Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 1 Paul A Victorious Instrument Text : Romans 7: 14-25 ; II Timothy 1: 12-13, 4: 6-8 S#1. A. When the topic of the Apostle Paul is brought up what comes to your mind? S#2. 1. Persecutor legalist fanatical Jew 2. Persecuted beaten imprisoned martyred 3. Preacher church planter preaching in far places reinforcing churches 4. Pattern Example of faith Example of perseverance Example in dying B. As we have studied about Paul, we have observed much about his life. S#3. 1. Scripture reveals more about Paul than any other Apostle. 2. The only one in N.T. we learn more about is Jesus Himself. 3. We know where he was born and educated in Judaism. 4. His early ministry in Judaism and history as a persecutor is revealed. 5. There is a comprehensive account of the events of his conversion. 6. Barnabas recruited into the public ministry to meet a specific need. 7. Acts and his epistles record decades of fruitful ministry as an Apostle. C. Why would the Holy Spirit tell us more about Paul than about Peter? 1. Peter was called long before Paul. 2. Peter followed Jesus all through His earthly ministry. 3. Peter preached the first gospel sermon. 4. Peter was the leaders of the Jerusalem congregation. 5. Yet, much more is revealed about Paul than about Simon Peter. D. The N.T. scriptures urges Christians to follow only two examples. 1. We are told to follow the example of Jesus. a. John 13: 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also S#4. ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. b. I John. 2: 5 Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly S#5. been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 2 2. The only other example Christians are told to follow is that of Paul. a. I Cor. 11: 1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. S#6. b. Phil. 3: 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. * c. How many of us can say, Be just like me and you ll go to Heaven. S#7. With this lesson we want to observe three things about Paul s example. S#8. 1, He was a sinful man, but he never surrendered to sin. 2. He knew he was saved, but worked to earn rewards. 3. He had no fear of death because he anticipated Heaven. I. Paul was a sinful man, but he never surrendered to sin.. S#9. A. The scriptures teach us that everyone sins on an ongoing basis. S#10. 1. Jer. 17: 9 The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately wicked; who can understand it? 2. I John 1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 3. There is never a time that any living person overcomes sin. B. Paul, our example, fought an ongoing battle against sin. S#11. 1. Rom. 7: 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 2. Rom. 7: 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who S#12. wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. C. Though the will to sin is always present, we must never surrender to it. 1. Rom. 6: 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you S#13. obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 3 2. God helps the Christian as he struggles to resist temptations to sin. S#14. I Cor. 10: 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 3. God will forgive the Christian s failures if we involve Him in the struggle. S#15. I John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. S#16. D. Paul did not allow his sin to stop him from serving God and neither should we. 1. As the Apostle urged Timothy to more active service, he acknowledged his own sin. I Tim. 1: 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that S#17. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 2. Paul repeatedly urged Timothy not to sin, but 1:15 eliminates sin as an excuse S#18. II Tim. 2: 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. S#19. E. Here, Paul removes the second most often used excuse for not evangelizing. 1. The 1st excuse is totally false reasoning : I don t know enough. a. If you knew enough to be saved, you know enough to tell someone else b. Everyone fits into one of two categories MISSIONARY or MISSION FIELD 2. The 2nd most used excuse is, I don t live the Christian life as good as I should. a. No one is without sin. That s why we/they/everyone needs Jesus. b. Jesus forgiving YOUR sins encourages others that He will forgive theirs. S#20. II. Paul knew he was saved by grace through faith, but he worked for rewards.. S#21. A. Heaven is a gift, it is NOT the reward for which Paul was striving. 1. God is one who rewards those who serve Him. Heb. 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. a. Faith is essential to have a positive relationship with God. b. Faith includes believing that God rewards those who industriously seek Him.
Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 4 2. Jesus often mentioned rewards in His preaching. a. Matt. 5-6 He mentioned rewards at least 8 times in the Sermon on the Mt. b. Jesus referred to rewards as something that would be received in Heaven. Luke 6: 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and S#22. insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. 3. Heaven is given as a gift, not a reward. ( A gift is given ; it cannot be earned. ) a. Rom. 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free S#23. gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. b. Eph. 2: 8-9 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. S#24. B. A reward can be lost and a man remain saved. Thus, Heaven is not a reward. 1. I Cor. 3: 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. a. One s reward may be lost and he be saved. b. Thus, the reward cannot be Heaven. 2. Rewards are given based upon physical accomplishment upon one s labor. a. I Cor. 3: 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. b. Remember.. Eph. 2: 8-9.. Salvation cannot be earned, but rewards must be earned. S#25. C. Rewards are given for service above and beyond the minimum requirements. 1. I Cor. 9: 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. a. There was no meter in Paul preaching because that was his responsibility. b. His preaching without wages was above and beyond his duty meritorious. 2. Col. 1: 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh S#26. I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 5 a. Each Christian has a share for which he is responsible. b. Each is placed in the church by God for a reason.. a stewardship. I Cor. 12:18 S#27. D. Therefore, reward or not, God has something he expects of YOU and of me. III. Paul lived without fear of death because he anticipated Heaven.. S#28 A. The Apostle Paul spoke of death in almost longing terms. S#29 1. Phil. 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 2. Even the best day on this earth cannot favorably compare to Heaven. B. What is your reason for living? S#30. 1. Most people site reasons linked to the earth. a. Spend time with my family, take care of my wife, etc. b. Just don t want to die afraid of death, don t want to give up. 2. Paul said he needed to live to serve God and His church. Fruitful labor. * a. Paul realized he was a servant and that his Master was God. b. While Paul s life lasted his would be accumulating eternal rewards. ( front row ) c. Last lesson observed that he was NOT a drifter, but one who leveraged opportunity 3. This was the attitude of Jesus and it should be ours as well. S#31. John 9:4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. C. This is the attitude that gave Paul the confidence to face God expectantly. 1. II Tim. 4: 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the S#32. time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2. Have we finished our course? Do we live expecting a crown? S#33. INVITATION : II Tim. 1:12 Do you live knowing your soul is secure S#34. S# S#35. Communion slide
Sermon : Paul A Victorious Instrument Page 6 Lesson Text : Romans 7: 14-25 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 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. II Timothy 1:12-13 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 4: 6-8 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.