Being Like Paul
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· 4 viewsWhat does it mean to be like Paul?
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Paul prayed that King Agrippa would be like him – – and also all who heard him, including us. Imitation is called the sincerest form of flattery, but it was a common theme of Paul’s message – ; ; ; – What does this involve?
And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
I) Paul was:
I) Paul was:
A sinner –
though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Repentant – , – including a response –
And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Confessing Christ as his Lord – ,
And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Forgiven of his sins – ,
though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
Baptized for that forgiveness –
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Saved in Jesus –
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Zealous for God – ;
as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
Joyous, despite difficulties –
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Always praying – ;
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pressing on –
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Committed to God’s service – , ,
And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Telling others about it – ; chap 22 & 26;
And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
II) To be like Paul we must be:
II) To be like Paul we must be:
Sinners (we must realize our sins) – , ;
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Repentant – ;
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Confessing Christ as our Lord – ;
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Forgiven of our sins – ; ; ; ;
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Baptized to be forgiven – ;
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Zealous for good works –
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Joyous in the Lord – ;
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Always in prayer – ;
pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Pressing on – ;
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Committed to God’s service – ;
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Telling others about it – – salvation is for all people, out of love we must spread the gospel –
and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Concl: Let us fulfill the desire of Paul – – and be just like him, except his bonds.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.