What did the Apostle Paul know that made him so successful? In this message, Pastor DaVon shares Paul’s secret to living. No matter what tests, trials, or challenges you are facing, this secret can change how you live through them!
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Notes
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Beseech - to urge or to beg
Mercies - benefits (Psalm 103:1-5)
You present - not God, deny yourself.
Reasonable service - your way to worship
Renew - renewal, renovation, complete change
Your mind is the control center of your life
Mind - mentality, philosophy, way of thinking, thought life, reasonings
Mind consists of your conscious, subconscious, and conscience
The Apostle Paul:
Writer of 2/3 of the NT
The Apostle Paul had a full plate.
He traveled, wrote letters, and preached.
He oversaw multiple churches across different continents.
Highly credentialed
Highly decorated
Accomplished
He encountered governmental and religious opposition.
Despite everything that demanded his attention, he was a man of singular focus.
Paul wants to share the secret of living with us...
Philippians 4:6-13 NLT
Philippians 4:12 NLT - I have learned the secret of living in every situation
Secret - something that is kept a mystery; classified
We are always interested when someone knows a secret.
We never like it when people keep secrets from us.
Philippians 4:11 - …for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Learn -to become informed; it’s our vision; disciple
3 ways to learn:
Instruction
Observation
Experience
What state or condition has Paul been in?
2 Corinthians 11:22-28
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times, the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once, I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
As much as we want the Word to be our only teacher, we must admit that experience is also a teacher
I learned to appreciate health when I was sick
I learned to appreciate a job when I was unemployed
Content - independent of external circumstances; thankful
I learned to enjoy the journey.
We must learn to derive our joy and peace directly from Christ Himself.