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Christian Life Church
July 19, 2026 at 9am & 11am
Steven Lawson says Paul became “a dynamic missionary, church planter, powerful preacher, caring pastor, gifted evangelist, astute theologian, brilliant teacher, itinerant speaker, and prolific author—all merged into one extraordinary person.”
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
THE BOOK OF ACTS JULY 19, 2026
THE APOSTLE PAUL
SCRIPTURE
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him.
Acts 7:57-8:1
Steven Lawson says Paul became “a dynamic missionary, church planter, powerful preacher, caring pastor, gifted evangelist, astute theologian, brilliant teacher, itinerant speaker, and prolific author—all merged into one extraordinary person.”
But that isn’t where he started!
PAUL’S EARLY LIFE
PAUL’S MID LIFE
PAUL’S LATER LIFE
You will change as you age, for better or for worse.
1/ Paul grew to understand grace.
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. Ephesians 2:8-9
2/ Paul grew to understand unity.
At some point, people should mean more than our preferences.
3/ Paul grew to understand dealing with difficult people.
Is this an issue of immaturity? An issue of ignorance? Or is this person an enemy?
4/ Paul grew to understand generational transfer.
He raised and released Timothy, Titus, Silas, Onesimus, Pheobe, Priscilla, and more!
5/ Paul grew to understand discernment.
We need discernment to know which doors to walk through and which to walk past.
6/ Paul grew to understand suffering.
39 Lashes (5x) Rods (3x) Shipwrecked (3x) Stoned
Rivers & Open Sea City & Country Cold & Exposed Hunger & Thirst
Robbers Jews Gentiles False Converts
Sleeplessness Prison Stress & Anxiety Thorn
He understood suffering wasn’t a lack of faith, but a tool in the hands of God!
7/ Paul grew to understand joy and contentment.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11
8/ Paul grew to understand humility.
In Galatians, he is an Apostle. In Corinthians, he is the least of the apostles. In Ephesians, he is less than all God’s people. In Timothy, he is the Chief of Sinners.
9/ Paul grew to understand there is always more to understand.
“This is the ultimate knowledge about God, to know that we do not know.”
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36
May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. Ephesians 3:18
10/ Paul grew to understand the brevity of this life.
To me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:21
THE APOSTLE PAUL
SCRIPTURE
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him.
Acts 7:57-8:1
Steven Lawson says Paul became “a dynamic missionary, church planter, powerful preacher, caring pastor, gifted evangelist, astute theologian, brilliant teacher, itinerant speaker, and prolific author—all merged into one extraordinary person.”
But that isn’t where he started!
PAUL’S EARLY LIFE
PAUL’S MID LIFE
PAUL’S LATER LIFE
You will change as you age, for better or for worse.
1/ Paul grew to understand grace.
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. Ephesians 2:8-9
2/ Paul grew to understand unity.
At some point, people should mean more than our preferences.
3/ Paul grew to understand dealing with difficult people.
Is this an issue of immaturity? An issue of ignorance? Or is this person an enemy?
4/ Paul grew to understand generational transfer.
He raised and released Timothy, Titus, Silas, Onesimus, Pheobe, Priscilla, and more!
5/ Paul grew to understand discernment.
We need discernment to know which doors to walk through and which to walk past.
6/ Paul grew to understand suffering.
39 Lashes (5x) Rods (3x) Shipwrecked (3x) Stoned
Rivers & Open Sea City & Country Cold & Exposed Hunger & Thirst
Robbers Jews Gentiles False Converts
Sleeplessness Prison Stress & Anxiety Thorn
He understood suffering wasn’t a lack of faith, but a tool in the hands of God!
7/ Paul grew to understand joy and contentment.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11
8/ Paul grew to understand humility.
In Galatians, he is an Apostle. In Corinthians, he is the least of the apostles. In Ephesians, he is less than all God’s people. In Timothy, he is the Chief of Sinners.
9/ Paul grew to understand there is always more to understand.
“This is the ultimate knowledge about God, to know that we do not know.”
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36
May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. Ephesians 3:18
10/ Paul grew to understand the brevity of this life.
To me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. Philippians 1:21