why should we care?

who was paul?

man of law, not grace

of violence, not peace

just a few years earlier . . .

saul of tarsus

• Born in Turkey

• Roman citizen

• Israelite

• Tribe of Benjamin

• First king namesake

Rembrandt

law: Sanhedrin

power: Pax Romana

two passions

“thoroughly trained”

• Jerusalem

• Rabbi Gamaliel

• Excelled in studies

a story

of law and power, stones and cloaks

zealous for God

door to door arrests dragging into prison

destroying the church

stolen letters and “murderous threats”

"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "

`Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "

`I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied.

acts 22:6-8

My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. "`What shall I do, Lord?' I asked."

`Get up,' the Lord said, `and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.'

My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me".

acts 22:9-11

law became grace.

violence became peace.

in an instant . . .

thirty-two years later . . .

executed for proclaiming “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Q. how can a man who persecuted

Christians suddenly become one?

A. grace.

question and answer . . .

charis: undeserved gift

charis

grace is the gift you cannot see

until Jesus opens your eyes.

once blind, now see . . .

religion vs. relationship

religion: human effort

law

work (fear or pride)

separation

relationship: God’s grace

love

work (joy and humility)

unity, peace

grace is something God does for

you and in you

for and in . . .

in fear or failure . . .

some throw stones

others say, “forgive and forget”

Jesus says:“I do not condemn you,

go and leave your life of sin.”

grace is free, but not cheap

costly grace . . .

where are you with Jesus?

religion? or relationship?

what shall we do?

go deeper into grace

mother’s day greetings