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The Compelling Influence Of A Consecrated Life
Rev. Robert Ziriak

I. Our lives have a greater impact on others than what we think. (Acts 26:24-28)

II. Paul has been named the greatest Apostle to ever live.

A. His influence on the New Testament church is more profound than any other.
B. There are more writings attributed to Paul than any other writer.
C. The greatest attribute of Paul was his consecration.
D. For his entire life, he knew nothing else but total, absolute consecration. (Philippians 3:4-6)
E. Verse 6 claims he was blameless concerning righteousness.
I. Blameless means to be free from fault or defect.
F. Before Paul was the greatest apostle, he was the greatest persecutor known as Saul.
G. Saul was a student of Gamaliel, a re-known pharisee.
H. Sauls influence was such, that he was able to compel the pharisee council to give him authority to arrest and kill anyone calling on the name of Jesus.
I. On his way to Damascus, Saul met with someone who had more compelling influence than him.

Tell the story

J. Saul the persecutor became Paul the preacher.
K. As soon as he received the Holy Ghost and was Baptized in the name of Jesus, he began preaching the very message he used to persecute.
L. Such was the consecration of Saul.
I. When he met truth….he did not shy away from it.
II. He embraced it.
III. Though it did not meet with the standard of tradition, it rang true with the scripture.
M. Saul went back to Jerusalem.
I. His desire was to join up with the disciples.
II. However, the disciples did not believe Saul was a Christian.
III. They did not allow his fellowship.
N. It looked as though Sauls ministry was going to die.
I. The church did not want him.

III. Before we continue with the compelling influence of Saul/Paul we need to look at the compelling influence of another man.

A. Barnabas. The son of consolation. A friend. (Acts 9:27)
B. I can almost hear the compelling arguments of Barnabas.
I. “Saul was preaching in Damascus!”
C. Barnabas was a Levite.
I. According to Acts 13.1 considered a prophet.
II. According to Acts 14.14 called an apostle.
D. This man was a consecrated man.
I. He sold all his possessions and gave it all to the church.
E. God used this type of consecrated life to compel the wary disciples to accept Saul.
F. Barnabas’ consecration was a compelling influence in the eternal matters of the kingdom of God.
G. Without the compelling influence of Barnabas’ consecrated life, Saul would not have been introduced to the disciples.
H. As soon as Saul was in fellowship, his own consecration and compelling influence was manifest.

IV. From Jerusalem, Saul goes to Tarsus. (Acts 9:28-30)

A. The next we hear of Saul is when Barnabas goes to Tarsus to get him and bring him to Antioch. (Acts 11:25)
B. Verse 26 tells us the compelling influence of Sauls consecrated life. (Acts 11:26)
C. People were first called Christians in Antioch because of the compelling influence of a consecrated life.
D. Through many travels and troubles Paul influenced the propagation of Christianity more than any other.

V. Jumping many years ahead we find Paul standing before king Agrippa making his defense. (Acts 26:1-23)

A. It is after this 23 verse message we find Agrippa gripping his chair and trembling under the power of God.
B. He makes the statement, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
C. Agrippa was a great leader in the Roman government.
D. It was treasonous for Agrippa to even consider becoming a Christian.
E. This is the compelling influence of a consecrated life.
I. No government can quench it.
II. No persecution can stop it.
III. No chains can imprison it.
IV. No problems can deter it.
V. No false doctrine can weaken it.
VI. No devil can tarnish it.
F. The compelling influence of a consecrated life can turn cities and nations upside down.
G. The compelling influence of a consecrated life ushers in revival, proclaims evangelism.