Paul Haul

I took the day off from work today to do a few things that I've not had time for and also just to try and alleviate some stress. We took a trip to McKay's this morning and got there soon after they opened. I really do not like going to McKay's at all but I usually find some great buys on books. Today was a good trip. I had the "Religious" section all to my self. I spent my time going through each shelf carefully examining books I might consider reading. If you know anything about me at all then you know I have an obsession with the Apostle Paul and if I find anything related to him I will get it if possible.

Typically books specializing on the Apostle Paul are rather expensive but today I was thrilled to find four of them in excellent condition for really good prices. All four books together came up to $16.00 and since we had traded in 4 boxes of books it really didn't cost us anything.

So, whenever I find some free time between Church, Work, Family, and Seminary studies, I hope to get to start on these books.

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Wednesday evening Bible study begins!

I was so thrilled to start Wednesday evening Bible study at the church last night. I'm not sure when the tradition of preaching a sermon on Wednesday nights started but I felt like the church would benefit more from sermons on Sunday's and Bible studies on Wednesdays, so that's what we did.

I've always loved to teach and I have spent many years studying the life of the Apostle Paul so I can't think of a better subject to start out with. Tonight I taught the first lesson in a series on the Apostle Paul. I could have talked all night about Paul but I somehow managed to limit it to around 30-minutes. I didn't want to wear everyone out on the first night! I covered his ancestry, family, upbringing, childhood, early years, vocation, and education. I felt like everyone enjoyed the study and there were several questions at the end and lots of good comments after the service.

I'm excited about teaching again next Wednesday. If you would like to listen to last night's lesson, you can click on the audio or the video below and give it a listen/watch.

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God forbid that I should glory

As I sat on the couch this morning studying over Scriptures, seeking guidance from the LORD about what He might have me preach the next time I get the opportunity, I looked over my past sermons and posts on various blogs and websites. I began wondering if posting my own sermons and songs was just shameless self-promotion? I tried to look at it from the perspective of someone that just happened to stumble across one of my blogs and attempted to ascertain what their first impression would be. Sadly, I felt that most folks would undoubtedly consider it a form of self-promotion.

Let me say, I've never intended to boast of myself in any way. When I post sermons or songs of myself, I am hoping to share the Gospel message that is contained within them. I don't have to worry about obtaining anyone else's permission because it is my own works. I can see how that may appear to make me seem like a self promoter. I hope if you have read this far into this post that you understand where I'm coming from. I don't consider myself to be some great preacher or singer, far from it. If you ask my wife or kids they will tell you that I get sick to my stomach listening to myself. You would think that would make me post less, but like I said, it's the message within the songs or sermons that I am trying to promote.

I cannot take credit for what the LORD has given me. I pray for His guidance and He always comes through . More times than not, I feel that I do a terrible, miserable job when preaching or singing but I have enjoyed seeing people's lives touched and changed by something that I have relayed through what the LORD has given me. There was a time in my early days of preaching that I let people's compliments and words boost my ego. Folks would tell me things like, "that's the best preaching I've ever heard," or "you did an outstanding job." By the time I left the church my head was swollen so big it is a wonder I could even fit in the car! I've learned a lot since those early days. People still tell me that stuff today, however, I fully understand that they just have good intentions and are trying to be encouraging. Nowadays, I just let all of that stuff go in one ear and out the other. If  something I said, did, or sang touched someone then I am honored that God used me, but I will take no credit for it because without Him, I am nothing.

I'd like to leave you with this passage of Scripture to meditate upon today, written by the Apostle Paul:

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14 KJV

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Are you?

The Apostle Paul faced real persecution for the cause of Christ yet he learned to be content no matter what state he was in. Shouldn't we, as blessed children of Christ, follow in his footsteps and be more content?

Philippians 4:10-20 (King James Version)

10: But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14: Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15: Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16: For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17: Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18: But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20: Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Do you know the 6 ingredients

For the Apostle Paul's Recipe For Peace???

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Just in case you were wondering...

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Part 4 - What Moves You?

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:24

In our last post we discussed how it seems that a lot of church members and Christians allow almost anything to move them. They seem to not be "rooted" in Christ. In this 4th and final post we are going to look at some ways we can obtain that unshakable faith that the Apostle Paul had that allowed him to say "none of these things move me."

First, we have to make a conscious decision that it is time we are going to make a change. We are going to hold steadfast to the faith. We are going to press toward the mark. We are going to finish our race. One of the first things necessary in order to overcome a problem or an obstacle is to admit that the problem is there. Let's take a deep long look at ourselves and honestly ask, are we being the type of Christian that God wants us to be? It's pretty safe to say that the biggest majority of us will realize that we are falling short in that area.

Second, we have to turn it over to God. We cannot do it on our own. We must approach it with a Biblical and Spiritual perspective. Let's ask ourselves before we set forth to do something, is it Scripturally sound? If we can't back it up with the Bible, it's not good for anything. Spend time in prayer. Meditate on the Scriptures. Converse with God and ask his opinion. Always remember that God will not lead you to do something that is not Scripturally sound. For example, if someone has a drinking problem, the Lord will not direct you to share the bottle with him to witness to him. If someone is going through marital problems he will not direct you to start dating them in order to counsel them. If you are a saved born-again Christian then Christ dwells in your heart and he wants you to be firmly rooted in his love. Look at Eph 3:17-19:

17:That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,



18: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;


19: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

So, remember to always seek counsel from God and the Bible. The Bible tells us that we have not because we ask not (James 4:2) but it also warns us if we ask for the wrong reasons (selfish, lustful reasons) that we will not receive (James 4:3). Asking for the faith of Paul in order to be a better person, Christian, disciple for Christ, would be for all the RIGHT reasons! So ask Him!

Third, we have to put into practice what we learn and what God reveals to us. You can read, hear, understand, and agree with everything but unless you put it into practice, it's all for nothing. You can follow the example of the Apostle Paul. He would not allow ANYTHING to move him. We should all strive to be more like Paul. Pray with me today: “Father, I come to you now begging for your mercy. Lord, we fail you in so many ways. We want to be a good and faithful servant. Please Lord, show us how. We ask you today to root our hearts in faith and ground us in your love. Lord we commit ourselves to you today. We are going to stand strong in our faith. We will not be moved! For its in Christ Jesus name we pray. AMEN”
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I hope you have enjoyed this sermon series, What Moves You? This was a 4-part series based on a sermon that God gave me to preach. I found that going back and looking over my outlines and notes that it helped me to break it apart and anylize it and apply it to my own heart. You can read each of the post by following the links below:
Part 1 - What Moves You?
Part 2 - What Moves You?
Part 3 - What Moves You?
Part 4 - What Moves You?

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Part 3 - What Moves You?

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:24

In our last post we discussed some of the things that Paul would not allow to move him. In this post we are going to look a few things that seems to move the average church goer.

We must realize that when we join a church we are in fact joining a family. We are all part of one big family in the name of Christ. We come here to worship together, to pray together, to share testimonies together, and through it all, we spend a lot of time together. When folks spend a lot of time together they get to know each other. Just like a family, we are going to have our differences. We are not always going to see eye to eye with each other. But, just like our family, it doesn’t mean we are going to abandon our church family. I know feelings get hurt. I understand wanting to be loved and accepted, everybody wants that. But, there comes a time in your life when you have to grow up and quit being a spiritual child.

Another thing we must all realize is that we are all human. We call ourselves Christians because we strive to live our lives as Christ would. Unfortunately there is not a single person on earth that could ever live a perfect, sinless life as Jesus did. We are human. We are going to fail. We don’t always do the things we should. We will say the wrong things. We will act the wrong way. We will unintentionally and intentionally hurt each other. But, where do you draw the line as to what moves you? Do you allow anything to move you? Or are you like that tree that’s planted by the water, “I shall not be moved!” Are you so wrapped up into yourself and thinking about yourself, and worried about yourself, that you quit focusing on Christ and the reason we are here? I think we have forgotten that it’s not about US, it’s about HIM. What moves you?

What would the Apostle Paul think about the church today? All of the pain and suffering that he went through just so we would one day have the opportunity to freely worship Christ. Peter, Paul, John, all persecuted. Was their work all in vain? Was Stephen stoned to death for nothing? Did John the Baptist have his head chopped off for the likes of me and you? Did the Apostle Paul endure 195 lashes with a whip so we could wear our feelings on our sleeves?

What moves you today? Are you deep rooted in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to endure? Are you going to be able to say “I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”? Is Christ going to say to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” “enter thou into the joy of thy lord”?

In our 4th and final post, we will look at a few things that will help us in our walk with Christ. Some things we can do to insure that nothing will move us!

You can read each of the post by following the links below:
Part 1 - What Moves You?
Part 2 - What Moves You?
Part 3 - What Moves You?
Part 4 - What Moves You?

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Part 2 - What Moves You?

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:24

Oh, how I desire Paul's passion. How I pray that God would instill in me the kind of desire that Paul had for other people and for the ministry. I find myself falling short in so many areas.

Let's look for a moment at what Paul is talking about when he makes the statement, "none of these things move me."

Turn with me please to 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.


24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.


25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;


26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;


27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Paul suffered for the cause of Christ as much as anyone mentioned in the Bible. When he says he received five times forty stripes save one, this meant that he had suffered beatings with whips. History tells us that in practice among the Hebrews, the number of blows inflicted was limited to 39, just in case there was an accident in counting, the criminal should receive more than the number prescribed in the Law, which only allowed 40 stripes (see Deuteronomy 25:3). They would use whips consisting of 3, 6, or 9 lashes with pieces of metal, bone, or glass attached to the ends that would literally rip flesh from the bodies of those being beaten. (For a good understanding of what these whips may have been like, look here.) This was the same type of beating (scourging) that the Lord Jesus Christ had to endure before he was crucified. Here Paul tells us that he had endured such beatings on 5 different occasions. That would amount to 195 brutal lashings of the worst kind. If you were to look upon the Apostle Paul's back you would be appalled at the scars that he must have had.

Not only was Paul beaten but he suffered many hardships on his journeys; shipwrecks, robbers, hunger, thirst, pain, nakedness, he suffered greatly in order to spread the Gospel. Yet, he says, "none of these things move me."

How many of us sitting in church today in our nice padded pews in a nice air conditioned building with our nice full stomachs, can honestly say we know what it is like to suffer for the cause of Christ? Sunday after Sunday we see church members enter the church with chips on their shoulders just begging for someone to knock it off. Being offended at the least little thing said to them. Somebody looked at me wrong. Somebody said something about me. Somebody thinks something about me. Anything and Everything will move them! I've seen people give up their ministries over the silliest little things. I've even seen people quit coming to church because somebody else got their feelings hurt. It reminds me of a 9-year old child getting mad at their parent’s because they made them mind. “I’ll show them, I’ll just pack up my things and run away!” We’ve got too many 9-year old adults in church today.

In part 3 we will look closer at things that move people today and what the Apostle Paul may think of our modern church.

You can read each of the post by following the links below:
Part 1 - What Moves You?
Part 2 - What Moves You?
Part 3 - What Moves You?
Part 4 - What Moves You?

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Part 1 - What Moves You?

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:24

Our opening text sums up the character and purpose of Paul. If you took this one passage of Scripture without knowing a single thing of his life, you may not be impressed. But, study the life of this man and you will be astounded.

I've spent many hours studying the Apostle Paul. I have bookshelves filled with books of his life and ministry. I've often wondered what it would have been like to know him personally. What would it have been like to sit in on one of his sermons?

Paul was addressing the elders of the church at Ephesus. He had been with them for 3-years, preaching in the Synagogue, going from house to house teaching about Jesus Christ. The Ephesians had come to know and love Paul. If you read this entire chapter you will find a very touching goodbye. As Paul is poised to board a ship they all join together to pray and weep as they bid him farewell. They thought they would never see their beloved preacher ever again.

As I look at this event I can't help but be stricken with how much passion the Apostle Paul had for people. A man that once had a deep seeded hatred for these same types of people. A man that chapter 9 of the book of Acts says was so full of rage that he was breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. He was once eat up with hate! But, here in chapter 20 we see a completely different man. A man that was totally given over to Christ. A man who's heart had done a 180 degree turn. This same man that once was causing others to cry in fear at his presence is now causing men to cry in sadness of his departure. My friend, this is a testimony to the power of Jesus!

Paul, not knowing what the future held for him assumed that this would be the last time he would see his friends. He tells them that he leaves not knowing the things that will befall him. He assumes that he will be killed for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He wanted to make sure that the church would be able to carry on without him. He warns them of false teachers that would slip into their church, trying to sway them from their beliefs. He tells them to hold fast to the faith. He is more worried about the church than he is his own life. He says that he doesn't count his life dear but his only desire is to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

In Part 2 we will look at Paul's passion and what he is talking about when he says, "none of these things move me."

You can read each of the post by following the links below:
Part 1 - What Moves You?
Part 2 - What Moves You?
Part 3 - What Moves You?
Part 4 - What Moves You?

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To have the passion of Paul

If you know me in the least then you know my favorite Bible hero (besides Jesus) is the Apostle Paul. I have very rarely preached a sermon or taught a Sunday school class without mentioning Paul in some way. Just a glance at my bookshelf will reveal over a dozen books written about this great Apostle.

Yesterday during my lunch break I was sitting outside in my Pathfinder studying the Bible. I was reading Acts chapter 20:16-38, where Paul is bidding a tearful goodbye to the church at Ephesus. I couldn't help but get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye as I read those passages of Scripture. I could just see the scene unfold before my eyes. My, how the people loved Paul and how he loved them. There was so much passion in his words. Not only was his passion for the people apparent but his passion for the Lord Jesus Christ was dominant in the conversation. Chills ran down my spine as I read his words in verse 24: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." I know all of the labor and strife was going through his mind as he testified of his love for Jesus but yet none of those things moved him.

I re-read the above Scripture last night during our family altar time and once again my eyes misted over. I can't get the thought out of my head that Paul must have had twice the amount of passion in his heart for Jesus than I do. I began to wonder if I could have withstood all of the perils that Paul did in his time? It seems that nowadays people make any excuse in the world to stop following Jesus. We wear our feelings on our sleeves just waiting for someone to hurt them. I see so many church members with a chip on their shoulder sitting there just dying for someone to knock it off. Lately I've seen several church members leave the church over getting their feelings hurt. Unlike the Apostle Paul, we let everything move us. Oh, if we only knew what it was like to really have a desire and passion to follow Jesus the way Paul did. I want that passion in my life. I am making a resolution today to push all of my selfish desires out of my heart and try to have more love for other people and for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I'm not going to let anything move me.

Listen to a wonderful sermon by Curtis Hutson - None of these things move me.

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