Testimonial Power

Investigative

Paul is standing before all of the nobility in Caeserea and is now allowed to give his explanation.

This is not a trial but instead is an effort by Festus to let Agrippa hear Paul out and give him something to write to Caesar about when he sends Paul to him.

Paul magnificently begins to break down his testimony.

First, he is cordial in his presentation. He doesn’t start out with “all of you are sinners here today...” instead…he shares his life story.

He was not one that would shy away from doing the hard thing and what he believed he believed passionately.

As a Jews, he was a religious zealot. He was all in and believed his zeal for the Law was actually a zealousness for God.

We live in a day where we mistake zealousness for righteousness. Media fans the flame of division ex. searching news articles from summer of 2019 (Mueller investgation and mass shootings). 2020, 2021

That was until his Damascus road experience in which Jesus, now resurrected, confronted him and told him his problem and his purpose.

It seems that is a common conversation with God....let’s first acknowledge your problem and then I’ll tell you your purpose.

He was persecuting the very one he claimed to be zealous for, the Messiah, and instead had a purpose of telling people about Jesus so that they would turn from rebellion and to Yahweh for forgiveness and to join His family.

Paul proclaims that all he was doing was believing what they were taught from the Old Testament this entire time

This is not new to them…Isa. 53 makes it clear that the Messiah is going to suffer…yet when He did they used it to discredit his power.

Isa. 8:14 speaks of the Messiah being a stumbling block for many, Ps. 22 depicting a horrific and humiliating death.

Paul firmly believed that the Old Testament was simply being fulfilled.

Paul then, after being mocked by Festus, fires back and says even King Agrippa knows these things…Agrippa being a Jew and in charge of many Jewish affairs for Rome.

Agrippa was no doubt tickling a fancy of his by hearing Paul for the first time and hearing first hand about “The Way” and what it was all about.

So Paul here, doesn’t directly indict anyone but in a winesome way through testimony and appeal to the scripture, on the largest stage he puts everyone else on trial.

Imagine the scene, as everyone dressed to the nines, decked out in all the gallantry, is captivated by a feeble man in chains, expressing more joy, strength, and power than all of their influence combined....

One of the most powerful presentations in all of the NT but especially in the book of Acts.

It was a personal testimony interwoven with the beautiful activity of the Lord all directed toward Jesus.

TR: I’ll pause there and ask us to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve said and the truths of this passage, in a few moments I’d like for you all to verbally respond in a Q&A time to three questions. 1) Where is this passage challenging or presenting some conflict with you? 2) Where is this passage bringing some clarity to you or confirming something for you? 3) What thoughts does this passage lead you to?

Expressive

As we move into a time of response and explore what God is doing among us, I’d like to outline some ground rules.

Please don’t share more than a minute so other people can have a time to respond, you can also text in a question or statement in the GroupMe.

Please remember we are different humans with different opinions and it’s okay to hear something you don’t agree with.

This is a time to be nourished by listening to what the Spirit of God is doing amongst each other.

Kid’s Section

show the different super heroes and ask which one is the richest, strongest, most powerful, most famous.

ask which one they’d like to be

if they could be friends with God or be exactly like their favorite superhero which one would they pick?

This passage Paul is saying that living your life as a friend of God is more powerful than all of the riches, power, and skill in this world.

TR: SIT DOWN ON A STOOL

Collective

TR: STAND UP

I’d like to take a minute to collect our clarities and our conflicts

What are some themes you see on the board?

What are our feelings? What is intriguing?

What might God’s Spirit be saying?

Declarative

MAIN POINT: A life touched by God is superior to one tainted by the trinkets of this world!

This world is passing away, Paul ironically was the freest and richest person in the auditorium!!!

Spend your life, understanding the testimonial power you have through walking with Jesus...

To hear of one such life I’d like to give the remainder of my time to Rita Horton as she shares here testimony with us.