“Paul’s View,” Acts 26:9-18, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Open:  In a land far, far way, an Assembly of God pastor’s mission field and mine.

         David Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz and Teen Challenge

I.        Before (Acts 26) **Saul

          A.     (v9) “I was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus.”

                  1.      So convinced and so zealous, Saul arrested and harassed Christians

                  2.      (v11) “I tried to force them to blaspheme.”

                  3.      “I pursued them even to foreign cities.”

          B.     Conversion—an unlikely candidate

                  1.      (v13) “I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun.” {Acts 22:6]

                  2.      (v14) “I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why…?’”

                  3.      (v15) By way of introduction: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”

          C.     Commission

                  1.      (v16) “UI have appeared to you…to appoint you to serve and testify.”

                  2.      (v17, 18) Sent to the Gentiles “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God.” [Acts 22:21]

                  3.      “So that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified…”

II.       After (2 Corinthians 12) **Paul

          A.     Did Paul’s conversion cost him his credibility?

                  1.      Are only suckers, dreamers, inmates, and charlatans converted?

                  2.      2 Corinthians 11:21-28.  Paul did not choose the easy or popular route to conversation.  [2 Timothy 3:12]

                  3.      (v2-3) Paul’s rapture and visions of Paradise.  What characterizes our conversion?

          B.     (v7) “To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of revelations…”

                  1.      “…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me.”

                  2.      (v8) “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.”

                  3.      (v9) “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,’”…

                           a.    “…for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

                           b.    A death in the family.

Conclusion:  What did Paul see in God?  How did it change him?

            1 Timothy 1:15-17, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”