Sermon Tone Analysis

The greatest.

The words have been used repeatedly to describe something considered to be the ultimate of its kind.

In sports there is the greatest comebacks of all time, greatest play, greatest team, coach, the greatest athlete of all time.

In music, the greatest composer, singer, writer, band, etc… In literature, the greatest book, the greatest author, the greatest playwright.

Today: The Greatest Story Ever Told

Story of Beginnings, Tragedy, Betrayal, Sacrifice, Grace, Forgiveness, Redemption, Victory, and love...mostly of Love.

The story began thousands of years ago in a garden called Eden.

God made a perfect garden for a man and a woman to live.

They had complete freedom with one command – don’t eat the fruit from the tree that represented the knowledge of Good and Evil.

In one act of complete disobedience, they ate the fruit and brought sin into the world.

God disciplined them by kicking them out of the garden.

They were separated from God and every generation of mankind has been separated by sin since.

But God didn’t leave mankind in this state, he had a plan to redeem man from the penalty of sin and restore them to a personal relationship with him.

The Bible describes how God used one man, Abraham, to start a chosen family and nation, Israel, to fulfill his plan.

In the course of time, God took on flesh through his son Jesus.

This Jesus would live a sinless life, preach about the Kingdom of God during a travelling ministry, prove himself to be the son of God by miracles, be betrayed by one of his own, illegally tried for sedition, scourged and beaten, carried a cross, and died a criminal’s death by crucifixion.

All of this he did willingly and according to God’s plan.

By his death, he paid God’s required price for sin.

He was buried in a borrowed tomb but didn’t stay.

We are here today in recognition of his triumph over sin and death.

On the third day he rose from the dead in power and victory.

So that, everyone who would believe in him would receive the gift of forgiveness of sin and life.

But that’s not the end of the story – No! It is also a Story of Transformation – those who trust in Jesus have experienced a life alteration.

I want to direct your attention to a man whose life was radically altered by the Risen Christ.

A man named Paul.

Open your Bible to .

Paul is on trial before King Agrippa, accused by the High Priest Ananias of stirring up riots among the Jews, being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and a profaner of the temple.

Paul’s defense included his testimony.

HIS SIN

This was Paul’s sin.

He was zealous as a follower of God to eradicate those who would blaspheme against God by saying Jesus was God.

He was persecuting Christians.

HIS CONVERSION

Acts

Blinded with his eyes wide open.

Blinded with his eyes wide open.

TRANSFORMATION

Acts 26:19

Paul immediately began to tell about Christ.

Notice Agrippa’s response to Paul.

Acts 26:24

True and rational words.

None of this has been done in a corner.

Appeal

Acts 26:27

Making an appeal to believe is imperative.

Paul never wasted an opportunity to share his testimony and neither should we.

Agrippa, “Would you have me become a believer after such a short time?”

PRAYER

This story is your story.

If you have received Christ and are a believer, then share his story, your story, with someone else.

Paul gives us the model to follow:

Who I was before – a sinner/disobedient to God.

Conversion: How you came to trust in Christ – not everyone has a Damascus road experience but realization of your condition and need for Christ is common to every conversion.

Transformation: How has he changed your life?

Like a suit that no longer fits, we are altered by our new relationship.

Old life no longer fits – Jesus has altered the fit.

Appeal – do you believe?

Remember, it’s not up to you, it’s up to God.

Prayer

If you are here today and you have not received God’s free offer of forgiveness and life, I want to extend that opportunity to you now.

If you will trust Christ you (vs18) may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that you may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in him.

APPLY

The greatest story ever told is your story - share it!

Today is the day of salvation.