Indiana Jones is a popular movie character. He is an archaeologist/professor/adventurer whose life is in constant peril. Going from crisis to crisis he is always seeking some elusive archeological treasure. Indiana Jones never lost his hat, but Paul never lost his faith. Paul ran a strong race and fought a good fight. He knew that he would be all right. He once said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Jones faced danger for dead treasure. Paul gave his life for incorruptible glory. Cl
This devotion an audio podcast about the Apostle Paul and the treasure that was laid up in heaven for him. Click the link below to listen.
Legend has it that the apostle Paul was only about 4 feet 6 inches tall. Physically he was a small man but spiritually he was a giant in God’s army. As a soldier of Jesus Christ, he felt constant sorrow in his heart for those who did not know the Savior. Gladly, he would have suffered eternity in hell if it meant that lost people would be saved. When threatened with death for preaching the gospel, he knew that he was standing against the gates of Hell and he would not back down.
Paul was devoted to the task of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. He was determined to boldly open his mouth and preach truth to all people. He knew what was right and would not let the world turn him around. He put on the whole armor of God and ran to battle with the ruler of darkness. He did all he could to stand and then he stood his ground. Knowing that the shield of faith would protect him from the fiery darts of the evil one, he refused to back down.
When Paul went to war with the enemy of Christ, Satan came against him with everything he had. Five times Paul was whipped almost to death. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once they stoned him and left him for dead. No matter where he was, he was always in danger and spent many cold, sleepless nights with a hungry belly. But for him these were light afflictions that could not compare with the eternal weight of glory that waited for him. When they finally took Paul’s head off, he entered heaven to a hero’s welcome while in hell Satan licked his wounds. Paul counted it all joy to suffer for Christ and he would not back down.
Today Paul is among a great cloud of witnesses in Heaven. They watch to see if anyone will let the love of Christ compel them to stand for righteousness. As Christians, we should continuously grieve for those who are lost because without Christ they have no hope. Would you pray that the Word of God would become like a fire in your bones that cannot be quenched? Because God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We should be determined that even if they stand us up against the gates of Hell, we won’t back down.
The Apostle Paul was the greatest preacher ever. His obedience and sacrificial service to Jesus is something that we should all imitate. There is no doubt that when he was beheaded for his Savior the next thing, he heard was his Heavenly Father saying, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”
Yes, Paul was a great man of God. And yet he suffered from what he called, “a thorn in the flesh.” What was this “thorn in the flesh”? No one knows. It could have been an illness, a deformity, blindness or anything that affected his physical body.
There is one thing that I have never heard anyone else suggest. Maybe Paul’s thorn in the flesh was an addiction. Maybe he was addicted to alcohol or drugs or food or even porn. Some people would say; “Paul could not have had an addiction because he was a Godly man.” Yes, he was a Godly man but he was not a perfect man, He had faults and his faults made him feel like he was ” the chief of sinners”. God does not use perfect people; He uses broken people. Especially those with thorns in their flesh.
The Bible does not answer every question, and that is a good thing. It is a fact that all Christians struggle with sin, even the Godliest among us. All of us have a thorn in the flesh of some kind. We do not know what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. But we do know that God’s grace was sufficient for Paul and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The blessing of the Bible not giving us all the answers is this; not knowing what Paul suffered, we can identify with him in our suffering. When we feel wretched and wonder who will deliver us from this body of death, we can thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord. Because God’s grace was sufficient for Paul’s thorn in the flesh and it is still sufficient for yours.
The Apostle Paul has been credited with planting many churches. However, it is an injustice to The Holy Spirit to give Paul the acclaim for starting these churches. Paul never planted a church, he never started a church. He simply went into all the world, made disciples of all kinds of people, immersed them in the Word of God and taught them to follow Jesus. Churches popped up wherever Paul went because the Holy Spirit worked in and through the disciples Paul made.
Today, so called “churches” are popping up all over. But seldom are any real churches being started. Most are the results of selfish people who willfully divide a congregation in order to have their own way. While others are the product of egotistical pastors, who want their own little kingdom. Claiming to be called by God, they split established churches in order to start their own congregation. These are not church starts that expand the Kingdom of God. They are church splits that weaken the Bride of Christ.
During my years as pastor and always wanting to learn, I attended many seminars. The prevalent topic in these events was how to fill pews and expand churches. These seminars were most often taught by authors whose main goal was to sell their latest book. I bought many of these books. Now I know the best way to use these books is to stack them up and use them as a platform. While standing on this pile of useless verbiage, I should shout to the world this message “Jesus said, I will build my Church. You go preach the gospel and make disciples.”
The local church is a vital part of God’s Kingdom. However, no church has ever grown as a result of strife in the body or egotistical leadership. Throughout the Book of Acts we find the Church being added to and churches multiplying. This was not because of silly gimmicks or special growth programs. Churches grow and are multiplied because people hear the gospel and are saved. The Kingdom of Heaven is expanded when Christians are taught to fear God and love Him with all their heart, soul and might.
It is Jesus’ job to build His Church. Our job is to make disciples of all kinds of people, immerse them in the power of the Holy Trinity and teach them to obey God’s word. Let’s stop trying to do Jesus’ job and focus on doing our own. If we do this the Church will grow, churches will multiply and the Bride of Christ will be ready when the Bridegroom comes again.
The Apostle Paul was a simple man. To the Corinthians he said that he had decided that he would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the One who was crucified. He came to them in weakness, timid and trembling. His message and preaching was very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches he relied only on the Holy Spirit.
Paul was not an attractive man; he did not draw crowds because he looked good . When he spoke he was blunt and to the point so people did not gather around him for his charismatic character. It is thought that he may have had a physical deformity, so his appearance may have caused people to avoid him.
He was not a big shot preacher. If he were here today he probably would not be invited to speak at the annual preaching conference nor would he be appearing at the denominational convention. And yet this simple man, while he was in chains, had the opportunity to stand before kings and governors and preach Christ and Him crucified.
It is true, Paul did not have a church growth plan, but everywhere He went strong churches grew. He did not have a disciple making plan, but his disciples took the Gospel into all the world. He was not a dynamic preacher but his preaching is still impacting the world today.
Paul was an intelligent and highly educated man, but for him it was the foolishness of the cross and not the wisdom of man that was important. He gladly poured out His life for the Gospel and counted it a privilege to suffer for the Savior.
This is my challenge to all of you. I hope you understand that the just shall live by faith. You must never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. The scandal of the Cross is our only hope of eternal life.
To the preacher who wishes to please God I say this; put away the how to preach books. Throw away that resume that you planned to send to the bigger church. Stand wherever you are and preach with the power of the Holy Spirit. Understand this, your purpose and goal is to take the Gospel into all the world and it is not human wisdom but the power of God that will save the souls of men.
It is true, Paul did not have a church growth plan, but everywhere He went strong churches grew. He did not have a disciple making plan, but his disciples took the Gospel into all the world. He was not a dynamic preacher but his preaching is still impacting the world today.
The devotion is a an audio podcast. Click the link below to hear how Paul lived to preach a simple gospel message.
Pavement Ends Ministry 