Courage Under Fire: Paul's Bold Testimony

Bible Passage: Acts 26:1–32

“In 1912, a young Scottish pastor named John Harper was on a journey with his six-year-old daughter, bound for America, where he was scheduled to preach in Chicago. They boarded a ship that many people believed to be unsinkable—the Titanic. But as we know, the voyage ended in tragedy. When the ship struck the iceberg, Harper had a moment of decision. He was a man of faith, but in the face of certain danger, fear would have been natural.

Harper’s first response was to make sure his daughter was safely placed in a lifeboat. Then, rather than seeking his own safety, he took courage, deciding to spend his final moments reaching out to others. Walking through the chaos, he shared the gospel with anyone he encountered, asking people if they knew Christ. Some listened, but many dismissed him, focused only on survival. Still, Harper continued, urging people to consider faith in Christ, even as the ship sank around him.”

1. The Courage to Confess

Acts 26:1–11 (ESV)

So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his 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.

Who is Herod Agrippa II - The Governor over Judah (Close friend to Cesear)

Herod the Great killed the children in Bethlehem; Herod Antipas killed John the Baptist; Herod Agrippa I killed the Apostle James; and Herod Agrippa II heard Paul’s appeal recorded in the book of Acts.

Bob Utley

Pauls Tell’s Agrippa

I was a proud pharisee

I convicted and killed Christians and was proud of it

I opposed the message, teachings, and the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Now, I am on trial

Because of my change of heart

Because I saw the ressurected Jesus of Nazareth

I believe that those who put their trust in Christ will have this hope too

For this truth I am willing to DIE… (To live is Christ and to Die is Gain. Phil 1:21)

Normally, one would say to live is gain and to die is Christ, but Paul reversed these.

Richard R. Melick Jr.

If the cross of Jesus Christ means what it should to us and we know that we must carry it and die on it and then rise and live above it, we will have a constant desire to advance and gain spiritual ground!9

A. W. Tozer

All Paul did was tell his story, are we willing to share ours… No matter the cost?

2. The Courage to Change

Acts 26:12–18 (ESV)

“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.’

Why are you persecuting Me? As the heavenly light overwhelmed him, Saul was confronted by the true nature of his crime: He persecuted God, not man.

David Guzik

Mountaintops and Valleys - The reason why we get to go through the hard times is so that when we get back to the mountaintop we can reflect on the greatness of God.

In what ways has the faithfulness of God given you the courage to take the next mountain realizing that to climb the next mountain you must first go down into the valley and make the uphill climb to the next summit.

As the great theologian Milly Sirus once said;

There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be an uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb

Pauls ministry “true purpose” was birthed out of his misery…

It was his mistake that became his mission

This is not just true for Paul it is true for us as well...

All men will have to answer for what they have done with their advantages.

John G. Butler

Every Test can turn into a Testimony...

How do you need to be found more faithful and more inentional about your personal testimony?

Sheryl story; From the lady who gives the homeless food to the why of what she does. I used to be the drug addict who dragged her child to score drugs and put her addiction above her family.

3. The Courage to Continue

Acts 26:19–23 (ESV)

“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 emphasis on this part of the story is that no matter the cost Paul did what the Lord told him to do.

He told the story “over and over” to “great and small” of who Jesus was/is/is to come no matter the cost.

Christian obedience is unlike every other kind of obedience. It is not the obedience of slaves or soldiers, but essentially the obedience of lovers who know, love and trust the person who issues the commands.

John Stott

Obedience is taught throughout the entire Bible… true obedience is one of the toughest requirements of the Christian life. Apart from obedience, there can be no salvation, for salvation without obedience is hypcroisy.

A. W. Tozer

Obedient to what though?

The Great Commanedment - Love God and Love People

The Great Commision - Go and Make Disciples

The Great Colaberation - Do it Together “Idea of Community”

4. Courage to Convince

Acts 26:24–32 (ESV)

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.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 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.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 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.”

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.”

Our Job is not to convince but to share…

People are skeptical

You never know who God has sent to truly listen

Picture this Paul is preaching the Gospel to the King and The Procounsel. But there are all these people around and they are listening too.

If you were in the crowd that day seeing this man speaking to the two highest people in the land this way.

You would be thinking; “This man really believes what he is saying”. “What do I believe in this much?”

Personal Testimony: Why I believe in The Gospel

Closing: I want to talk to two types of people today, both of these types of people need to Obey The Lord’s Directive Today.

Obedience is the hallmark of faith.

Charles Spurgeon

The Christian life begins with obedience, depends on obedience, and results in obedience.

Charles Colson

The obedience that springs from faith is the obedience of a son, not of a slave.

Thomas Brooks

“As the Titanic went down, Harper found himself in the freezing waters with the other passengers who hadn’t made it onto lifeboats. Even then, he didn’t stop. Swimming from person to person, he continued to ask them, ‘Are you saved? Do you know Jesus?’ One man later recounted his encounter with Harper. He was floating in the cold water when Harper swam up to him and pleaded with him to believe in Jesus. The man resisted, but Harper persisted with courage and conviction, using his last breaths to offer the man a lifeline of faith.

The man finally said, ‘Yes, I believe,’ and at that moment, Harper slipped beneath the waves. That survivor, deeply impacted, would later share how Harper’s courage changed his life.

Pictue this one man gave his life to save anothers soul. Which person are you?

The person who knows that you are dying but that there is something greater instore for you?

The person who is dying as well, but does not have the hope

Harper’s story is a powerful example of faith-fueled courage. He had the courage to confess his faith boldly, even in his final moments. He had the courage to change his priorities, putting others’ eternal destinies above his own life. He had the courage to continue sharing the gospel in unimaginable circumstances. And his courage to share left a legacy, inspiring countless people to consider the same question: Do you know Christ?

Friends, like John Harper, we’re called to share our faith, even when it feels challenging. Let’s take courage to confess, courage to believe, and courage to continue, knowing that our faith may be the lifeline someone else needs.”

The Courage To Share: Everyone has someone that they need to courage to share the Gospel too.

Who is it for you… (Write Their Name Down)

Story from Jeanie Miller

The Courage To Believe: Their are many in here today that need to place a stake in the ground to Trust and Obey in The Gospel.

To Trust: Have a conversation with God today to Repent and place your surrendered faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth

To Obey: Take the first step in faith by stepping out in Believers Baptism..

What: Christian expression like a wedding ring

Who: Any believer who has not been baptized as a believer

When: Now

Where: Here

Text a Name of A Person You Will Commit to Sharing The Gospel With...

Raise Your Hand If You Need To Surrender Your Life To Jesus Today