Pilgrims: The Apostle Paul - Sent
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The coming of the Spirit to empower the church was actually a RESPONSE to the assignment that was given:
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Here is the reality: We are SENT
Where my feet are is a mission field!
The tension of being SENT is learning that where I am at is as important as where I'm going
Today, we want to take a look at the most "sent" guy we see in the New Testament: Paul:
Acts 7:58–60 (ESV) - (STEPHEN’S STONING)
58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 8:1–3 (ESV)
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Paul becomes one of the most violent activists against the church of his day
He was trained in Old Testament scripture
He was well-respected by the pharisees
He was feared by followers of Jesus
Through all of this - Paul's life is such an excellent example of a disciple that is sent:
Today, I want to give you three things we learn from him, first:
*******PAUL WAS ALWAYS IN THE MOMENT******
He had a prestigious academic background - he was present in his training
He had an excellent reputation as a religious leader - he was present on the job
He was feared among the Christian church - He was present in persecuting the church
If we were to look at these events in the context of Paul being called as a missionary, we would say that he had gone too far!
He'd never fulfill his purpose!
What about you? I'm sure some people (if they knew your whole story) would say that you'll never fulfill the plan of God in your life!
God makes good things out of messy moments
Paul has a moment with God
Acts 9:1–9 (ESV)
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
This is why the previous moments cannot be taken as isolated events!
*******PAUL'S MOMENTS MAKE THE STORY******
The messy moments are not the final outcome, they are pieces of the puzzle
The moments with God are what give my other moments meaning
I can't make anything of all the messy details without an experience with God
That's why the people around you might not understand you - they've not had the same experience with God that you've had.
*******PAUL'S STORY WAS MEANT TO BE TOLD *****
- Paul wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, not counting Hebrews which the author is unknown for sure.
Over and over you find Paul doing something: telling his story
Acts 9: His story happens and he immediately goes into Jerusalem to tell it
Acts 22: Addresses the church in Jerusalem, recounting his story
Acts 26: Before King Agrippa He again rehearses his Acts 9 story
Here's the founding church principle that we are discussing today:
As followers of Jesus - we have been SENT
Last week, we talked about being empowered, and we are empowered for the purpose of advancing the kingdom by SHARING OUR STORY.
Lies of the enemy about your story:
Your story doesn't matter.
Your story isn't good enough
Your story is already over.
But let me remind you: The enemy is a liar!
Your story matters, you're going to come into contact with someone this week who needs it!
Your story is as good as it's author!
If you're still breathing, your story isn't over!
Here's the challenge this week:
Tell your story to one person
You don't have to be theological & hyper spiritual
You have been sent to the place your feet are!
JUST TELL YOUR STORY
Your story matters:
You were made for INTENTIONAL moments
Those moments MAKE the story
The story was made to be TOLD.
