Paul: To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain
Heroes of Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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Key Take Away: We should have only one passion that fuels us, Jesus Christ.
"There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born."
APPLICATION
The great purpose for which you were born is set forth in Deuteronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Unfortunately, loving God with our whole being runs contrary to the human condition. To help us with this, God must do a transformational work in every human heart.
The Apostle Paul described this in Philippians 2:13 where we read, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." God's good purpose is our highest purpose. This spiritual work will be fully realized when we are finally made perfect and stand before the throne of Christ singing, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise" (Rev. 5:12).
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I would like to take you through the life of Paul.
He was known before salvation as Saul of Tarsus.
Was schooled as a Pharisee
He was present at the martyrdom of Stephen
58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Saul agreed with putting Stephen to death. (Acts 8:1)
Saul ravaged the church. (Acts 8:3)
Saul was threatening the church and wanted permission to imprison all believers. (Acts 9:1-2)
Saul experiences a life changing experience on the road to Damascus.
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Set the tone for all that will transpire after this experience:
Saul is saved.
Saul is baptized and healed at the hands of Ananias, a servant of the Lord.
Immediately Saul begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. (Acts 9:20)
Saul doesn’t waste time before sharing Jesus with others.
Saul puts his own life at risk, he was jailing and helped/or applauded the murder of other christians before him.
Saul’s ability to prove Jesus as the Messiah is recognized. (Acts 9:22)
Saul’s life is threatened and the Jews began to plot to kill him but he escapes. (Acts 9:23-25)
The disciples refuse to accept Saul because they are afraid of him. (Acts 9:26)
However, one disciple, Barnabas, defends Saul and ultimately allows him to become involved with them. (Acts 9:30)
Saul is called to be missionary. (Acts 13:1-3)
Saul’s gentile name Paul become dominantly, almost exclusively, used shortly after his call to be a missionary to the gentiles.
Paul’s service as a missionary would take him to many different places in the Roman empire
Paul is recorded as being imprisoned off and on for about a 13 year period.
He never lost heart
He constantly thought of Christ and others before himself.
He wrote 13 of the 27 new Testament books.
He ultimately died as a martyr for the Lord.
No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars.
Helen Keller
APPLICATION
If we focus on all the negative things going on around us, we will likely become paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. It is faith and hope that embolden us to attempt great things for God. And it is also our faith that assures us that our attempts, even when they fall short of revealing new secrets to the stars, are just as pleasing to God. That's because the measure of success for the Christian is FAITHFULNESS, regardless of the outcome. Realizing this, we are free to live boldly-to take risks without fear of failure.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" Ephesians 3:16).