Zeal Part 1: The Before Picture

Zeal: Paul – Chasing a Cause, Finding a Savior

Part 1: The Before Picture

Philippians 3:4-6

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 3:4-6

I. Saul’s : The

8 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:58.

Before Saul met Jesus, he was the ultimate example of human achievement trying to divine acceptance.

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 4:4-6

Saul’s confidence came in his Hebrew and his desire to rigidly follow Hebrew .

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’” Matthew 15:7-9

Saul believed that his salvation would come through his to the religious law.

II. A Masterclass in : Saul’s

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 …as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 4:5-6

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. In other words, no matter how good you are, think you are or think you can be, it will never be enough.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Before Saul met Jesus, he was the ultimate example of human trying to earn divine .

Saul was so busy lauding his religious that he never noticed his heart.

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. Luke 18:11

III. A Weapon of : Saul’s

6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; Philippians 4:6

18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. Acts 5:18-21

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin… 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:34, 38-39

Look at how God was at work; imagine, Peter and Paul would one day be on the !

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 5:40-42

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Acts 7:54-58

Saul had plenty of , performance, and . By every human measure, he appeared to be the closest person to God on earth.

Three Vital Life Lessons

1. No matter how you appear to others today, there was always a !
2. Regardless of your , you are not beyond !
3. Even though your past may be far from , you can have a with Jesus.