The Pulse of Paul
11 June 2025
Dear Faith Friends,
Like last week, as you read this, the COS Footsteps of Paul Adventure Group is over in Greece. Entering into the stories of Scripture through Paul’s journeys, we hope to enter more deeply into love, grace, and flow of Jesus’ Good News that Paul was so passionate to share all over the Roman Empire.
Although I can’t give a live update, allow me to share my sermon from a few months ago, highlighting key basics of this colorful character Paul.
With which aspects of Paul’s faith journey do you resonate?
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A local sheriff was looking for a deputy, and one of the applicants – who was not known to be the brightest academically, was called in for an interview. “Okay,” began the sheriff, “What is 1 and 1?” “Eleven,” came the reply. The sheriff thought to himself, “That’s not what I meant, but he’s right.”
Then the sheriff asked, “What two days of the week start with the letter ‘T’?” “Today & tomorrow,” replied the applicant. The sheriff was again surprised over the answer, one that he had never thought of himself.
“Now, listen carefully, who killed Abraham Lincoln?” asked the sheriff. The job seeker seemed a little surprised, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, “I don’t know.” The sheriff replied, “Well, why don’t you go home and work on that one for a while?” The applicant left and wandered over to his pals who were waiting to hear the results of the interview. He greeted them with a cheery smile, “The job is mine! The interview went great! First day on the job and I’m already working on a murder case!”
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When we first hear about Paul in the New Testament in the book of Acts, what is he up to?
Do we see him preaching on one of his three missionary journeys, proclaiming the good news that we are saved by grace and not works? No, it is not that. Do we see Paul at a desk, dutifully writing letters of encouragement to the faith communities in Ephesus, Corinth, or Galatia he’s raised up? No, we do not see that. Do we see him gathering funds for a love offering to support the early Christians who are really struggling in the city of Jerusalem? All of these, Paul will accomplish. But that’s NOT how we meet him.
Like our opening story with the sheriff, the first Scriptural encounter with Paul is a murder case! Paul is presiding over the stoning—the murder—of Stephen, a dynamic first follower of Jesus who becomes “The Way’s” first martyr thanks to Paul. In our Colorful Characters series, Paul’s color should be red because he’s got blood on his hands. It is clear Paul is one bad dude. His upbringing in Judaism, is impeccable, taught by Ivy-League-like rabbis. But Scripture says he is so “zealous” in his faith life, Paul starts behaving in horrible ways, antithetical to the best spirit of the Jewish faith.
Paul has secured permission to round up and silence as many new Christians as possible. So, the Lord intervenes. And this brings us to what I’m gonna call our first faith application of Paul’s life for our lives.
Life Lesson #1:
“U-turns are encouraged.” It was a storm and whale that redirected Jonah, when God wanted him to go this way to Ninevah, but he was headed that way to Tarshish. For Paul, it was the road to Damascus, the latest city on his “crush the Jesus movement by any means necessary” tour. Paul is blinded by an overwhelming light. Who knows? Maybe this very story of Jesus overwhelming Paul with blinding brilliance which generates our modern colloquialism that someone has finally “seen the light.” Surely, it is one of the motivators behind Amazing Grace’s line, “I once was blind, but now I see.”
Just as Jesus is in the tomb for three days before emerging to new life, Paul remains blind for three days before being raised by Christ to a new life for a new mission with the help of Ananias. Jesus helps Paul complete one of history’s epic U-turns! Turning Paul from someone who damaged the Jesus movement to propelling the Jesus movement.
In the season of Lent, the term repentance means turning around, turning in a new direction. Moving from sin–which literally means in Greek, “off the mark/missing the mark” — to return, readjust to Jesus’ pathway and direction. U-turns are not only allowed in our lives when we are off the MARK, but encouraged!
I admit I’m envious of the clarity which Jesus uses with Paul. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am so stubborn or focused on my own agenda that I miss God’s subtle nudges turning me toward a fresh behavior or strategy. So, my prayer is: “Lord, treat me like Paul. Make it crystal clear to me, like you did with Paul, when I need adjustment. You have my permission to grab my attention! And send me an Ananias who can help guide me to a new chapter!” Anyone else? Amen.
Life Lesson #2:
“God uses our uniqueness. So, embrace your differences.” What do I mean by this? Well, for years, I always wondered why a guy like Paul even existed. After all, didn’t Jesus go all-in on 12 key disciples, guiding them through an intense 3-year leadership development program? Why isn’t the book of Acts a non-stop account of the evangelical successes of THOSE 12 leaders? Why, instead, does Acts focus on this new-comer Paul, who seems to be cut from such a different cloth than the 12?
It’s on my list of questions for Jesus. But I think I get part of the rationale: If Jesus seeks to reach all kinds of people, he needs all kinds of messengers. If Paul and Peter are the two big-dogs of the early movement, it’s interesting to compare their backgrounds. Paul studied for years with the finest Jewish scholars before meeting Jesus; Peter probably only attended rudimentary instruction outside of Sabbath worship when he wasn’t fishing. Paul grew up in Tarsus, a dynamic, large and cosmopolitan official city in the Roman empire, and therefore Paul enjoyed standing as a Roman citizen, which only 10% of the population enjoyed. Peter grew up in a sleepy fishing village in a region many considered the backwaters of the Roman Empire. Paul knew how to write and probably spoke several languages. As a fisherman, Peter was probably illiterate.
Yet. Yet. Yet.
Jesus chose to include BOTH of these faithful men to continue his movement of grace. Peter had seen it all first hand, and Jesus trusted him. Paul never traveled with the earthly Jesus, but experienced Christ directly and was certainly trained by the Lord.
That’s a good word for all of us, right? What unites ALL of us, like Peter and Paul, is our devotion to the Lord and our conviction that his love centers our past, present and future. But just as Christ strategically uses the unique and very different backgrounds of Peter and Paul, so too the Holy Spirit strategically makes all of us DIFFERENT, so that God’s designs unfold. So, let’s celebrate our differences. Instead of getting frustrated with others don’t think or behave like us, let’s pause in appreciation. Let’s note how our neighbors approach life differently but are nevertheless equally important and complementary parts in the body of Christ.
Life Lesson #3:
Rejoice! For the refreshed Paul, for the refreshed Martin Luther, for anyone refreshed in the grace and baptism of Jesus, our lives become about rejoicing! Whatever your situation, Paul encourages us to: Rejoice!
Actually, in order to memorize another verse from Scripture, let’s sing together Philippians 4.4. Repeat after me: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice (repeat). Rejoice, rejoice. Again, I say rejoice. (Repeat)”. This song can be done in a beautiful round, but we’ll save that for another day. But sing that little ditty wherever you go. It helps you get your mind right, even on the most difficult of days!
Paul was willing to sacrifice. To endure beatings, earthquakes, stoning, shipwrecks, non-stop threats and ultimately beheading so that others might experience the joy first made known to him! It challenges us to consider what WE are willing to sacrifice so that our neighbors might experience Jesus’ good news through our words and deeds. And to be able to rejoice always in that sacrifice.
Life Lesson #4:
Be A Barnabas! After Paul’s conversion, his heart was ready, but his reputation was shot. Two weeks ago, Jonah was with us, espousing his opinions about those smelliest, meanest, ugliest, dirtiest Ninevites. Ninevites had a horrible reputation, and so did Paul in those early days, as a hatchet man.
Have you ever behaved badly in life? It can take a long time, if ever, for people forgive and offer a second shot. In Acts 9, we hear that when “Paul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.” And who can blame them after Paul’s horrific ruthlessness? At this point, Paul faces a dead end in his hopes to help. BUT someone named Barnabas takes action. Barnabas, who has learned a bit about Paul’s new efforts, perceives how Paul might be a blessing to the mission—especially to the gentile world–and therefore stands up for Paul. Scripture states “Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the apostles” and explained his conversion. Barnabas then agrees to partner with Paul on a missionary journey and starts mentoring Paul along the way.
It’s fair to wonder.
If it had not been for Barnabas, would Paul ever have evolved from villain to apostle extraordinaire? Without Barnabas, would Paul ever have completed 3 missionary journeys? Without Barnabas, would Paul ever have launched congregations in Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessaloniki and written letters to them, which are now revered as 13 of our 27 books in the New Testament, or 28% of the pages? Without Barnabas, would we ever know the comforting promises like “the greatest gifts are faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love” or “in Christ, we are more than conquerors” or that we are “saved by grace and not by works” or so many teachings that breathe the faith into us? Without Barnabas, would 567 ELCA congregations be named St. Paul Lutheran today?
Life lesson question for us: Is there someone who played the role of Barnabas to you and for you? Who stood up for you and helped you attain your position, in which you now make a wonderful difference? Make sure you thank them! And likewise, for whom are you playing the role of Barnabas? Who might be struggling with a past mistake, like Paul did, but you see the possibility of a new chapter? How do you help that person enter into what they could be, with God’s help?
Life Lesson #5:
Let’s end today with this: Grace, grace, grace! Ephesians 2:8-9. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” In the early days of The Jesus Way, there were some who agreed that Jesus was the Messiah and that by Jesus all were saved, but there was a condition. New members could be included into this new movement of Judaism, as long as they were circumcised and followed a few of the other laws.
But Paul fought hard against this at what is known as the Jerusalem council. Paul, who started by taking the lives of others for NOT following the rules of Judaism was now willing to lay down his life for the pure, beautiful news of grace alone. For Paul, any “good works” we do now are offered to the Lord as thank you’s. Not in a sense of requirement, but in a spirit of thankful rejoicing.
And friends, lest you think this “grace, but also . . .” temptation and false teaching is ancient history, many of you know that there are churches in every generation that preach it. You’re not really qualified as a Christian unless this, this, this and this.
Perhaps even more dangerous are the accusers in your own mind and heart, whispering doubts about whether you are doing enough to be loved and saved by Jesus. So, post Ephesians 2 somewhere you can read it often. Memorize it. Be assured: “by grace you have been saved! It is a gift from God!” Amen.
Repentant and joyful U-turns.
Celebrating our God-given differences instead of letting them divide us. Rejoicing in all circumstances. Being a Barnabas to lift others up. Accepting God’s amazing grace as not only a daily gift, but lifestyle. “Thank you, Lord for working through the broken but redeemed colorful character of Paul, AND all these colorful characters reading this today, as well, likewise, broken but redeemed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz