The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).

1) There are so many valuable lessons to be gleaned from character studies. 2) Certainly Paul is one of the great Bible characters that much can be learned from. 3) He often told people to follow or imitate him even as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17). 4) In this lesson we want to notice some aspects of his life that we need to imitate, but also some things about his conversion and life that provide ample proof for our faith and obedience.

In Evidence

A Lesson In Evidence 1) Paul was an enemy to Christianity. Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1). Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9). For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Galatians 1:13).

A Lesson In Evidence 2) A well educated man. (a) Spoke at least two languages- Greek and Hebrew (Acts 21:37, 40). (b) Well versed in the poets of his time (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12). (c) Educated in Jerusalem under one of the great teachers of the law, Gamaliel (Acts 5:34; 22:3). (d) Like all good Jewish boys was also taught a trade, tentmaker (Acts 18:1-3). (e) By being educated, he would not have been easily swayed by superstition or deception.

A Lesson In Evidence 3) Nothing to gain everything to lose. (a) He was an exalted Jewish official- possibly a member of the Sanhedrin (Acts 26:10). (b) Obviously had influence with the high priest, elders, etc. (Acts 22:4,5). (c) He was a Pharisee, the most popular of the Jewish sects (Philippians 3:5). (d) After his conversion he becomes an enemy (Acts 9:29).

A Lesson In Evidence 4) Life was a matter of public record. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Galatians 1:13). Notice also Acts 26:4.

A Lesson In Evidence 5) Yet he was converted to the Lord! Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance (Acts 26:19,20).

A Lesson In Evidence 6) Change complete & drastic. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? (Acts 9:20-21).

A Lesson In Evidence 7) Died believing in the Lord. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword (Fox s Book Of Martyrs, page 4 paragraph X).

A Lesson In Evidence 8) Evidence for faith & obedience. (a) Evidence to the absolute truthfulness of the word of God. (b) Evidence to the fact that Christ did indeed rise from the dead.

In Evidence In True Conversion

A Lesson Of True Conversion 1) Conversion is possible for anyone. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:15,16).

A Lesson Of True Conversion 2) Same plan to save all even Paul. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. So he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what do You want me to do? Then the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do (Acts 9:3-6). And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

A Lesson Of True Conversion 3) Paul bore fruit of his conversion. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

A Lesson Of True Conversion 4) Saw the need to remain converted. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

In Evidence In True Conversion In God s Grace

A Lesson In The Grace Of God 1) If Paul could be forgiven all could. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women (Acts 22:4). And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

A Lesson In The Grace Of God 2) Motivation to greater service. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:9,10).

In Evidence In True Conversion In God s Grace In Sacrifice

A Lesson In Sacrifice 1) Everything cheap vs eternal life. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:7-11).

A Lesson In Sacrifice 2) Think of some of his sacrifices. (a) Willing to give up his former religion and its associates. (b) No longer enjoyed the popularity he once had among his Jewish brethren. (c) A total life change instead of being the persecutor he becomes the persecuted. (d) Eventually loses his life for the cause of Christ (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

A Lesson In Sacrifice 3) Some sacrifices enumerated. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

In Evidence In True Conversion In God s Grace In Sacrifice In True Value

A Lesson In True Value 1) Struggles vs the reward. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17,18). For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).

A Lesson In True Value 2) Paul knew death was gain. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you (Philippians 1:21-24).

A Lesson In True Value 3) Sword laid down crown received. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

In Evidence In True Conversion In God s Grace In Sacrifice In True Value