051-Acts 25-26
Acts: The Mission of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsOne Undeniable Truth: Jesus is alive.
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New governor Festus. He is replacing Felix.
Festus arrives and goes to Jerusalem… The Jews waste no time and ask him to send them Paul so that they can kill him when he is on his way to Jerusalem.
Festus decides against it and asks the Jews to come and present their case before him in Caesarea.
6 When he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought in. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove. 8 Then Paul made his defense: “Neither against the Jewish law, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned in any way.” 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges?” 10 Paul replied: “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you yourself know very well. 11 If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”
The Book of Acts, part 53 | Acts 25 – 26
, “After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.’ But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?’ But Paul said, ‘I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, ‘To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.’”
Explain-
Paul appeals to see Caesar. Since he is a Roman citizen when he appeals to caesar to caesar he must go. So Paul just booked his ticket to Rome.
his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.’ But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?’ But Paul said, ‘I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, ‘To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.’”
David Platt, MBC Interim Teaching Pastor & President of the IMB
Explain verses 13-22
Agrippa comes in to pay his respect to Festus. Festus knowing that Agrippa is more well verse in the whole Christian-Jew dispute asks for council.
After all he needs to send Paul to see the Caesar and it would make no sense to send Paul without explaining the charges against him.
So Agrippa asks to hear Paul.
23 So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the military commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in.
Acts 25:23, “So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.”
Packed hall. Agrippa walks in with Bernice. Both all decked out. Festus come in wearing his robe. the guards and all the prominent people who lived in the palace are in attendance…
tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.”
Acts 25:6 – 12, “After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took
Festus sends for Paul....
1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 “I consider myself fortunate, that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially since you are very knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. 8 Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities. 12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me. 22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place—23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”
his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood
Acts 26:1–23, “So Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his
Listen to the response.
around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, ‘Neither against
defense: ‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles – to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’”
the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.’ But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a
which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles – to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’”
24 As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.”
is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles – to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’”
favor, said to Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?’ But Paul said, ‘I am standing
before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a
seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’”
Paul you are insane.
wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their
Acts 26:24, “And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your
25 But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.
charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council,
mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’”
Than he turns to king Agrippa.
answered, ‘To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.’”
Acts 26:25, “But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.’”
26 For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”
Acts 26:26 – 27, “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
”
28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?”
Acts 26:28, “And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’”
Acts 25:23, “So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military
Are you trying to get me to become a Christian? Are you trying to get me to believe?
tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.”
29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”
, “And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day
29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”
might become such as I am – except for these chains.’”
He looks at the king, Bernice, Festus and everyone in the room and says: besides this chains I wish that all of you would be just like me.
Acts 26:1 – 23, “So Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his
You hide behind your wealth, your status, you believe to be free, but you don’t understand freedom. I wish that all of you experience the freedom that I experience.
So Why do we have this story? Why is this important?
One truth from this story and 2 applications.
There is one reason why Paul is in this situation, 1 reason why he is before the king. 1 reason that all of this came to be.
Let’s go back to chapter 23.
6 When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!”
Acts 23:6, “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
defense: ‘I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the
Acts 23:6, “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!
‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on
accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you
20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ”
After this they get angry and he is dismissed.
trial.’”
to listen to me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is
20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ”
Acts
“Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
The resurrection of the the dead.
Acts 24:20 – 21, “Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our
Fast forward to chapter 25. Festus tells Agrippa he doesn’t understand what’s happening.
19 Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive.
Acts 25:19, “Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who
religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to
Than we get to Paul speaking to king Agrippa.
was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.”
which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why
6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. 8 Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing
Acts 26:6 – 8, “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”
Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
Paul goes on to share his testimony how he also thought that Jesus was dead, and that he was going around to persecute followers of the way.
However, he saw Jesus and that he was alive.
22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place—23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”
Acts 26:22 – 23, “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass, that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority
This is a truth that has been thought by generations. Why do you find so hard to believe?
Paul is on trial for one reason. One…
from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the
One Undeniable Truth: Jesus is alive.
One Undeniable Truth: Jesus is alive.
That is the one truth that the people had a hard time with. and the one thing Paul wanted them all both rich and poor. small or great… to understand. That Jesus is Alive.
Here is why they struggle with this so much. The fact that Jesus is alive points to our need to one day have to stand before Him and be judge by Him.
What do I mean by that?
Scripture teaches that all of us are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God.
That the wages for sin is death and eternal separation from God.
But God in his infinite wisdom, love and grave sent his only begotten son Jesus Christ to come and live a perfect life. But even thought he did. He was still crucified, killed as a payment for our sins.
The beauty of this though is that Jesus didn't stay dead but that He rose after 3 days.
Because he is alive one day we will all stand before him in judgement.
“Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Those who have responded to the gospel with faith and repentance will do so gladly and willingly. Those who have hardened their hearts to the call of the gospel will do so with great fear and trembling.”
So here is the first exhortation 1.
synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. In this
1. Trust in the truth of Jesus.
1. Trust in the truth of Jesus.
I urge with you that if you don’t know Jesus. Not just but the word of God is exhorting you to turn to him.
I got a chance to read this with someone last week.
9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
Romans 10:9, “. . . if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from
If you believe that Jesus is alive. you will be saved.
Indecision is a decision.
the dead, you will be saved.”
Testimony of guy: I was trying to do my own thing. I knew about Jesus but never made a decision to follow him.
I’m not promised tomorrow so I’m making that decision today.
You must decide that today as well. Jesus is alive and he is pursuing you.
Here is chapter 26 we have something from Paul’s testimony that we don’t have on the other accounts.
13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.
At midday, O king, I saw on the way a
Acts 26:13, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Here on this accpunt
14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Acts 26:14, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
“It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
What is a goad?
Goad was a stick with a nail or a very sharp object in the end that it was use to direct animals towards safety, towards the good pasture, towards something better for them. It was not great or very smart for them to kick against that sharp object because it would hurt only them.
Jesus was asking Saul. Why are you fighting me? Why are you against me when I’m for you?
And that is my question to you that doesn’t believe in Jesus. Why? Why are you against Him when he is for you?
This morning trust in Jesus.
2. Tell your testimony about Jesus.
2. Tell your testimony about Jesus.
the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,
All of this was setup by Jesus in the Gospels.
Jesus teaching his disciples:
Luke 21:12, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
Does that sound similar? But look at what he says next:
and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.”
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick
13 This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.
against the goads.” And I said, “Who are you, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand
Luke 21:13, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
Paul knew this. This was his chance to share the Gospel in from the governor, the king and all the high people in that place.
What he does is simple.
upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have
Acts 26:4 – 12: what life was like before he met Jesus.
seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles – to whom I am sending
Acts 26:13 – 15: how he met Jesus.
you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive
: how Jesus had changed his life.
TO some of you that story is very dramatic… drugs, alcohol, addiction, crazy cults.... you don’t have to go into that in detail after all you want the focus to be on Jesus and what happened after that.
TO some your story has nothing of that. You became a christian at the age of 9 and didn’t have time to experiment with all of that stuff before Jesus.
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to
David Platt: You don’t need to provide the drama in the story. The God of the universe coming as a man and dying on cross so we can be forgiven of our sins, than rising from the grave to conquer sin and death. There is enough drama in that story.
So share that. and ask people what is keeping them from giving their lives to Jesus?
the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to
the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews
Now just imagine if we went out this week and shared our stories. The number of people that we could impact right here in our community.
seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both
I believe that as you go and share your story we will see acts 26:18 happening all around us,
to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that,
18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.’”
So believe in Jesus and share Jesus starting today.
Acts 26:24, “And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your
mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’”
Acts 26:25, “But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.’”
Acts 26:26 – 27, “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of
these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I
know that you believe.”
Acts 26:28, “And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’”
Acts 26:29, “And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day
might become such as I am – except for these chains.’”
Acts 23:6, “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on
trial.’”
Acts 24:20 – 21, “Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead
that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Acts 25:19, “Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who
was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.”
Acts 26:6 – 8, “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which
our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O
king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”
Acts 26:22 – 23, “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and
great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass, that the Christ must suffer and that, by
being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
One Undeniable Truth: Jesus is alive.
#1 - Trust in the truth of Jesus.
Romans 10:9, “. . . if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved.”
Acts 26:13, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 26:14, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
#2 - Tell your testimony about Jesus.
Luke 21:12, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues
and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.”
Luke 21:13, “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
- Acts 26:4 – 12: what life was like before he met Jesus.
- Acts 26:13 – 15: how he met Jesus.
- Acts 26:16 – 23: how Jesus had changed his life.
#3 - Pray for the persecuted.
#4 - Face life without fear.
No fear of man.
No fear of the future.
No fear of death.