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PAUL IN ROME

I. Introduction: Being Real & Vacation Bible School 2026

The pastor began by recounting a story about the 18th-century preacher George Whitfield, who was known for his passionate preaching. Whitfield observed that actors on stage could make fake things seem real through conviction, while many preachers made real things seem fake through a lack of passion. The pastor used this to frame the upcoming Vacation Bible School (VBS): the church will be "acting" out a real biblical story, and the goal is to do so with passion and authenticity.

  • Application: Just as the church is preparing to go "all out" for VBS, using its building and resources to their fullest for the sake of the Gospel, we should live our faith with genuine conviction. What we believe is real, and our lives should reflect that reality.

Setting the Scene: VBS "A Week in Rome"

This year’s VBS is themed "A Week in Rome," focusing on the time the Apostle Paul was imprisoned there. The church building has been transformed to create an immersive experience for the children.

  • The Underground Church: Children will enter through a darkened "underground church" to simulate the danger early Christians faced. Believers met in secret because their leader, Jesus, had been crucified, and being a "follower of Christ" was perilous.

    • “Everybody always says they want to be like Jesus... Well get ready because you are about to get crucified. That's what happens because basically Jesus went against a culture, he went against religious culture, he went against the culture of the world.”

  • The Roman Marketplace: The main area will be a bustling Roman marketplace, representing the pagan world filled with idol worship.

  • Paul in Prison: A station will depict the Apostle Paul under house arrest, guarded by a Roman soldier named Brutus. Throughout the week, children will witness the soldier's heart soften as he listens to Paul share the Gospel, dramatizing the transformative power of God’s Word.

  • The Roman Guards: Actors playing Roman guards will patrol the area to create a sense of tension and the constant threat early Christians faced.

II. The Way: Christianity as a Lifestyle

The sermon established the context of the early church, where followers of Jesus were known as people of "The Way" before being called "Christians" (a term originally used mockingly).

  • Who God Is: God reveals a specific "Way" of life for humanity that is distinct from the world and calls people to follow it.

  • Who We Are: We are followers of "The Way." This is not merely a title but a complete lifestyle. Our lives should be so noticeably different that others observe we "walk to the beat of a different drummer."

  • How We Should Live: Our faith should be visible in our actions, habits, and speech. The pastor challenged, "Can anybody by your life and my life, can they say there's something different here?" We must live in a way that is so distinct it draws others in, understanding that the Way of Christ will often be contrary to the culture and will cost us something.

  • Scriptural Context:

    • Acts 9: Saul persecuted people who followed "this way."

    • Acts 11: The term "Christian" was first used as a derogatory name for followers of Christ.

    • Acts 18:26: Aquila and Priscilla "expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."

    • Acts 19:9: Unbelievers "spake evil of that way."

    • Acts 19:23: The spread of the gospel caused "no small stir about that way."

    • Acts 22:3-4: Paul testifies, "And I persecuted this way," which after his conversion, became his way.

III. Who Was The Apostle Paul? A Man Transformed

To understand the context of VBS and the Christian life, the pastor provided a biblical overview of Paul’s life, outlining his progression from an unsaved persecutor to a dedicated ministry man.

1. The Unsaved Man: Saul the Persecutor

Before he was the great apostle, he was known as Saul of Tarsus—an unsaved man who actively and violently opposed the early church.

  • Saul's Religious Credentials:

    • Scripture: Philippians 3:4-6

    • Context: Later in life, Paul lists his "credentials" to the church in Philippi, reasons he could have had confidence in his own righteousness apart from Christ.

    • Summary & Application: Paul had a perfect religious pedigree: "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee..." (Philippians 3:5). He was so zealous he persecuted the church (Philippians 3:6). Despite these credentials, he was a "lost man." This shows that our identity and righteousness do not come from our background, good works, or religious efforts but are found only in Jesus Christ.

  • Saul's Opposition to the Church:

    • Scripture: Acts 7:58-8:3

    • Context: These verses describe the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, where Saul is introduced.

    • Summary & Application: Saul approved of Stephen’s murder (Acts 7:58) and "was consenting unto his death" (Acts 8:1). He then began to "make havoc of the church," dragging Christian men and women to prison (Acts 8:3).

    • God's Character: This shows that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. The man who was the church's greatest enemy would become its greatest missionary. We should not judge others or assume anyone is too "bad" for God to save.

2. The Saved Man: Saul's Conversion

The sermon focused on the pivotal moment of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

  • Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

  • Context: Saul, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter," was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of "this way."

  • Summary: A light from heaven knocked Saul to the ground, and a voice asked, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice replied, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest..." (Acts 9:4-5).

  • Analysis: This was a unique, dramatic conversion. Saul asks two profound questions relevant for everyone:

    1. "Who art thou, Lord?" (A question about God’s identity).

    2. "What will thou have me to do?" (A question about God’s will for one's life).

  • Application: The pastor challenged that many who call themselves Christians have never truly asked God what He wants them to do. A genuine encounter with Jesus Christ necessitates change.

3. The Growing Man: Paul's Discipleship

After conversion comes a necessary period of growth, or discipleship.

  • The "Born Again" Concept: Referencing John 3:3, the pastor explained that when we accept the "incorruptible seed" of God's Word, we are spiritually born anew. Like a baby, a new believer is messy and needs to be fed, taught, and guided toward maturity. This growth happens outside our comfort zones.

  • Paul’s Growth Period:

    • Scripture: Galatians 1:15-18

    • Context: Paul explains that after his conversion, he did not immediately confer with the other apostles. Instead, he "went into Arabia" and only went to Jerusalem to see Peter "after three years."

    • Application: This three-year period of learning was crucial for Paul’s growth before he became a prominent leader, mirroring the three years Jesus spent with His disciples.

  • First Steps of Growth:

    • Scripture: Acts 9:17-20

    • Summary: After Ananias restored his sight, Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost, was baptized, was strengthened by food (a picture of spiritual nourishment), spent time with disciples, and "straightway he preached Christ." Baptism is the first step of obedience, an outward sign of an inward change.

4. The Ministry Man: Paul's Purpose

The final stage of the Christian journey is moving from being a recipient of ministry to a giver of it.

  • Key Progression:

    1. He was an unsaved man.

    2. He became a saved man.

    3. He was a growing man.

    4. He became a ministry man.

  • Definition of Ministry: Paul called himself an "apostle," meaning "a sent one." Ministry is not just for preachers; it is using one's unique gifts to serve and minister to others. After meeting Jesus, we are transformed from "takers" into givers and servants.

IV. The Cost of Following The Way

The pastor highlighted Paul's unwavering commitment to his mission, drawing a parallel to the Frank Sinatra song "That's Life" to illustrate resilience in the face of hardship. The song’s line, "Many times I thought of cutting out, but my heart won't buy it," captures Paul's spirit.

Paul's Journey to Jerusalem: Embracing the Cost

  • Who God Is: God calls His servants to difficult tasks. The Holy Spirit does not hide the reality of affliction but gives strength to those willing to obey.

  • Who We Are: We are called to be "bound in the spirit" to fulfill our mission, knowing that the true need of every person is spiritual revival through Jesus.

  • How We Should Live: We must embrace the uncomfortable and follow God’s call, no matter the cost. True faith is tested when it costs us comfort or safety.

  • Scriptural Context:

    • Acts 20:21-23: Paul declared his resolve to go to Jerusalem, "bound in the spirit," even though the Holy Spirit warned that "bonds and afflictions" awaited him.

    • Acts 21:4, 11-12: Fellow disciples and the prophet Agabus, speaking "through the Spirit," warned Paul he would be bound in Jerusalem and pleaded with him not to go.

    • Paul’s Response: Paul refused to be dissuaded, not valuing his life above finishing his God-given course. His companions relented, saying, "The will of the Lord be done" (Acts 21:14).

From Jerusalem to Rome: God's Sovereign Plan

  • Who God Is: God is sovereign over all circumstances. He can use imprisonment and persecution to accomplish His greater purposes and stands with His servants in their darkest moments.

  • Who We Are: We are instruments in God’s plan. Hardship for our faith is an opportunity for God to use our situation for His glory.

  • How We Should Live: We should view our circumstances not as obstacles, but as opportunities for ministry. Like Paul, we can use the worst of situations to advance the Gospel.

  • Scriptural Context:

    • Acts 19:21: Paul had already "purposed in his spirit" to go to Jerusalem and then declared, "I must also see Rome."

    • Acts 23:11: While imprisoned in Jerusalem, the Lord stood by Paul and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." This was a direct affirmation that Paul was exactly where he was supposed to be.

    • Acts 28:14-16, 30: Paul finally arrived in Rome and was placed under house arrest. For two years, he "received all that came in unto him," continuing his ministry unhindered.

    • The Unrestricted Gospel: The pastor emphasized that while Paul was physically bound, God's word is never restricted.

    • Prison Epistles: From this house arrest, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and likely 2 Timothy. He saw himself not as a prisoner of Rome, but as "the prisoner of Christ." The soldier guarding him likely inspired the "armor of God" passage in Ephesians 6.

V. Concluding Application & Themes for the Week

Summary of Who God Is, Who We Are, and How We Should Live

  • Who is God? God offers His love as a free, non-coercive gift. His love has the power to transform our lives, and once accepted, it remains with us forever.

  • Who Am I? We are people who will face trials. Like Paul, we are called to be resilient, to persevere in our faith even when we feel "flat on our face," and to minister right where we are, regardless of our circumstances.

  • How Am I to Live? We are to embrace a mindset of perseverance. When discipleship gets hard, we must push through, knowing the gospel is worth any suffering. We should live in such a way that our lives become a witness, showing others that following the Lord is worth it, even when we get our "butt kicked." Just as Paul got "right back in the race," so should we.

Examples of Costly Faith

  • Pastor's Friend in Pakistan: A friend with a nursing degree felt called to Pakistan. Despite the danger, her family went, worked in a Christian hospital, and ministered to Muslims at their point of greatest need.

  • Moravian Missionaries: These historical missionaries sold themselves into slavery or took jobs as grave diggers just to gain access to a country to share the Gospel.

Five-Point Theme for VBS Week

The pastor outlined the five key themes that will be taught each night during VBS, centered on Paul’s message:

  1. God’s Love is a Gift: Salvation is offered freely, but not forced.

  2. God’s Love Changes Us: True acceptance of God’s love transforms us.

  3. God’s Love is Always With Us: This teaches the concept of eternal security.

  4. God’s Love Saves Us: This focuses on the core of the gospel message.

  5. God’s Love is Worth Sharing: The gospel is a message worth dying for, illustrated by the story of the soldier who comes to faith through Paul's witness.