The Suffering Of Paul

Introduction:

A. Most of the people on the earth are intent on doing that 
   which is not right. Jesus said in Jn. 3:19-20, "And this 
   is the condemnation, that the light has come into the 
   world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because
   their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates
   the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds 
   should be exposed".
B. As we look back through history, we find this has 
   always been the case. In Gen. 6:5 we read, "Then the 
   LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the 
   earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his 
   heart was only evil continually."  As we progress from
   there, we find over and over the wickedness of man over-
   whelming the world. The apostle Paul in writing to the 
   Christians at Rome gives a vivid description of the 
   worlds condition at that time (Rom. 1:18-32).
C. Today, the condition of the world is no different than 
   what is described in the Roman letter. Man, it seems, has
   continually been intent on removing God from power and en-
   throning Satan in His stead. And no where do we see this 
   more vividly illustrated than in the 30-60 years after 
   Christ's death. 
   Yet there have always been those who continued to serve the
   Lord no matter what others might do.
   1. Abraham
   2. Moses
   3. Jeremiah

I. Saul

   A. Saul of Tarsus was such a man, even though at first 
      glance he didn't appear to be (Gal. 1:13-14; 
      Acts 26:9-11).
      1. The harm he did to God and the church, he did not do 
         intentionally
      2. He thought doing God's will
   B. Yet his actions made him every bit as bad as any of 
      those mentioned in Genesis or Romans.
   C. But the Lord knew his heart.
      1. Relate story of his conversion.
      2. After conversion no one better represents the suf-
         fering of a Christian (Acts 9:16).

II. Paul's Suffering

   A. Physical
      1. First place we find is Acts 9:24 not long after his 
         conversion.
         a. Jews thought he was traitor
         b. Wanted to kill him
      2. But it didn't stop with just this one incident.
         a. Acts 14:19-20 - Stoned at Lystra
         b. Acts 16:16-24 - Beaten and jailed at Philippi
         c. See 2 Cor. 1:3-11
      3. 2 Cor. 11:22-29 - Paul's own recounting of his 
         suffering
   B. Mental
      1. Acts 20:18ff
      2. 1 Cor. 11:28
   C. But there had to be a reason Paul was willing to endure 
      such suffering.

III. What Motivated Paul To Suffer Such

   A. Promise of a better state.
      1. 2 Tim. 1:12
      2. 2 Tim. 4:6-8
      3. Rev. 2:10 (church at Smyrna)
   B. The debt he owed (Rom. 1:14). Because God had shown 
      mercy to him, he felt a debt to all men.
      1. Rom. 3:9 - All men had been concluded under sin.
      2. Rom. 6:23 - wages of sin is death
   C. Rom. 10:13-15 - knew none could be saved with out the 
      gospel

IV. What Paul Preached

   A. The full gospel - Acts 20:26-27; Rom. 15:19 
   B. An uncompromising gospel, but with love - 1 Thess. 2:1-8;
      Gal 1:6-11

Conclusion:

A. Paul suffered physically and mentally for his service to 
   the Lord, but he never gave up proclaiming the Gospel. He 
   understood the suffering he endured proved God's love 
   (Heb. 2:6-11) and that God would provide a way of escape 
   (1 Cor. 10:13).
B. When suffering comes to the Christian, they should be glad 
   and excited that they have been found worthy to suffer for 
   the Lord.
   1. 2 Tim. 1:8
   2. 1 Pet. 4:16