Saul then, now Apostle Paul

Day 2, Feb 6th 2024

Text:  Acts 8:1-3; Acts 9:1-31

Time: 7pm

Introduction-Paul was an extraordinary man of God. Born as Saul, he spent many years killing Christians, and did everything that he could to try and stop the growth of Christianity. However, after an encounter with the Lord, he changed his ways, his name, and his heart.

He immediately started preaching the Word of the Lord. He ended up bringing many people to the Kingdom of the Lord and wrote nearly 2/3 of the New Testament. He is a prime example of someone who has a heart on fire for the Lord.

Below are some lessons we can learn from the life of Paul the Apostle.

Life Lessons

1. God can use anyone: Of all the people that God could have used to bring so many people to Him, he ironically used the man who had been killing Christians. God changed Paul’s heart and used him for His glory. including you!
2. No one is beyond the saving grace of God: God was more than willing to forgive Paul for the countless lives that he took and for all the bad things that he had done. God gave Paul grace and transformed him into a completely different person. 
3. Getting our priorities straight: Paul talks about how “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). In Philippians 3:7-9, Paul talks about how everything else of this world is garbage compared to his relationship with Jesus Christ. He knew that nothing else in this world even mattered. God was number one in Paul’s life. 
4. Our past does not define us: It is sometimes said that “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” It’s pretty clear that Paul had a very dark and wicked past, but he didn’t let that define him. Instead, he grew and learned from it and was transformed into an incredible man of God. 
5. The importance of quiet time. Paul wanted to know more and more of Jesus. He spent quality time with Him as often as he could. In Philippians 3:10-11, Paul writes, I want to know Christ- yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” 
6. How to care for others: Paul’s life and his works make it evident to us that he cared for others. Acts 17:16 says, “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” Because Paul had a heart for the Lord, he also had a heart for His people.
7. Humility: One thing that really stands out about Paul is written in Philippians 3:12. Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Now if there was anyone that could brag about how on fire they are for God, of all the good things that they have done for Him, or all that they have surrendered for Him and accomplished through Him, it could be Paul. 
8. How to be content in any situation: In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in an and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” The secret of Paul’s contentment was that he drew his strength from the Lord. 
9. How to stand firm in Christ: In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul writes, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” The way to stand firm is to keep our eyes on Him. 

Lesson of the Day

These are just a few points that we can take away from Paul, but there is so much more that we can learn from him. Ultimately, God used a man who was wicked and transformed him into an evangelistic dynamite. Just remember regardless of our circumstances we are not too far gone for God to use; He has a purpose for us, and in His strength, He can use us to do great things for His kingdom and glory.

Complied by: Olaolu Ayodeji