known, he was an up and rising star

He had position and power as noted in (Act26:9-10) that we just read

He was advanced above his contemporaries (Gal1:14)

He was zealous for his ancestral and religious traditions (Gal1:14)

He was a Hebrew of Hebrews

He was a Pharisee

So, now, who could convert this man?

His friends wouldn’t - heck they wanted to take his life, they wanted the old Saul not the new transformed, born again, on fire for Jesus Christ Paul.

His enemies couldn’t - they were afraid of him they would not go near him (Act9:13-14)

Even after his conversion Christians were leery of him and were not quick to accept him and the changes God was making, had made in his life.

So we should not be surprised when we became Christians or have just become Christians that people are leery of us.

Now, I want to move on to Paul- the Believer, but if you want to read the full conversion story of Saul you can read Act9:9-18.

The Believer - conversion to transformation

Having already addressed his past character and conduct he goes on to his conversion; it was a crucial part of his defence against their claim.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

Paul uses his conversion, his history, his past to defend the truth of the Gospel.

Just as you do when you share your story, it is not about you, it is about Him, the One who did the work in you and continues to do the work in you and through you.

Paul tells when he was called (Gal1:15)

Paul tells how he was called (Gal1:15)

Similar to the calling of Jeremiah (Jer1:5)

Paul tells the results of his calling (Gal1:15)

I should give you the Jeremiah one

Saul, called in a manner like Jeremiah, like John the baptist, is just a reminder that:

Salvation is by God’s hand not man’s.

God’s grace not mans effort.

God’s nature not man’s character.

God calls us through His Gospel, through His Word today (1The1:4-5)

God’s will has not changed (2Pt3:9)

God wants all to be saved, to come to repentance, God converted Saul, God converted you, and will convert others too.

God does it through Christ.

Previously Saul had religion

Previously Saul had reputation and recognition

Previously he did not have Christ.

Scripture says you can have the world and lose your soul (Mk8:36), You can have everything, but in the end have nothing without Christ.

Paul counted everything a loss before Christ (Php3:7)

And then look at Paul’s thoughts after his conversion

God is personal, but takes the personal and can use it for bigger picture.

Saul became Paul for others sake, so others would come to Christ.

Paul says he became all things to all people so they may know Christ (paraphrase of 1Cor9:19-23; look it up and read it on your own).

Only God could take a Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews and make him a minister to the dogs (Gentiles) and look at the results of his conversion

God did it for God’s glory; not for the glory of Paul, but for the glory to God because of what God had done in Paul.

Man was created to bring glory to God (Isa43:7) and is saved to bring glory to God (1Cor6:19-20)

and the Corinthians passage

Let your life be lived to bring glory to God.

To Paul it was at a great expense, beatings, prison, being left for dead, loss of friends, family, status, and finances too.

Let Paul’s example, giving glory to God, his motivating factor, His defense of the Gospel be our motivating factor too, to bring glory to God.

From Persecutor to Preacher

Paul was transformed from a persecutor to a preacher, a travelling one at that.

He did not look to man for confirmation he had all he needed in Christ Jesus.

The preaching was from divine inspiration not the inspiration of man.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?aul was to