2. Jesus Meets Religion

3. Saul/Paul Saul was his Jewish name Paul was part of his Roman name
Born at Tarsus
Born a Roman citizen (father a Roman citizen)
Raised in Jerusalem “at the feet of Gamaliel”
A Pharisee
Zealous for the law

4. Philippians 3:4-6 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

5. Acts 7:59-8:1
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 1And Saul approved of their killing him.

6. Acts 9:1-4 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

7. Acts 9:5-6 “Who are you, Lord. ” Saul asked
Acts 9:5-6 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

8. Acts 9:7-9 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

9. Acts 9:10-12 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias
Acts 9:10-12 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

10. Acts 9:13-14 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

11. Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go
Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

12. Acts 9:17-19 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it
Acts 9:17-19 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

13. GOD DOESN’T THINK LIKE WE THINK, OR USE THE PEOPLE WE WOULD USE
Isaiah 55:9
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are my ways higher than your ways     and my thoughts than your thoughts.

14. Why would God choose Paul?
GRACE

15. 2 Cor 12:7-9 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

16. Jesus Meets Religion Gospel Meets Religion

18. Jesus Meets Religion Gospel Meets Religion Grace Meets Rules

19. Anne Hutchinson
Anne denied that keeping religious laws was a sign of godliness and insisted that true godliness came from an inner working of the Holy Spirit. She also believed that people under a “covenant of grace” could speak directly to God.

20. Jesus Meets Religion Gospel Meets Religion Grace Meets Rules Grace Meets Works

21. Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

22. “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning
“Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.”
Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship

23. Earning versus Grace
Earn – to gain or get in return for one’s labor or service; to merit as compensation, deserve Grace – the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings (getting what we don’t deserve)

24. IN THE BATTLE BETWEEN GRACE AND EARNING, MAN IS ALWAYS BENT TOWARD EARNING

25. Jesus Meets Religion Gospel Meets Religion Grace Meets Rules Grace Meets Works Grace Meets Earning

26. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

27. GRACE ISN’T SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED AT THE CROSS OR WHEN YOU WERE SAVED. GRACE IS GOD ACTING IN YOUR LIFE.

28. 1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

29. 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . . .

30. WANT MORE GRACE? PUT YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY OF GRACE THROUGH SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES (THINK ZACCHAEUS)

31. GRACE AND THE GOSPEL ARE ABOUT MORE THAN SALVATION
GRACE AND THE GOSPEL ARE ABOUT MORE THAN SALVATION. THEY ARE ABOUT THE POWER TO LIVE YOUR LIFE LIKE JESUS WOULD.