Series Details
From chief of sinners to apostle of grace, Paul shines a beacon of hope to the wayward and a reminder of Christ’s radically transforming power at work today.
Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll in this insightful and challenging series on the life and times of the apostle Paul. Learn life-changing lessons of grace from the man who faced all circumstances with maturity, determination, and joy.
As you dig deeper into Paul’s life, allow his story to influence and change yours too!
From the “chief of sinners” to the “apostle of grace,” Paul’s life stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to Christ’s radically transforming power. In this series, Chuck Swindoll examines the life and times of the man who authored much of the New Testament. We follow Paul from his violent beginnings as Saul of Tarsus through his dramatic conversion, missionary journeys, shipwrecks, and imprisonments. Paul’s story teaches us how to face any circumstance with maturity, determination, and joy, fueled by a unique combination of divine grace and human grit.
May I Introduce to You Saul of Tarsus
Sermon Summary Before he was an apostle, he was a violent aggressor. This message introduces Saul of Tarsus as a pious, zealous Pharisee who led the persecution against the early church. We see him at the stoning of Stephen, a man of hate who believed he was doing God’s work. This backdrop highlights the magnitude of the grace required to change such a rebel heart.
Key Facts & Themes
- Zeal Misplaced: Understanding the danger of religious passion without the truth of Christ.
- The Weight of a Violent Past: Recognizing the starting point of Paul’s spiritual journey.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 5 and 7
The Violent Capture of a Rebel Will
Sermon Summary On the road to Damascus, the rebel Saul met the risen Christ. This message explores the dramatic “capture” of Saul’s will. We learn that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that sometimes the Lord must use extreme measures to turn a heart from darkness to light.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Damascus Road Experience: The pivotal moment of conversion and surrender.
- The Sovereignty of Grace: How God proactively seeks out the wayward.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 9:1–19
The Memorable Faith of a Forgotten Hero
Sermon Summary Following Saul’s conversion, the church was rightfully afraid of him. It took a “forgotten hero” named Ananias to step out in faith and welcome the former enemy. This message highlights the courage of Ananias and the importance of those who work behind the scenes to facilitate God’s transformative work in others.
Key Facts & Themes
- Courageous Welcome: The role of Ananias in Paul’s early Christian life.
- Obedience Despite Fear: Trusting God’s word over our own instincts.
The Necessity of Solitude, Quietness, and Obscurity
Sermon Summary After his conversion, Paul didn’t immediately start his missionary journeys; he spent years in Arabia and Tarsus. Chuck discusses the “hidden years” of Paul’s life—a season of solitude and obscurity where God refined his theology and character. We learn that quiet seasons are essential for spiritual preparation and depth.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Preparation: The value of the quiet, uncelebrated seasons of life.
- Refining Character: Why God uses obscurity to prepare us for public ministry.
Mission Underway . . . Thanks to the Lesser-Known
Sermon Summary Paul’s ministry was launched through the encouragement and advocacy of Barnabas. This message explores how the “Son of Encouragement” brought Paul out of obscurity and into the work in Antioch. We learn the vital role that lesser-known encouragers play in the success of any great mission.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Power of Encouragement: How Barnabas advocated for Paul when others were skeptical.
- Collaborative Ministry: Recognizing that no one serves in isolation.
Out of the Shadows
Sermon Summary As the first missionary journey began, Saul became Paul, and the student became the leader. This message focuses on the shift in Paul’s ministry as he stepped “out of the shadows” and into his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles. We see the emergence of a man ready to face any challenge for the sake of the Gospel.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Shift in Leadership: Transitioning from preparation to active mission.
- A New Identity: The significance of the name change from Saul to Paul.
Finding Contentment in God’s Sufficient Grace
Sermon Summary Paul famously pleaded for the removal of a “thorn in the flesh.” This message explores God’s surprising answer: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Chuck discusses the reality of physical and emotional suffering and how the Spirit uses our weaknesses to display Christ’s strength.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Thorn in the Flesh: Understanding the purpose of persistent trials.
- Sufficient Grace: Finding contentment in God’s presence rather than in the removal of pain.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 2 Corinthians 12:1–10
The Pleasure of Being in Ministry Together
Sermon Summary Despite the hardships, Paul found deep pleasure in his coworkers. This message looks at the “teaming” aspect of Paul’s ministry. We learn the importance of having “partners in the Gospel” and the joy that comes from shared mission and mutual support in the body of Christ.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Partnership: The necessity of community in ministry.
- Mutual Support: How coworkers strengthened Paul’s hands during difficult seasons.
Released in Order to Obey
Sermon Summary At the Jerusalem Council, Paul had to fight for the freedom of the Gospel. This message addresses the tension between law and grace. We see how Paul’s grit was used to preserve the message of salvation by faith alone, releasing believers from the burden of legalism so they could truly obey from the heart.
Key Facts & Themes
- Liberty in Christ: Protecting the Gospel from legalistic additions.
- Faith Alone: The core message of Paul’s life and ministry.
The Jagged Edge of Authentic Ministry
Sermon Summary Authentic ministry is often messy and difficult. Paul’s life was characterized by a “jagged edge” of persecution, rejection, and physical danger. This message helps us adjust our expectations of the Christian life, showing that God’s blessing is often found in the midst of the struggle rather than in its absence.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Reality of Hardship: Embracing the difficult parts of following Christ.
- Maturity in Suffering: How Paul’s determination was forged in the fire.
A Game Plan for Facing Extreme Circumstances
Sermon Summary In the Philippian jail, Paul and Silas responded to beatings and chains with hymns of praise. This message provides a “game plan” for facing extreme trials. We learn the power of perspective and why worship is the believer’s most effective response to unjust suffering and imprisonment.
Key Facts & Themes
- Praise in the Midst of Pain: The spiritual discipline of worship during a crisis.
- Unshakeable Joy: How an eternal perspective provides stability in extreme situations.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 16:16–40
The Day Two Missionaries Duked It Out
Sermon Summary Even great men of God have sharp disagreements. This message examines the “sharp contention” between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark. Chuck discusses the reality of conflict in ministry and how God can use even our divisions to multiply the reach of the Gospel.
Key Facts & Themes
- Ministry Conflict: Navigating disagreements with maturity and grace.
- God’s Overruling Providence: How a split resulted in two missionary teams instead of one.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 15:36–41
Traveling as Paul Traveled
Sermon Summary Paul was a man on the move, covering thousands of miles to spread the Good News. This message looks at the physical and emotional toll of his journeys. We see the grit required to stay the course through exhaustion, loneliness, and constant transition, all for the sake of the unreached.
Key Facts & Themes
- Endurance on the Road: The grit needed for a lifetime of missionary travel.
- Single-Minded Purpose: Staying focused on the mission despite physical fatigue.
Preaching as Paul Preached
Sermon Summary Paul’s preaching was characterized by both logical depth and passionate conviction. This message examines his approach—declaring the “whole counsel of God” with humility and tears. We learn the essentials of biblical communication and the importance of speaking truth with authentic compassion.
Key Facts & Themes
- Biblical Authority: Preaching the Word without compromise.
- Authenticity: The connection between a preacher’s character and their message.
Leading as Paul Led
Sermon Summary What does biblical leadership look like? Paul led through service, transparency, and a deep love for those under his care. This message explores the “servant-leader” model, showing how Paul’s authority was built on a foundation of sacrifice rather than ego.
Key Facts & Themes
- Servant Leadership: Prioritizing the needs of others over personal status.
- Leading with Transparency: Being open about our struggles while pointing others to Christ.
Responding as Paul Responded
Sermon Summary Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond. This message examines Paul’s responses to a wide variety of situations—from adulation to stoning. We see a man whose reactions were governed by the Spirit, teaching us how to maintain our composure and our testimony when under pressure.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spirit-Led Reactions: Maintaining a godly attitude regardless of the situation.
- Composure Under Fire: How grit and grace produce steady responses.
Thinking as Paul Thought
Sermon Summary The secret to Paul’s life was his mind. This message delves into the “thought life” of the apostle. We look at his focus on the things above and his commitment to the renewal of the mind. We learn that how we think determines how we live, especially in the face of adversity.
Key Facts & Themes
- A Renewed Mind: The importance of aligning our thinking with God’s truth.
- Eternal Focus: Thinking about the “unseen” rather than the temporary.
Dealing with Critics as Paul Did
Sermon Summary No matter how well you serve, you will have critics. Paul faced constant attacks on his character and authority. This message teaches us how to handle unjust criticism without becoming defensive or bitter, following Paul’s example of entrusting his reputation to God.
Key Facts & Themes
- Handling Opposition: Responding to critics with integrity and grace.
- Entrusting to the Judge: Letting God be the one who vindicates our character.
Standing Tall as Paul Stood
Sermon Summary Paul stood before kings and governors with unwavering courage. This message examines his trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. We learn how to “stand tall” for our convictions when our faith is on trial, relying on the Holy Spirit to give us the words to speak.
Key Facts & Themes
- Courage in Confrontation: Defending the faith with boldness and respect.
- Witnessing to the Powerful: The grit required to testify to those in high positions.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 24–26
How to Handle a Shipwreck
Sermon Summary Literally and figuratively, Paul knew how to handle a shipwreck. This message focuses on the dramatic account in Acts 27. We learn the practical steps for surviving life’s storms—maintaining hope, taking care of necessities, and trusting in God’s specific promise of deliverance.
Key Facts & Themes
- Resilience in the Storm: Practical and spiritual steps for handling a crisis.
- Trusting God’s Word: Finding stability when the external situation is chaotic.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 27
Arrested, Confined, but Still Effective
Sermon Summary Paul’s final years were spent in house arrest in Rome, yet his ministry didn’t stop. This message explores how Paul used his confinement to write letters and witness to his guards. We learn that God’s Word is not bound and that we can be effective even when our circumstances are restrictive.
Key Facts & Themes
- Productivity in Prison: Making the most of every limitation for the Gospel.
- The Unbound Word: Recognizing that God works through our confinement.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Acts 28
Shackled, Deserted, but Still Undaunted
Sermon Summary The series concludes with Paul’s final letter from a cold dungeon. Shackled and deserted by many, he remained undaunted. This message focuses on his last words to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s legacy is a call for us to finish well by the power of God’s grace.
Key Facts & Themes
- Finishing Well: The marks of a life successfully completed for Christ.
- An Undaunted Spirit: Finding final strength in the presence and promise of the Lord.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 2 Timothy 4
