(Notes taken from Pastor David Epstein’s Sermon at Calvary Baptist Church on 1/27/2013)
3 - Paul changed his loyalties (boss) from the Chief Priest to Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1
To identify with Jesus Christ and His name is a revolutionary act, a transfer of allegiance but Paul did it. This was a big deal and can cause you your life. It caused Paul his life.
[Saul needed his loyalty changed.]
Jesus' name is the only name that is used in curse words. All the names to be demonized that could be used are not, only Jesus' name is demonized.
Jesus offered His life for our sins and we chose to demonize His name. WHY?
There is something spiritual, moral going on.
Paul before his conversion despised Jesus Christ. When Saul met Christ on the Damascus Road he changed his name and loyalty, from the high priest to Jesus Christ. He changed his name from Saul to Paul, (Acts 9:1-19)
Paul honored Jesus' name over and over again.
We are in Christ. We are spiritually rich. We are not to take Jesus' name lightly.
Act 26:9-11
Paul is speaking truth to power.
Saul wanted to do everything in his power to oppose Jesus' name. His hatred for Christ was so great he not only wanted the followers of Jesus in prison but also put to death. Saul blasphemed and he wanted the followers of Jesus to blaspheme too, so he forced them under the penalty of death to blaspheme. Saul had an obsession with persecuting the people of God.
America is the only place in the world where people are not being persecuted for teaching, preaching, spreading God's Word, the name of JESUS.
Act 26:12-18
Saul was told by Jesus he was persecuting HIM and HIS people.
Jesus told Saul his allegiance is being transferred.
All who loved you will hate you because of the name of JESUS.
Jesus was going to use Paul to turn them from darkness to light.
The people that were hating Jesus and His people were serving Satan not God.
Now Paul will be serving God.
Act 26:19-20
The vision and name was JESUS.
Paul now proclaimed that name, JESUS.
Act 4:1-23
The name [JESUS] was always the issue.
When thousands of people were converted after hearing Peter and John speak there was trouble in the city, (vs. 4).
"By what power or what name did you do this?" (vs. 7)
They wanted Peter and John to give them the name under the threat of death.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, (vs.8). He said, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you healed, (vs. 10).
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved, (vs. 12).
Jesus is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone" (vs. 11).
Jesus' name was considered a dangerous name. The Sadducees didn't want Peter and John to teach under this name anymore under the threat of death.
Peter and John was not afraid of them and they said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God," (vs.19).
Jesus' name was/is to be praised.
Philippians 2:9-11
9 - Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,
10 - that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 - and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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