{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":300,"width":600,"title":"The Life of Paul - the Hidden Years","description":" Malcolm continues the series on the life of Paul, focusing on \u201cthe hidden years\u201d after Saul\u2019s conversion and before his wider public ministry. The passage is Galatians 1:11\u201323, where Paul explains that the gospel he preached was not invented by people or passed on to him second-hand, but received by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Malcolm begins by placing Paul\u2019s story in context. Last week looked at Saul the persecutor being transformed by Jesus on the road to Damascus. This week looks at the quieter period that followed: Paul\u2019s time in Arabia, then Damascus, then eventually Jerusalem. These were years about which we know little, but they were not wasted years. God was preparing Paul. A key issue in Galatians is that false teachers were challenging Paul\u2019s message, mission and authority. They objected to his gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, his mission to the Gentiles, and the fact that Paul himself had once persecuted the church. Paul\u2019s answer is that God had chosen and called him by grace, even before he was born. Malcolm highlights that Saul was not someone naturally looking for Christianity. He was zealous, convinced and committed to destroying the church. Only God could reach him \u2014 and God did. The persecutor became the preacher. This shows that God comes to unlikely people, in unlikely places, and changes them by grace. The sermon then draws out three main lessons. First, God\u2019s presence matters more than God\u2019s programme. Paul did not rush immediately into public ministry or to consult the apostles. He spent time away, probably in solitude, reflection and re-reading Scripture in light of Christ. Malcolm compares this to being stripped of busyness and control, reminding the church that activity matters, but simply being with God matters more. Second, when a life is changed, the news gets around. The churches in Judea did not know Paul personally, but they knew his story: the man who once persecuted the faith was now preaching it. Their response was to praise God. Malcolm asks whether our changed lives cause others to glorify God too. Third, God\u2019s sovereignty will win out. Even Paul\u2019s attempts to destroy the church were eventually turned by God into part of his purposes. Malcolm uses Aberdeen church history to reflect on outward religion, decline and renewal, stressing that Christianity is not merely about social morality, but about living relationship with God. The sermon closes by challenging listeners to allow God time to prepare them. Hidden seasons, waiting, solitude and uncertainty may feel unproductive, but they can be places where God does his deepest work. The prayer is that, like Paul, our lives would lead others to say: \u201cThey praised God because of me.\u201d 0:00 Welcome and Series Introduction 0:55 Continuing the Life of Paul 2:50 The Hidden Years After Conversion 5:28 Reading Galatians 1:11\u201323 8:18 The Trouble in Galatia 10:58 Paul\u2019s Message, Mission and Calling 13:54 Only God Could Reach Saul 16:16 God\u2019s Presence Matters More Than God\u2019s Programme 20:34 The Hidden Years Were Not Wasted Years 25:02 When a Life Is Changed, the News Gets Around 28:42 God\u2019s Sovereignty Will Win Out           ","author_name":"Sermons from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship","author_url":"http:\/\/www.aberdeencf.com","html":"