The Apostle Paul- Heart Captured by God

For many Christians, Paul is THE QUINTESSENTIAL leader! Very few of us dare to imagine we could EVER achieve equality with him in terms of influence. And he is undoubtedly the most quoted Christian leader of all times. How did a Jewish born, “everyday guy” from Tarsus rise to such fame? Simple: because God had a plan and shaped his heart for it! What was true for Paul is true also for us: our genuine identity comes from God. We receive it as a gift in our call, and it develops in dialogue with the One who seeks to draw us to himself. No one ever took the Great Commission more seriously than Paul!

Let’s take a brief look at the few things that shaped Paul’s heart in our key 6 areas:

Paul entered the world as SAUL OF TARSUS. His first mention (timeline wise) in the Bible was at the stoning of Stephen, where he was an accomplice in the brutal killing. This was indicative of the times in which he was raised. Why were Christians being targeted and killed? The culture at the time was trying to stamp out the Church of Jesus Christ! And Paul wanted to be a “leader”.

But of course, God had different plans in mind! He had been steadily preparing Saul to be his 1 “cross cultural missionary”--- that would be bent spreading the very message he was currently destroying!

1- Roman- Saul’s Dad had become a Roman citizen before Paul’s birth! This meant he possessed this citizenship by birth right. And this played SIGNIFICANT roles in Paul’s ministry—protected him in Ephesus and granted him special legal status. It allowed him to appeal to Caesar in his trials before Festus and Agrippa. It also cinched the right for him to be able to preach in the world’s capital city! It literally allowed him to live out the call!!!!

2- Greek- Being raised in Tarsus Saul learned to read, write and speak Greek! Greek was the international language of business and commerce and Tarsus was a commercial center! Because of this he was very at home in the Greek cultures of Asia Minor and he could preach to this culture without troubles.

3- Pharisee- By far this was his most significant cultural conditioning! His family were Pharisees. He was raised in this school of thought. At 13 he was sent to study under the great rabbi Gamaliel. Here he would develop his drivenness that would later sustain his mission! Here he would also be steeped in Pharisee tradition and culture!

Paul’s call is pretty obvious! It came in the form of a great and blinding light and a voice from the heavens!

This voice was from Jesus. Why, as a Pharisee, was this ESPECIALLY hard for Paul to swallow?

Saul’s response to his call came in the dark! He could not see. He had time to reflect and contemplate this great light that arrested him! He had encountered the hope of his faith- personal and bodily resurrection! Yet – he never expected this to happen when or like it did! But Paul was distressed and confused! Are we ever like this when God calls us? Why? He did not eat or drink for 3 days. WHY? Because suddenly everything he was living for was shown to be misguided and false!

Now, God could have simply restored Paul’s sight and sent him on his way. But he chose to do it differently and use a human instrument: Ananias. Why do you think this was?

Ananias was possibly the most courageous believer in Damascus. Surely if Saul had carried out his mission, Ananias would have been one of his 1^st victims! He had hoped to imprison him but here he was being freed by him! Isn’t God funny? J

Paul’s call experience defined the rest of his life. He fully bought into it all! Real leaders are like this. Their call provides for them a life long direction and compass! Does yours? How?

Ananias- Paul would have never have become the leader he was without him. He influenced Paul greatly. He introduced Paul to a new concept- THE GRACE OF GOD! Even though he had persecuted Jesus and his followers, Ananias took him in and believed in him and supported him.

Barnabus- He sponsored Paul before the church leaders. His clout probably assured Paul’s early acceptance. Without his urging, who knows what may have happened between Paul and the church?

Co-workers- Silas, Luke, Timothy, Titus, John Mark etc—these were his friends traveling companions and ministry team!

Paul’s first assignment was not glamorous. His mission to “preach to gentile and Kings” would not be seen for years. A long interim beginning in the desert would come first! We are not sure how long this lasted, but we know that it was here hi close communion with God began!

Paul’s ministry had the extraordinary chance of communing with God in very personal and supernatural ways! In jail cells, ship holds, mission posts etc, Paul received personal visitations from God to both strengthen him for the demands of his call! Let’s look at just a few:

Acts 22:18- God visits him in the Temple and steered Paul towards greater ministry efforts with the gentiles

Acts 16- Paul receives the famous Macedonian vision that directs him to Troas. His obedience here is essential to the Gospel’s spreading to Europe.

Acts 18:9-10- God sustains Paul for his task! Here he encourages him to stay in the city and press on!

Acts 23:11- This visit convinced Paul that he would escape the plot to kill him and would survive his upcoming trials.

These are just a few, but as you can see, each time of communion led to greater things! Spending time with God enabled Paul to accomplish wonderful and amazing things!

The conflicts Paul faced shoed his thinking as well as character. His biggest conflict in his ministry came from the Judaeizers. WHY? Because the new “grace theory” he was teaching was the opposite of their teachings of following the law! He also departed from their traditional Jewish belief in monotheism. By insisting that the Jesus who had died was too God brought direct conflict upon him!

Several times these differences resulted in more than arguing. Many times they tried to actually kill Paul! They had him stoned and they had him thrown into jail!

These are just a few of the conflicts he faced. But by facing them and dealing with them, his heart was shaped. In fact, his response affected how Christianity would be “practiced” for the rest of eternity. How???? :

He was not readily eager to hand himself over to his enemies. He would hide, demand body guards and do what it took to look out for his safety. He also never flinched at their threats! No form of fear would prevent him from sharing the truth!

His courage and endurance inspired others! Persecuted Christians and early martyrs knew that Paul too had been through it and were strengthened by his resolve! Paul has helped Christians ever since to “fight our fight”, keep our faith and anticipate our rewards!

He also never resorted to physical violence to fight physical force. By doing so he reflected Jesus’ attitude of refusing the sword of Peter. Had he rallied the believers they surely would have followed and the course of Christianity could be very different!!

In all actuality, Paul had very few times in life that were recorded, we could think of as “common”. His commonplace was little different. He was never a shepherd or a retiree. *HOW DO YOU THINK HIS LIFE WAS “COMMONPLACE”? How do you think it shaped him? Write it below:

Jesus rescued Paul form destruction and he showed him the truth! His heart, in turn was forever changed! He found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His entire system of beliefs and religious practice changed! He was thrilled to be “captured” by Jesus and he never lost that thrill!

1- During time of great trial and testing a leader must have something to serve as a beacon of hope. To Paul it was his resolve in his call. He would retell his story when his life was on the line. When the going got tough, he had something to fall back on. When tempted to quit, run away or hide, the memory of his experience with God returned him to his path. WHAT DOES THIS FOR YOU?

2- God raised up Barnabus to sponsor Paul. Many Christian leaders throughout history have similar people in their lives. Often they too serve to give the person their “BREAK”. They but into their abilities and potential encourage them to greatness. Who has been a “BARNABUS” to you?

**Next week is our last character study. Read as much as you can about the life of Jesus Christ.