Acts 26 Gospel Sharing
Notes
Transcript
Shame or Glory
Shame or Glory
* Take a look at your storybook. Between Jesus ascending and Jesus returning is where we are
* How does looking back on Jesus ascending and looking forward to Jesus returning affect me?
* Shame or glory- what’s your story?
* Look at Paul
** On trial, awaiting to see if he is innocent or guilty
*** Except no one can really pinpoint what he’s done
*** He’s just so… different
** Comes before a king named Agrippa
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: “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, especially since you are very knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
* Surprising: he tells a story. His story
“All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 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. And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 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.
** Paul was very good at being religious
** Now, he has something completely different: hope. And he’s on trial because of that hope
* What is his hope?
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.
** Paul did some very religious things that were very bad for his soul and relationship with God
** Things that could make him very shameful. So what gives?
* What is his hope? Hope in the resurrection of the dead. Hope that God makes dead things alive.
Summarize Acts 26:12-18
“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.’
* Jesus came to Paul as blinding Light. Jesus called Paul by his name
** Paul was blind for three days after, but now he could see. And he could see in a whole new way.
** Paul received forgiveness
** Paul received a share among the saints: he got swept into God’s glory
* Paul’s New Purpose
** To invite others into the share and continue the wave that brings more people into God’s glory
** Acts: whole families; dad, mom, kids. Rich people like Lydia, slave girls who literally have nothing. Roman soldiers who seem too tough, crippled people who seem too weak. Gift by faith alone.
* Shame or glory- what’s your story?
** Admit your sin, Believe in Jesus, Confess He is Savior and LORD