Paul's Example to Us

BY DR. JOHN WYCKOFF
GRADUATE PROGRAM COORDINATOR,
THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
JWYCKOFF@SAGU.EDU

I am excited as I think about once again teaching the course Studies in the Pauline Epistles . Even though I have taught the course a number of times, I anticipate learning even more from the great Apostle’s instructions, admonitions and encouragements.

But, I also anticipate being inspired and challenged by arguably our greatest example, aside from Jesus Christ Himself, of a human being living the Christian life and being a profitable servant of the Lord. It is to this example that I would like to direct our attention.

Paul is a great example of how we ALL should follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. And, by ALL, I mean whether we are in so-called professional ministries or other professions such as Education or Counseling Psychology. In First Corinthians 11:1, Paul’s says, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” And, in Philippians 3:17, he writes, “join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in me.” Finally, in Philippians 4:9, he instructs, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Paul wrote these words to Churches in which there were all kinds of Christians in various walks of life. Thus, let us look at Paul as an example for us all.

Paul’s greatness began, of course, with his personal encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus road. But, as will be the case for us as well, Paul’s greatness depended on much more than just a great beginning. Further, Paul was great because of his PURPOSE, his PREPARATION, his PERSEVERANCE, and his PARTNERSHIPS.

We too can accomplish great things for God if we follow Paul’s example in these areas.

PAUL WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF HIS PURPOSE

Sometimes I wonder if we realize how important purpose is in our lives. The reality is, to have a well-defined purpose or not have a well-defined purpose makes a significant difference. A welldefined purpose, or lack thereof, will literally control and determine the development and outcome of our lives. If we lack purpose, our lives will always be aimless and, I submit, relatively worthless.

However, if, on the other hand, we have a well-defined purpose in the will of God, and we strive with God’s help to fulfill that purpose, we can accomplish great things. PURPOSE determines our lives!

After his Damascus road experience, Paul was forever committed to his purpose of sharing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. For all of his life, he never lost sight of his purpose—he never let it get out of focus. And, he never allowed his commitment to and pursuit of that purpose to diminish.

He pursued it with a passion and no matter what Paul was going through he was always happy and fulfilled.

We too must determine in our heart and mind that we will know and understand God’s purpose for our life.

Even though Paul had an instantaneous experience on the Damascus road, there was also a progressive development in him coming to know and understand God’s purpose in his life. Likewise, for us there may be some special, defining moments; but our purpose will most likely be clarified for us progressively over time.

And, once the fundamental basics of that purpose are understood, there will still be the ongoing dynamics of knowing and following the particulars of that purpose. This one thing I am assured of—if we will only determine to know God’s purpose, God WILL see to it that we come to know and understand that purpose.

Then, as we come to know and understand our purpose under God, we must further determine that we will not let anything keep us from pursuing that purpose.

Someone once said, if you want to be happy find something you can be genuinely enthused about.

Our God-ordained purpose is something we can be genuinely enthused about. Know it and pursue it passionately!

PAUL WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF HIS PREPARATION

Like purpose, preparation is also important. I know sometimes, myself included, we like to say, “God is not looking for ability as much as He is looking for availability”; and, that is true. But, the truth is, God IS, in fact, also looking for prepared and qualified servants. Above we have covered the “availability” part in our discussion of commitment to purpose. Now let’s move on from that and admit that ability, including preparation, is likewise important. The fact is, God has created everyone of us with talents and abilities and He does not want them squandered.

Another fact is, God has already done a lot of preparation in our lives through the things we’ve already been through and experienced. He doesn’t want that squandered either. But, I know His will for us includes further preparation for our purpose under God; and, He does not want us to squander the opportunities He gives us for further preparation.

No matter how much Paul was committed, he simply could not have accomplished what he did without his preparation. The fact that Paul was trained as a Pharisee of Pharisee’s at the feet of Gamaliel made him effective where he otherwise would not have been effective. His extensive understanding of the Old Testament, the Word of God for Paul, came to a great extent from that training. The fact that Paul was trained in the things of Jesus Christ under the tutelage of Barnabas, who had been trained by the original

Apostles, made it possible for him to correctly share the same basic message of Christ as the other Apostles who had walked with Jesus.

Surely, we all recognize the importance of Paul’s time of preparation when he was willing to go to the back side of the Arabian Desert and be taught special revelation.

We must not neglect, nor even shorten, our preparation for the purpose God has in mind for us. We must take advantage of every opportunity God allows and makes available. Believe me, I know from experience that preparation is really tough to go through at times. Especially, if we cannot understand at the time why a certain particular type of preparation is necessary. Graduate studies was that kind of experience for me, for a while. But, I learned a principle–in whatever endeavor, tools are important. And, time spent in sharpening those tools is time well spent.

PAUL WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF HIS PERSEVERANCE

Paul is also an example to us in perseverance. He faced the most difficult of hardships, trials, and oppositions. And, not only were Paul’s difficulties of the greatest kinds; they were numerous!

From the time of the Damascus road experience to his final breath, Paul was forever in difficult hardships, trials, and oppositions. Yet, he never gave up—he was dominated by Jesus Christ and his purpose, not by his difficulties.

Not only for Paul, but for us as well, the reality of the Christian life is that there will be hardships, trials, and opposition. Fellow laborers, if we insist on serving Jesus Christ, we will encounter difficulties that have the potential of limiting our effectiveness and even destroying us. We must be ready for them, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We must keep our focus on our God-ordained purpose.

PAUL WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF HIS PARTNERSHIPS

Finally, Paul is our example in the principle of partnerships. He understood and recognized the importance of partnerships. First, he knew that in himself he was nothing; but, in partnership with Jesus he could do all things (Philip. 4:13).

Secondly, Paul appreciated the mentoring partnership he had with Barnabas. Barnabas took Paul in when no one else would and introduced him to the Jerusalem Apostles. Barnabas tutored and mentored Paul in Antioch of Syria where they worked together in partnership in a largely Gentile Church. The great Apostle to the Gentiles was deepened and broadened in his understanding of Jesus Christ in a mentoring relationship with Barnabas. Thirdly, Paul knew the value of multiplying his own ministry by mentoring others. In about three years he was able to evangelize the Roman province of Asia by mentoring young ministers and sending them out to places like Colossae, Smyrna, and Philadelphia.

Think of the how Paul’s ministry was expanded during his life time and extended even beyond his life time because of his mentoring partnerships with such great ministers as Titus, Timothy, and Luke; only to mention a few. God only knows how much less we would know of Paul’s ministry had it not been for what he invested in Titus, Timothy, Luke and countless others.

Once again, we are well advised to follow Paul’s example here, no matter what our vocation as Christians. That is, I do not have in mind just professional gospel ministers like Pastors or the like. Certainly, those called to so-called full-time ministry are included; but, whatever our profession, we will benefit by following Paul’s example of developing partnerships. If you recognize that as a redeemed Christian you are a servant of Jesus Christ, this applies to you. Your opportunity for mentoring and multiplying your ministry may be in an elementary or secondary classroom; it may be in a Royal Rangers program; it may be in a Missionettes program; it may be in a Sunday School classroom; it may be in some counseling psychology area; or, it may be in some one-on-one opportunity that God opens up to you. Whatever our vocations, as Christian servants in God’s Kingdom, we all must look for and do whatever we have to do to make opportunities for multiplying our ministries in mentoring and partnership relationships.

CONCLUSION

Hear again the words of the great Apostle Paul in First Corinthians 11:1–“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” Paul is a tremendous example for us to follow. As Paul did, know and pursue your God-ordained PURPOSE! As Paul was, continue to be diligent and thorough in your PREPARATION! In the manner that Paul did, in all hardships, trials, and oppositions, maintain PERSEVERANCE! And, after the pattern of Paul, find and develop opportunities for mentoring PARTNERSHIPS!