『這些人是誰？』(14) －道成肉身的見証人：保羅(三）

經文：提前1:12-16，弗3:2-9，徒20:23-24，加2:20a，腓1:20b-21a，羅8:35-37，徒26:19

背誦經文：你們該效法我，像我效法基督一樣。(林前11:1)

❖ 『他不可抗拒的影響力，在所到之處波及周圍所有的人；他為父的心腸，叫眾人落淚；他懇切的禱告，挑動人深處愛神的火苗；他諄諄的勸誨，迴蕩在兩千年的教會歷史中；他風塵僕僕的行蹤，建立了一處又一處的見證…。

保羅，一位轉移時代，至死忠心的神僕。

他的生命，是你我的榜樣；他的腳蹤，也應是你我的腳蹤！』

(1) 是位被神從火中所抽出來的一根柴

● … 13 我從前是褻瀆　神的，逼迫人的，侮慢人的；然而我還蒙了憐憫，…15 「基督耶穌降世，為要拯救罪人。」…在罪人中我是個罪魁。 16 然而，我蒙了憐憫，是因耶穌基督要在我這罪魁身上顯明他一切的忍耐，給後來信他得永生的人作榜樣。(提前1:12-16)

(2) 是位深知神旨意奧祕與全備救恩的使徒

● 2 諒必你們曾聽見 神賜恩給我，將關切你們的職分託付我， 3 用啟示使我知道福音的奧祕… 4 你們念了，就能曉得我深知基督的奧祕。 5 這奧祕在以前的世代沒有叫人知道，像如今藉著聖靈啟示他的聖使徒和先知一樣…8 我本來比眾聖徒中最小的還小，然而他還賜我這恩典，叫我把基督那測不透的豐富傳給外邦人， 9 又使眾人都明白，這歷代以來隱藏在創造萬物之　神裏的奧祕是如何安排的，為要藉著教會...(弗3:2-9)

(3) 是位不以性命為念，帶下翻天覆地影響力的忠僕

● 聖靈在各城裏向我指證，說有捆鎖與患難等待我。 我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明 神恩惠的福音。(徒20:23-24)

● 那攪亂天下的也到這裏來了(徒17:6) / 滿城都轟動起來…(徒19:29) / 我們看這個人，如同瘟疫一般，是鼓動普天下眾猶太人生亂…(徒24:5)

(4) 是位「活出基督」、道成肉身的見証人

● 我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我裏面活著…(加2:20a)

● …只要凡事放膽，無論是生是死，總叫基督在我身上照常顯大。 21 因我活著就是基督…(腓1:20b-21a)

(5) 是位靠主得勝有餘、也是這世界所不配有的得勝者

● 35 誰能使我們與基督的愛隔絕呢？難道是…37 然而，靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上已經得勝有餘了。(羅8:35-37)

● 『我故此沒有違背那從天上來的異象』(徒26:19)

“Who are these people?” (14) –

Paul (3): A Testament to the Word Becoming Flesh

Scriptures: 1 Tim 1:12-16, Eph 3:2-9, Acts 20:23-24, Gal 2:20a, Phil 1:20b-21a, Rom 8:35-37, Acts 26:19

Memorization Verse: (1 Cor 11:1) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

“His irresistible influential power impacted people wherever he went; His fatherly heart moved all to tears; His fervent prayers kindled men's flame of love for God; His earnest teachings permeated through the church history for 2000 years; His diligent footsteps established testimonies after testimonies...

Paul, a servant of God, turned his era and was faithful unto death. His life is an example for you and me; His footsteps should also be our footsteps!”

1. One who has been plucked out, as a branch out of the fire, by God

· “… although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy … sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, ...” (1 Tim 1:12-16)

2. An apostle who intimately knows the will and mysteries of God and His full salvation

· 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10...by the church” (Eph 3:2-10)

3. A faithful servant with the influential power that turned the world upside down and did not count his life dear to himself

· “… except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20-23-24)

· “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6)/ ”The whole city was in an up roar...”(Acts 19:29)/ ”For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world “(Acts 24:5)

4. One who “lived out Christ” and a testament to the word becoming flesh

· “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;” (Gal 2:20a)

· “… but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ ...” (Phil 1:20b-21a)

5. One who is more than a conqueror through the Lord and a victor that the world is not worthy of

· “35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall … 37 yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37)

· “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” (Acts 26:19)