I have seen some amazing changes God has done in people’s
lives. I have seen the power of the Spirit of God turn people from sinful ways.
I have seen Jesus turn cold hearted people to loving and generous. I have seen
some people live through terrible situations and come out better in the end. I
have seen people that should have died in bad accidents walk away alive. I have seen people worship Jesus while going through physical and emotional storms. Most
of all I know a story where Jesus turned a murderer to a minister.
He used to murder Jesus followers now he is one.
This is the story of Paul. Paul was one of the first century enemies of
Christianity. He went by the name Saul and was one of if not the number one
enemy of Christianity. He got documents created so he could jail Christians or
Jesus followers. Worst, some of the people he persecuted he was able to get
them put to death. How could Jesus change this man? He did.
Long after this conversion and starting multiple churches,
Paul had enemies. People questioned Paul’s motives. In 2 Corinthians 4:1 it states, “Therefore,
since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” Not
losing heart is the same as giving up. Paul didn’t give up. Through the tough
times in Paul’s life, he didn’t give up. Paul was under attack. They questioned
his motives in Corinth. They said he used the gospel for his own benefit. They
thought he deceived people (Verse 2) and the way this was put meant Paul was
cunning and trickery. They didn’t like Paul.
This is Paul. The man wrote several of the books of the
Bible I love. The man started churches in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Many came to know Jesus through him and people hated him? Believing in Jesus
does not mean life is going to be easy. He stayed strong with his will and the
message of God led him through tough times.
Paul constantly reminded us this in 2 Corinthians 4:5-6…”For
what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as
your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of
darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the
knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
Paul didn’t do Christianity for his benefit but for Jesus’.
Jesus was the focus not Paul. Paul worked hard not to make himself the focal
point but Christ. Paul was once in darkness, Jesus changed that. Jesus bring
light to dark places. This is what we are called to do as Christians bring
light to darkness. Today we have an amazing opportunity to do that.
Over the next three days the weather is going to be
miserable in the Midwest. For only the third time in my life church is
cancelled. Just because service is cancelled, doesn’t mean a break from Jesus.
I am looking forward to sharing the love of Christ with my family today. I am
looking forward to Hailee and I watching a sermon online. I am looking forward
to spending time in the word of God with my kids. I am looking forward to
breaking bread and having communion with my family. It’s going to be a
different Sunday but a Sunday I look forward to very much. It’s still a Sunday
I can worship Jesus.
Even though many church buildings are closed the church is
still thriving. How can you lift up Jesus today? How can you let the story of
Paul influence you in a positive way? Today is an amazing day, you will never
be as young as you are today, don’t waste it away. You can do amazing things.
Have a great day.
