Looking for Paul

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123)
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Chapter 13

- When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met up with a Jewish man named Bar-Jesus, who was a sorcerer and a false prophet. He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. Calling Barnabas and Saul to him, this man was eager to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is how his name is translated) began opposing them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, also called Paul, becoming filled with holy spirit, looked at him intently and said: “O man full of every sort of fraud and every sort of villainy, you son of the Devil, you enemy of everything righteous, will you not quit distorting the right ways of God? Look! God’s hand is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sunlight for a time.” Instantly a thick mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, on seeing what had happened, became a believer, for he was astounded at the teaching of God.

- Here we have the clear influence of the holy spirit!

- And in fact, it reminds us of Jesus’ vision to Paul in Damascus!

- There he became blind for some days!

- And in this chapter we are told about hands laid on them and the holy spirit entered in action!

- And Paul speaks and acts in a special way!

- But special efforts had to be made!

- And progress too!

 

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124)
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Chapter 13

- Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. However, they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, they took a seat. After the public reading of the Law and the Prophets, the presiding officers of the synagogue sent word to them, saying: “Men, brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, tell it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, he said:

- Have you noticed here?

- Paul takes the lead!

- In front of everybody!

- Thus there is a time to listen and read and listen!

- And there is a time to speak and encourage others!

- Progress is also that!

 

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125)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Romans Chapter 1

- First of all, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is talked about throughout the whole world.

- To be talked about through the whole world, it has to be told so people need to tell people about it! - For God, to whom I render sacred service with my spirit in connection with the good news about his Son, is my witness of how without ceasing I always mention you in my prayers, begging that if at all possible I may now at last succeed in coming to you by God’s will. For I am longing to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift to you for you to be made firm; or, rather, that we may have an interchange of encouragement by one another’s faith, both yours and mine. - To speak about a sacred service implies being conscious of the importance of this service! - Paul travels all the time to visit the disciples and encourage them constantly! - Because faith must grow and develop! - It can’t sleep otherwise it is dead! - Have you noticed an interchange of encouragement by one another’s faith! - And Paul adds both yours and mine! - It can’t be one way otherwise it dies!

 

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126)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

1 Corinthians Chapter 1

- I always thank my God for you in view of the undeserved kindness of God given to you in Christ Jesus; because in everything you have been enriched in him, in full ability to speak and in full knowledge, just as the witness about the Christ has been made firm among you, so that you do not lack in any gift at all, while you are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- Our faith is alive when we are ready to speak about it and learn about God and Jesus! - And the expression “eagerly waiting for” indicates a strong desire! - That’s what our faith needs to be alive! - Action!

 

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127)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Galatians Chapter 1

- I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ.

- Bad news! - Man learns easily but forgets easily too! - Or it is easy for man to go to the left or to the right like the Israelites! - Remember the wolves! - Looking for sheep! - And the wolves are not always those we can imagine! - They are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news! - Think about that! - Jesus told us about it! - The apostles told us about it! - And Paul told us about it! - And when they were still alive! - So think about human history! - How corruption has worked!

 

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128) Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Ephesians Chapter 1 - I continue mentioning you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the accurate knowledge of him.

- A spirit of wisdom! - A spirit of revelation! - Accurate knowledge! - To acquire knowledge we need to study the Bible carefully, not from time to time! - To develop a spirit of revelation, we need to look for it by studying and meditating on what we learn! - To get accurate knowledge means searching for it, we need to strive for it, we need to drag it out! - Nothing is always ready to take! - Or you can go to a fast food restaurant for that but it is junk food!

 

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129)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Philippians Chapter 1

- I thank my God always when I remember you in every supplication of mine for all of you. I offer each supplication with joy, because of the contribution you have made to the good news from the first day until this moment.

- The contribution you have made! - It concerns all disciples, not a small number! - It is true for everyone! - We receive then we give! - And it must happen continually! - Not sleeping!

 

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130)
Looking for Paul
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How does it grow?

Colossians Chapter 1

- You previously heard about this hope through the message of truth of the good news that has come to you. Just as the good news is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world, so it is also doing among you from the day you heard and accurately knew the undeserved kindness of God in truth.

- Bearing fruit and increasing in all the world! - Yes, it must grow and develop! - Being taught implicates teaching! - No teacher, no student! - But it must be done accurately! - That’s why it’s necessary to check by ourselves and not let others think for us! - Others can help us and stimulate us but we must do our part!

 

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131)
Looking for Paul
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How does it grow?

Thessalonians Chapter 1

- For we know, brothers loved by God, his choosing of you, because the good news we preach did not come to you with speech alone but also with power and with holy spirit and with strong conviction, just as you know what sort of men we became among you for your sake.

- Speech! - Power! - Holy spirit! - Strong conviction! - Yes, we need to speak about God’s word! - Yes, we need to get power by speaking and studying! - Yes, we need to receive holy spirit if we do our part! - Yes, we need strong conviction which comes from speaking and studying! - Yes, Paul invites us to action!

 

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132)
Looking for Paul
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How does it grow?

1 Timothy Chapter 1

- Just as I encouraged you to stay in Ephesus when I was about to go to Macedonia, so I do now, in order for you to command certain ones not to teach different doctrine, nor to pay attention to false stories and to genealogies. Such things end up in nothing useful but merely give rise to speculations rather than providing anything from God in connection with faith.

- Keep away from different doctrines and false stories and genealogies! - But then we need to speak and exchange and study to find what’s right or wrong! - And always check it! - No speculations but real matter! - We need to extract it especially when it is hidden because of corruption!

 

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133)
Looking for Paul
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How does it grow?

Titus Chapter 1

- Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth that is according to godly devotion

- A slave of God! - Accurate knowledge! - Godly devotion! - A slave of God implies action, not sleeping! - Accurate knowledge implicates erroneous knowledge! - And the only way to get it is by hard work and exchange and study and making mistakes! - Godly devotion is not tourism! - It means love, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person or activity! - We need to roll up our sleeves!

 

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134)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Hebrews Chapter 1

- Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things.

- Yes, God appointed Jesus heir of all things and through whom he made the systems of things!

- He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power. And after he had made a purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.

- Yes, Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being! - Yes, he sat down at the right hand of God! - Yes, he has inherited a name more excellent than angels’! - Yes, he chose Paul for a special mission! - Yes, we can have a share in this same mission!

 

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- Romans Chapter 1:

God / Jesus Christ / faith / sacred service / Paul wants to see his brothers to encourage them

-1 Corinthians Chapter 1:

God / undeserved kindness of God / Christ Jesus / full ability to speak and in full knowledge / the witness about the Christ /

- Galatians Chapter 1:

turning away from the One who called you : Christ's undeserved kindness / distorting the the good news about the Christ

- Ephesians Chapter 1:

the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory / may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation / accurate knowledge of him

- Philippians Chapter 1:

I thank my God / the contribution you have made to the good news from the first day until this moment

- Colossians Chapter 1:

message of truth of the good news / the good news is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world / accurately knew the undeserved kindness of God in truth

- Thessalonians Chapter 1:

brothers loved by God / the good news we preach

- Timothy Chapter 1:

not to teach different doctrine / not to pay attention to false stories and to genealogies / speculations

- Titus Chapter 1:

Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ / according to the faith of God's chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth / according to godly devotion

- Hebrews Chapter 1:

A Son whom he appointed heir of all things / and through whom he made the systems of things / he is the reflection of God's glory and the exact representation of his very being / he had made a purification for our sins / he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high / he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs

 

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- Paul was always ready to encourage his brothers!

- Faith is connected to sacred service!

- No sacred service, no faith!

- Faith grows through sacred service!

- There is a necessity to get a full ability and a full knowledge about Christ!

- But Paul warned his brothers that corruption was spreading at the time!

- So think about now!

- We must acquire wisdom and accurate knowledge!

- We must bear fruit!

- We must be careful of corruption!

- If we don't pay attention to corruption, we are good to nothing!

- Then our faith is good to nothing!

 

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• Now we have an interesting point to think about in Hebrews 1:2:

But in
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

these
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

last
ἐσχάτου (eschatou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

days
ἡμερῶν (hēmerōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

He has spoken
ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[His] Son,
Υἱῷ (Huiō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

He appointed
ἔθηκεν (ethēken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

heir
κληρονόμον (klēronomon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2818: From kleros and the base of nomos (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor.

of all things,
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

through
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

whom
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

He made
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

universe.
αἰῶνας (aiōnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

• Here it is said that God appointed (put, place, lay, set, fix, establish) his Son Jesus heir (a sharer by lot, i.e. Inheritor; by implication, a possessor) of all things and through whom he made the universe.
• Thus God and his Son made the universe together!

 

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135)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?
Romans Chapter 1

- But I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that many times I have intended to come to you—but I have been prevented until now—in order that I might acquire some fruitage also among you just as among the rest of the nations. Both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to wise and to senseless ones, I am a debtor; so I am eager to declare the good news also to you there in Rome.

- Paul expresses his commitment to his mission regarding God’s word and Jesus! - For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way, because what may be known about God is clearly evident among them, for God made it clear to them. For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. - have you noticed! - Men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way! - And it was true when the apostles were still alive! - So think about how they will be dead! - And think about our modern times! - So much corruption and distortion!

 

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136)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

1 Corinthians Chapter 1

- He will also make you firm to the end so that you may be open to no accusation on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- We must be ready for the coming back of Jesus! - In fact, we must always be ready! - A condition of the heart and mind! - And not wait for the last moment! - It is common among men! - But it is against God’s will! - The one who wants to take the last train will miss it!

 

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137)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Galatians Chapter 1

- However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.
- Paul insists on one fact: the disciples must reject anything which is different from the teaching they received from Paul! - Those who corrupt God’s word will be accursed! - And so many did the contrary! - That’s why God’s word is so corrupted because of man’s word!

 

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138)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Ephesians Chapter 1

- It is according to the operation of the mightiness of his strength, which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that to come. He also subjected all things under his feet and made him head over all things with regard to the congregation, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills up all things in all.

- Paul tells us about Jesus! - He sits at God’s right hand! - He is above every government and authority and power and lordship! - He is second after God! - Everything is under his feet!

 

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139)
Looking for Paul
Where does it come from?
How does it grow?

Philippians Chapter 1

- It is only right for me to think this regarding all of you, since I have you in my heart, you who share with me in the undeserved kindness both in my prison bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news. - Defending and legally establishing the good news! - It was Paul's main goal! - It should also be the same for us! - There is no room for tourism! - But spiritually strong men, not babies!