ReputationSample

What do you want to be known for?

Today we are going to start to explore the life of a man named Paul. Paul had a “big reputation” and ended up flipping it completely around.

Paul was different things to different people throughout his life. Either a huge source of fear or a huge source of inspiration. It is very likely Paul was a polarizing person, meaning people felt strongly about him one way or another.

In today’s reading, we see that Christians were being persecuted. And Paul was one of the people who was hunting and killing Christians. Note, the first mention of Paul is in Acts 7:58, and he’s called by his original name, Saul. But we’re going to continue to call him Paul.

Here’s what Paul was known for:

• He hated Christians
• He approved of their persecution
• He ENJOYED persecuting Christians

But, Paul’s life and reputation changes. God calls Paul to stop hurting Christians. He then calls Paul to obey and begin a new life where he doesn’t hunt and kill Christians.

What do we learn from this reading?

You earn your reputation by what you do. For Paul, this was how he hurt God’s people. This is what he was known for.

You also earn a reputation by what you don’t do. If Paul was going to turn his reputation around (which he didn't know he needed to), he was going to have to stop these awful things he was doing (things he enjoyed).

Paul is faced with a choice. He’s had this encounter with God, he has been blinded, and tomorrow we’re going to see what happens next.

For now, I want you to think about what you want to be known for. And how might your actions be affecting the people around you (intentionally or unintentionally)?