INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
Life Sentences (New Testament) - Week 10
Session Title:
Focal Passages:
Life Sentence:
Paul
1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am.”
Central Teaching/Learning Aim:
The learner will examine Paul’s teaching
and example of grace and be challenged to live a grace-filled life.
I.
Hook
A.
Share the following true account:
Aaron Thomas personifies courage
By Elizabeth Merrill
PARKERSBURG, Iowa -- Ed Thomas used to tell his adult Sunday school
class a story. He kept it on a slip of paper in his Bible. It was about two
boys, two friends. One was killed in a car accident; the other went to jail for
vehicular manslaughter. The father of the dead boy forgave the other kid.
Someday, Thomas told his pupils, he hoped to have the same grace that
the man showed. He prayed about it. Someday, Ed Thomas had said, if he
ever lost a loved one at the hands of somebody else, he wanted the
strength to forgive.
In his shoes
A young man with blond buzz-cut hair and a dash of white on his temples
lifts his head up from a corner desk in a cavernous office. He is closing the
book on the longest year of his life. The media trucks have come and gone,
reporting the horrific stories of Parkersburg, Iowa, marveling about how a
town of 1,800 can be so resilient and forgiving. Aaron Thomas, the man
behind the desk, doesn't have an answer for them. He thought this was just
the way people were supposed to act.
You'll remember young Aaron from last summer, standing in front of a
microphone, asking a town to pray and forgive. A few hours earlier, his
father, Ed -- Aplington-Parkersburg's football coach -- had been gunned
down as he supervised a morning weight-lifting session. Aaron buried his
father, then returned to his hometown and accepted the most daunting of
tasks: He left a neighboring school and took the job as A-P's athletic
director, his father's job. The town needed him.
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Life, for Aaron Thomas, changed at precisely 8:07 a.m. on June 24, 2009.
He was driving down Interstate 35, almost to a morning leadership
conference when his cell phone rang. It was his mom. Jan Thomas wasn't
crying -- she's an EMT in Parkersburg and the toughest person he knows -but he could tell immediately that something was seriously wrong.
"Aaron, somebody came in the weight room and shot your dad," he recalls
his mother saying, "and it's not good."
The Thomas family of Parkersburg, Iowa, will receive the Arthur Ashe
Courage Award at the 2010 ESPYS.
Read Elizabeth Merrill's story on "The downward spiral of Mark Becker."
Aaron knew it then, that he'd probably never see his father again. They had
so much in common, their mannerisms, their strength, and their
penmanship. Aaron decided by the third grade that he wanted to be a coach
because that's what his daddy did. He memorized all of Ed's sayings. "Life,"
he'd tell his boy, "is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how you
respond."
The way the Thomas family responded made national headlines. Jan
comforted the mother of Mark Becker, Ed's killer, hours after the shooting.
And her sons took leadership roles in the community to help the town heal.
On Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the Thomas family will receive the
Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS. More than 30 people from the
tiny Iowa community will be there to watch the Thomases accept the award,
which Aaron says belongs to his father.
They're ordinary people, thrust into an extraordinary situation. Last week,
Jan Thomas wondered what she would wear to the event. She consulted
with Joan Becker, Mark's mother. The families still remain friends.
"A lot of us didn't know how to react," Aplington-Parkersburg superintendent
Jon Thompson said. "Should we be angry at the Becker family? Should we
be angry in general? Seeing role models like Aaron and Jan and the whole
Thomas family come up and handle this in such a fantastic way. … I think it
set the tone for the community."
Going to church was the toughest. A hymn would play, and it would remind
Aaron of his father, who always sat at the end of the pew next to his
grandkids. Aaron occupies that seat now, but it's not the same.
"[Church] was a place that was important to Ed," said Pastor Brad
Zinnecker. "I mean, Ed lived his faith out in all areas of his life."
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Life, in these parts, is almost back to its normal crawl. Folks settle into a
seat at Tom's Barber Shop on Third Street and talk about the heat, the
crops or football. By late December in Parkersburg, they're usually ready to
start talking football.
It's what they call the "new normal," which will never be the same but is
somewhere closer to bearable. They're stronger now, bonded together by
faith, hope and immense pain. On Sundays, the Beckers bow their heads
and pray alongside the Thomases, because that's what Ed would've
wanted.
"He touched a lot of people in this town," says Tom Teeple, who runs a
barber shop in town. "And a lot of them he touched weren't even athletes."
Aaron's reach goes beyond the AD's office, too. He counsels high-risk
students at Aplington-Parkersburg, trying to help them see their potential.
Maybe, when he reaches someone, he thinks of his dad. In the days before
his death, Ed Thomas prayed for Mark Becker, a troubled 24-year-old
former A-P linebacker who was battling what would later be diagnosed as
paranoid schizophrenia.
Becker, now serving a life sentence for the murder, is currently on antipsychotic medication and showing shades of his old self, his mother says.
Aaron Thomas knows his father would forgive Becker. It's what he hoped to
do back in those days at adult Sunday school.
"I'd be lying if I said I completely forgave Mark Becker," Aaron said. "But as
far as his family, I do feel for them, I have empathy for them. I know they
would've done anything they could to not have that happen.
"It's a challenge and a prayer of mine that I will eventually get to that point."
Ask – Do you think you could forgive someone who took the life of one of
your lived ones? How should the example of God’s grace and forgiveness to
us affect our opinions of others?
Next – Show the following web clip:
Location: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=5374290
Length: 3:21
Synopsis: In this clip Aaron Thomas represents the family as they accept
the Arthur Ashe award at the 2010 ESPY awards. He refers to the grace
and forgiveness the family has extended to the Beaker family.
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Next – Read (1 Corinthians 15:10)
State – Paul’s life is summed up by one word “grace.” He was a persecutor
and killer of Christian’s. He was a radical, zealous Jew opposed to
Christian’s. God reached down and saved him and he never recovered from
God’s amazing grace. Today we are going to discuss how to live a gracefilled life.
B.
Optional Method – Web Clip from bluefishtv.com. This clip can be
downloaded from bluefishtv.com for $3.99.
Location:
http://www.bluefishtv.com/Store/Downloadable_Video_Illustrations/1621/Wh
at_is_Grace_/f=s1&scid=1005&cc=&csc=&ldr=&s=grace
Length: 1:09
Synopsis: On the street interviews asking people about the meaning of
“grace.”
Ask – How would you define grace?
Next – Display the following definition of grace:
The unmerited operation of God in the heart of man, affected through the
agency of the Holy Spirit. It is in reality the active communication of divine
blessings by the inworking of the Holy Spirit, out of the fullness of Him who
is “full of grace and truth.”
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, 1949), pp. 426-27
C.
Optional Method – Web Clips featuring Bear Grylls, star of “Man vs. Wild.”
Clip 1
Location: http://www.alpha.org/bear/
Length: .59
Synopsis: Bear made a commercial for the Christian Bible study course
“Alpha.”
Bear Grylls helps to launch Alpha invitation 2009
TV adventurer Bear Grylls has filmed an action-packed 60-second
advertisement in the Malaysian jungle which is spearheading the Alpha
course’s national advertising initiative launched last month.
The star of Channel Four’s ‘Born Survivor’ series is seen leaping from a
tree, scrambling down an escarpment, diving off a cliff into the sea and
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trying to attract the attention of a helicopter from a deserted beach in the
film to promote Alpha.
The end of the online advertisement reveals Bear writing in the sand the
words, ‘I did Alpha.’
In addition to the online advertisement, Alpha course posters will be seen
across the country this month on:
*900 billboards across the UK
*2,200 buses in 20 cities including London,
Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Norwich, Bristol, Liverpool and York.
*200
London underground stations.
*1,100 railway stations including major city
terminals.
The posters come in two versions, asking the questions, ‘Does God exist?’
and ‘Is this it?’ with he options ‘Yes’ ‘No’ and ‘Probably.’ Banners have also
been on display at county cricket games throughout the summer and will be
seen at the One Day Cricket International, England versus Australia, at the
Rose Bowl on Wednesday 9th September, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Bear Grylls has been a strong supporter of Alpha since taking part in the
course with his wife Shara at Holy Trinity Brompton.
Bear said, ‘I supported Alpha by doing this advert for one very simple
reason: I believe the Alpha Course touches lives.
‘I have seen so many people find a personal relationship with God and a
quiet strength in their life after doing the course - me included - and it takes
a proud man to say he never needs any help.
‘Alpha is such a non-pressured and fun course, and it shows us how
Christianity can be relevant and empowering to our lives.’
Clip 2
Location: http://www.htb.org.uk/alpha/bear-grylls-interview-nicky-gumbel
Length: 2:40
Synopsis: Bear Grylls at Holy Trinity Brompton, London
As part of the 2009 Alpha launch the international TV adventurer Bear Grylls
spoke to more than 1,000 people at Holy Trinity Brompton in September at
the launch of the church’s new Alpha courses.
The former SAS soldier, whose Discovery Channel TV show is watched by
more than two billion people worldwide, was interviewed by Vicar Nicky
Gumbel about his filming experiences, his family and his Christian faith.
Film clips were shown of him diving under the ice in the Arctic, tracking and
killing a porcupine in Africa, killing and chewing into the raw flesh of a
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poisonous snake, and eating a yak’s eyeball in South America.
Recommending the Alpha course, which he and his wife Shara attended at
HTB some years ago, he said he thought it was a fun and relaxed way of
investigating the Christian faith. ‘I’ve seen Alpha touch so many people over
many years. I’ve seen it encourage people to find a very simple faith,’ he
said.
State – Bear says it is a simple faith that saved him. He is right. Faith is not
complicated it is simply accepting the grace of God through a personal
relationship with Him.
Next – Read (1 Corinthians 15:10)
State – Paul’s life is summed up by one word “grace.” He was a persecutor
and killer of Christian’s. He was a radical, zealous Jew opposed to
Christian’s. God reached down and saved him and he never recovered from
God’s amazing grace. Today we are going to discuss how to live a gracefilled life.
II.
Book
A.
Utilize the Discussion Guide to examine the Scripture passages.
III. Look
A.
Place members into groups and have them discuss questions 3-5 on the
Discussion Guide. Encourage them to motivate one another to live gracefilled lives in the coming week.
IV. Took
A.
Use a web clip from Hook A or C to close the lesson. Challenge members to
live grace-filled lives like the Thomas’ or Bear Grylls.
Close in prayer.
B.
Display the following action steps for living a grace-filled life and challenge
members to follow through this week.
Step 1 Live your spiritual wealth – God has provided more than we need to
live abundant lives.
Step 2 Live adequately in Christ – Even in weakness God’s grace is
adequate to sustain us.
Step 3 Live in God’s wisdom – All the wisdom we need is in God’s Word.
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Step 4 Live with spiritual authority – We can conquer all because of God’s
grace.
Step 5 Live a life of praise and worship for God – He has provided an
abundant grace-filled life and we should be thankful.
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DISCUSSION GUIDE
Teacher Copy
1. The Apostle Paul, who is credited for writing 13 books of the New Testament, and is
arguably considered the greatest Christian influence (besides Christ) in history is a
great example of the grace of God. Why?
[Because he was a persecutor of Christian’s and was dramatically saved and
became a crusader for Christ.]
2. Paul referred to God’s grace 100 times in his books in the Bible. Look up the
following verses and record Paul’s references to grace.
a. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We are saved by grace and it is all because of God
b. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
God lavished His grace on us
c. (Philippians 3:1-11)
Treat others with grace because of Christ’s example
d. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
God’s grace took tremendous humility towards
mankind
e. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) A grace-filled person thrives even through trials
f. (Philippians 4:13)
A positive outlook is the result of grace
g. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
No matter what your circumstance God’s grace is
sufficient to enable you to do good
h. (Titus 2:10-12)
God’s grace should compel us to live Godly lives
i. (Colossians 3:15-16)
Grace should compel us to build up the church
through worship and study of God’s Word
j. (Romans 5:20-21)
Spiritual enemies can be conquered through the
Spirit of God
k. (Romans 8:37-38)
We are more than conquerors
l. (Colossians 4:6)
Speak to others with grace
3. Look back over the above truths and select those in which you need to increase and
place the letters below.
4. What will it take to improve in these areas of grace-living?
5. Read (1 Corinthians 15:10) Paul’s life sentence. Record the significant words and
phrases in that verse.
a. “But” indicates a life going the wrong direction and being turned
b. “Grace of God” – our lives are all about God’s grace
c. “Did not prove vain” – Paul lived a grace-filled dynamic life
d. “Labored” – living a grace-filled life takes effort and discipline
e. “Yet not I” – Paul credited God for everything
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DISCUSSION GUIDE
Student Copy
1. The Apostle Paul, who is credited for writing 13 books of the New Testament, and is
arguably considered the greatest Christian influence (besides Christ) in history is a
great example of the grace of God. Why?
2. Paul referred to God’s grace 100 times in his books in the Bible. Look up the
following verses and record Paul’s references to grace.
a. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
b. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
c. (Philippians 3:1-11)
d. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
e. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
f. (Philippians 4:13)
g. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
h. (Titus 2:10-12)
i. (Colossians 3:15-16)
j. (Romans 5:20-21)
k. (Romans 8:37-38)
l. (Colossians 4:6)
3. Look back over the above truths and select those in which you need to increase and
place the letters below.
4. What will it take to improve in these areas of grace-living?
5. Read (1 Corinthians 15:10) Paul’s life sentence. Record the significant words and
phrases in that verse.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
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THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK
Epaphroditus ~ Philippians 2:30a
Monday: Read Phil. 2: 25-30, II Cor. 9:6-8
Epaphroditus served the Lord by caring for Paul, almost to the point of death.
 Can you think of a time that your service to another caused personal pain or
loss?
 This kind of serving is sacrificial. What is different about giving out of your
excess as opposed to giving out of your need?
 It’s not just about serving. (You can serve with a bad attitude.) What does II Cor.
9:6-8 say about giving?
Tuesday: Read Phil. 2:25-30
Epaphroditus was a man whose Christian relationships were strong. He took the work
of the ministry seriously and with great value.
 What was his relationship with Paul? (verse 25)
 What was his relationship with the Philippian church? (verses 25-26)
 Who is an Epaphroditus in your life?
 Are you an Epaphroditus in someone else’s life?
Wednesday: Read Phil. 2: 25-30
Sometimes our area of ministry or service may be interrupted.
 What occurred during the ministry of Epaphroditus to interrupt his ministry?
(verses 25-27)
 Has there been a time when you were removed from ministry to others for a
period of time?
 How did God use that time for good in your life?
Thursday: Read Phil. 2:29-30, II Cor. 8:23-24
Paul guided the Philippian church in bringing honor to Epaphroditus & others like him.
 Is there someone that gives sacrificially to others that you could honor or bless
this week?
 Do you take opportunities to give good news of the ministry of others to
encourage believers?
Friday: Read Phil 2: 25-30, James 1: 2-4
Epaphroditus was in a key role of encouragement and service to Paul. He was valued
and affirmed for his ministry. Yet, he suffered.
 What hardships did Epaphroditus face? (Verses 26, 27, 30)
 Often Christians think that if they are believers and serving the Lord that
everything should workout easily for them. Does this passage support that
concept?
 What does James 1:2-4 teach about trials?
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EXEGETICAL – THEOLOGICAL – PEDAGOGICAL
(Exegetical: What it meant to the Church back THEN)
THE MEANS BY WHICH PAUL WAS WHAT HE WAS
[AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST]
IN CONTRAST TO WHAT HE ONCE WAS
[A PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH] . . .
WAS THE GRACE OF GOD,
(1 Corinthians 15:10).
NOTE: In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul announced and argued for the hope of every New
Testament believer: the resurrection of the physical body. In the early verses Paul
defined the gospel in its most basic elements (3-5) and then, from his own experience,
witnessed to its transforming power (8-11). Paul testified that only God’s Riches At
Christ’s Expense (GRACE) accounted for his dramatic change from persecutor to
apostle, from sinner to saint, from legalistic Pharisee to joyful servant of Christ. Grace
alone accounted for Paul’s salvation and transformation. Again and again throughout
his preaching and writings he pointed his listeners and readers to the grace of God.
God’s grace through the provision of Jesus Christ was his only hope and the only hope
of every sinner (“For by grace you have been saved” - see Ephesians 2:1-9).
From Philippians chapters 1 and 3, Acts chapters 9 and 20, and 2 Corinthians 12
we can see how God’s grace permeated the life and experience of Paul. We will look at
his former worldview, his transformation, and his spiritual development . . . all in terms
of grace.
I. Paul’s former value system [as Saul of Tarsus], devoted to “works salvation” . .
. had been transformed by grace, (Philippians 1:7 with 3:3-6).
A. The basis of Paul’s confidence in the still future, yet to be fully completed
salvation experience of the Philippians . . . rested in the fact that they,
along with Paul, were partakers/benefactors of grace, (1:7).
B. The reason the Philippians were to watch out for "works salvation"
theologians, according to Paul's command . . . was because the
Philippians and Paul were properly related to God [by grace – 1:7], (3).
C. The reasons Paul had more cause to trust in "works salvation" than any
other person . . . were because of his Jewish inheritance and his religious
achievements, (4-6).
1. The individual with the most cause to trust in "works salvation" . . . was
Paul, (4a).
2. The reasons Paul had more cause to trust in "works salvation" than
any other person . . . were because of his Jewish inheritance, (4b-5a).
a. A reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his Jewish birth.
b. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his pure descent from Abraham.
c. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his aristocratic heritage.
d. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his separation from the Gentiles.
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II.
3. Additional reasons Paul had more cause to trust in "works salvation"
than any other person . . . were because of his religious achievements,
(5b-6).
a. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his Pharisaic standing.
b. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his zeal to persecute the church.
c. Another reason Paul might have trusted "works salvation" . . . was
because of his blamelessness before the Law.
NOTE: Paul had been so totally “dead in his sin” (see Ephesians 2:1-3) that he had
no idea he needed the grace of God. That was before his encounter with the Lord
Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, as recorded in Acts 9. That encounter was
where grace stepped in and changed Paul forever from a “salvation by works”
Pharisee to a saved by grace alone [not by self-righteous works] Christian.
Paul’s [Saul’s] encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus . . .
transformed him into a Christian apostle of the gospel of grace, (Acts 9:1-19
with 20:24).
A. Saul’s ongoing activity against the church . . . consisted of threats of
murder and gaining permission to extradite disciples of “the way” back to
the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, (1-2).
1. Saul’s ongoing (7:58; 8:1, 3) activity during the expansion of the church
. . . was that he still threatened the Lord’s disciples with murder, (1a).
2. Saul’s request of the High Priest regarding any he might find in
Damascus belonging to “the way” . . . was that he might have
permission to extradite them back to Jerusalem, (1b-2).
B. Saul’s obedient response to Jesus’ command . . . was to get up and, since
he was blinded, be led by the “struck-speechless” men traveling with him
– those who had heard the sound but seen no one when the flash of
Shekinah had appeared and Jesus had spoken – into the city of
Damascus, where for three days he remained blind, eating and drinking
nothing, (3-9).
1. The question Saul heard after falling to the ground, a sudden light
(Shekinah – cp. Luke 2:9) from heaven having flashed around him as he
neared Damascus . . . was “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (34).
2. Saul’s response to the question . . . was, “Lord, who are You?” (5a).
3. Jesus’ answer concerning His identity . . . was, “I am Jesus whom you
are persecuting,” (5b).
4. Jesus’ command to Saul . . . was that he get up and go (8:26) into the
city where he would be told what he must (of necessity) do, (6).
5. Saul’s obedient response to Jesus’ command . . . was to get up and be
led, since he was blinded, by the “struck-speechless” men traveling
with him – those who had heard the sound but seen no one – into the
city of Damascus, where for three days he remained blind, eating and
drinking nothing, (7-9).
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C. The result of Ananias’ ultimately – and after some reluctance – going to
and entering Judas’ house according to the Lord’s persistent command,
laying his hands on “brother” Saul, and speaking instructions to him –
that Jesus, who had appeared to him on the road as he was coming, had
sent him (Ananias) so that he (Saul – a chosen instrument who would
carry Jesus’ name to Gentiles, kings, and Israel) might see again and be
filled with the Holy Spirit . . . was that immediately something like scales
fell off Saul’s eyes so that he could see again and he regained his strength
after eating, (10-19).
1. Ananias’ response to the Lord’s calling him in a vision – he was a
disciple residing in Damascus . . . was, “Yes, Lord,” (10).
2. The Lord’s reason for commanding Ananias to go to Judas’ house on
straight street and ask for Saul of Tarsus . . . was because as Saul was
praying he had seen a vision of a man named Ananias laying his hands
on him and restoring his sight, (11-12).
3. Ananias’ instruction to the Lord . . . was to tell the Lord that he had
heard of Saul and of his persecution of the saints in Jerusalem and of
how he had come with the chief priests’ authority to arrest all who
called on the Lord’s name, (13-14).
4. The Lord’s reason for commanding Ananias, a second time, to “go” . . .
was because Saul was His “chosen instrument” to carry His name
before the Gentiles, their kings, and Israel and because the Lord would
show Saul how much he would have to (of necessity) suffer on behalf
of His name, (15-16).
5. The result of Ananias’ going to and entering the house, laying his
hands on “brother” Saul, and speaking instructions to him – that
Jesus, who had appeared to him on the road as he was coming, had
sent him (Ananias) so that he (Saul) might see again and be filled with
the Holy Spirit . . . was that immediately something like scales fell off
Saul’s eyes so that he could see again and he regained his strength
after eating, (17-19).
D. The nature of the gospel to which Paul testified, not regarding his life
[threats to his physical life] as significant in light of accomplishing the
ministry Jesus Christ had given him [in Acts 9] . . . was grace, (Acts 20:24).
NOTE: Throughout the Acts of the Apostles and his epistles Paul continually
referred to the grace of God, knowing that he had experienced that grace in his
Acts 9 encounter with Jesus.
III. The Lord’s instructive response to Paul’s request to have the “thorn in the
flesh” removed, a response that caused Paul to celebrate his weakness . . .
was, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is perfected in and through
your weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
A. The purpose for which Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh” after receiving
exceedingly great revelations . . . was so that he might not become proud,
(12:7).
B. Paul’s response to the “thorn in the flesh” . . . was to ask the Lord, three
times, to remove it, (12:8).
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C. The Lord’s instructive response to Paul’s request to have the “thorn”
removed . . . was, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is perfected
in and through your weakness,” (12:9a).
D. The purpose for which Paul determined to glory [celebrate] his weakness .
. . was so that the power of Christ might rest upon him, (12:9b).
NOTE: Paul realized that the Lord had not only saved him by grace, but that He also
was empowering him by grace – making him strong in maturity and ministry even in his
weakness. Paul therefore celebrated his weakness because it gave an opportunity for
God to pour out even more grace upon him. For Paul the exchange was worth it.
(Theological: What it means for God’s people ALWAYS)
Only the grace of God . . . can save and empower the believer.
I. Human merit (pedigree and performance) . . . cannot save [or empower]
anyone, (Philippians 1:7; 3:3-6).
II. Only the gospel of God’s grace . . . can transform an enemy of Jesus into an
apostle of Christ, (Acts 9:1-19; 20:24).
III. Only God’s grace at work in human weakness . . . can empower the believer,
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
(Pedagogical: What it means for us TODAY)
EMBRACE GRACE ALONE.
Our lesson draws from, but does not follow, the outline in Warren Wiersbe’s Life
Sentences, pages 288-292.
I. Partake of God’s grace.
A. Paul knew that God’s grace, not his own pedigree or performance, was the
basis of his salvation, (Philippians 1:7; 3:3-6).
B. Human merit cannot save anyone.
C. Partake of God’s grace, the good news of salvation.
II. Surrender to Jesus’ gracious intervention.
A. Paul’s life was transformed by Jesus’ gracious intervention, (Acts 9:1-19, 20:24).
B. Only God’s grace can intervene to transform an enemy into an apostle.
C. Surrender to Jesus’ gracious intervention in your life.
III. Celebrate God’s grace at work in your weakness.
A. Paul celebrated God’s power graciously perfected through his weakness,
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
B. Only God’s grace at work in human weakness can empower a believer.
C. Celebrate God’s empowering grace at work in your weakness.
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