Untitled Sermon (17)

Acts 25:23–26:32 ESV

So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” 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. “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.’ “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.” 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.”

Scripture: Acts 25:23-26:32

Sermon Title: “Become What I Am”

           We have quite a lengthy passage today, but most of it is Paul’s statement before King Agrippa, and so we’re going to take it all in one reading. Remember last time Paul was on trial before Festus, who had just come into power. We heard how Agrippa and Bernice, who was his sister, came to congratulate and wish Festus well, but then having heard about Paul’s case, Agrippa decided he wanted to hear more. We’ll hear his reasoning was more of intrigue than really caring about the gospel. Like Felix but not Festus, he knew about Judaism.

           As we approach this passage, I’m going to ask you to not think about your political feelings right now and what you think of particular people or the election, but just think of talking to a governor. Ordinarily, that’d be pretty cool, it’d be an honor. Imagine, though, that the president shows up and the governor says, “I’ll let him speak to you.” Now the president of the United States of America speaks directly to you, and is interested in some trouble you’ve had. Paul’s trying to get to the Emperor, to Nero, that’s a whole other level above, but this was a big deal. He had the ear of some of the most important leaders in that area in that time. Let’s hear how this went.

           Brothers and sisters in Christ, I’m guessing that all of us at some point have wondered why everyone can’t think just like us. Not everyone has to do the same things we do—I’m not a farmer, I’m not a mechanic, I’m not a carpenter or plumber or electrician—we need all different skills sets. But why can’t everyone just think like me and act like me. Things make a certain amount of sense in my head, and other things make no sense—why must that be different with different people? If I make wise and discerning decisions, or if I’m helpful and grateful and cheerful, why wouldn’t others want that for themselves. If others would just accept our thoughts, the world would be a much better, smarter place, right? That doesn’t sound egotistic or narcissistic at all, does it?

The apostle Paul gave his defense of who he was, what he did, what had been going on, but he ended up more than anything sharing his testimony. It was for his beliefs, connected to the ministry God had called him to, that he found himself taken to court by the Jews. The ones waiting for their Messiah, he had come, Paul told them about it—but they denied it. It was for this that he tolerated and persevered through punishment and persecution, but also now accusations of being “out of his mind” and “insane.”

Yet we heard, Agrippa, while not necessarily sympathetic, understood Paul’s goal. This wasn’t primarily a legal argument. This wasn’t just conveying information. Paul was trying to persuade him and the rest of those gathered “to be…Christian[s].” Paul confirmed that in verse 29, “I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am…” That was Paul’s ultimate goal. He didn’t just want them to know what he was about, to train them and have them think a certain way; he wanted them to become what he had become. His was not the egotistic reason, though, it was that they would be believers in and followers of Jesus. He wanted to persuade them to the truth, to that which there should be no doubt about it.

It’s with that focus that we’re going to work through a few points Paul made about the gospel in his presentation. The first comes from a new line that’s introduced to us about his conversion. Verse 14, when Jesus spoke to Paul, he said, “…‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” If you’re left confused no matter how many times it’s repeated, you’re not alone. What does that mean? The footnote in the NIV Study Bible says this was, “A Greek proverb for useless resistance—the ox succeeds only in hurting itself.” Stanley Toussaint writes this “Evidently referred to the futility of his persecuting the church.” I think a modern-day way of saying it might be, “Why are you wasting your wasting your time?”

When Paul was before Agrippa, it was almost three decades after his conversion. Paul remembered what his earlier life had been dedicated to: snuffing out the church, trying to force them to blaspheme, locking them up, even killing Christians. That was his mentality. We’ve looked at that quite a bit—it was horrible. He was the kind of guy that we’d probably say is hopeless—let him suffer. But now he says that when God showed up and spoke to him, God told him what he had been doing was useless, it was futile, it was all a waste of time. Let’s not miss God’s role in the spread of the gospel. What he sets out to accomplish, he will accomplish.

Whether Paul would persecute the church or minister among and to the church, God’s will would be done. The gospel would spread where and to whom it was supposed to go. We can think of Isaiah 55 verses 10 and 11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God does not leave things up to fate or chance, he doesn’t roll the dice; he succeeds with that which he wants.   

If we go to John 15, Jesus says, “‘When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.’” Into chapter 16 verses 8 and 9, “‘When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.’”

Most, if not all, of us would agree: we want just about every person to know the love of God and receive his love. We want those who are currently in sin and unbelief to leave that behind, to be converted as Paul was. Yet there are those who will not believe, who will not walk with the Lord, who will fight against the church, the truth, and the hope we share. As much as that may anger and sadden us, we might question why God doesn’t just change everyone’s hearts and never have to deal with any persecution or bitterness or division—God is accomplishing what ultimately pleases him while permitting sin’s frustration. That truth is an indivisible part of the gospel. Despite our and other’s sin, and despite our laziness, he will send his Spirit where he wills.

Point two, the gospel calling. Verses 17 and 18, these are still Jesus’ words, “‘…I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.” We’ll pick up the rest of the verse in our third point. Paul’s call, and I would say the church’s call, having been given the gospel was and is to open peoples’ eyes, turn them to the light they aren’t in, and to change their focus to God.

           If we return to the prophet Isaiah, chapter 9, is a familiar chapter around Advent and Christmas. We read there in verse 2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” What’s he talking about there? Was there a period of time when the sun actually didn’t shine on part or all of human civilization? Was a light switch flipped in heaven to turn out the stars and any sources of light or was a light-blocking mask put on every single person that they didn’t realize was there until Paul came along? Of course not, it’s the metaphor of darkness and light.

           We’re used to hearing about that, but think about it. Without the gospel, without Jesus, without God’s plan of forgiveness and salvation, this world is dark. It’s a place where people just eventually or suddenly die, a place of gloom, another word from Isaiah 9. True joy is missing. There is no hope. There is hatred, there is selfishness, there is greed. Things seem to be completely trapped under the power of an evil, loveless ruler that we call Satan. That is the world that the unbelieving are trapped in if left to themselves. While they can make it look good sometimes or for a little while, ultimately it’s temporary.

But the reason why we can find joy, the reason why we have hope in this life and the life to come, the reason why things shouldn’t be seen as gloomy or as depressing or as troubled as others might make them out to be—is because the gospel has entered our lives. Because the Spirit has been given to you to show you what Jesus has already accomplished and the promises he’s made can be yours. Do you see how that opens our eyes, that turns the lights on, that brings us by faith under his dominion. Politicians of any persuasion should not be what lights or darkens our world. Money should not be what makes us feel like we’re gloomy or full of joy. The hope that we have in Christ crucified and risen again, that we have been introduced to that and accepted that and are looking forward to the fullness of God’s salvation should be our only light.

           We’ve been called by the gospel, but it doesn’t stop with us. When the light of Christ shines in our lives with the growing of our faith, we get a clearer picture of what’s going on around us. We get to see all the things that will cause us to stumble. We get to see that which would try and keep us from God. The things that we temporarily found hope in before cannot begin to compare what God is doing for us. It’s like coming out of a cave—at first, the natural sunlight at an opening is a wonderful sight, it lets you know where you’re going, but at a distance it’s not enough to light the way, to show you all the rocks and the cracks, all the dangers until you get closer. The gospel, as we draw near to God, as we submit to his authority rather than Satan’s, helps us to see the world in all of its need and to see the only one who can provide redemption. That perfect light is Jesus.

           Let’s move on to our final point. What is the proper response of faith to the gospel? If King Agrippa or anyone else back then or today would believe, what should they do? Returning to verse 18, Jesus’ words end with, “‘…That they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” So Paul says in verse 20 he was sent that “They should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” To believe in Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, is all that is necessary to receive the justification and sanctification of God.

           If the proper response of faith is repentance and belief, why would we or anyone else do those things? What is the benefit? For that, we turn to the Belgic Confession. I’ll read parts from two articles. Article 23 states, “…We are ‘justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus’…We cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God’s approach…” The grace of God—the forgiving and promising of God is for those who humbly bow in repentance and submission of faith to him. That submission is the greatest possible thing we can do. The light of Christ has been shed on the way we should go and has revealed all our errors, and we’ve realized on our own, we would stick to darkness. We need God, we have been made to want him, he justifies us.

Going into Article 24, “…True faith…regenerates us and makes us new creatures, causing us to live a new life and freeing us from the slavery of sin…We are indebted to God for the good works we do, and not God to us, since God ‘is at work in [us], enabling [us] both to will and to work for his good pleasure’…It is by grace that God crowns these gifts.” This is sanctification. God is purifying our works, he’s lighting our lives. Joy isn’t something we self-produce, it’s something he grants us to more fully experience the life that he desires for his creation to have.

This is what Paul wanted even for his worst enemies. He didn’t want them to believe that he might\ be free of prosecution. He wanted others to know that they may become what he was, saved by the grace of God. Our Thursday Praise Day for Sunday School At-Home invites you to sing “Jesus Loves Me.” We know Jesus loves his children, those he has saved, because the Bible tells us he does, yet the second verse tells us the benefit. “Jesus loves me—he who died heaven’s gate to open wide. He will wash away my sin, let his little child come in.” Amen.