One author wrote,

Sometimes we look at our life as a problem to be solved, rather than an adventure to be lived.

And Chuck Swindall agrees.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck invites us to look at Acts Chapter 11, where we find several validating

principles. For instance, rather than try to control our circumstances, God wants us to release

them. Rather than solve the riddle, he wants us to surrender to it. So let's discover how to shift

our perspective. Chuck titled today's message, The Pleasure of Being in Ministry together.

We're studying Saul, who later becomes Paul,

and I want to ask the question right now, what's Saul been doing during this six, seven,

eight year period when he wasn't with Barnabas? Pain has become a part of his life. He's also

been submerged in this hiding place with the Lord.

As the Lord is retooling him to make him into the man, the servant he would have him be.

Because no one will be used more effectively in that era of the New Testament than Saul of Tarsus.

Nobody. Nobody will add more truth to the New Testament than Saul of Tarsus. Nobody. Nobody will add more truth to the New Testament than Saul of Tarsus,

who becomes later Paul. Saul is the name that came from the king Saul in his heritage. Paul means

little. His name changes in verse 9 of chapter 13, and that's another study. We'll get there as we journey

on that first journey together. But stay with me with Saul, okay? Beaten, broken, in pain,

learning to be a servant, learning according to Philippians 411 in whatever state he was, to be content,

learning how to live in the shadows.

Saul has been removed from Barnabas, but Barnabas hasn't forgotten Saul. Let me make this even more practical. Saul is not ambitious. Even if he had heard of what was going on in Antioch, he doesn't rush to the border of Antioch and make himself available to step in as one of the gifted teachers of the day. He doesn't promote himself. He doesn't send out his resume.

He doesn't stand outside the city and hand out little sheets of paper that say, Saul, boy wonder, preach is Sunday night.

Come and hear the next apostle Peter.

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