Sweden Church
  • Home
  • Listen
    • Sunday Services
    • Real Time >
      • Incompatible With Life
      • Heroes of Faith
      • Matthew 9 Series
      • Where We Find Jesus Series
      • Temptations of Christ Series
      • Sermon on the Mount Series
      • Prodigal Son Series
    • Revival 2022
    • Sweden Celebration 2020
    • Revival 2019
  • Sermon Series
    • Revelation Series
    • One Thing Series
    • Deuteronomy Series
    • 1 & 2 Kings Series
    • Titus Series
    • Jonah Series
    • What Kind of Man Series
    • Advent 2019
    • Ten Commandments Series
    • "No More" Sermon Series
  • Pictures
  • Our Blogs
    • The Pastor's Pen
    • The Layman's Pen
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us

Paul

9/25/2018

0 Comments

 
   ​Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, had to have been specially prepared for the work of one of the foremost Christians of his era.  Thought has it that he was probably born around the year 10 in the town of Tarsus which is now located on the southern coast of Turkey.  His parents were Jewish and probably strict Pharisees.  Paul's parents are also Roman citizens.  Most Jews did not hold Roman citizenship.  His parents must have had considerable influence to have been given such an honor.
     When he's 14, he is sent to Jerusalem to train under Gamaliel, a leading authority of the Sanhedrin, to become a Rabbi.  While training to be a Rabbi, he also learns a trade to support himself, a tent-maker.  Now, the stage is set.  He is a fiery young man by temperament. He's well educated and knows the Torah as well as and better than most.  He's devout and acts on his beliefs.  He defends Judaism with fervor.  
     Christianity is an abomination in the eyes  of Saul of Tarsus.  That is, until he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus.  "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Jesus said. (Acts 9:4)  Jesus, this Jesus who was crucified and rose from the dead, has stopped Saul, changed his name to Paul, and turned his thinking completely around.  Up until that moment, Saul believed that Jesus had not been the Christ, the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for.
     Paul who was steeped in the Old Testament of the Jews had to know the prophecies of the coming Messiah.  His parents had to know them, too.  So, too, with Gamaliel.  But his parents and Gamaliel hadn't experienced first-hand knowledge of a visit from Jesus Christ.  What a difference it made in Paul's life!
 Most everyone agrees that there's between 331 and 355 Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. Thanks to the modern age of laptops and tablets a quick Google search will list sites that give these prophecies.  It's an impressive list.  What it must have been like for Paul to sit and listen to Jesus and remember the training he received.  The very training that schooled him in what to look for.  What it must have been like to sit and marvel at Jesus and wonder how so many of his time got it wrong.  Now it was up to Paul to set as many people straight as he could.  And, so, begin the missionary trips spreading the gospel of Christ, the risen Savior. 
     It's not easy for Paul.  He endures hardships, fear and hatred.  Friends are few, the work is hard.  But remember, too, that this is a fiery man who is devout in his beliefs.  He has met the Master and knows the importance of his task.
     While in Macedonia, Paul and Silas are jailed as a result of upsetting some schemers.  They were making money off a girl who was a soothsayer and Paul called the spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus Christ.  The story is in Acts 16.  Were they unjustly jailed?  Of course they were but that doesn't stop the cries against them.  The judge releases them but runs them out of town also.
     Chapter 17 of Acts and Paul and Silas are in Thessalonica.  Paul first goes to the synagogue to preach before going to the Gentiles.  Paul felt compelled to go to the chosen people first.  He stated in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  Many were converted while there; but, the Jews were angry and caused a riot in the area.  They set up such a fuss that the brethren smuggled  Paul and Silas out at night.  
     And so it goes.  Christianity has taken it on the chin for centuries.  The devil's handiwork is in it.  All know that deep in their heart of hearts God has left his mark as the Creator.  All have the same chance for redemption.  Some will listen and believe the Pauls of this world and find God through Jesus Christ his Son.  And some will be like the Jews, so intent on hardening themselves against a loving and caring God.  Prayers go up daily for unbelievers.  Churches and the ones who go to them wait anxiously for the lost to come and claim what is theirs to have--belief in Jesus Christ and eternity.  Won't you come?
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Linda Johnson

    Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church.​ She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald. 

    Andrea Strong

    Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2015
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012