Paul was one of the greatest apostles that ever lived. He was
a man who obeyed God 110%, no make that 150%, actually make
that 200%……I think you get the picture! 🙂 When I read the
life of Paul I am challenged by his obedience. Let’s look at the
things he accomplished because he was obedient.
He got to share the gospel with Felix who was Governor at
the time. He was a man who had lots of influence.
Read Acts 24:10-26
Paul shared the gospel with King Agrippa and his wife
Bernice. God brought Paul before powerful men
and women to share the gospel.
Acts 25 and chapter 26
By the way he carried himself and his faith in God,
Paul was able to minister to the Roman soldiers
Read Acts 27:42, 43
Because of his obedience Paul ministered to a whole
tribe on the island of Malta.
Read Acts 28.
During imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote a lot of
the books in the new testament. It is said he wrote,
Ephesians Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
After imprisonment it is said he wrote Hebrews,
Titus, 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.
Now for the crux of the matter. I will share a scripture that I
believe is the key that opened the door to all the ministry he did:
After several days of visiting, a prophet from Judea by the name
of Agabus came down to see us. He went right up to Paul, took
his belt, and, in dramatic gesture, tied himself up, hands and feet.
He said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: The Jews in Jerusalem
are going to tie up the man who owns this belt just like this and
hand him over to godless unbelievers.”
When everyone heard that, we and everyone there that day
begged Paul not to be stubborn and persist in going to
Jerusalem. But Paul wouldn’t budge:
Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene
and making it even harder for me?
You’re looking at this backward. The issue is Jerusalem is not
what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the
Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can’t you see that?
Acts 21:10-13
Wow right…..Paul had an understanding of obedience. He knew
being obedient allowed Jesus to work through him. And because
Paul was obedient, Jesus did a mighty work in him and through
him!
Let’s bring this principle home. God has a plan for each and
everyone of us but we can only walk in that plan when we are
obedient! That revelation hit me hard! I am in a situation where
I have a decision to make. I can either be obedient even though
it’s difficult and uncomfortable or disobey! But the word is very
clear, Jesus works through our obedience!
He has this amazing, uncomprehendible (if there is such a word)
plan for us. It’s just to big to fathom. I don’t think Paul knew all
that God had in store for Him but he simply obeyed, and
trusted! We need to do the same……
I want to live a life of obedience to God and I ask Him to
help me. I rebel a lot and I fight and push back but He wants
me to obey. He wants us to obey!
Will you learn a lesson from the man who lived a life of obedience?
Rolain
kingspeech 