Paul was an eyewitness to important events.  “Last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Cor 15:8).  Stephen’s martyrdom.  Jerusalem Conference.

ACTS 8:1-3 God’s People Need Zeal

Paul was zealous to do what he believed was right.  “Concerning zeal, [Paul was] persecuting the church” (Phil 3:6).  “I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal 1:14).  Paul’s zeal was used in improper ways.  “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Rom 10:2).

God expects us to be a zealous people.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Eccl 9:10).  “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:10-11).  Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). What can you find around here to do?

ACTS 9:1-9 A Religious Man Can Be Lost

Paul was a very religious man.  He persecuted the church because of his religion.  Paul was “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee” (Phil 3:5). lost Yet, he is lost on the way to Damascus.

Many religious people will be lost.  Those who trust in religions other than Christianity will be lost.  “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24).  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6).  Those who trust in false forms of Christianity will be lost.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21).  A false teacher’s “message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim 2:17-18).

Are you a lost religious person?  Coming to worship doesn’t make you a “saved religious person.”  We can look right on the outside, but be dirty on the inside (Matt 23:25-28).

ACTS 9:20-22 People Can Change

“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (v 20). People can turn their lives around.  Paul did.  The Corinthians had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus (1 Cor 6:9-11).

ACTS 13:1-3 God Has a Work for Us

God had work for Paul.  “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them,” v 2.  The Lord always intended to use Paul as a minister to the Gentiles.  “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).  “Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21).  The Lord wanted Saul to be a minister to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18).

The Lord calls us to service in two ways:  One: He does so through Scripture.  About salvation: “He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 2:14).  How are we called to ministry by the Holy Spirit in the Word? Scripture was inspired through the Spirit. Scripture calls us to minister:  Two: He does so through our natural abilities.  God arranged the body for His glory (1 Cor 12:12-32).  God gives His people non-miraculous gifts (Rom 12:6-8).  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet 4:10).

We Need to Reach People Where They Are

Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogues first.  In Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:14ff).  In Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-3).  In Ephesus (Acts 18:19). We, too, must start where people are.  Jesus and the woman at the well (Jn 4:10).

ACTS 15:36-41 Brethren Can Disagree

Paul and Barnabas disagreed.  Sometimes brethren cannot work together. two  Because Paul and Barnabas disagreed, there were two missionary journeys instead of one.

ACTS 16:25 We Should Worship in Difficult Hours

When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns.  We, too, need to worship when life becomes difficult.  Job: “The L ORD gave, and the L ORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the L ORD ” (Job 1:21). We can draw courage and strength from our brethren.

ACTS 20:27 We Need to Preach the Whole Counsel of God

Paul was innocent of people’s blood. Preachers today must preach the whole counsel of God.  If we fail to teach the lost, God will require their blood at our hand (Ezek 33:8).  We are to preach the Word “in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:2).

ACTS 23:1 We Can Have Clean Consciences

“Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1).  We, too, can have clean consciences.  Conscience can be wrong.  We need to educate our consciences.  “He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). How is your soul?