Embracing God's Future: Lessons from Paul's Journey

Summary

What a joy it has been to celebrate 75 years of God’s faithfulness at Granville Chapel. As we look back with gratitude, we also stand at a threshold, called not only to remember our heritage but to look forward in faith, trusting God for the future He has for us as a community. Our purpose is not static; God has brought us together at this time and place for reasons that are unfolding, and we are invited to seek Him for what comes next—who He wants us to reach, and how He wants us to live out His calling.

This season, we turn our attention to the Apostle Paul, whose life and writings shaped much of the New Testament and the early church. Paul’s story is one of radical transformation: from a zealous persecutor of the church to a passionate servant of Jesus. His encounter with Christ was not just a personal revelation but the unveiling of the gospel itself—the good news that Jesus is Lord, the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling the hopes of the Old Testament and inaugurating God’s kingdom. Paul’s letters, written to churches navigating their own challenges, speak directly to us as a church today, reminding us that we stand in the same line of faithfulness and mission.

Understanding Paul requires us to appreciate the complexity of the Bible—a collection of diverse writings, cultures, and histories, yet unified in its message. We are called to engage deeply with Scripture, not settling for simplistic readings, but seeking to grasp its richness and depth. The “sweet spot” of the gospel, as we have explored before, is the declaration that Jesus is King. This truth demands our allegiance, our obedience, and our lives. It is not merely a private conviction but a public reality with cosmic and personal implications.

In a culture that often relegates faith to the private sphere, we are challenged to embody and proclaim the gospel with both love and courage. Like those who have gone before us, we are called to love others in tangible ways and to invite them into the life-changing relationship with Jesus. The message of Jesus is not just for us to keep, but to share—intentionally, relationally, and authentically. As we journey through Paul’s writings in the coming weeks, may we be attentive to where God is sending us, and to whom He is calling us to love and speak His truth.

Key Takeaways

- Honoring the past is essential, but faithfulness means turning toward the future with trust. God’s faithfulness in our history is a foundation, not a finish line; we are called to discern His ongoing purpose for us as a community, asking not just “what has God done?” but “what is God doing and calling us to next?” [05:30]

- The Bible’s complexity is a gift, not a barrier. Engaging deeply with Scripture—recognizing its historical, cultural, and literary layers—enriches our understanding and grounds our faith in reality, rather than in simplistic or superstitious readings. This approach honors both the unity and diversity of God’s revelation. [11:09]

- The heart of the gospel is the declaration that Jesus is Lord and King, fulfilling the story of Israel and inviting all people into His kingdom. This “sweet spot” of the gospel is not just a theological idea but a call to allegiance, obedience, and transformation in every area of life. [12:42]

- Paul’s life demonstrates that genuine encounter with Jesus leads to radical change. His journey from persecutor to apostle shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and that true revelation of Christ compels us to reorient our lives, our priorities, and our mission. [20:49]

- Proclaiming the gospel today requires both love and courage. We are called to love others as Jesus did—deeply, personally, and sacrificially—and also to speak the truth of Jesus with intentionality. The gospel is not meant to be hidden or privatized, but lived out and shared in the relationships and places God has given us. [31:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:39] - Reflections on 75 Years and Our Heritage
[05:30] - Looking to the Future: God’s Purpose for Us
[07:28] - Introducing the Paul Series
[09:17] - How Not to Read the Bible
[11:09] - The Bible’s Complexity and Unity
[12:42] - The Sweet Spot of the Gospel: Jesus is King
[14:51] - The Old Testament Backdrop
[17:04] - From Jesus to Paul: The Church’s Story
[18:42] - Who Was Paul? His Background and Zeal
[20:49] - Paul’s Conversion and Calling
[22:35] - The Gospel Revealed to Paul
[24:13] - Paul’s Message and the Early Church
[26:23] - The Core of the Gospel Tradition
[28:05] - Implications of Jesus as Lord
[29:10] - The Transforming Power of the Gospel
[30:18] - The Challenge of Proclaiming Jesus Today
[31:58] - Loving and Telling: Our Mission Now
[33:45] - Intentionality in Sharing the Gospel
[34:44] - Being Present in the World for God’s Mission

Study Guide

Granville Chapel Small Group Bible Study Guide
*Celebrating God’s Faithfulness and Looking Forward in Faith*

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### Bible Reading

Galatians 1:11-24
(Paul’s account of his conversion and the revelation of the gospel)

1 Corinthians 15:1-8
(Paul’s summary of the gospel tradition he received and passed on)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Galatians 1:13-16, what does Paul say about his life before encountering Jesus, and what changed after his encounter?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, what are the core elements of the gospel that Paul received and passed on?
3. The sermon mentions that Paul spent time in the desert after his encounter with Jesus. What might have been the purpose of this time, based on Galatians 1:17-18?
4. The pastor described Granville Chapel as standing “on the cusp of this transition between 75 years and what goes forward or what comes in the future for us now.” What does this suggest about how the church views its history and future? [[05:30]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize that the gospel he preaches was not taught by any person but revealed by Jesus Christ? What difference does this make for his authority and message? (Galatians 1:11-12)
2. The sermon highlights that the “sweet spot” of the gospel is the declaration that Jesus is King. How does this central truth shape the way Christians are called to live? [[12:42]]
3. Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle is described as a radical change. What does this say about the reach of God’s grace and the possibility of change in people’s lives? [[20:49]]
4. The pastor said, “The Bible’s complexity is a gift, not a barrier.” How might a deeper engagement with Scripture help us avoid simplistic or superstitious readings? [[11:09]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to not only honor the past but to ask, “What is God doing and calling us to next?” How can you personally discern God’s purpose for you in this season? Is there a specific area where you sense God inviting you to step forward in faith? [[05:30]]
2. Paul’s encounter with Jesus led him to reorient his entire life and mission. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to make a significant change or take a new step of obedience? What might that look like? [[20:49]]
3. The “sweet spot” of the gospel is that Jesus is King and deserves our allegiance. What is one practical way you can show your allegiance to Jesus this week—in your work, family, or relationships? [[12:42]]
4. The pastor shared about Kay McIntosh, who loved people until they felt her love and then invited them into a relationship with Jesus. Who in your life might God be calling you to love more intentionally and invite into deeper spiritual conversation? [[31:58]]
5. In a culture that often keeps faith private, what is one way you can courageously and authentically share the message of Jesus with someone this month? What holds you back, and how can you take a step forward? [[30:18]]
6. The sermon encourages us to be intentional about where God is sending us and to whom He is calling us to love and speak His truth. Are there places or relationships where you feel God is asking you to be more present or engaged for His mission? [[34:44]]
7. The pastor said, “If we don’t think about it very intentionally, it’ll be easy to just not think about it at all.” What is one intentional action you can take this week to live out and share the gospel in your daily life? [[33:45]]

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*Close in prayer, asking God to help you discern His calling for you and for Granville Chapel in this new season, and for courage and love to live out and share the gospel as Paul did.*

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is Lord—The Sweet Spot of the Gospel
At the very heart of the Christian faith is the declaration that Jesus is Lord and King, the Messiah promised throughout the Old Testament. This truth is not just a theological statement but a call to allegiance, faithfulness, and obedience to Him in every aspect of our lives. Recognizing Jesus as King means that our lives are to be oriented around His reign, submitting our desires, ambitions, and daily actions to His authority. This is the “sweet spot” of the gospel, the central message that shapes our identity and purpose as followers of Christ. [12:42]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have not fully acknowledged Jesus’ authority as King? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?


Day 2: The Gospel—Christ Died, Was Buried, and Rose Again
The core of the gospel message is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, all in accordance with the Scriptures. This tradition, received and passed on by Paul, is the foundation of our faith and the reason for our hope. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical claim but a transformative reality that proves He is the Messiah and King, and it calls us to stand firm in this truth, allowing it to shape our lives and our witness to others. [24:13]

1 Corinthians 15:1-5 (ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection shape the way you approach challenges or suffering in your life today?


Day 3: The Bible—A Complex, Trustworthy Story
The Bible is a rich and complex collection of writings, spanning centuries and cultures, yet it speaks a unified message about God’s work in history and His plan for redemption. Understanding the Bible requires effort, humility, and a willingness to engage with its depth and context, trusting that God speaks through its pages. As we study Scripture, we are invited to wrestle with its meaning, to seek God’s voice, and to allow its truth to transform us, even when life and faith feel complicated. [11:09]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to engage more deeply with the Bible’s message, even if it feels challenging or complex?


Day 4: The Call to Love and Share the Gospel
The good news that Jesus is Lord is not meant to be kept private or hidden; it is a declaration that has implications for the whole world and for every person we encounter. We are called to love others as Jesus did—genuinely, sacrificially, and intentionally—and to share the message of Jesus with those around us, both through our actions and our words. This requires courage, intentionality, and a willingness to step beyond our comfort zones, trusting that God will use our witness to draw others to Himself. [31:58]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally show Christ’s love to or share your faith with this week?


Day 5: Trusting God for the Future—Our Purpose as His People
As we celebrate the legacy of faith and look to the future, we are reminded that God has a purpose for us as a community and as individuals. We are not only to honor the past but to trust God for what lies ahead, seeking His guidance for how we can serve, reach out, and be His witnesses in our neighborhoods and beyond. This means being open to where God is leading, asking Him to show us whom He wants us to love and invite into relationship with Him, and being willing to step into new opportunities for His kingdom. [05:30]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Reflection: As you consider your place in God’s story, what is one way you sense God inviting you to trust Him with your future and your role in His mission?

Quotes

We're not just to honor and remember the past, but we are also looking to the future and trusting God for our future. What does God have for us as a community? Here in the corner of 43rd and Granville, why has he brought us here together, this group of people, this assembly, this gathering of people here? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Who is he asking us to reach out to? What is he asking us to do? [00:06:13] (00:00:39 seconds) Edit Clip

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Kephas and then to the twelve. [00:26:06] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

The word gospel, that means good news. It's the good news that Jesus is Lord. But, of course, Jesus is Lord only means, it only makes sense in the context of the Old Testament story and the fact that God was trying to establish a Messiah, trying to establish a king, an anointed person to lead his people. It's good news in that sense. [00:28:05] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

It's not easy to talk about religious matters or spiritual matters, because they're meant to be kind of a private domain, things that...and whole personal beliefs about, but don't bring your beliefs to me or don't tell your beliefs to me or your preferences to me. You can believe what you want to believe, but it's not really something that is discussed in public. But that's the opposite of what this declaration is, isn't it? It is a declaration, first of all, the good news, is that God is fulfilling in history, in this world, all that he's been wanting to do in this person, Jesus, has implications for the entire cosmos. The whole world will be restored to him. The whole universe will be restored to him. But it has implications for each of us very concretely that we ought to give our lives to him as one who is Lord and King. [00:30:18] (00:01:07 seconds) Edit Clip

How do we tell the gospel? How do we declare the gospel today, in our world today? Well, it takes two things. One is, it takes us to continue to love the way Jesus did. Our message is cannot, it will fall on deaf ears if we are not living out the message that we are speaking, right? It takes us to love the way Jesus did. It takes us to express the kind of love that we know is ours because God loves us individually. But it also takes us that extra step of courage to tell people about Jesus, to invite people into this relationship that we have with the Lord. So both telling as well as loving. [00:32:20] (00:00:58 seconds) Edit Clip

He wants us to continue to be embedded in this world so that His light can shine and His message can continue to be sent out. So maybe think about where is it that the Lord is asking us to be, maybe to our families even, or maybe to our colleagues or coworkers or neighbors, who is it that God is wanting us to continue to interact with so that we can love and tell His message too. [00:35:20] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip