1. Paul
A Transformed
Instrument

2. The Apostle Paul is a very interesting and inspirational bible character. He was one of the most zealous disciples.
Galatians 1: 14
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of
my contemporaries among my countrymen,
being more extremely zealous for my
ancestral traditions.

3. Paul blazed a trail for all to follow.
I Corinthians 11: 1
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

4. Acts 20: 34 – You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. ( Acts 18: 3 .. a tentmaker )
Acts 26: 24 – While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.
Acts 22: 3 – I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.

5. Acts 22: 4
I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

6. Philippians 3: 7
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him,
II Thessalonians 3: 10 – For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

7. People of faith have a different value system.
Matthew 6: 31
Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

8. People of faith focus on the spiritual
John 6: 27
Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.

9. Like Paul, when one is “born again” he is a “new creature” and that new person has a different value system than the old man, he has a new goal for his life.

10. I. Paul lived a life
characterized by
gratitude for his
Salvation.

11. Paul never forgot what had been forgiven
I Corinthians 15: 9
For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

12. Ephesians 3: 6
…fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,

13. God doesn’t do anything for no reason.
Why choose a persecutor to preach ?

14. I Timothy 1: 15
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that 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.

15. Ephesians 3: 7
Gentiles are … fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,

16. This attitude of the Apostle Paul is being held up to us as an
example to emulate.

17. Apostle was motivated by love for the lost.
II. The zealous service of the
Apostle was motivated by
love for the lost.

18. Romans 10: 1
Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
Romans 9: 2
I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, …

19. I Timothy 1: 15 – Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners,
Mark 10: 45 – Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many.
Luke 19: 10 – For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save that which was lost.
Mark 16: 15 – Go into all the world and preach the
gospel to all creation.

20. toward those who are lost
What is our attitude
toward those who are lost ?

21. III. Paul was also motivated
by a desire for God to be
glorified.

22. II Corinthians 9: 12-13
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,

23. Ephesians 3: 20-21
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 15: 10
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

24. II Thessalonians 1: 9
These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed.

25. II Thessalonians 1: 11
To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

26. IV. Paul was motivated by
a desire to receive a
reward from God.

27. Paul lived anticipating being with Jesus.
II Corinthians 5: 9
We also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

28. Romans 15: 15
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

29. I Corinthians 9: 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.
( II Cor. 12:13 … Apologized for not charging )

30. I Corinthians 3: 8
He who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I Corinthians 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.

31. II. Do I share Paul’s love for the lost ?
Application :
I. Does my life reflect gratitude ?
II. Do I share Paul’s love for the lost ?
III. Do I actively seek to glorify God ?
IV. Am I zealously earning a reward ?

32. There is no better day to commit your life to serving God.
Why not do it now ?

33. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
I Corinthians 11: 26