Lessons from the Conversion of Saul

Introduction

The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite biblical characters. He is an amazing person in his life, is an amazing testament to the power of God. In fact, outside of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and biblical prophecy, I think you’d be challenged to find a more effective proof of the resurrection of our Savior than the life of the Apostle Paul. How else can we explain a man that’s going one way and goes 180 degrees in the opposite way? The only explanation that passes the test of rationality is that we serve a risen Savior. And so we want to this morning look at that life. Look at that conversion and to see what, if any lessons we can glean from that. And I suspect that there will be a lot that will do us good as we look at the conversion of Saul.

Well, you know, in our Bibles, we’re first introduced to Saul in Acts chapter 7 and verse 58. And we introduced to him on that occasion during the stoning of Stephen. You remember that? And there was a young man there at whose feet those who were witnesses and those who were killing Stephen by stoning laid their feet at. And that young man was named Saul. And that’s our introduction to Saul. Unless we be tempted to think that, well, you know, he was just a young fellow and he had some older folks, and he was just being polite, and he was just serving his role and serving his place, didn’t really have anything to do with this, but he’s just being respectful to the elders. The Bible goes on to say in Acts chapter 8, verses 1, now Saul was consenting to his death.

So it wasn’t an accident that Saul was there and willing to take charge of the clothes of those individuals who were putting to death Stephen. Saul was fully in support of that. In fact, the Bible goes on to say in Acts 8, verse 1, that there arose a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. And who stood at the center of that persecution? Acts chapter 8, verse 3. It said, now Saul was causing havoc in the church. And it goes on to say something that’s really stunning if you think about it. Saul was so zealous in his efforts to stamp out the church, the Bible says that he was dragging men and women and committing them to prison for what crime? For what charge? For what wrongdoing?

Simply because they called on the name of the Lord. That’s the individual we’re talking about. And maybe if we let some of that sink in, we can be amazed by the fact that this man, who is doing everything in his power to stamp out the gospel, to destroy the church, to persecute Christians, this man ended up obeying the very one that he was persecuting. You know, in Acts chapter 9, verse 1, we find that he continues his trail of terror. It says, now Saul still breathing threats and murders against the disciples of the Lord. So he’s keeping up this persecution. He’s continuing to try to stamp out Christianity, and now he goes to the chief priest and asks for letters for authority. That if he finds anybody of the way, anybody who’s a Christian, anybody who’s a saint, he can take them to prison and bring them back to Jerusalem.

And so he gets that authority, and he’s going on his way to Damascus. But along the way, a great light shines, and he falls down and hears a voice. Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And Saul responds in perplexing. Who are you, Lord? Who art thou, Lord? And Jesus responds, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. I think that’s interesting, the way Jesus says that. You notice that on two occasions there, Jesus says that you’re persecuting me. First, the question, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And the second one, I am Jesus whom you’re persecuting. And I think that’s interesting because there’s nothing in recorded scripture that suggests that Paul, during the time that Jesus was conducting his earthly ministry, was persecuting Christ. No indication of that whatsoever.

So wait a minute. Now, how can Jesus say that? Because Jesus was not there at that point. Jesus is in heaven, and yet he says, You persecuted me on two occasions. Well, you know how he can say that? He can say that because if you persecute the children of God, if you persecute the saints of God, if you persecute Christians, Jesus says, You’re persecuting me. And perhaps that’s a lesson that we need to take to heart. Very important. But anyway, he asks, What must I do? He recognized the second time he talks to the Lord that this is a man of authority. This is Jesus. This is the one that I’ve been trying to persecute and stamp out. And indeed he is a risen Savior. What must I do?

And Jesus says, arise and go into the city, talking about the city of Damascus, and you’ll be told what you must do. And let’s remember that, what you must do. And so he’s blinded by the light, and so he’s led by those who are with him into Damascus. He goes to the street called straight, he goes to the house of justice, and he’s there. But then the story shifts a little bit, Acts chapter 9, and we’re introduced to Ananias, who’s described as a devout man. He’s a disciple of the Lord. He’s a Christian. And the Lord appears to him in a vision and says that you need to go to this street called straight. You need to go to the house of Judas. And when you go there, you’re going to find this man, Saul, who’s blinded, and he’s praying, and he’s expecting you to come and restore his sight.

Now, how does Ananias respond to that? Lord, wait a minute. Are you sure about this? I’ve read a lot about this man. How much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem? And so there’s a little questioning there on the part of Ananias. Are you sure that this is your plan? And God comes back and says, Yes, I’m sure. He’s a chosen vessel of mine. He’s going to bear my name before kings and gentiles and all men. So don’t question. I have a plan. And so, on the basis of that, Ananias goes to the house of Judas on the straight uh called street, and he restores the sight of Saul. But more importantly, he baptizes him into Christ. And he becomes a brother in Christ, and he becomes a Christian.

1. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover in Evangelism

What a wonderful story. And I want to make sure that we get the story right. We understand who the hero of the story is, because it’s really not Saul. It’s really God and his word. What can we learn from that? Is there anything to be gleaned from that? Is there anything relevant to our lives today? We’re not living back there in Jerusalem. We’re not living in those times. How is that relevant? Well, let me suggest to you some lessons that we might be able to learn from the conversion of Saul. First of all, may I suggest to you that we need not and better not judge a book by its cover in evangelism. Let me say that again. One of the lessons that we learn from the conversion of Saul is to not judge a book by its cover when it comes to evangelism.

You say, What do you mean by judging a book by its cover? Well, this is what I mean. Uh I like books. I love to read. And I’m old fashioned. I haven’t got on with the electronic reading thing. I actually like the tactile sensation of having books and pages and being able to dog ear them and mock them up and all that sort of thing. So I’m old fashioned. I go to the bookstore. And it used to be back in the day, when I go to the bookstore, I would do exactly what you say. You’d look at a book’s cover, and you’ll kind of read the inside and look at the back and see what men have said about it and see how it’s summarized, and you just make an educated guess.

Well, I think this is a good book. And I can tell you, friends, I’ve been burned. I’ve wasted a lot of money with that approach. I I’ve changed. Now, now you don’t get Mr. Clark’s money if you’re selling books unless you’re getting four out of five stars on Amazon. Otherwise, I’m not buying it. I’m not buying, I’m not wasting. But we do have this saying don’t judge a book by its cover, that you may not get it right. And while it may or may not be appropriate to do that in terms of literature and books that we purchase, it is certainly inappropriate for us to do that in evangelism. And we see that in Ananias. Now let me say this. Sometimes we get Ananias wrong. Some people say, well, you know, Ananias just was hard on Saul and just really was rough.

Almost as if we could maintain a defamation or slander action against Ananias based on what he said about Saul. No? No, Ananias got Saul right. He didn’t misunderstand him. He didn’t. In fact, look, it wasn’t, I hope you don’t think that it was just Ananias’ personal opinion, and he had some personal bias against Saul. Look at Acts chapter 9. And I want you to read a couple things and notice what he says. Now, when Ananias is responding to the Lord, telling him to go to the street called straight, go into the house of Judas, go to Saul and Tarsus. He says, verse 13, Acts chapter 9, Lord, I have heard, listen to this, I have heard from many about this man. And so the opinion that Ananias had was not just his opinion, it was the opinion of many people who had shared that opinion.

So this was widely known. But not only that. If you look in Acts chapter 9, verses 20 through 22, after Saul has obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, listen to what it says. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues that he is the Son of God. Listen to verse 21. Then all who heard were amazed and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem and has come here for that purpose so that he might bring them bound to the chief priest? Look, this reputation is widely known. They’re saying, hey, this is the one. This is the guy that was trying to stamp out of the church. This is the guy that had authority to imprison Christians simply because they called on the name of the Lord.

Is this the guy preaching Christ? And even more so, look down Acts chapter 9, verse 26. When Saul goes to Jerusalem, and when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But what? But they were all afraid of him and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So you’re seeing that there’s a case to be made for Ananias’ view of Saul. Or even the saints in Jerusalem. When Paul comes and tries to join them, they don’t want to accept him.

Because that’s the epicenter of all of his persecution. That’s where he created, as the Bible said, Acts 8 3, havoc in the church. They don’t believe that he’s changed. But if that’s not enough for you, let’s listen to the man himself. 1 Timothy chapter 1, verses 12 through 17. Turn over there. 1 Timothy chapter 1, verses 12 through 17. Do not judge a book by its cover in evangelism. 1 Timothy chapter 1, verses 12 through 17. And the Bible says, and I thank Christ Jesus. Now this is Paul writing by inspiration. And I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Now listen to his testimony about his own life. Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saints. Listen to this, and worthy of all acceptance. That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might show all long suffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible to God who alone is wise. Be honored and glory forever and ever. Amen. His own testimony says that Ananias got him right. He says, I was a persecutor. I was a blasphemer. I was an insolent man. He felt so bad about the things he had done.

He said, Look, I’m the chief of all sinners. And so might I suggest to you that the problem with Ananias, when he responded to God the way that he did, was not that he got so wrong. No, what he made, the mistake he made was this. He underestimated the power of God’s word. Now that’s what he got wrong. And that’s what we’re talking about, judging a book by its cover. Don’t underestimate the power of God’s word. Don’t go around trying to prospect like some of these NFL scouts. Do they go to college games and say, oh, yeah, that looks good. That guy’s a four-star guy. That guy’s a five-star. We don’t do that when it comes to the gospel. We spread the gospel. How many times have you seen people and you say, that person’s not going to obey the gospel?

Look how immodest she’s dressed. She’s not concerned about spiritual things. Look at him. He got earrings and tattoos all over the place. He’s not the least bit concerned about spiritual things. And we start judging, and we say, this person’s going to respond. This person will not. That’s not our place. It was Ananias’ place to question the power of God. God’s word is powerful. In fact, I love, isn’t it, so apropos that Paul himself writes in Romans chapter 1, verse 16. Look over there. Romans chapter 1 and verse 16. Paul himself writes this, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Why? For it’s the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Wouldn’t Paul know that personally and intimately?

Because that explained why he was in the position he was. The gospel, the good news, is the power of God unto salvation. Do we believe that? Then if we believe, why are we not teaching like we should? Why are we not sharing the gospel? Why are we writing people off? Oh, you know, that person has been in that denomination for ages, and his father’s in that denomination, his grandfather’s in that denomination, or that person’s in an adulterous marriage, and they’re not going to come out. That’s too hard, it’s too difficult. Or that person is living the homosexual lifestyle, and they’re never going to come out of that. Why are we judging others in terms of whether they will respond to the gospel? That is an insult and a slap in the face to God.

And that’s why Paul is saying look, I’m an example, he said in 1 Timothy 1. I’m a pattern to all those who would believe. Look, if Paul can be converted to Christ, if Saul can obey the gospel, there is not a soul out there that cannot obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now you think about that. That’s what he’s saying. And we need to be careful, and I need to be careful. I do this. You know, you have people on your job. You say, oh, man, he’d be a great Christian. Or see, boy, she’s almost there. She’s almost that boy, he’s the far. He’s not in the least bit interested. I’m not going to waste my time. No. That’s not for us. We need to spread the word.

When I get to thinking like that, I like to think about Acts chapter 6 and verse 7. Turn over there. Acts the sixth chapter and the seventh verse. When I get to writing people off and deciding who I think is worthy and not worthy and who is going to obey, who’s not going to obey, all of which is inappropriate thinking. I have to remind myself at Acts chapter 6 and verse 7, the power of God’s word. Acts chapter 6, verse 7, the Bible says this, then the word of God spread. And the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. I like that. There’s a connection there, folks. That’s not just arbitrary. We want to go to grow the church, and we want more saints, and we want to have more people in the body of Christ.

How do we do it? He says, then the word of God spread. And the disciples multiplied greatly. That’s how you do it. It’s the same today it was then. You spread the word of God, and it’s going to have its intended desired effect, Isaiah 55, 9 through 10. That’s what we want to grow the church. But listen to this. This is what’s really impressive to me. That last phrase. And a great many of the priest were obedient to the faith. Wait a minute. The priest? No, no. Kevin, they had the most to lose. Their stature and their standing and their way of life and how they review. No, no, no. They’re too steeped in this. They’re too invested in this. They’re not coming out of this.

And a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. See, folks, God’s word is powerful. Hebrews 4 12 says it’s living and powerful. And if it’s powerful enough to change Saul, if it’s powerful enough to make even the priest obedient to God’s word, then it’s powerful enough to convert any soul in which we come in contact with. I’m not saying it’s always going to work. I’m not saying that men are always going to respond because men have free will to choose whether they do so or not. But it’s our job, it’s our mission, it’s our mandate to get the word out there and let it have its work on the hearts of men. And quit saying that person is likely, that person’s unlikely. And talking about worthy, none of us are worthy.

2. Being Sincere and Religious Alone Is Not Enough

That doesn’t make any sense. There’s nobody here that’s worthy of salvation. We all deserve eternal damnation. That’s what we deserve. But through the grace of God, those of us who are in the body of Christ enjoy a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life. So we lose, we learn not to judge a book by its cover from the conversion of Saul. But let me give you a second lesson that we learn. We learn this. Being sincere and religious alone is not enough for salvation. We’ll say that again. We learn that being sincere and religious alone is not enough for salvation. Why do I say that? Well, let’s think about Saul. Remember, we talked about he consented to the death of Stephen. He’s wrecking havoc on the church.

He’s committing Christian men and women to prison. He says in Acts 26, I thought I must do many things contrary to Jesus Christ. But he was saved, wasn’t he? No, he wasn’t. But he was sincere, wasn’t he? Yes, he was. Was he saved? No, he wasn’t. In fact, he was so sincere. Look at Acts chapter 23, verse 1. Think about this statement. Think about could you make this statement today if I were to get you in front of the group and could you make this statement all good conscience? Acts chapter 23, verse 1. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. I don’t know about you, folks. That’s a powerful statement.

He’s saying, I’ve always been sincere. I’ve always done what I thought was right. And all of that, consenting to the death of Stephen, persecuting the church, throwing Christians into prison, and all of that, I thought I was right. In fact, I think it’s interesting. Look at John chapter 16, verses 1 through 2. And ask yourself if this description does not fit Saul in his prior life. John 16, verses 1 through 2. The Bible says this. These things, Jesus talking. These things I have spoken to you that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming. Listen, yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. Saul was sincere.

Saul was like these men that Jesus, who knows? Jesus may have had Saul specifically in mind. He said, there will be people who will put you out of the synagogues. There’ll be people who, when they kill you, they think that they’re doing God’s will. And that’s the way Saul was. He thought he was doing God’s will. So all of that sincerity, all of that fervor, all of that zeal, all that conviction that I’m doing the will of God, did that alone save him? Of course not. He had to obey the gospel. And I think that’s a very important point because we have a lot of people in the world that think, simply be sincere in whatever you believe. Well, choose the church of your choice, but just be sincere.

Be devout. Be active. And it really doesn’t matter what you believe, the specifics. Well, if that’s the case, then why was Saul lost? Nobody can accuse Saul being insincere. He just told you. Nobody challenged that statement. But despite his sincerity, he was lost. So that’s not enough. Now, I’m not advocating for insincerity. Oh, Kevin wants insincere religion. No, I know. I understand that we have to be sincere. The point I’m making is that’s not enough. And sometimes we get a little bit off-kilter when we see people around us who are very sincere and very religious and very devout, and all of a sudden we begin to question well, do they really have to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ? Yes, they do. Because God is no respecter of persons.

3. Baptism Is Necessary for Salvation

Why should that person you work with be able to be saved outside of obedience to the gospel, and yet Saul had to obey the gospel? God doesn’t discriminate like that. If Saul had to obey the gospel, everybody has to obey the gospel. That’s the point. Being sincere and being religious alone is not enough. But let me give you a third lesson that we can learn from the conversion of Saul. And boy, do we need this lesson today. The third lesson is baptism, baptism, baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is necessary for salvation. You say, now where do you get that? Well, let’s think about this. First of all, it’s interesting when the Lord is having this conversation with Saul, and when Saul asks, What must I do?

What does Jesus say? He says, Arise and go into the city, and you’ll be told what it would be good for you to do. You’ll be told what would be a nice thing to do. You’ll be told what No, you’ll be told what you must do. So whatever it is that he’s going to hear in the city of Damascus, we know one thing. It’s something that he must do. Now I want you to turn your Bibles to Acts chapter 22. Look at verses 11 through 16. This is Paul recounting his conversion experience. Acts chapter 22, verses 11 through 16. Paul recounting his conversion experience. Let’s see what we can learn from this. Acts 22, 11 through 16. Acts 22, 11 through 16. The Bible says this.

And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who are with me, I came into Damascus. Then a certain Ananias, a devout man, according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me and he stood and said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know his will and see the just one and hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be his witness to all men of what you’ve seen and heard. Now listen to verse 16. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

I want you to think about this. Here’s a man who’s seen the Lord. And once he sees the Lord, he believes. When he says, Lord, what do you want me to do? At that, he believes. So we have a man who believes, and the Bible record in Acts 9 says, before Ananias came, he had been believing for three days. Now I want you to think about that for a second. Based on what a lot of the religious world says, that man is saved. Why you say that? Because people say, all you gotta do is believe. All you gotta do is believe. There is no question that Saul believed. That’s not in doubt. And yet, despite that belief that’s been held in his heart for three days in Acts 22, 16, Ananias says, Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.

What do you mean, Ananias? He believes, he’s saved. He’s already got his sins washed away. No, he doesn’t. Because he hadn’t obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. And so believing alone is not enough. You must be baptized. But think about this. When the Lord spoke to Ananias and he said, if you go back to the street called straight, and you go to Jesus’ house, what does he say that Saul was going to be doing at that time? Pray. He’s going to be praying. So we’ve got a man here that believes that Jesus is the Son of God. And this man is praying, and yet he’s not saved. And that is a revelation to many. Oh, is this say the sinner’s prayer? He’s praying. He’s believing. And he’s lost until he obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But really, there’s something else I think is interesting. Not only that, what else was he doing? He was fasting. He’s fasting. He got a man here believing. Got a man here praying. Got a man here fasting. And Ananias says, You’re still in your sins until you obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. What did he have to do? And what did Ananias tell him to do? To be baptized. What the Lord said? You’ll be told what you must do. What did he have to do? He had to be baptized. Friends, baptism is necessary for salvation. I think this is one of the strongest proofs of the necessity of baptism. Nobody out there can say, Well, I’m just saved by my belief. Well, Saul wasn’t. I’m saved by the sinner’s prayer.

Saul wasn’t. I’m saved by all my religious zeal and verse. Saul wasn’t. And God is not a respecter of persons. He doesn’t discriminate. The same gospel that Saul obeyed is the same gospel that we all have to obey. And so that teaches us that baptism is necessary. Look at Galatians 3, 26 through 27. That’s not the only place. There are plenty of places in the scriptures where we’re taught the necessity of baptism. Baptism is necessary to be saved. The Bible says Galatians 3, 26 through 27. Galatians chapter 3, verses 26 to 27. For you’re all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. I want to have Christ. I want to put on Christ.

How do I do that? I’ve got to be baptized. Somebody says, well, no, no, no. I’m a son of God through faith. Like Galatians 3.26. But Galatians 3.27 explains how you become a son of God through faith. For that’s the explanation. For as many of you have been baptized, you have put on Christ. Baptism is necessary. 1 Corinthians 12, 12 through 13 says that we were baptized into one body. What is that one body? The church. How do I get into that church? I’ve got to be baptizing. What if I’m sincere and I’m religious and I’m zealous, but I’m not baptized? Guess what? You’re not in that church. And there’s only one of them the church that our Lord and Savior died for. So baptism is necessary for salvation.

4. The Great Personal Cost of Salvation

Let me give you another lesson, and the lesson will be yours. The fourth lesson that we learned from the conversion of Saul is this the great personal cost of salvation. Let me say that again. The fourth lesson we learned from the conversion of Saul is the great personal cost of salvation. Folks, Saul gave a lot up in order to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. That was not an easy decision. In fact, I want you to look at Philippians chapter 3, verses 3 through 11. Philippians chapter 3, verses. I want you to listen to what Saul says. He gave up to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Philippians 3, 3 through 11, the Bible says, For we are the circumcision who worship God in the Spirit.

Rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I also might have confidence in the flesh, if anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I am more so. Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews concerning the law of Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church, concerning the righteous, which is in the law, blameless. Listen, verse 7. But what things were gained to me. These I have counted lost for Christ. Yes, indeed, I also have counted all things lost for the excellence of their knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Listen to this, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things. And count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ.

I’ll be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. What did Saul say, or what did Paul say? I’ve suffered the loss of all things. I think we need to understand that when we obey the gospel, we pay a price. And I think we need to be fair to the people we talk to about obeying the gospel. We’re not selling some discounted salvation. We’re not selling some cheap grace. We are selling what the Bible is selling, which is a sacrifice that cost you everything. And when I say selling, obviously I’m not talking about selling in the commercial sense. But the point being is we are persuading people to give up of their entire lives and their selves.

And we need to be careful that we’re not so quick to rush people to the waters of baptism that we forget to tell them about repentance and tell them about the cost they have to pay. It is difficult, folks. Now it’s well worth it, but we don’t need to just rush people to waters of baptism, and within a year they’re unfaithful, and we wonder why. Because we never told them, like Jesus said, what king goes to war without their sin, do I have enough forces to overcome my opposition? What man builds a house unless he knows he has enough money to buy the materials to build the house? In other words, count the cost. And there is a cost for obeying God’s word. Look at Galatians chapter 1, verse 10.

Paul says this. Galatians chapter 1, verse 10. Galatians chapter 1, verse 10. Paul says, For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still please men, I would not be a bond servant of Christ. Doesn’t that make sense in the life of Saul? He’s a rising star in Judaism. It says it was read in Galatians 1. He advanced beyond many contemporaries in Judaism because he was more zealous for the traditions of the fathers. He was taught the feet of Gamaliel. He was a Roman citizen. He was a rising star in Judah. He had everything going for him. And he says, look, if I were the kind of person that the most important thing in my life is for people to give me an attaboy and think highly of me and say good things about me, he said, guess what?

I would not never have obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because it doesn’t make sense. If I’m a men pleaser, it doesn’t make sense. I’ve got to be a God pleaser. And that’s what we’re saying. There’s a price to be paid. I’m not trying to discourage people. I’m not trying to drive people away, but we want to be honest with people. It requires everything. It’s at Romans 12, 1 through 2 says that we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. We’ve got to give up everything. And let me say this. It doesn’t just start or stop after you obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a cost, the great personal cost of salvation. It’s a cost that we continue to pay. Look real quickly at 2 Corinthians chapter 11.

2 Corinthians chapter 11. 2 Corinthians the 11th chapter. And just listen to me as we describe. The personal cost that Paul continued to pay for salvation. 2 Corinthians 11 22. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool. I am more. In labor is more abundant, and stripes above measure, and prisons more frequently, and deaths often. From the Jews, five times I received 40 stripes, minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. A night and a day I have been in the deep. And journeys often, perils of water, perils of robbers, and perils of my own countrymen, perils of the Gentiles, and perils in the city, and perils in the wilderness and perils in the sea, and perils among false brethren, and weariness and tall, and sleeplessness often, and hunger and thirst and fasting is often and cold and nakedness.

Besides the other thing, what comes upon me daily? My deep concern for all the church. And can you remember, can you imagine? He’s in a group of people and gives this description. Sign me up! I want to be a part of that. I mean, that’s devastating, isn’t it? That’s the great personal cost of salvation that he continued to pay. And we say, well, yeah, that’s back then, that’s there, but I don’t have to worry about paying that call. And 2 Timothy 3 12 says, yes, and all who desire to live godly might suffer persecution, could probably no, will suffer persecution. Do you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus? I hope that you do. Then what does the Bible say? You will suffer persecution. And if you’re not suffering persecution, what does it mean?

You’re not desire and live godly the way God’s talking about it. Luke 6 26 says, beware when all men speak well of you. Everybody loves you. All your neighbors think you’re the best things to slice bread, co-workers, your fellow students. Nobody has a word negative. How in the world are you pulling that off? You can’t pull that off. Because here, you know, think about this. Here’s Jesus. You can’t be more effective in interpersonal relations than Jesus. You can’t be more careful in your words than Jesus. You can’t be more empathetic than Jesus. You can’t be more loving than Jesus. And was Jesus able to pull that off? No. So why do you think you can? You can’t. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

There’s a cost. There’s a cost when we obey the gospel and we continue to pay the cost. But you know what? The cost is worth it. Why did I say that? Well, because the very man who gave you that list of things in 2 Corinthians 11, 22 to 28, also wrote this by inspiration. Look at Romans chapter 8 and verse 18. Romans the 8th, chapter and verse 18. Romans chapter 8, verse 18. The same man who’d been shipwrecked and beaten with rods three times and beaten by the Jews five times, 39 lashes, says this, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. No, I’m not trying to be a downer.

No, I’m not trying to discourage you. The very man who suffered all those things. Say, you know what, that’s not even worth mentioning in the same sentence of heaven. It’s not even worth mentioning when it comes to the glory that awaits us. Yes, we’re going to suffer. Yes, we’re going to be persecuted. Yes, we’re going to have difficulties. Yes, we’re going to have challenges. But it is more than worth it for us to know that one day that the Lord in heaven is going to say, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. And so, yes, we need to tell people about the great personal cost of salvation. Well, our time is up. Let us end with a word of prayer, if you will. Pray with me.

Conclusion

Dear gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you so very much for this beautiful day that you’ve given to us. We thank you for the precious gift of life, knowing that you’re the one whom we live and breathe and have our being. So thankful that you woke us up this morning so thankful that we can come to this place and worship you in spirit and in truth. We thank you for the word that you’ve given to us. We thank you for the things we can learn from your scriptures, like what we’ve talked about this morning. We thank you for the lesson we can learn from Saul’s life, that we are not to judge a book by its cover and evangelism. That we are not to prospect, but we are just to indiscriminately share your word with others that come into our lives.

And let your work have its work and its power in the hearts of men. We’re so thankful that we learn from the Apostle Paul in his life that just simply being religious and being sincere is not enough to be saved. And let us fortify our conviction that men and women must obey the gospel in order to serve you faithfully. And let that conviction motivate us to teach and to share and to never waver and to never be uncertain or to doubt the necessity of the obedience to the gospel. Yes, there are a lot of friends around us who are sincere in their religious service. But just as with Saul, being religious doesn’t make them saved. Being sincere doesn’t make them saved. And Father, we ask that we may always be impressed with not only the example of Saul, but all of your other scriptures that teach the necessity of baptism.

Let us never water that down. Let us never compromise that. That’s what you said. That’s what you demanded. That’s part of the prescription for the malady of sin that we suffer under. And please let us be faithful servants and ambassadors and to share that very word. And yes, there are other aspects. There’s the belief that must motivate that baptism. There’s the confession of your son. There is the repentance that must be necessary. But let us not leave out baptism as it is essential for salvation. And yes, Father, as we think about Saul, we learn from him that there is a cost to salvation. And it’s a cost that we not only pay in coming out of the world, it’s a cost we continue to pay in our lives as we bear our crosses daily.

And we ask that we may take that seriously, that we have sacrifice in our service. That we understand that we’re giving everything that we have when we make the decision to obey the gospel up to you as a living sacrifice. We thank you for so many things that you’ve done for us. Thank you for revealing these lessons and many more in your word. We ask that you continue to be with the service. May it be pleasing in thy sighting. Christ must always name we pray. Amen. You are now dismissed.