Embracing God's Call: Perseverance Through Christ's Love

Summary

Paul’s life is a powerful testimony to the transforming grace and calling of God. Once a zealous persecutor of the church, Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus changed everything. He realized that all his efforts to earn God’s approval were empty, and that he needed a Savior. From that moment, Paul’s life was marked by a deep love for Jesus and a relentless commitment to the mission God gave him. He endured hardship, rejection, and suffering, yet he pressed on, not in his own strength, but empowered by the Holy Spirit. His journeys took him across the Roman world, planting churches, nurturing new believers, and writing letters that continue to shape the faith of millions.

Paul’s story reminds us that God’s call often comes with a cost. He faced beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, and constant danger, yet he did not give up. What sustained him was not just a sense of duty, but a vision of Jesus’ glory and a heart captivated by Christ’s love. Paul knew that his life was not his own; he had been bought with a price, and his greatest joy was to serve the One who had given everything for him. He saw his sufferings as “light and momentary troubles” compared to the eternal glory God was working through them.

This same call and invitation is extended to each of us. God’s first call is not to a task, but to Himself—to know Him, to be loved by Him, and to walk in relationship with Him. Out of that relationship flows our unique calling: to reflect Jesus wherever He has placed us, whether at home, at work, or across the world. Like Paul, we are jars of clay, weak in ourselves, but filled with the treasure of Christ’s presence. Our daily “yes” to Jesus—especially in the midst of difficulty—becomes a powerful witness to the world.

The path of obedience is not always easy, and there will be times when we feel like giving up. But as we fix our eyes on Jesus, draw strength from His Spirit, and remember the eternal perspective, we find the courage to keep going. Every day is an opportunity to surrender afresh, to be filled with His love, and to let our lives point others to the beauty and glory of Christ.

Key Takeaways

- God’s call often involves a season of preparation and waiting. Paul’s years in obscurity—first in Arabia, then in Tarsus—remind us that God shapes us in hidden places before He brings us into public ministry. The delay is not wasted; it is God’s way of forming our character and deepening our dependence on Him. [11:04]

- Obedience to God’s call will cost us, but it is sustained by a vision of Christ’s glory. Paul endured beatings, rejection, and hardship, yet he pressed on because he had seen Jesus and was captivated by His love. True perseverance is not rooted in willpower, but in a heart that treasures Christ above all else. [35:26]

- The power to persevere comes from the Holy Spirit, not from our own strength. Paul described himself as a “jar of clay,” weak and fragile, yet filled with God’s all-surpassing power. When we lean on God rather than ourselves, He enables us to do what we could never do alone, turning our weakness into a display of His strength. [32:12]

- An eternal perspective transforms how we endure suffering. Paul called his many trials “light and momentary” because he saw them in the light of eternity. When we fix our eyes on what is unseen—on God’s promises and the coming glory—our present struggles lose their power to define us, and we find hope to keep going. [33:23]

- Our first and greatest calling is to relationship with Jesus, not just to work for Him. God desires our hearts before our service, and every act of obedience flows from knowing we are loved and forgiven. Daily surrender—filling ourselves with Christ’s presence and saying “yes” to Him again and again—enables us to reflect His beauty to a watching world. [39:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:46] - Paul’s Influence and Legacy
[05:45] - Paul’s Humanity and Obedience
[06:44] - The Call and the Cost
[08:26] - Paul’s Damascus Road Encounter
[09:50] - Early Years and Preparation
[11:04] - Quiet Years and Hidden Ministry
[12:25] - First Missionary Journey
[19:24] - The Spirit’s Guidance and Second Journey
[21:08] - Suffering and Worship in Philippi
[32:12] - The Source of Paul’s Perseverance
[33:23] - Eternal Perspective in Suffering
[34:20] - Turning Pain into God’s Glory
[35:26] - Captivated by Christ’s Love
[36:41] - Paul’s Legacy and Our Call
[37:22] - God’s Call to Relationship
[38:32] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[39:23] - Daily Surrender and Endurance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Call, Cost, and Joy of Following Jesus (Paul’s Story)

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### Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-19 (ESV)
Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and his calling.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (ESV)
Paul describes being a “jar of clay” and having an eternal perspective in suffering.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
Salvation by grace, and being created for good works.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 9, what was Paul (then called Saul) doing before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus? What changed after his encounter?
[[08:26]]

2. According to 2 Corinthians 4:7, what does Paul mean when he says “we have this treasure in jars of clay”?
[[32:12]]

3. In Ephesians 2:8-10, what does Paul say is the basis of our salvation and what is the purpose God has for us after we are saved?

4. The sermon mentions that Paul spent years in “hidden” preparation before his public ministry. What did Paul do during those years, and why might that have been important?
[[11:04]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to reveal Himself to Paul in such a dramatic way? What does this say about God’s grace and calling?
[[08:26]]

2. Paul describes himself as a “jar of clay”—fragile and weak. Why is it significant that God chooses to use weak people to display His power?
[[32:12]]

3. The sermon says Paul saw his sufferings as “light and momentary troubles” because of his eternal perspective. How does seeing life through the lens of eternity change the way someone endures hardship?
[[33:23]]

4. The sermon emphasizes that our first calling is to relationship with Jesus, not just to work for Him. Why is this distinction important for Christians today?
[[37:22]]

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### Application Questions

1. Paul’s life was radically changed after meeting Jesus. Have you ever had a “Damascus Road” moment—a time when God interrupted your plans or changed your direction? What happened, and how did you respond?
[[08:26]]

2. The sermon talks about “hidden years” of preparation and waiting. Are you in a season where you feel unseen or like you’re waiting for God to use you? How can you trust that God is shaping you even in the quiet seasons?
[[11:04]]

3. Paul endured beatings, rejection, and hardship, but kept going because he was captivated by Jesus’ love. What keeps you going when following Jesus gets hard? Is there a vision of Jesus’ love or glory that motivates you?
[[35:26]]

4. Paul relied on the Holy Spirit’s power, not his own strength. In what areas of your life are you tempted to “push through” on your own? How can you lean more on God’s strength this week?
[[32:12]]

5. The sermon says our daily “yes” to Jesus, especially in difficulty, is a powerful witness. What is one area where you need to say “yes” to Jesus right now, even if it’s costly or uncomfortable?
[[39:23]]

6. Paul’s eternal perspective helped him endure suffering. Is there a current struggle in your life that feels overwhelming? How might seeing it in light of eternity change your attitude or response?
[[33:23]]

7. The sermon reminds us that our first and greatest calling is to relationship with Jesus. What is one practical way you can nurture your relationship with Jesus this week—before you focus on serving or doing for Him?
[[37:22]]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person say “yes” to Him daily, to rely on His strength, and to keep their eyes on Jesus—no matter the cost.

Devotional

Day 1: The Call and Cost of Obedience

God often calls us to follow Him in ways that require perseverance, sacrifice, and a willingness to step into the unknown, just as Paul did when he left behind his old life to answer Jesus’ call. Paul’s journey was marked by hardship, misunderstanding, and even physical danger, yet he pressed on because he knew he was chosen for a purpose greater than himself. There may be a delay between God’s call and its fulfillment, as God prepares us for the work ahead, but in every season—whether active or hidden—He is shaping us for His mission. Like Paul, we are invited to trust God’s timing and remain faithful, even when the path is difficult or unclear. [11:04]

Acts 22:14-16 (ESV)
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to step out in faith, but you feel unprepared or hesitant? What is one small step of obedience you can take today to move forward in trust?


Day 2: Persevering Through Hardship

Paul’s life was filled with trials—beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, and constant danger—yet he did not give up. Instead, he saw these hardships as part of his calling and continued to serve, encourage, and love the people God placed in his path. His perseverance was not rooted in his own strength but in the assurance that God was with him and that his suffering had purpose. When we face difficulties, we too can choose to keep going, trusting that God will use even our struggles for His glory and the good of others. [32:12]

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (ESV)
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Reflection: Think of a current struggle or hardship you are facing. How might God be inviting you to persevere and trust Him to bring purpose and fruit from your endurance?


Day 3: Relying on God’s Strength, Not Our Own

We are like jars of clay—fragile and limited—but God’s all-surpassing power is at work within us. Paul accomplished what he did not because of his own abilities, but because he depended fully on God’s Spirit to empower him. When we feel weak or inadequate, we can remember that God delights to use our weakness to display His strength. The Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to do what we could never do alone, and inviting us to lean on Him daily for courage, wisdom, and perseverance. [33:23]

2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Reflection: Where do you feel most aware of your own weakness or limitations? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you in that area today?


Day 4: Fixing Our Eyes on Eternal Glory

Paul endured “light and momentary troubles” by keeping his focus on the eternal glory that far outweighed his present suffering. He did not measure his life by visible results or immediate comfort, but by the unseen reality of God’s kingdom and the hope of what is to come. When we lift our eyes from our circumstances and fix them on Jesus and His promises, we find strength to endure and even to turn our pain into praise. Our perspective shifts, and we are able to live for God’s glory rather than our own. [34:20]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus from temporary troubles to God’s eternal promises today?


Day 5: Daily Surrender to Jesus

Our first and greatest calling is not to a task, but to Jesus Himself—to know Him, love Him, and surrender our lives to Him as our Savior and King. Like Paul, we are invited to respond to God’s love by offering ourselves in daily, loving obedience, trusting that He has prepared good works for us to do. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily choice to fill our hearts with His presence, to seek His glory, and to reflect His beauty in our words, actions, and endurance. Each day, we can say “yes” to Jesus, allowing Him to use our lives for His purposes. [39:23]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: As you begin this day, how can you intentionally surrender your plans, desires, and challenges to Jesus, inviting Him to use you for His glory right where you are?

Quotes

And so I think sometimes when we think about Paul, we... And all God did with him and through him, we can forget that he was human. We can put him on a pedestal. But we can forget that he was actually human and flawed, the same as the rest of us. That he had the same barriers to sharing the gospel. That he had the same struggles with sin. That he had the same insecurities that we do. Yet, because he was obedient, did not give up, God was actually able to do amazing things through him. Actually used him to change, in many ways, to change the world. [00:06:08] (37 seconds)  #HumanFlawedFaithful Edit Clip

Paul was so courageous. He just wanted to make sure these new believers were continuing in their faith, but also something really important. He wanted to set up churches. He wanted to bring leaders for them so they would continue to be cared for. [00:16:43] (15 seconds)  #CourageBuildsCommunity Edit Clip

Our faith does not keep us from suffering but it certainly changes the way we suffer in the darkness in the pain in the bleeding they put their eyes on the lord and they chose to worship him in the dark and their faith led the jailer and his whole family to come to faith. [00:21:15] (19 seconds)  #FaithTransformsSuffering Edit Clip

Paul persevered because he knew God was calling him to this he knew and you know I have to say I think we do know when God calls us to something we can feel it but how Paul knew was God had spoken personally to him this was part of what he talked about that we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works he knew this was his calling. [00:31:27] (21 seconds)  #CalledToGoodWorks Edit Clip

The second reason he was able to persevere, and I think this is a lot more important, is that God was empowering him. He talks about having treasure in jars of clay to show that this all -surpassing power is from God and not from us. What he means by that is that we are really, really weak. Our human bodies are like jars of clay, really weak. We know it, don't we? We can't do that much on our own, in our own strength. But when we believe in Jesus, he takes away our sin, but also, this is the most incredible thing, he comes to live inside of us by his Holy Spirit. And so God himself, his all -surpassing power, is present within us, empowering us to do what we literally could never do on our own. [00:32:12] (47 seconds)  #EmpoweredInWeakness Edit Clip

But I think really, most importantly and lastly, he was able to do it because he simply loved Jesus. He loved Jesus. He was captivated by him. He had seen Jesus. If we could see Jesus right now, right now, and he is here, we would literally be captivated by him. We would fall on our faces when we saw his glory. We would see how beautiful and wonderful and transcendent he is, how he is a treasure, rich and rare, marvelous and holy and beautiful. [00:34:46] (40 seconds)  #CaptivatedByJesus Edit Clip

Paul knew when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was a killer of Christians. And Jesus forgave him. Just forgave him. And he knew what his forgiveness had cost. The incredible, extravagant cost to forgive him was the death of Jesus himself, that magnificent one, dying on a cross to pay the price for Paul's sins. And he knew that that kind of love is staggering. It's life -changing. So Paul looked at Jesus. His heart was so overwhelmed with love for him. And knowing what Jesus had surrendered for him, he simply surrendered all of himself to his Savior. [00:35:36] (54 seconds)  #ForgivenAndSurrendered Edit Clip

Because he loves us so much, he also has a Damascus moment for each one of us. A moment when he reveals himself to us so that we can see him, we can believe in him, and we can be saved from our sin, and we can belong to him. He has that for every person. [00:38:01] (22 seconds)  #DamascusMomentForAll Edit Clip

For most of us it's not walking thousands of miles across turkey and greece telling people about jesus and planting churches thank goodness um but for all of us it is revealing jesus where he has strategically placed us we when we know jesus we have treasure in jars of clay and jesus wants us to reflect him so others can see and know him. [00:39:56] (26 seconds)  #ReflectingJesusDaily Edit Clip

Allow him to use your words your life your love your patient endurance and your struggle to show his beauty to the watching world god used paul in amazing ways because of his loving committed obedience experience imagine what he could do with yours. [00:44:26] (21 seconds)  #ObedienceUnlocksPurpose Edit Clip