(Notes taken from Pastor David Epstein at Calvary Baptist Church on February 10, 2013)
5 - Paul changed his friends from the ones who rejected the Messiah to the ones who loved the Messiah.
Saul before he became Paul knew his purpose in life. At least he thought he knew. These were his dreams not God's will for him.
Galatians 1:13-24
Saul wanted to destroy the gospel of the early Christian church, (Galatians 1:13).
Saul was living his life/career. He was saying, "I was kicking butt and no one is going to stop me." He said he was going to make it, (Galatians 1:14).
Whenever religious tradition is above the seat of God, evil prevails.
After Saul's salvation/conversion, he lived in the desert for three years. This allowed God to change him fully. God changed Saul completely, (Galatians 1:18-24).
God changes everything when we allow Him in our life.
Paul said he will no longer live "MY WAY". He was going to live his life GOD'S WAY"/"JESUS' WAY". Paul was saying, 'LET YOUR WILL BE DONE". Now Paul is living the John the Baptist way. Paul's will decreased and God's way/will increased in his life.
Paul's old friends are now his enemies. Now they wanted to kill him. He had to make new friends.
Saul preached that Jesus was not the Son of God. Paul preached that Jesus is the Son of God, (Acts 9:20).
They/the Jews, couldn't believe what was coming out of Paul's mouth, (Acts 9:21-22).
Paul proved that Jesus was the Christ. He took the Old Testament and showed who Jesus was. He showed them that Jesus was the Son of God.
Now the Jews wanted to kill Paul. At first they loved him (as Saul), but not they hated him, (as Paul) and wanted him dead, (Acts 9:23).
Paul's followers are the ones that saved him, (Acts 9:24-25).
The disciples were afraid of Paul because before he wanted to kil them, (Acts 9:26).
Barnabas is the one who vouched for Paul, (Acts 9:27).
The brothers (followers of Jesus) took Paul to Caesarea, (Act 9:30).
The church now had peace because Paul was on their side, (Acts 9:31).
When you accept God your life will change. Old friends will slip away. They will even turn against you. New friends will come.
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