When Paul met with Jesus on the road to Damascus, it transformed his whole life. He became focused, driven, passionate and effective for God’s Kingdom. We can learn both spiritual, and life application lessons as we study his life.
Romans 15:17-19 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Paul was a great example of being continually busy with the work of God and getting the job done:
Romans 15:17-19 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Paul was a great example of being continually busy with the work of God and getting the job done:
- He wrote letters to the believers he had already ministered to – in other words, he followed up!
- He reminded them boldly of God’s word.
- He was proud of what he had accomplished, seeing it as a great accomplishment in Christ – it was a work of excellence.
- He saw his work with the Gentiles as an offering to God.
- He spoke of his work ONLY as that which CHRIST had done through him.
- By word and deed.
- By the power of signs and wonders.
- By the power of the Spirit of God.
- He worked methodically – From Jerusalem all the way around to Illycrium.
- He fulfilled the ministry – in other words he completed the job!
- He had ambition – He was driven to continue in the good work!
- Instead of trying to take credit for what someone else had done, He looked for places where the Gospel had not yet been heard so that he could tell the people who did not yet know! (The Kingdom doesn’t grow when Christians simply move from one church to another – one church shrinks and another grows, but the Kingdom doesn’t go forward -we must look at ways of reaching the many unchurched!)
- Paul knew he had to have the right priorities – He longed to go to visit the Roman church, but he remained focused in the task at hand.
- He chased his mission relentlessly, not letting anything get in the way!
- He worked tirelessly.
- Paul spoke confident, powerful words over his life and ministry – “I KNOW I will come in the FULLNESS of the BLESSING of Christ!”
- Paul knew he couldn’t do it on his own. He asked for others to pray for him.
- That he may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea – the Jews and other spiritual opposition.
- That his service would be acceptable and successful.