- Do you give people an opportunity to praise God, just because of what they see in you?
- Because of the transformation that has happened in you?
- The apostle Paul’s life had been radically changed.
- He says, in Galatians 1:13, "You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.
- Paul was this type of person when he was following religion but now he was totally different due to his relationship with Jesus Christ.
- He says, in verse 15 & 16, "God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.”
- Jesus was revealed to him by God.
- God chose him and God called him by His grace.
- And that revelation transformed his life!
- It gave him purpose. - He says, in verse 23 & 24 that, "All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” And they praised God because of me.”
- I love that phrase, “All they knew”
- All they knew was that he used to be one way and now he was a totally different person.
- He used to persecute people because of Christ and now he proclaims Christ.
- And he goes on to say that they praised God because of the transformation that was clearly evident.
- How about you?
- What do people see when they see you?
- Do they see a transformed life?
- Do they see someone who was once trapped in this sin but is now delivered and set free?
- Do they see someone who was once depressed but is now full of joy?
- Do they see someone who was once full of chaos and confusion but now carries the Peace of God wherever they go?
- Pau says that the message that he preached came "by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.”
- In other words, Jesus was revealed to him!
- He had a real encounter with Jesus
- Jesus opened his eyes, His spiritual eyes and transformed his heart.
- Paul didn’t read it just from a book or hear someone preaching about Jesus.
- Paul encountered Him.
- And all that people knew was that He was changed.
- Today, what will be all that people know about you?
- Will people see that you have joy?
- Will people see that you have hope?
- Will people see that you have love?
- What will be, “All that people know" about you?
- And all that they know will come out of your encounter with Jesus.
- You can only display what you encounter!
- To display means “to Show"
- You can’t show something if you have never encountered Him.
- Work on knowing Him and encountering Him and then show everyone the One whom you’ve encountered.
- Give people a reason to praise God!
- Have a great weekend!