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• Now, some of you folks won't understand this sermon because you are not a pastor trying to preach Paul's gospel.  You have not heard all the comments and challenges that I have heard and seen as I preach "too much Paul."
• But then again, there are some of you who will understand because you are also trying to show some of your church-going friends and family about Paul and all that you have learned in your understanding of the Bible - and you have received similiar responses.
• And some of you will get angry and even more critical about this sermon because you are a pastor, preacher, man or woman who still doesn't understand what it means to preach a more excellent way according to Paul.  You still don't understand the story of Apollos and learning the way of God more perfectly.

Somebody planted the seed in me over 20 years ago about Paul - I laughed,
ignored it and went on my merry baptistic way.
Well, now I am not laughing,
but I am smiling because I see what it was that someone was trying to tell me.

If only I had listened and considered it then...

Honestly, folks - preaching Paul is such a solution to so much today... especially concerning 'religion / church / miserable homes and dying kids!  If folks would have preached this stuff in the Philadelphian church age, we still would be doing great - and it would NOT yet be the hour of temptation!

• I am amazed at how some folks just can't get or don't want to even try to understand Paul's teachings!
• I am amazed at how frustrated some Christians allow themselves to be - no matter what is going on in their lives!
• I am amazed at how some Christians must just like to thrive in misery and frustration!
• I am amazed at how little the Bible still means to people!
• I am amazed at how much more important church is to some folks than the Bible - even to Bible Believing Christians!
• I am amazed at so many folks who are still not willing to make some serious changes in their lives when they now should know even better how to please God and all that Christ has done for them, etc. etc. as Paul has preached.
• I am amazed at some dad's who still don't get it - and some mom's who actually fight Paul's preaching!
• I am amazed at how many folks think Paul is ONLY about grace.  Yes, his gospel is called the gospel of grace, but he is not a grace abuser.  Paul's message is more about how somebody can NOW learn to please God in their personal walk - NOT just live any way they want claiming grace.

I know - some folks think they do not understand because of my lack of preaching skills...
but even Paul couldn't get folks to see what he had to say!
And folks who preached in the Philadelphian church age had no skills either -
but God sure blessed that era!
Yes, this is not the Philadelphian church age and I certainly am no Paul,
but still - this is great stuff for a Christian to get a grip on!

Below are some observations I have made towards folks - especially pastors and preachers who have made such a fuss over my preaching of Paul.

They don't understand understanding!
They are happy in their little church rut!
They think things are fine except for those who are lost!

If you 'get' the Book, then you will be sick of church things today, too!!!
Rev 3 - Laodicean
Get the Book means:  RD, a more excellent way; way of God more perfectly; all riches of the full assurance of understanding, etc.
Things SHOULD be great but they are not - II Timothy 4:1-5.
Hour of Temptation
Please God?  Now you can... why won't / don't we jump at that chance?  We now know we can.
Today, it is about you and Christ fellowsupping!

Exposes some incorrect details, foundational support and preaching applications of many common teachings that have been passed on over the years!

• Hebrews, Matthew, Revelation, John, Acts, I John, Peter, etc.
• Eternal security, sin, guilt, etc.

Takes away their popery

• People can get the same as well as MORE than what the church offered - from the Book!
• The word of God worketh effectually in them that believe...
• No more gap issue and other doctrinally doubtful disputations

Takes away power of guilt sermons - can't use 'sin' - to preach the squeeze on the congregation!

• give more offerings and time
• feel bad
• pressure in outwardness
• rob's joy
• people give up
• makes 'hypocritical' pretenders

Takes away guilt sermons and places them into the Trib where they belong!

• I John 1 & 3 i.e. on sin and confessing...
• Eternal Security, etc.
• Chastisement
• Judgment
• etc.

Explains the Trib and Revelation properly for today!

• Simple - Revelation 4-18 & Jeremiah, II Thess 2; otherwise details are sealed until then - Daniel 11,12
• No longer needs to be a crowd grabber!

Shows that they are led by history (philadelphian preachers & style), not by Spirit of God for fresh stuff today!

• today is apostasy - then was open doors!
• not keeping word today
• not with little strength
• not preaching his 'name'
• Expecting and wishing for same results - will manipulate through tents, sawdust, etc. music, etc. to make it work!
• Don't give up, just be aware and preach what God would have you preach today - fresh!

Eliminates 'educated' pick'n n choos'n!

• RD or vain babblings - one or the other.  One leads to HIS righteousness and one leads to an increase of ungodliness!
• The 'scholars' can make anything fit - depending on their denominational background and education!
• RD is almost TOO SIMPLE!

Envy?

• Jealous of what the book can do for a person!
• Folks can get to love the Book more than the pastor and church - (there can be an extreme that is dangerous, too!)

Afraid of being labeled a 'hyper!'

• Most have never studied them - only 'heard' it taught to them.
• They just hear the word "Paul" and they think "hyper!"

Some just haven't made the Apollos to Paul connection!

• Acts 18:24-28
• Are not able to apply it to what is happening in churches today.
• Throw in II Peter 2:18-20

Some misunderstand the book of Romans!

• Develop a conceit not knowing about the Jews, etc.
• Don't have a grip on 5-8 on sin especially.

Some don't see the new teachings that Christ showed Paul about Christ Himself!

• They think the same teachings from the Gospel are what Paul follows when he says he follows Christ as taught in the Gospels, so we should follow him as he follows Christ.
• Don't they know about all the times Christ met with Paul?
• Don't they know the differences from the Gospel to the NT in all that Christ presented to the Jews vs the Gentiles?

Presents a different burden for the pastor!

• FOR not MORE!  Paul had a burden FOR his people, not to get MORE!
• His design for the church today is greatly different than the beginning of the church.  Paul's time is a time of growth & maturity for the church!  Ephesians 4:11-16 vs Matthew 28:19,20 & Mark 16:16-20.
• I Thessalonians 3:10 - Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
• He was concerned that they were not getting what he was preaching... Galatians 4:11: I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Makes him preach the truth or build a church!

• II Timothy 4:2
• II Timothy 3:16,17
• Jude 4
• I Corinthians 1:18
• I Thessalonians 2:13
• Hebrews 4:12,13
• I Corinthians 13:10
• Amos 8:11-13

Will end up fighting the brethren!

• We didn't pick this fight - we are excited about our Bible again - WE are not the ones causing division anymore than were the KJB Only folks a few years ago!
• The men who were 'in church' but not fired up, etc. will get fired up!
• The men who were 'in church' jumping on the bandwagon all the time, won't get it!  THey are too busy playing church!
• The big enemy at church and in the home is the honourable and devout women and damsels with a spirit of divination!  Acts 13, 16
• These women have no grace (they are devout, remember!); can not handle liberty (yes, men abuse their liberty); and if they can not control the situation one way or another, they have been taught by the world AND other aggressive Christian ladies to cry abuse!

Will Make Him Quit Preaching the 'blame' onto Christians for today's condition of America!

• Christians have been following the Great Commission preaching for years, in the meanwhile starving about how to learn to walk to please God, thus the Christianity testimony stinks.  I put more blame on the preachers in the pulpits than the Christians in the pews.
• I myself have no excuse - I should have read my bible more on my own when I was a young Christian about the walk of a Christian instead of just hearing about seeing more saved - and that would have been put forward to my children, but the preachers I had sat under and served with could have preached Paul, too!  They wouldn't be struggling to find a church that doesn't preach a 'get saved' message every Sunday.
• 
  So much for those guilt sermons from II Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Puts the church back in it's place!

• The pillar OF the truth, not the truth itself!  I Timothy 3:15 - But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
• A place to learn about how to be a bride, NOT the bride itself!  We are engaged now, not still trying to make that first date.
• A local church understanding and a universal understanding.  The perfectness of one and the growing toward perfectness for the other.
• One fits the gates of hell story and one does not!

Paul challenges their public and church 'vision!'

• Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
• Great Commission - see Paul's commission to the ends of the earth in Acts 13:47
• numbers & an increase in size
• soul winning major emphasis
• outward success
• 'happy' families -  "at least they are coming" baloney!
• 'happy' teens - "at least they are coming" baloney!

Doesn't build a church in number or numbers of churches...

• Paul will change their focus from Great Commission to Greater Commission - Ephesians 11
• From a crucified life to a risen life!

Lessons the 'fun' that churches have developed...

• Kills a lot of their 'draw' tricks and gimmicks!
• Puts music back where it belongs!
• Puts preaching up where it belongs!
• Puts people where they belong!
• Puts God back where He belongs!

Challenges Mission Boards

• No more Great Commission from Gospels - now it is on to the ends of the earth with Paul - Acts 13:47..
• Only confuses folks away from the Book - if they read it at all.
• Foreign fields are no different.  Their lives, music, clothes, lifestyles need to change, too!
• Lead folks to the Book - RD'd, too!  Not just to the church!  They will come if fed the Book!

Folks can read their own bible with HS teaching them directly...

• Just like the Reformation days (that was told in the scriptures and happened when it was suppose to - it won't return!)
• Brings the 'walk' back into their daily lives
• Pushes people off the fence - either HOT or COLD!
• Purpose of the Scriptures - II Timothy 3:16,17, Hebrews 4:13.

Folks can get all from the Bible that pastors claim comes from the church...

• Read the tract on The Voice from Heaven!
• The church doesn't provide all those 'benefits,' even if it tries, it fails!
• The Book will provide comfort, guidance, etc.  (but folks in today's church seem to fail in their attempts at receiving it!)

Exposes the dangers of a college / institute formal education

• A tiny mistake 50 years ago is a major doctrinal blunder today!
• Following man!  Jude 16b - their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
• Takes book away from them - makes them lose confidence - confuses them, etc.
• No RD means no 'self-reading' etc and the Holy Spirit showing them FRESH preachings!
• Shows em how to build the church - programs - designs - success formulas, etc.
• Fellowships with Alma Mater, etc.
• Makes imitation christians / preachers, wives, and obedient to rebellious & wrongly dividing children / teens, ec.

Exposes Laodiceanism in all of us!

• Just admit it!
• Is that why you would rather follow a church?  can you find problems therein that make YOU look better to your kids and wife?  Easier to correct and 'change' the church program?
• But you can't the book, eh!

Have to Say Good Bye to some of their friends and family!

• II Thessalonians 3:14-15 means what it says.  Have no company ... that he may be ashamed!  WE are not the ones to be ashamed!  Yet, they are not our enemy, but they must be marked and we must step away and quit trying to rescue them.  You will be trying to rescue your own kids later in life because of the wrong influence these folks have had on your family.
• Romans 16:17 -  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
• Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

People are harder to feed!

• Man, we can hardly get folks to the table these days let alone get them to take a taste - but to get them to swallow? - ya right!

But we must keep trying!  We must do more than just see folks saved! Tell Them the truth:
Ephesians 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
II Corinthians 12:15 - And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Galatians 4:16 - Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Please Him with the truth:
Revelation 4:11 -Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

That's the plan for the local church today!
Ephesians 4:11-16 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Kills his fellowship with others!

• He must 'tell it like it is' and you can't always do that if you want to keep friends!
• He must mark folks also!  (II Thessalonians 3:14-15 means what it says.  Have no company ... that he may be ashamed!  WE are not the ones to be ashamed!  Yet, they are not our enemy, but they must be marked and we must step away and quit trying to rescue them.  You will be trying to rescue your own kids later in life because of the wrong influence these folks have had on your family. Romans 16:17 -  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.)

Kills any 'off the record' closeness with folks and friends!

• If they say anything and it gets preached, then you feel betrayed - or - it keeps them from preaching what they know they still should preach.  Maybe God wanted it preached anyway - don't take it so personal.  Nobody else knows about it unless you blabbed it to someone else too!
• Why say something to the pastor if you don't want it answered?
• Why tell the pastor something and then tie his hands so he can't say - do something about it?
• Sometimes others can be blessed and instructed by him preaching about YOUR concern / question!!!

Keeps him poorer - less secure financial future!

• That's the life of the ministry.  People give when they want to - if they don't want to, then they won't!
• Some of that is done for spite - or they don't like how the money is spent - or they think there is enough in the bank already, so they can hold off and bless their family for a month or two.

Frustrated at folks not getting the same stuff and excitement...

• Paul's burden was FOR Christians, not MORE!
• Paul had his moments...  II Corinthians 2:4: For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
• And for the church kids and teens - when you know the family situation... And you don't have to dig very deeply, either!
• Galatians 4:11 - I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
• Philippians 2:16 - Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
• I Thessalonians 3:5 - For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Hard on wife and kids... and on his daddyness - or granpa'ing

• You will never believe it until you try it!
• Folks seem to always go after and challenge and dig the kids and wife - but NOT the pastor himself!
• The aware and concerned pastor has more than one 'brother' & women in his life - and more than his own kids, too!

Preaching Paul as a pastor brings him closer in "fellowsup" with Christ, not with his spiritual mentor and / or school / books, etc.!

• Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
• Nobody else really understands!
• You don't need a brain; you need a heart......
• 
      ...willing to have God open it up more!
      ... seek to please God and let God have His way in your life - even if it means changes!
      ... willing to serve God!
      ...courage to act on what God shows you and tells you!

Shrinks his impressive library!

• You really don't need all that stuff with fancy covers.
• None are inspired.
• Nice but not necessary!
• Concordance - Dictionary (not really necessary, though - see G Riplinger's stuff)

A Greater Commission!

Acts 13:47 - For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Acts 26:17-20 - Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Not Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:16-19, unless you want to speak with new tongues, show signs, cast out devils, take up serpents and drink coffee!

We all will be judged by it - we may as well preach it!

Romans 2:16 - In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Key Verse:
Romans 16:25 - Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,