In one of the most radical transformations in human history, Paul goes from:

“Let’s round up these Jesus followers and throw them in prison” (or worse)

To

“I am willing to go to prison for this God who has saved my soul”

Grace is a scandal … and the gospel is a scandal.  But that is not the question we should tell others to ask.  The question we should be asking is:

Is This True?

Because when we ask “Is This True?” we find out that this is the greatest rescue story that has ever been written … and we are the recipients.

We go from destined for the pits of Hell … to a son or daughter of the King of the Universe with immediate access to Him and all that He holds dear.

In today’s journey, I ask you:  What do these verses from Paul have in common?

Philemon 1 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul–an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus– 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Ephesians 1 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Philippians 4 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Colossians 1 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

If your answer is that all were written by Paul, you would be correct.

I want to emphasize that they were all written from a prison cell.  Paul is proclaiming freedom over our lives … from a prison cell.  And that, my friends, is the Hand of Jesus.

Only Jesus can give you freedom EVEN in a prison cell.

And really, that’s the answer to every question:

Only Jesus

Only Jesus can convert a bitter and hateful Christian chaser like Paul and convert him to a disciple.

Only Jesus can raise the dead.

And only Jesus can save you … and me.

Only Jesus.

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Coach J