Think Edification

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Think Edification!
For as we have many members in one body, but all
the members do not have the same function, so we,
being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another. Having then
gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us, let us use them if prophecy, let us
prophesy in proportion to our faith or ministry,
let us use it in our ministering he who teaches,
in teaching he who exhorts, in exhortation he
who gives, with liberality he who leads, with
diligence he who shows mercy, with
cheerfulness. (Rom 124-8)
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Saul of Tarsus
Faith That Led To A Transformed Life
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What if Osama Bin Laden obeyed the gospel and
wanted to join the Christians at Trussville?
Acts 926
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Saul A Spiritually Blind Man Sees The Light

• Saul had a very strong religious background
• Received strong instruction in Gods law He
  knew Gods word! (Phil 34-7, Acts 223)
• Had a prominent place among Jews and their
  leaders (Acts 269-10)
• Even when spiritually blind, he was a man of
  passion faith (Acts 224-10 Gal 113-14)

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Saul A Spiritually Blind Man Sees The Light

• Now introducing Saul - On a mission to stomp out
  Christianity!
• To arrest Christians in Damascus (Acts 91-2)
• On this road he see a light hears a voice that
  changes him forever! (vs. 3-6)
• Now all those goads had new meaning!
• He is now willing to submit to Jesus, the one he
  had been persecuting, as Lord!
• Now believing in Jesus Christ, he waits for more
  instructions (vs. 7-9)

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Saul A Spiritually Blind Man Sees The Light

• Lesson We can have faith passion still
  need to change directions spiritually
• Simply believing or feeling you are right does
  not make you right! (Acts 231 Rom 1017)
• Contrary to popular views, there is a right a
  wrong Just as true in religion as math!
• Feelings, belief, what others say can be
  wrong, Gods word is always right! (2 Tim
  316-17)
• Only when our zeal is according to knowledge
  does it profit us! (Rom 102)
• Our faith must be our own We must be willing
  to examine it open to correction!

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From Saul, The Persecutor, To Paul, The Apostle
Of Christ

• His transformation continues as He is baptized
  into Christ by Ananias
• It took great courage for Ananias to even go to
  preach to Saul (Acts 910-16)
• Ananias restores Sauls sight then baptizes him
  into Christ (Acts 917-18 Acts 2216)
• Picture this sight
• Two former foes now waist deep together in
  water
• Ananias says, I now baptize you in the name of
  the Father, THE SON, and the Holy Spirit!
• The two then embrace talk about their common
  faith

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From Saul, The Persecutor, To Paul, The Apostle
Of Christ

• His transformation continued throughout his life
  The changes are clearly evident
• He IMMEDIATELY beings to preach Jesus - Boldly
  and the synagogue! (Acts 919-22)
• A great change in his message (Acts 99-11
  173)
• He suffers persecution at the hand of the Jews
  himself (Acts 923-25 2 Cor 1123-28)
• He gave up many things to know Christ the
  power of His resurrection (Phil 37-10)
• His entire outlook toward serving God changed
  as He came to know Christ! (Rom 715ff)

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From Saul, The Persecutor, To Paul, The Apostle
Of Christ

• Lessons about our transformation
• We all are either conforming to this world or
  being transformed to Christs image! (Rm
  121-2)
• Transformation will be at a cost (Rom 64
  12-13)
• Its about changing habits, thoughts, and a way
  of life!
• It requires giving up anything that is not like
  Christ
• The more we become like Christ stand up for
  what is right we will suffer persecution (I Pet
  43-4)
• Takes full commitment and devotion - It is not
  achieved by half-hearted effort!

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Pauls Faith In The Transformation Of Other Lives

• Pauls experience with Gods grace the gospels
  power gave him great faith!
• Paul considered himself the poster-child of
  Gods grace and power! (I Tim 112-17)
• He saw the gospels power at work (Rom 116-17)
• Evidences of his faith in its power
• As soon as he came to after being stoned he got
  up and continued to preach the gospel!
• He believed Athens could turn from idolatry to
  the Lord
• He preached to idolatrous immoral people in
  Corinth
• He stood before rulers - Agrippa Felix - And
  gave the gospel a chance to work on them
• Many others had faith in the message of grace!

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Pauls Faith In The Transformation Of Other Lives

• Lesson Do we have this faith that the gospel can
  transform peoples lives today?
• Would we have given those we read of in the NT a
  chance to accept the gospel of Christ?
• When we look at those who are lost do we see
  suspects or prospects?

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SUSPECT?
Prospect?
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SUSPECT?
Prospect?
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SUSPECT?
Prospect?
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SUSPECT?
Prospect?
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Pauls Faith In The Transformation Of Other Lives

• Lesson Do we have this faith that the gospel can
  transform peoples lives today?
• Would we have given those we read of in the NT a
  chance to accept the gospel of Christ?
• When we look at those who are lost do we see
  suspects or prospects?
• Holding the gospel in partiality shows a lack of
  faith in its power! (James 21ff)
• The gospels power is the same, mans need is
  the same, so what has changed?

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Conclusion

• The lessons about Saul teach us about what
  God can do in us and through us if we follow
  Him in faith!
• May we all possess the kind of passionate faith
  Saul showed!
• If we discover we are wrong we change
• We serve God with great passionate faith
• We strive to become like Christ - with full
  commitment regardless of the cost
• We trust in Gods power to transform lives of
  others