Acts 26 - Paul Tells 'Em
Notes
Transcript
Paul’s defense before Agrippa (but it might sound like a well crafted sermon)
Paul’s defense before Agrippa (but it might sound like a well crafted sermon)
The Introduction
The Introduction
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,
and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
“Let me tell you my story (BTW - I’m a Pharisee by heritage).”
“Let me tell you my story (BTW - I’m a Pharisee by heritage).”
“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.
And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.
This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.
Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
“Also, I really bought into the Pharisee propaganda.”
“Also, I really bought into the Pharisee propaganda.”
“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
“Then I met the Truth.”
“Then I met the Truth.”
“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.
‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“Now, I’m God’s guy.”
“Now, I’m God’s guy.”
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
“For this, I was arrested.”
“For this, I was arrested.”
That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.
“Still, I’m going to preach Jesus.”
“Still, I’m going to preach Jesus.”
But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—
that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
The audience responds:
The audience responds:
At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.
The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
Festus and Agrippa...
Festus and Agrippa...
The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.
After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
But God has a plan…always and forever.
But God has a plan…always and forever.
His plan is not just the superstars like Paul…it is you. Paul is evidence of God’s work of redemption. Therefore, God put Paul out there for everyone to see the evidence of God’s work. This is why we see Paul’s story repeated throughout Acts. God wants to do the same with all of us. We are the testimony of God’s redemption, God’s transformation, and God’s power to change what we think unchangeable. God wants to show your transformation.
His plan is not just the superstars like Paul…it is you. Paul is evidence of God’s work of redemption. Therefore, God put Paul out there for everyone to see the evidence of God’s work. This is why we see Paul’s story repeated throughout Acts. God wants to do the same with all of us. We are the testimony of God’s redemption, God’s transformation, and God’s power to change what we think unchangeable. God wants to show your transformation.
What is love?
What is love?
Jesus’ prayer, and dream, for you
Jesus’ prayer, and dream, for you
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”