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Galatians 1:16-17

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Now, I do not know about you but there is something about the word heathen that makes me very uncomfortable. I mean, it is not like we run around uncivilized and with no manners as was the fashion of the demon possessed man. Luke tells how he ran among the tombs naked and harming himself and above all most afraid. Indeed, it was to "bind up the broken hearted," preach deliverance to the captives, and proclaim hope for all that mourn that he had come. Above all, there remained the acceptable day of the Lord. How many of you could use such a Word today. Yet it was exactly unto these people to whom Paul had come whether they knew him or not. Today everyone talks a lot about Jesus and his time here on earth. Apparently, following the Lord has become quite popular among certain people. It might sound rather strange to you, because the times have not changed that much between now and then. He who had no place then to lay his head still finds entry in the lives of those that seek him.

So also, stands he at the door and knocks for others to answer as in Revelation. The text says Paul did not call and ask permission from the religious leaders first, though well he might. Nor did he ask even for the opinion of the village elders. It should be seen that in all things, preached he Jesus. More so, in all places, taught he Jesus. See, Paul went through a lot in this life between stonings, shipwreck, and prison. Yet even when he lay dying, he had Jesus written all over his life. Jesus was on his tongue, in his hands, the way he moved, and the fire flowing through his veins. Everything was all about Jesus. Sure, there are many different beliefs, angels, and gods out there when it came on down to it. From the all-other names written had his Master called him. For not only was Christ the center of it all, but he was also the whole house and everything put together. Despite having wasted so much time on matters of no eternal benefit, he came to such himself. Here, the entirety of Paul's life was summed up in the phrase Christ revealed in me.

When I first heard the new opportunity, I felt more than a little frightened. Here I am a woman, with no seminary education, or practical experience to speak of. I have nothing but the say so of God on my life. Were I to call up every other church leader, I figure they might be a little skeptical. Some might even argue. I can hear them now saying, 'you're a what now; Pentecostals we won't work with.' Then, they argue on for ages about what a man said. How about just go into all the world and preach the gospel like the Lord said. Then trust him to take care of the rest. So great was the calling on Paul's life that he could not stop to discuss it with any. It was such that none had any say about it. Nor could anything be done without the say so of God. That is why flesh and blood cannot be conferred with. See, it is not about them but rather the Lord.

A famous religious teacher once said he was just a beggar telling another how to find bread. Well, my friends, what if I just let you into the whole bakery myself. Is he not the Christ, the bread of life, and the whole place put together. By him all things move and consist, holding together. Every day I pray that he would bless you along the way. So, Paul went there and back again. See, it mattered not if it were Arabia, Damascus, or yet ancient Abyssian. Faithful was the God who called him that would also do it. It mattered not then what any said or did about it. How many of you know the keeping power of God today. For so can he be trusted to know the house and to keep it as well.