Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

AG:

TS: Paul’s case is heard multiple times and every time he should have been released, but instead was held.

Sometimes the desire was for a bribe.

At others, the one with the power, feared the Jews or wanted to appease them so they held Paul.

It led Paul ultimately to appeal to Caessar.

Acts 25:8

After that appeal, we have the account in where Paul stands before Agrippa.

This is one of the most complete accounts of Paul’s sermon.

RS: While our situation is different today, we can glean much from the testimony of the faithful Apostle.

Every believer ought to share the desire and commitment Paul had to the Gospel.

As we consider the details revealed in Paul’s encounter, I pray we will be challenged to remain devoted to the Lord and the Gospel.

I want to preach on: A Faithful witness

The King and the Preacher

EX: Paul before the King

EX:

He was pleased to get to present his case to Agrippa

Agrippa- Familiar with and believed Jewish Law and Prophets

Of all the high officials residing in the country, nobody knew better than the king the history, principals, and passions that motivated the Jewish people.

Paul described Agrippa as an expert on those matters.

Of all government officials in the country, Agrippa could be expected to appreciate that Israel’s messianic hope had found its answer in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the message Paul preached (no matter how hostile entrenched official opposition might be) was no strange cultish aberration but the consummation of Israel’s noblest and most deeply imbedded ideals.

Luke again emphasizes that Christianity is to be judged not as a new religion but as a particular community within Judaism (9:1-19; 18:13; 21:39; 23:6; 24:5, 14).

Festus might not be able to understand that, but Agrippa could.

Paul frames his defense to appeal to Agrippa’s knowledge and to call him to repentance

AP: We are often misunderstood.

Hopefully, we will never find ourselves facing a trial because of our witness.

However, we do face hostile people in society.

They want to never hear an opposing viewpoint

Speeches have been shut down and/or canceled due to students who riot and protest anything they don’t already believe.

usually, it is a demand for politically correct speech which reinforces preconceived ideas

The same hols true for the gospel

They want to be free from religion

They don’t want anyone to share the gospel with them unless that gospel preached is one which endorses their behavior (usually one of sin).

The Amazing Conversion

EX: Paul detailed his life, conversion and ministry

Before Christ

A. A Pharisee from youth

Paul started down the path of traditionalism from a young age

He said the Jews could testify of his past

He belonged to the sect of Pharisees

Lived by their strict code of legalism

B. His attack on the Faith ()

He persecuted believers in Messiah.

He persecuted believers in Messiah.

in Jerusalem

in foreign cities

After Christ

A. His Ministry () –

Paul had taken his encounter with Christ and the calling he received to heart.

He immediately preached the Gospel at Damascus and then traveled to Jerusalem.

In the face of opposition and rejection, he then turned to the Gentiles.

While this was all within the plan of God, it also reveals Paul’s commitment to share the Truth with all who would listen.

He had been saved by grace and commissioned to proclaim the Gospel.

Most of us will never have the opportunity to kings as we travel the world.

What we can do is to remain faithful to share with those we do encounter every day.

We need the commitment of Paul to share our faith with anyone who will listen.

We must learn to view our communities and work places, or anywhere we encounter people as a mission field.

B. His Message ( ) –

Paul’s message was consistent regardless of the audience.

He called all listeners to repent of sin, turn to God, and believe the Gospel.

He challenged them to live their lives in a way that would honor God and reveal their salvation in Christ.

He didn’t have one message tailored for the Jews and another adjusted for the Gentiles.

Everywhere Paul went, he proclaimed the need for repentance and acceptance of the Gospel.

American culture no longer embraces the Gospel.

We are constantly pressured to abandon the truths of the faith and conform to the dictates of society.

The world desires a watered down message of acceptance and inclusion of all, regardless of their lifestyle or commitment to the Lord.

Like Paul, we must remain committed to the Gospel.

Jesus Christ remains the only “way, the truth and teh life.”

Unbelievers must repent of sin and believe in the finished work of Christ for salvation.

That isn’t popular, but it is Truth.

We dishonor the Lord and do the world an injustice if we proclaim a false gospel.

C. His Misery ( ) –

Paul was not seeking sympathy from Agrippa; he just wanted him to know the Jews desired to kill him because he proclaimed truth.

Paul had suffered greatly for the cause of Christ.

His commitment to the Gospel was the sole reason he was bound in Caesarea.

(Serving the Lord often comes at a cost.

You might as well prepare for, and expect, opposition.

Those who reject and despise the Gospel will seek to hinder and defeat you as you serve the Lord.)

The Call to Repent

The Call to Repent

Acts 26:

EX: Paul closed with a call to repentance

EX: Paul closed with a call to repentance

A. His Question (27) –

Paul questioned Agrippa regarding his belief in the Word of God, the writings of the prophets.

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He was tying Jesus to the prophesies about Him.

He challenged him to receive the Gospel and believe in Christ for salvation.

Paul refused to avoid any opportunity to present the Gospel and urged every hearer to respond.

Witnessing can be difficult.

Some possess the evangelistic gift and others are more fearful.

Surely we know those with whom we can share the Gospel.

Once we share, we must encourage them to respond to what they have heard.

B. His Devotion ( ) –

Paul genuinely desired all people to have a personal relationship with Christ, including King Agrippa.

He wished all could experience the joy and peace found through a fulfilling relationship with Christ.

Except for the chains he was forced to wear, Paul wished all who heard him that day could be as he was.

As believers, we need to share Paul’s devotion to people, desiring that all would be saved and experience a fulfilling relationship with Christ.

May God create a desire in our hearts to see others come to faith in Christ.

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C. His Perception ) –

While Paul desired all to know Christ, he was aware that many did not.