What Gospel Did the Apostle Paul's Preaching?

I do believe we could all agree that Paul was the greatest preacher who ever lived (besides Jesus, of course). Not just did he preach with his lips, but he also preached with his life. Put simply, he wasn't a hypocrite. He practiced what he preached. And probably one of the best lessons we could learn from Paul is how-to be happy and content in the midst of difficult circumstances. Paul was certainly no stranger to hard times. He was jailed countless times, stoned, shipwrecked, crushed, rejected, and ridiculed. Yes, if anyone knew about hard times, it was st. paul the apostle. Yet take a look at some of his writings: Not that I speak according of want: for I've discovered, in whatsoever state I'm, therewith to be content. - Philippians 4:11 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I feel myself happy, king Agrippa, since I shall answer for myself this very day before thee touching all the things whereof I'm accused of the Jews: - Acts 26:1-2 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates hire off their clothes, and instructed to beat them. And when they'd laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a cost, forced them into the interior prison, and made their feet fast in the shares. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. - Acts 16:22-25 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall enjoy, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 And he said unto me, My grace is enough for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly consequently will I relatively glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may possibly rest upon me. Therefore I get pleasure from infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. - II Corinthians 12:9-10 Information. Happy. Singing. This is simply not the response we expect from a man who has undergone so much. We assume complaints and resentment, maybe not thanksgiving and praises. But still, I believe he covers everything in the following verse. For our light affliction, that will be but for a minute, worketh for us an even more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. - II Corinthians 4:17

Light condition? I don't contemplate shipwrecks or beatings to be light afflictions. What did Paul know that would allow him to keep so good despite the constant difficulty that surrounded him? Really, it's not so much what he knew but focused on and what he believed. He did not just know that God works things in accordance with His plan; Paul considered it and acted on that idea. Many times we hear Paul speak of pressing toward the mark or trying to achieve a target. That has been the key to St. Paul's success. He did not focus on the here and now. He seemed to the future. More details are available on this site. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which aren't seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. - II Corinthians 4:18 Paul had the attitude of 'Who cares what happens in my experience with this earth? This human body is temporary. What matters is that I do everything I can to produce an endless difference in as many lives as I can. There's a higher function than my comfort and ease.' And that, my buddy, is the perspective we must just take is we desire to be undoubtedly satisfied and content in this life. We have to stop concentrating on what we think would be best for us and allow God to have his way inside our lives. We need not be concerned with fame or riches but with reaching a lost and dying world and sharing the news that Jesus saves. Brethren, I count not myself to get apprehended: but that one point I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the level for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14