St. Paul’s Transformation brings the ability to bear hardship

1. St. Paul’s Transformation brings the ability to bear hardship

2. Set Apart for God’s plan

3. God has chosen us according to his Plan & Purpose John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you Deuteronomy 7:6 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Ephesians 1:4 “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love"

4. Paul’s Mission & Guided by the Spirit Calling – Baptism – Transformation – Infilling of the Holy Spirit – Revelation of the Mystery Calling – Jeremiah 1:5 Afraid : Is 41:10 / Acts 18:9-10 Baptism - Transformation – Acts 9:16-19 Infilling of the Holy Spirit –- Ephesians chapter 1, verse 18 Revelation of the Mystery - Is 40:55 / Purpose - Gal 1:15-16 Purpose of Calling: His pride was to proclaim the Gospel in places where it had never been heard. Paul explains that this revelation was given to him "that it (the mystery of Christ) might be announced to the pagans” He understands his vocation as an apostle to be a gift – the gift of a loving God who has guided his life in a mysterious way. Paul sees his calling to go on mission to the nations as a continuation of the mission of the prophets To announce the Gospel first to the Jews and the non Jews (Pagans)

5. Paul’s Conversion Paul’s experience of the risen Christ was not a conversion from a “pagan” way of life to a religious one. He already believed in the God of Israel and was intent on serving God. But his encounter with Christ illumined his view of the way that this God had acted to offer salvation to the human family. Paul came to see that the same God he had worshipped as a Jew had acted in a new and definitive way in the person and destiny of Jesus. When the risen Christ was revealed to him, he began to realize that this crucified one was in fact alive and that God’s saving grace had become present in and through his death and resurrection. Paul already knew that Jesus had been crucified. But this horrendous, scandalous death had only made Jesus more of a stumbling block for Paul. How could God have been present and active in one who had been executed as a common criminal? After his encounter with the risen Lord, he realized that God had indeed revealed himself in weakness – in the crucified Christ. So Paul will write to the Christians in Corinth about the “wisdom of the cross” – a wisdom that seems like utter foolishness to those who cannot see with the eyes of faith (I Cor. 1: 18-25)

6. Paul’s Strategy Where did he preach? Traveling along Roman roads, Paul went from town to town in Arabia, Syria and Cilicia, then on to Cyprus, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia and, in Spain Paul's strategy focused on urban centers, the centers of Roman administration, Greek culture and Jewish presence Private homes were another essential place for mission. The life of the first Christian communities was closely connected to the home, which included the whole 'family' including servants and slaves Paul addressed every sector of society Paul's meeting with proconsul Festus and King Agrippa is interesting because it shows Paul as he addresses personages at the top of the social ladder. Length of City Missions

7. Paul’s Principles Communion with Christ Openness to the Holy Spirit The work of the Holy Spirit with poverty In a world marked by divisions and barriers between peoples and cultures, he realizes that Christ's message is for every man and woman of whatever culture or religion, nationality or social condition. He realizes that "God is the God of everyone" What counts is to place Jesus Christ at the centre of our lives, The Apostle's strength is his weakness, since it allows the Holy Spirit to unfurl all His power Paul's perception of the universal character of salvation

8. Paul’s Hardships (Rom 7:15-25) Paul speaks of his continual struggle with sin. He says, he is a slave to sin and cannot stop it Was put in prison over and overWas flogged an uncounted number of timesFaced death over and overReceived 39 lashes from the Jews 5 timesWas beaten with rods 3 timesWas stoned one timeWas shipwrecked 3 timesSpent a day and night in the seaWas in continual danger from rivers and robbersWas in danger from his own countrymen, as well as the GentilesWas in danger in the city, in the country, at sea, and from false brothersWas weary and in pain often, without sleepWas often hungry and thirsty, cold and nakedAnd was continually concerned about the health of all of the churches

9. Suffering would be a Part of Paul’s Christian Life The Lord spoke to Ananias concerning Paul’s suffering Acts 9:15-16 – “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name‘s sake.’” The Lord’s word to Ananias certainly came true. Paul was Imprisoned as an “Evil-Doer 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 – “. . . in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness

10. It is believed that Paul’s conversion occurred in 36 A.D. and his death in Rome in 68 A.D. That would indicate a ministry of some 32 years The last 11 years of his life and work, the list : 1. The 4th and final year of the 3rd missionary journey. 2. Paul’s arrest and treatment in Jerusalem. 3. Paul’s two-year imprisonment in Jerusalem. 4. Paul’s perilous journey from Caesarea to Rome that included: a. Another shipwreck b. A snakebite 5. Paul’s first Roman imprisonment in Caesarea. 6. Paul’s “house arrest” imprisonment in Rome. 7. The three-to-four year period between the first and second Roman imprisonment. 7. Paul’s second Roman imprisonment which resulted in his execution. He was beheaded outside the walls of Rome on June 29, 67 A.D., and remains one of the Church’s brightest witnesses of radical, self-giving discipleship.

11. How did Paul cope under pressures? First, Paul lived with a clear conscience. In Acts 23:1 Paul said, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” The second thing that helped Paul cope with opposition was that he stood on a firm foundation of truth. The central truth he stood on was the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Paul sought resurrection power to propel his ministry forward. The third thing that helped Paul in his time of need resulted from his personal encounters with the risen Christ, which he carried with him as a promise

12. Promises of God Isaiah 40:29 says, “God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:41 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and now grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” What are you anxious about this evening? Don’t you know that God takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field? How much more does he love you; how much more will He take care of you?

13. What do we learn from the life of St. Paul? There is much we can learn from the conversion of St. Paul.  One lesson is that we should never judge others.  St. Paul, the worst enemy of the early Christians, would seem to be the most unlikely convert to the Church. But God had a plan for Saul, just as He does for each of us.  We never know how some small things that we may say or do will affect another person.  When Paul watched Stephen die a holy death, praying for his persecutors, it had to have an impact on him.  And Stephen’s prayer was heard by God. The seed that Stephen planted by his Christian forgiveness of his enemies helped in the conversion of St. Paul. We are all called to be evangelists, to plant seeds of faith wherever we can — in our families and our work places.  We never know when something we do or say might transform another or even bring a great saint and missionary to the Church like St. Paul.