The Power of Personal Transformation

Introduction

Good morning please open in your Bibles to Acts 26. We will be covering Acts chapters 25 and 26 this morning, but the bulk of our time will be in Acts 26. So, meet me in Acts 26 and I work to set the scene. In Acts 24, we left Paul imprisoned in Caesarea a city about two days journey north of Jerusalem. He was moved there because a group of Jews plotted to kill him, and the Roman officials were basically holding him in kind of protective custody. Today’s scene occurs two years after the events of Acts 24 and Felix the governor of Judea is no longer the governor, but not a man named Festus has been appointed to the region. Festus visits Jerusalem and while there a group of Jews ask him to move Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem, because they plan to ambush and kill while in transit.

However, Festus tells these Jews that he is returning to Caesarea and that they should come with him and bring their accusations against Paul in Caesarea. They agree in the hopes that this will lead to Paul being transferred to Jerusalem, at which time they will illegally kill him. At the trial the Jews begin making very similar arguments against Paul we have seen in Acts 21, 22, 23, 24 and Paul is making the same defense. To summarize, he has not broken Jewish or Roman law. Festus, being new to the region, is not able to track with the arguments concerning the resurrection of Jesus and Jewish law, but he wants to get in good with these Jewish leaders as he intends to govern them peacefully so he offers to have Paul tried in Jerusalem, where perhaps someone with more knowledge of Judaism can hear the case. Paul responds to this by saying Acts 25:10–12“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.””

But this does happen right away, Paul has to wait for travel arrangements to be made for him to go to Rome and appeal to Caesar. And during this time King Agrippa comes to Caesarea to visit Festus. This is the great grandson of King Herod the Great from the Christmas story, who tried to kill Jesus by killing all of the Jewish male babies around the time Jesus was born. Herod the Great’s son Herod Antipas had John the Baptist beheaded, the cousin of Jesus and a great Jewish preacher, his son Agrippa I ordered the execution of the apostle James by a sword and now Paul will testify before Agrippa II. Agrippa II, referred to as King Agrippa in our text is very well acquainted with the ways of the Jews and his family knew of and was threatened by Jesus and his followers for 4 generations. So, as Festus begins telling Agrippa about this prisoner Paul and how the Jews are bringing strange charges against him about a man named Jesus who the Jews say is dead, but Paul claims is alive.. Agrippa asks to hear Paul for himself and Festus agrees.

What is so striking to me about Acts 26 is that with so much on the line standing before a King Agrippa, who probably isn’t a big fan of Christians, Paul chooses to share about the his personal transformation. You see, a personal story of how God has changed a man, is a powerful story. As we look at the account of Paul’s conversion for the third time together in a year. I hope you acknowledge the power of a personal testimony and that you would be emboldened to share your story of transformation with others this week. Because those transformed by Christ are transformed into people of hope, people purpose and people who love.

Paul was transformed into a man of hope.

Transformed into a Man of Hope v. 1-11

[Read v. 1-11] Paul begins his defense by explaining that ever since his youth he has lived as a faithful Jew, according to the strictest party the Pharisees. He grew up in Judaism. And even explains that the Jews in Caesarea are aware of this fact. He then states 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?” Paul is explaining he believes what all Pharisees believe, that the resurrection is possible. But he isn’t just saying that the resurrection is possible or will happen one day, but rather he is saying a resurrection has already happened. The resurrection of Jesus.

He then explains what he was like before he believed in the resurrection of Jesus. He was a persecutor of the Christian Church and of Jesus. He imprisoned them, he voted to have them killed, he beat them in an attempt to get them to deny Christ and therefore commit blaspheme. He even chased them to foreign cities in order to persecute them.

He was incredibly zealous for what he thought was the truth. As a Pharisee Paul believed in the resurrection as an eventual reality. And this drove him to commit awful acts of violence against what he perceived to be God’s enemies. However, as a Christian who believed in an actual present resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ he changed into a man of hope. And this hope did not change his zeal, but rather dramatically changed his tactics toward his new perception of who were God’s enemies.

Paul was now the one being persecuted all over the world, but he doesn’t respond with violence. Instead, by the end of this passage we will see that he desires that he captors and accusers would be saved. Hope in the actual resurrection transformed him. Before being convinced of the resurrection of Jesus, when resurrection was only a future or hypothetical reality he was violent toward his enemies, but after his encounter with the resurrected Christ he longs for the salvation of his enemies.

Why such a change? He believed in the resurrection before as a Pharisee. But as a Christian he experience the resurrection that comes in following Christ. Christ’ resurrection from the grave implies that all who are in him are new creations, born again, they are transformed. Paul was now a man of hope. He had hope that God could transform the chief of sinners without his violent actions.

In Chronicles of Narnia C.S. Lewis tells us of a fictional world that is ruled by a talking lion named Aslan. In this world a group of children are always set to fight against some force of evil. They put on armor, grab swords and bows and arrows and fight whatever evil antagonist Lewis has invented. But they do it all in the name of Aslan. In every book the children on the cusp of defeat and then who appears, Aslan. Aslan swoops in and the battle is won.

In this book series I believe we have such a helpful picture of evangelism. We are children defending a lion. It is ludicrous when we put it that way, but that is what happens and every Narnia book. Children are sent to defend the lion’s kingdom. Are the children the ones truly winning the battle? Of course, the lion Aslan in the true victor. And in your life as you strive to share your faith it is the same concept. You are sent to fight evil in this world with the sword of the spirit, but all know who really does the fighting. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, that is to say Jesus wins his own battles.

Hope in the literal resurrection of Jesus empowers us to not stoop to unsavory tactics in our evangelism. We do not need to use violence to “persuade” others to follow Jesus. We don’t need to bait and switch them into church attendance or emotionally brow beat them into a decision. We can be like Paul and proclaim the hope of Jesus and believe that Jesus will bring people to himself. Because he have hope in a literal resurrection.

The hope of the resurrection actually encountered by Paul did more than just change his tactics. It changed his very purpose.

Transformed Into a Man with Purpose v. 12-23

Paul tells of traveling to Damascus where on the way he is confronted by a bright light and a voice that said Acts 26:14 “ ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” This voice and light was the resurrected Jesus. And he was equating persecuting his followers with persecuting him. He asks, is it hard to kick against the goads. A greek saying that would mean is it hard to go against the gods or to fight fate. Jesus is saying Paul you are living in direct opposition to your appointed purpose. Therefore, Jesus appoints Paul to be a servant and witness. He gives Paul a new purpose. He is to go to the Gentiles and the Jews in order to open their eyes so that they might turn from darkness to light from Satan to God. That is to be totally transformed from darkness to light! They are to no longer be God’s enemies (Satan’s allies) but become God’s sons and daughters.

Paul is sent to the gentiles with the express purpose to deliver them the message of the Gospel and in it they might have the forgiveness of sin and a place among those who are sanctified by faith. That is to say the church, the gentiles are to have a place in the church. They are enabled to become a part of God’s family, to be the people of God.

Paul goes on to explain that after getting this new purpose from Jesus he did not fail to obey the command of Jesus. He went to Damascus and then Jerusalem, through Judea, and to the Gentiles throughout the world. And he went with a clear purpose. Acts 26:20 “… that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”

Paul is transformed in order to see others be transformed. Peter will right to the church in 1 Peter 2:9–10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

This is not just Paul’s purpose. It is the purpose of all who have been called from darkness into marvelous light. We are transformed into a chosen race, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. And why, so that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Because Paul was sent to see the gentiles mover from darkness to light and therefore have a place among the sanctified. Peter explains that you were once not a people, but now you are a people.

So what is your purpose in life? Well, have you been brought from darkness to light from Satan to God. Then you are to proclaim his excellencies, his gospel. That Jesus saves.

As we have or purpose transformed to no longer live for ourselves but for Christ, it enables to love everyone even our enemies.

Transformed Into a Man Who Loves His Enemies v.24-29

Festus cries out the that Paul is losing his mind. He claims that all of Pauls learning has driven him mad. But Paul assures Festus that he is in his right mind. He explains that he is speaking true and rational words and that King Agrippa knows to what Paul has been referring. He puts Agrippa on the spot and ask, “do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.” A very bold thing to do indeed. To presume that a King agrees with you. Agrippa responds and probably ironically, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” and Paul displays his love for his judges and for accusers as he says, Acts 26:29 “…, “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.””

I wish all of you would become Christians. Even those who were there to try to get him moved to Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way. Even the Roman governor that would not set him free, though he should have. And even Agrippa who’s family has persecuted Christians for 4 generations. Paul longs that they would be saved.

Why? Because he has been completely transformed. He was once a man that would travel to foreign cities to arrest, beat, and even kill those he perceived to be his enemies. And now in the presence of those who have arrested him, beaten him, and want him dead actual enemies. Paul desires that they have eternal life in Christ. He desires that they have what he has found in Jesus.

Luke 6:27–36 ““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Paul is clearly transformed. And who does he look like? He looks like Jesus, who was tried before the Jews and Romans and was found innocent, yet to appease the Jews the Romans killed him. Listen to what happens next. Acts 26:30–32 “Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.””

Now, if Paul had been set free the Jews may have just killed him. The reality is that Paul was found innocent by the tribune that arrested him, by Felix the governor before Felix, and Festus was at a loss as to what to do, but it seems like he knew Paul was innocent. He just wanted to do the Jews a favor so he offered to take Paul to Jerusalem which forced Paul to appeal to Caesar. The more Paul lived like Jesus the more his life looked like the life of Jesus.

Conclusion

So what about you? Does your life look like the life of Jesus? Have you been transformed? You will be transformed for this week? What will be different come Monday? Monday Morning Difference

Rejoice in the Hope of the Resurrection and in God’s ability to do the impossible

Specifically that he can save sinners

Live with Purpose to be a servant and witness

Look to serve and witness to others to see them go from dark to light from Satan to God to obtain the forgiveness of sin.

Love Your Enemies

Your political rival, your competitor at work or school, your persecutor, those who are rude to you and those who have sinned against you. You are called to love them. You are sons and daughters of the Most High. Be merciful even as your Father is merciful. You have been transformed to be like him. So you are empowered to love even your enemies.

[Pray]