A Changed Man
(A First-Person Sermon – The Apostle Paul)
It's my understanding that in recent years, you have heard from various eyewitnesses to the crucifixion, and / or the resurrection of the Lord Jesus… You've heard from the likes of Barrabus, who was freed instead of Jesus. You heard from a Roman Centurion who took part in crucifying Jesus, and even Pontius Pilate, who ordered it… You also heard from the Teacher, Nicodemus who had first-hand encounters with Jesus… The Apostles Peter, and John, and even the traitor … Judas Iscariot… But, you haven't heard from me…
I doubt that many of you would have expected to hear from me, because I wasn't there that Sunday morning when Jesus' tomb was discovered to be empty… But, Jesus did appear to many over the course of the next few weeks, and then … one more time, even after He ascended to heaven… You see –
1 Corinthians 15:8-9
8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not even fit to be called an apostle, why?... because before ever meeting the resurrected Lord … I persecuted the church of God.
My name is Paul. But if you knew me before – if you knew me when I was known as Saul – you would never believe I am the same man… In fact, I stand before you today – a changed man…
For much of my life, I was known as Saul of Tarsus! Tarsus was a city in what you now know to be in south-central Turkey… In my day, it was a city with some … significance in the Roman Empire… I was born a Jew, but being born in Tarsus, also made me a citizen of Rome… Growing up in a devout Jewish home, I was –
Philippians 3:5
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; … I grew up with a great respect for as to the Law, … and later, gladly identified with the more … "legalistic" arm of Judaism, known as the Pharisees… In fact, you could find no one more …; 6 as to zealous for the Law than me!...
In fact –
Galatians 1:14
and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
I obeyed the Jewish rules better than many other Jews who were my friends… I tried very much to obey the ideas that our Jewish ancestors taught… Because of that, when "the church" came along – we all saw that as a … threat!...
Philippians 3:6
I became, a persecutor of the church – because I believed these "followers of the Way" were dead wrong – in fact … I'd rather see them dead!... You see, I believed I was on God's side, and was pursuing; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, … for those who knew me … I was found blameless!
When I say that I was determined to eradicate Judaism from those who were following "The Way" – those were no mere words to me… I was there –
Acts 7:58
When we Jews drove Stephen out of the city, and … stoned him! and those who witnessed what happened … laid aside their robes at my feet of a young man named Saul.
Listen … I wasn't merely a witness to this –
Acts 8:1
I Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. – and that started – And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and we were out to get them all!, but most of them began to they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
That is what set me … on a mission – a mission to catch all I could!...
Acts 9:1-2
1 Now Saul, still – It was as if my every breath was simply to call for the breathing threats and murder against of the disciples of the Lord Jesus… I finally, went to asked the high priest, 2 and asked for the credentials needed to take letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he I found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he I might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
THAT … was my intent…
As I was en route to Damascus … but sometimes things change… when you least expect it…
Acts 9:3-9
3 As he was traveling, it – Something to me happened that he was approaching Damascus, and is hard to explain… You see, suddenly there was a light from heaven that flashed all around him me! All I could do … was … fall on my face 4 and he fell to the ground … and then I heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" ... I 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" ... And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, … Then He said; 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." … 7 The men who traveled with him me just stood there … speechless,... They could hearing the voice but couldn't seeing no anyone… When I 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his my eyes were open, – I he could see nothing! I was blind!... ; and I was left to the mercy of those leading him me by the hand, … and they finally brought him me into Damascus… for 9 And he was three days without sight I couldn't see anything!... And for those three days, I didn't want anything to eat or drink… , and neither ate nor drank.
You see – the Lord … blinded me – so that I could come to see the truth about Jesus … that I was previously blind to…
Acts 9:10-12
10 Now there was a disciple of Jesus, who lived in at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, – and oh, how I was praying… And the Lord gave me 12 and he has seen in a vision that a man named Ananias would come in and lay his hands on me him, so that he I might regain his my sight."
It was not easy for Ananias to hear these words…
Acts 9:13-22
13 But Ananias answered, the "Lord, and said how he had I have heard about me, and from many about this man, how much harm I was able to bring to the he did to Your saints in at Jerusalem; 14 and he also knew that I had here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on The Lord's Your name." 15 But the Lord revealed to Ananias that He has said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen me to be an instrument of His Mine, to bear the Name of Christ My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; He also told him of what I was facing because of others who … were like me before meeting the Lord… It was revealed how I would 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for The Lord's My name's sake." 17 So Ananias came departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on me, he him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from my his eyes something like scales, and I he regained my his sight, and then I he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus,
I knew things were different… Everything was different!... I had been so wrong about Jesus! He was – no, He IS the Christ! The Son of the Living God!... I 20 and immediately went to the synagogues, and began he began to proclaiming to the Jews – to all who would listen – that Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."!... 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" It was hard for many of the believers to believe that I too have become one of them! Who could blame them… The Jews especially were trying to argue against me – but I 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by knew all their arguments – but I now knew how to counter them! I was simply proving to them that this Jesus is the Christ.! I went from being the greatest enemy of the church to a preacher of the faith I once tried to destroy…
1 Timothy 1:13-14
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet, The Lord has I was shown me mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
Everything I had previously trusted in was overturned…
Philippians 3:9
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
…and I came to know that righteousness is not found in … trying to keep the law – but righteousness is in knowing, and trusting Him – it is through faith in Jesus Alone!... That's the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ!...
Listen, I want to tell you plainly –
Galatians 1:11-12
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which I now was preached by me is not from according to man… Mankind could never come up with this… People have attempted to create all kinds of ways to "get right with God" – but they are all based … on what people can do… And the truth is … no one can do anything that would correct, heal, or restore what their sin has caused… There is no gosple in a works-based religion!... No, I did not … invent the gospel I preach… 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
In short, the gospel is –
2 Corinthians 5:19
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
…the gospel is … the work of God! He is the One that does the work to reconcile the world to Himself! He is the One – the only One Who can!... Reconciliation involves the dealing with sin!... Something had to be done about the sin problem in order for a Holy, and Just God to …
…not counting their our trespasses against us! them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
How can this be?... How can a Just God "not count our sin against us, who have sinned?!" It is because Jesus!... Christ Himself, as the Apostle John said, is –
John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Every Jew knew … that a lamb, "The Lamb of God" was … perfect!... Even the sacrificial lambs of the levitical system, was a lamb without spot or blemish!... Jesus is That Lamb! The Apostle Peter said it perfectly!
1 Peter 1:18-19
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
As the Lamb of God, Jesus went to the cross –
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Something deep and profound happened while Jesus was dying upon that cross… There was a … great exchange taking place!
2 Corinthians 5:21
God the Father, He made Jesus … Jesus Him who knew no sin Himself – for He never sinned!... God the Father, made Jesus to be sin on our behalf – on behalf of all those who would trust in Him…, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
THAT is the great exchange!... The Father … treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, committing all of my sin… So that He might treat me, as if I had lived His life … knowing no sin!...
And just why would the Lord do this?!... All I know is … it is because of His Own love!
As the Apostle John says –
1 John 4:8c
… God is love.
And He does that which is consistent with His nature!... So, why did God give His Son to die on a cross in place of sinners?... It is because of His love for those sinners!
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners – sinners who could do nothing about our sin…, Christ died for us.
He died, as the substitutionary Lamb!... And He rose – as the Victorious Savior and Lord!
- Jesus' death paid the price! Jesus' resurrection ratifies it!
- Jesus' death was a substitution for those whom He redeems! Jesus' resurrection is the guarantee of their salvation!
- Jesus' death was the adjudication of justice! Jesus' resurrection is the administration of grace!
This is deep water! Are you still with me?...
We have –
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
And as a result, we deserved nothing but the judgement of God!
Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Just as I reminded Titus –
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Galatians 6:14
But And may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
The only "boasting" we can do is – in the cross of Jesus...
You see, those who are –
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is are new creatures; the old things are passed away; (the old appetite for sin, the old well-deserved penalty for sin, … the old life – is gone!) behold, new things (new desires, new ambitions, new life!) has have come.
– that's the good news of the gospel!...
That's the power of the gospel, and why I want to share this news with you today!
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the (of Jesus Christ) gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
You might say that it is impossible for people in your day to come to this salvation that is in Christ Alone… After all, what I said to the Corinthian Church is true in your day as well –
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Or do you not need to know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, - those who engage in sexual sin, nor idolaters, - those who worship anything, or anyone other than the One True God, – nor adulterers - those who are unfaithful to their spouse, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers - troublemakers, nor swindlers - those who purposefully cheat … they will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.
From a human perspective … the salvation of anyone would be impossible! But, I want to remind you of what our Lord has said –
Matthew 19:26
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
That's why after giving that long … sobering list of those who will NOT inherit the kingdom God, I could say –
1 Corinthians 6:11
Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.!
Listen, mankind could not come up with this!... In fact, I would encourage you to be careful! Manmade religions and philosophies are –
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, they serve to only pull you away from the truth, and are based on according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, and not on the truth of rather than according to Christ at all!
Listen, there is all-kind of deception floating around the world – it was true in my day – it is certainly true in yours!... There are those in your day who try to … sell Christianity! They tell you that in becoming a Christian, your life is going to be … trouble-free, financially prosperous, and physically healthy… They are liars, trying to fill their bank account – not yours!...
Being a Christian is going to be painful in this world, but a blessing in the next beyond your ability to comprehend!... Let me tell you some of my experience as a Christian … for being a Christian –
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
23 Are they servants of Christ? —I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
Listen –
Philippians 1:29
For to you us it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,!
The Apostle Peter is right when he says –
1 Peter 4:14-16
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Listen, we are –
Romans 8:17
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
And remember –
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.!
Man's religions can not make one right with God – and it can not sustain you for all the challenges you will face in this fallen world!... We are –
Romans 3:24-26
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus Alone; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation – the very payment for sin, by means of in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Listen, we –
1 Corinthians 6:20a
For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. and no longer our own! So, be on guard, and don't return to the chains of slavery again!
Listen, this battle against sin, is not something that you will be totally freed from until you leave this earth!
Listen – I am still –
1 Timothy 1:15
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
… the worst sinner I know!... And I am glad the Lord specializes in saving sinners like me!... If the Christian life is dependant on my getting myself right with God, and keeping myself right with God – I am in trouble!
Romans 7:21-25
21 I find an ongoing battle going on then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who I wants to do good. 22 concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law at work in my flesh – in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin For I joyfully which is in me my members. 24 Oh wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?... 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
1 Corinthians 7:22-23
22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 23 You
Galatians 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery… Whether that slavery is some pet sin, legalism, fear, or pride – leave it behind!
Remember, WE –
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in us! We me; and the life which I now live this life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us me and gave Himself up for us me.!
And we are all grateful that His love for His Own is … permanent, and secure!
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
… So, what are you building your life upon? If it is anything other than Christ, it will not stand! –
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ Himself!.
… Time will fail me today to speak of all the riches that are found in knowing and following Jesus!... In fact, by God's grace, He had me to write 13 books of the New Testament. We can't cover everything The Lord has revealed to me in this short period of time we have today…
No matter how much time we have, it is next to impossible to speak of –
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!… How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
You have been so patient, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to you today!... Let me … pepper you with a few reminders of some of the great truths that should hold you, and sustain you … until you go to be with the Lord!
Remember that God is bigger, and greater than anything, or anyone you face in this life! –
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Because He is Who He is – and does what He does – You can –
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
And remember –
2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight—
Whatever you are dealing with –
Philippians 4:6-8
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Colossians 3:14
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
And –
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
So now I ask you –
Will you live for Christ?... Will you suffer for Him?... Will you love as He loved?... Will you run your race to the end?... Let your life be fully given. Let your faith be unshakable. Let your love be genuine. And when your race is finished – may you stand before Him with joy.
Romans 16:24
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What was Paul before the Lord saved him? What details about his conversion stand out to you?
- What were the major themes shared in this first-person sermon based on Paul? What passages of Scripture ministered to you most today? What theme(s) would you have included, if you were to write the message?
- How do we balance Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace through faith, with his moral instructions on how to live?
- How could Paul be so adamant about holy living, and yet admit his personal struggle with his own flesh? What is the solution to this struggle?
- How does Paul's preaching differ from modern pulpits today? How do you think Paul would be treated today?
