1. Life Is Not Always What It Seems

2. Abraham Lincoln – 16 th President of the United States Born in 1809 to extremely poor parents. Born in 1809 to extremely poor parents. At age 7, they were kicked out of their house. At age 7, they were kicked out of their house. At age 9, his mother died. At age 9, his mother died. 1831 he attempted his own business and failed miserably. 1831 he attempted his own business and failed miserably. 1832 he ran for state legislature and lost. 1832 he ran for state legislature and lost.

3. 1832 Applied to law school, but was unqualified. 1832 Applied to law school, but was unqualified. 1833 He tried another business and failed. 1833 He tried another business and failed. 1835 He fell in love and was engaged to Ann Rutledge. She died soon after the engagement. 1835 He fell in love and was engaged to Ann Rutledge. She died soon after the engagement. 1836 He had a nervous breakdown. 1836 He had a nervous breakdown. 1838 He was defeated in his attempt to become speaker of the state legislature. 1838 He was defeated in his attempt to become speaker of the state legislature. 1840 He lost his bid for elector of the state. 1840 He lost his bid for elector of the state.

4. Charles Swindoll. Paul, A Man of Grace and Grit. 1843 He ran for Congress and lost. 1843 He ran for Congress and lost. 1846 He ran for Congress and won. 1846 He ran for Congress and won. 1854 He ran for Senate and lost. 1854 He ran for Senate and lost. 1856 He sought the vote for Vice President, but received less that 100 votes. 1856 He sought the vote for Vice President, but received less that 100 votes. 1858 He ran for the U.S. Senate and lost. 1858 He ran for the U.S. Senate and lost. 1860 He was elected as President of the U.S. 1860 He was elected as President of the U.S. 1865 He was assassinated only five days after Lee’s surrender. He died at the age of 56. 1865 He was assassinated only five days after Lee’s surrender. He died at the age of 56.

5. Acts 7:58 Acts 7:58 “And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

6. Acts 8:1-3 Acts 8:1-3 “And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death…Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”

7. 1 Tim 1:13, 15 1 Tim 1:13, 15 “I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor….that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. ” 1 Cor 15:9 1 Cor 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Jesus Christ

8. Paul Saw His Life As A Zealous Jew, Rising In The Ranks Among the Pharisees. Paul Saw His Life As A Zealous Jew, Rising In The Ranks Among the Pharisees. God Showed Him That He Was A Violent Aggressor. God Showed Him That He Was A Violent Aggressor. You Might See Yourself As A Good Person Who Really Never Hurt Anyone. You Might See Yourself As A Good Person Who Really Never Hurt Anyone. How Would God See You? How Would God See You?

9. Paul’s Goals Were to Excel to the Top of Judaism. Paul’s Goals Were to Excel to the Top of Judaism. God Had A Different Plan For Paul. God Had A Different Plan For Paul.

10. Acts 9:15-16 Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake.’” Jesus Christ

11. When We Understand God’s Plan Is The Only One That Really Matters Then Everything Falls Into Place. When We Understand God’s Plan Is The Only One That Really Matters Then Everything Falls Into Place. Do I Go For That Big Promotion? Do I Go For That Big Promotion? Should I Marry This Person? Should I Marry This Person? Should I Move To This New City? Should I Move To This New City? Should I Take This Job? Should I Take This Job? Should I Be Friends With This Person? Should I Be Friends With This Person?

12. Paul Saw His Life As Not Worth Saving, But Never Saw God As Not Willing To Save Him. Paul Saw His Life As Not Worth Saving, But Never Saw God As Not Willing To Save Him.

13. 1 Tim 1:15-16 1 Tim 1:15-16 “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

14. 1 Cor 15:9-10 1 Cor 15:9-10 “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”