TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES - FOUR

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGES FOUR

(My sermon notes taken from Pastor David Epstein at Calvary Baptist Church - 2/3/13)

4 - Paul changed his destiny/purpose from his leadership dictating his destiny, the captain of his own ship, to allowing God to lead/guide him.

THE APOSTLE PAUL BY THE WILL OF GOD

The Pharisee Saul believed in expecting to be rewarded by God in what he was doing, (Philippians 3:1-6).  Saul now realized that he had been working for Satan before he came to Christ, (Philippians 3:7-11).

Paul loved his people so much, if he could be cursed for them, he would do it, (Romans 9:1-3).

Paul now begins a life-long fascination with God's will, (Ephesians 1:1).

Every believer is chosen by God.

Paul is now an apostle of love.

God was going to show Paul how much he will suffer for Him.

The will of God is a major scene in the gook of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:4-14

The will of God became a source of pleasure and delight.  God's love/grace to us brings His incredible pleasure.  The more God's will is done by us the more pleasure God feels.

The more Paul does God's will the more God loves it.  Paul also gets that same pleasure in doing God's will.  It makes him feel great.

The will of God is a major change in the life of Paul.  It is a source of liberation and pleasure.

Paul also began a search for the will of God, (Ephesians 1:11).

Paul said the Lord changed him as he became fascinated with His will.

Paul found his reason for being alive.  In that purpose God received incredible glory.

Ephesians 5:15-21

God's will is understood when we give God complete control.  We are not to run our own life.

Don't live like fools, live like wise men.  You need to understand the Lord's will.  You need to know what the Lord's will is.  Stop being controlled by your own drunken agenda.  Let the Holy Spirit control, fill, guide you. 

As we give up our own agenda, we can wake up and smell the roses.  We can count our blessings.  We can thank God for the good things, if not, the blessings we have will be taken away.

FREEDOM IS A TWO EDGE SWORD

Ephesians 6:6-8

God wants us to know that His will is to be in every relationship.  He wants His will to be our will in every area of life.  He wants His will to be done.  God wants us to do His will form our hearts.

Why do people come to NYC?

People come to NYC to pursue their dreams, get an education, get married, get rich, etc.  They come to build their kingdom not God's kingdom, (James 4:13-17).

In the Book of Judges every man did what was right in his own eyes.

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Isaiah 14

Paul knows the power of self.  No longer would it be Paul's will but God's will that he does.

When God touches us, we feel/know His will.