90 Acts 26:12-23 Light of the World

August 03, 2025

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: Light of the World Text: Acts 26:12-23 FCF: We often struggle responding from our hopelessness to God’s sovereign redemptive plan. Prop: Because God is absolutely sovereign over his global redemption plan, we must be law abiding citizens of His Kingdom. [Slide 1] Scripture Intro: Turn in your bible to Acts 26. In a moment we’ll begin reading starting in verse 12 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Last time we heard the beginning of Paul’s defense… not of himself… but of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He pointed out that resurrection and revelation deniers cannot receive the gospel but he also confesses that even self-righteous religious zealots like himself couldn’t receive the gospel either. Something prevented both groups from seeing the truth about Jesus of Nazareth. Today, we will see the dramatic conclusion of Paul’s defense of the gospel before Festus and Agrippa. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Sovereign Lord, You are mighty to save. Just as we have seen and declared from the scriptures, there is nothing You purpose to do that man’s will can prevent. If You purpose to save men, You will save them. Lord, in the last few months, we have discussed much of Your providence and Your orchestration of all things to accomplish the purposes of Your will. Help us now to see that even Your global redemptive plan is not something that You have left to chance or man’s discretion or performance. Help us to see what Your scriptures teach so plainly and help us to receive it. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Transition: We have much to get to today, so let’s get to it. I.) God is absolutely sovereign over His global redemption plan, so we must repent and believe the gospel. (12-18) a. [Slide 2] 12 - While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 - at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. i. This is the third, final, and shortest account of the conversion of Saul in the book of Acts. ii. It is the second one given by himself before a hostile crowd – although this is easily the least hostile of the two. iii. As we compare the three accounts of Saul’s conversion we notice some slight differences in their details. Most of these are easily explained by the target audience. We’ll not take the time to trace through all the differences between the accounts today… but none of them are contradictory. iv. But let’s unpack what Paul says this time. v. First, he, for a second time, mentions that he went to Damascus with the authority of and by commission of the chief priests to apprehend Christians in foreign cities. vi. Second, Paul mentions the setting of his conversion in slightly greater detail than has yet to be described. 1. He says it was midday - noontime in his previous testimony. 2. Then he says that he saw a light from heaven. A bright light that suddenly flashed brighter than the sun. a. Although he doesn’t speak to the suddenness of this light in this context, in the previous two versions this was mentioned. b. Here though, he does compare it to the sun and mentions that it was brighter than the sun. 3. And everyone who journeyed with him saw the light. a. Not only did they see it, but it completely engulfed them. b. They were surrounded by pure light. c. No doubt this is part of the reason every single account calls this a light… from heaven. d. It is a supernatural brightness. A kind of light that cannot be explained by natural means. e. It cannot be a glare off a meteor or the flash of a dying star. At midday, the sun is high in the sky. To be completely engulfed by light at this time… it must be a light from heaven. f. Some suggest that this light was the reason that Paul went blind. But the fact that all of them not only saw but were engulfed by the light tells us that it wasn’t the light that caused his blindness. It was something else. b. [Slide 3] 14 - And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, i. Next Paul relates a small detail that has been omitted from the previous two accounts. ii. The entire party fell to the ground – not just Paul. iii. We don’t know whether they were thrown off their horses or merely put their face on the road and covered their eyes to escape the brightness of the light… but we do know that, most likely, the guards who accompanied him were not watching what comes next. iv. Paul records that a voice spoke to him in the Hebrew language. Which could mean either Hebrew or Aramaic – probably Aramaic. v. This could be the reason the guards did not understand what was said, but Paul doesn’t actually draw that conclusion here. vi. He doesn’t even mention that the guards didn’t understand what was said. vii. Which begs the question, if Paul is not mentioning this detail to explain why the guards didn’t understand what was said, what is it’s significance? 1. As Paul stands before a primarily Gentile audience of pagans, and a Jew of convenience, Agrippa, the fact that he heard a voice from heaven would not have alarmed them in the least. 2. Although the spiritual view of the world was being attacked on all sides by Epicureans and Stoics, there still existed a general superstition of oracles and receiving visions and messages from the gods. 3. In fact, a good deal of weight would be given to whatever was said from a vision, particularly if whatever was said was obeyed and came to pass. 4. The world had not become pure materialists quite yet. 5. The only questions on their minds would be which god is speaking to Paul on the road to Damascus and what did that god say? a. By Paul mentioning that this voice spoke in the Hebrew language, it eliminates every single god… but one. b. Jews were Monotheists. If a voice from heaven, a god, speaks Aramaic or Hebrew – it must be Yahweh. 6. So, the only question that remains is what does Yahweh say to Paul? viii. Yahweh begins by calling him by name, twice. ix. There only seven examples in all of scripture where God calls to a person using their name twice. We can look more deeply into these on Thursday night if you want to join us… it is very easy to join the TEAMS meeting. 😊 Shameless plug. x. But to short cut it - in all of the examples we see God calling to correct and/or to inform the person He calls that He is doing something with eternal significance and He will use them to accomplish it. xi. So, let’s see if that pattern holds in Paul’s case? c. [Slide 4] why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ i. Certainly, this voice corrects the current life course that Paul is on. The voice rebukes Paul for opposing, persecuting Him and even exposes the futility and difficulty of the path that Paul is walking. ii. The expression “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” is something we should explore. 1. Some have suggested that Jesus is referencing an inward battle where Paul actually wishes to join the Jesus movement but has chosen resistance instead. 2. There are two major problems with this view. a. Although there is some indication that this is a Jewish idiom to reference the conscience battling internally, it is also a much more recent Greek proverb which speaks of the absurdity of defying the gods. i. While Jesus might have said this to Paul meaning Paul was internally conflicted, one wonders why Paul would bring it up before, a largely Greek crowd. ii. This crowd would have been much more familiar with the Greek proverb which doesn’t speak of internal conflict but of the foolishness to oppose something that can literally make you do what it wants you to do. b. Which brings us to Paul’s overarching point in this testimony. i. What fits the context better? ii. Is Paul’s testimony about how he was conflicted and Jesus tipped the scales? Or is his testimony about how he was fully set against Christ and Christ stopped him because you can’t oppose God? iii. It would do us well to note that there is no indication in Acts or in any of Paul’s writings that he was conflicted at all about his allegiances to Pharisaical Judaism and hatred for Christianity. c. Therefore, most commentators in 2000 years of church history see this not as the Jewish saying but rather as the Greek proverb. d. Paul no doubt seeks to help the gentile mind understand what Jesus might mean by saying “Why are you persecuting Me… Yahweh” e. To a Jew there couldn’t be a more foolish endeavor than to actively oppose Yahweh. f. So, Paul either quoting Christ or to help his Gentile hearers understand better, quotes the Greek proverb. g. And what is the meaning of that proverb? h. It is impossible to resist the will of Yahweh. d. [Slide 5] 15 - And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. i. Paul being a premier student of Gamaliel, having followed rigidly the sect of the Pharisees, having lived among his own people as a Judean Jew from a young age, Paul has exactly one option for who the voice speaking to him is. It is the Lord. ii. But because the rebuke reveals that Paul is actively opposing Yahweh, and Paul strongly considered his actions to be holy and righteous indignation against heretics… Paul needs assurances. iii. Much like Moses said, “When they ask me what your name is what shall I tell them” and God told Moses tell them I AM has sent you. Paul is seeking not just a name but a character reference. He knows this is God… it must be. And no doubt he expected the voice to answer… Yahweh. iv. How shocking then to hear the voice from heaven identify itself as Jesus whom Paul is persecuting. v. These statements of both Paul and Jesus are recorded in all 3 accounts of his testimony. vi. This suggests that this is a detail integral to his conversion. vii. Paul’s question asking the character and identity of the Lord and Jesus’ response identifying Himself the second person of the Godhead, chases Paul into a theological corner. viii. Paul has been opposing his own God, Yahweh in flesh. ix. So, what is the solution? What is the command? What would God have Paul do? e. [Slide 6] 16 - But rise up and stand on your feet; i. This must have been a great relief to Paul at the time, and no doubt tears rolled from his eyes when he recounted this detail before Agrippa and Festus. ii. Why are you persecuting me, I am God’s Son Jesus and you are persecuting me. iii. To not be met with immediate judgment at this moment is pure mercy on the Lord’s part. iv. Does Jesus care for His people? Does He love His Sheep? Of course! He is the good shepherd. v. Now here is a man rolling around in the dust, cowering before Him, who has personally seen to it that many of His sheep have been imprisoned, tortured and killed. vi. What does the Lord do to His enemies? Are there not passages in the scriptures that teach us that vengeance is the Lord’s? vii. Yet the Lord Jesus says… Get up. Stand to your feet. viii. Why? f. [Slide 7] for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 - rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, i. You see, the Lord always destroys His enemies. ii. The old Paul died that day, crushed under the weight of the glory of Jesus Christ. That Paul was utterly destroyed. iii. In the previous two accounts we see the commissioning of Paul coming by the ministry of Ananias to him in Damascus and then subsequently when Paul went into the temple in Jerusalem Jesus came to Him then and commissioned him there too. iv. Paul no doubt is shortening the story up to get to the point to which he is driving. v. Jesus has a mission that He is sending Paul on. vi. It is a mission that Jesus supplies everything for, but Paul will be the one Jesus uses. vii. What is that mission? viii. You will be a witness. Not just to the things you’ve seen but also to the things I will appear to you or reveal to you. ix. Namely – the way the Lord continued to rescue him from Jewish and gentile people. x. The people Jesus is sending him to. xi. And why? Why is Jesus sending him to these people? g. [Slide 8] 18 - to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ i. In one sense Paul is sent to do these things… but in another sense all these things are prophesied to be done by Yahweh’s Servant in Isaiah 42. Meaning of course that although Jesus is sending Paul to do this – Jesus Himself will be the one doing all of this through him. ii. In this we see, on display for us, the order of salvation not just for Paul but for all those whom Paul would bear witness to. iii. First their eyes must be opened. They cannot turn from darkness to light if their eyes are closed. And they cannot turn from the authority of Satan to God if they do not understand that they are under the authority of Satan. iv. Second, they cannot receive by faith forgiveness of sins and an inheritance with those who are God’s holy people without turning from Satan’s dominion of darkness and to God’s dominion of light. v. So first – God must open their spiritual eyes to see. We call this, regeneration or being given a new heart. vi. With new life and a new heart wicked men are now able to turn from darkness and the authority of Satan, they may by faith receive forgiveness and an inheritance among God’s people. vii. And this is available for people from all kinds of backgrounds – not just Jews. h. [Slide 9] Summary of the Point: This week I had the opportunity to have one last chat with Eric Lundquist before he and his family go back to Vienna. In the midst of our conversation, he stated that he had gone through the book of Acts recently with one of the churches there. We agreed that one of Luke’s primary themes in the entire book is the absolute sovereignty of God over the expansion of His church. And that is exactly what we see, yet again, in today’s text. In the last sermon, I don’t know if you noticed but between Paul’s rebuke of the gentiles, nominal Jews and the Sadducee party and his confession that as a strict Pharisee, he also at one time opposed Jesus, in essence Paul says in a few verses, what he says in Romans chapters 1-3. Jews and Gentiles, of all various stripes and flavors, are hopelessly lost and guilty sinners before a holy God. All men are wicked and deserving of eternal divine wrath. That is important information heading into what happened on the Damascus Road. Why? Because Jesus does not sing 6 verses of “Just as I Am” inviting Paul to come. Jesus does not give Paul a choice to make. Jesus doesn’t tell Paul he loves him very much. In fact, Paul’s quote or at least his use of the Greek proverb to help the gentiles there to understand what Jesus said better, suggests that from Jesus’ perspective, Paul did not have a choice. He was being goaded to do exactly as Jesus… Yahweh desired of him. And he might be able to resist, but ultimately it is foolish and futile to do so. Because man is unable to open their own eyes, God must do it for them. And when God does open men’s eyes to behold His light of truth – there is no turning back from that. Or as Paul says in Romans 8, those whom He foreknew He also predestines, and those whom He predestines He also calls, and those whom He calls He also justifies, and those whom He justifies He also glorifies. This is referred to the unbreakable or golden chain of redemption. Paul had a destiny that God had appointed for Him to do since before the foundation of the world. So friends, are you also seeing the gospel for the first time today? Do you hear the Savior’s rebuke of your sin? Do you hear His call to turn from darkness and renounce Satan’s authority and receive forgiveness and a new family? If all this is true, the Lord has opened your eyes. Do not resist. Repent of your sin and turn to Christ trusting in what He’s done and living out what He has commanded. Transition: [Slide 10(blank)] But what if we are already believers? What does the global sovereign redemption plan of God require us to do besides continued belief? II.) God is absolutely sovereign over His global redemption plan, so we must be used of Christ and bear witness to the gospel to all men. (19-23) a. [Slide 11] 19 - So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 - but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance. i. To the Greek and Roman mind, to disobey an oracle or vision from heaven would have been a foolish thing to do. ii. Paul was no fool. iii. Paul went all around the Roman Empire preaching this message of what he had seen and heard. iv. Paul went to Jews and Gentiles both and preached a turning to God and turning to obedience to him as evidence of their repentance. v. Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. vi. He didn’t disobey the second person of the Godhead. He stopped kicking against the goads. vii. He did what the Lord Jesus, who was very much alive, told him to do. b. [Slide 12] 21 - For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to put me to death. i. The enduring question that Festus had was why do they want him dead? He has done nothing to deserve death… ii. So why do these Jews want him dead even 2 years after he committed this supposed crime? iii. Paul preached salvation to both Jews and Gentiles on the same exact terms. iv. That is why they attacked him in the temple. v. Jealousy and Racism. vi. They did not want to accept a message of hope from their Jewish God that was available to all men everywhere regardless of nationality. vii. And people who had rejected the possibility of the resurrection are the ones who put him before the Roman officials Lysias, then Felix, then Festus and now Festus and Agrippa. viii. But this was all according to the providence of God… c. [Slide 13] 22 - Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; i. God has helped Paul to be here, on this very day, to continue to obey that vision from heaven. ii. Today, even as he speaks, he declares to both great and small the truth of the gospel. iii. But the good news is not new news. iv. It is exactly what the Prophets and Moses said would happen. v. Indeed, the whole Old Testament foreshadowed the coming of the Suffering Servant. d. [Slide 14] 23 - that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” i. And I can tell you that in our foundations class we have seen that Paul is absolutely and abundantly correct. ii. In the book of Isaiah alone we have seen ALL these points laid out clear enough to perceive them. iii. Jesus is the last piece of the puzzle which makes sense of prophesies that were made 700 years before He was born. iv. The Suffering Servant, the one sent to save His people from their sins, would suffer, He would be cut off, but would live. And the message is not to the Jews only but to the entire world. v. God is reclaiming the whole world as His. He will abide it no longer as a battleground for sin and darkness to wage war against Him. He has delivered the final blow. vi. Death has died because sin’s penalty has been cancelled for those whom He came to save. vii. For all, yes all, who believe – sin and death is defeated. e. [Slide 15] Summary of the Point: Continuing on this theme that God’s global plan for redemption is something that He executes in absolute sovereignty, we see that Paul not only abandoned his opposition of God, but set out to obey exactly as the Lord Jesus had commanded him to. And this is the interesting part. Although we clearly see that God is the one that opens eyes and gives gifts of repentance and faith, he clearly charges Paul to go and do this. And Paul obeys. In a similar way then, rather than taking the truth that God is in control of redemption and becoming passive… we must instead see ourselves as the instruments that God uses to accomplish His Sovereign purpose in Salvation. The entire book of Acts has revealed this to us. God is clearly the one expanding His Kingdom but He is using the church to do that. Although it is true that God does not need us, how amazing to think that He desires to use us for this end. We must obey His command to bear witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today CBC that we can incorporate in our lives to shape our belief and guide our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 16] Although it continues to be an often-debated topic and I readily confess to you that it will probably never stop being a debated topic until the eternal Kingdom – the long and the short of it is that God clearly demonstrates in the scriptures that He is in absolute control over His global redemptive plan. That encompasses not only the breadth of the gospel meaning what people groups it spreads to, but even the depth of the gospel as in the individuals who will receive it. While I think it is incorrect say that Jesus forced Paul to be a Christian – Jesus’s glory forced Paul to the ground, Jesus rebuked him, and made it very clear that Paul would be a Christian and would fulfill the mission that He had appointed for Paul to do. Jesus simultaneously gives Paul commands to be obeyed while also revealing the absolute futility and foolishness it would be for Paul to continue to resist. This is so challenging for us to accept because each of us were born believing that we have a certain measure of control and autonomy. We were born believing that we have a free will in that God allows us to do whatever we want. But the Scriptures frequently call God’s people to trust that God orders all things according to the counsel of His will. Meaning we are called to believe that we control little… if anything. Indeed the scriptures never say… anywhere, that we have free will. That doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t exist, but it does suggest God is much more concerned about us recognizing His Free Will rather than our own. The conversion of Paul and his appointment to preach the gospel to Jews, Gentiles, and Kings, and His preservation to complete this mission… is all evidence to show us that God is absolutely sovereign over His global redemptive plan. Not just where it goes but who receives it. Which we can apply in two ways from the text this morning. If God has opened your eyes to see these truths… He is calling you to Himself. You had better listen. Because it is foolish and futile to resist. Repent and believe the gospel. Secondly, as His agents in this world the Lord Jesus has delegated the spread of this gospel message to His church. Paul’s example proves that Jesus can do it all on His own if He wishes. But in most cases – The Lord chooses to use us. Don’t miss your opportunities to further the Kingdom of God. But let me get a little more specific here this morning. 1.) [Slide 17] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that even one person is willing or able to receive the gospel without God opening their eyes first. a. Jesus quotes from Isaiah 42 when he commissions Paul to take the gospel to Jews and Gentiles around the world. b. The Work of the Servant of Yahweh was to give new hearts. To open eyes. To undo the inability of men to believe the truth of God. c. When light shines into the darkness but the person in the dark is blind – they cannot see any discernable difference. d. When a command breaks the silence, those who are dead can’t hear the voice, let alone obey the command. e. When the triangle rings calling all to come home, those who are lost don’t know the way to get there. f. The New Testament calls natural man, who we are before salvation, all of these things. We are blind, dead, and lost. g. In this passage our eyes are closed, we are in darkness, and we are under the authority of Satan. h. There is not one single person who has ever received the gospel without God first opening their eyes, regenerating them, or seeking them out and finding them. i. Why? j. Because if God did not do this – then none could come. Jesus’ death and resurrection provides the light, the command, and the triangle’s call… but God must provide the sight, life, and seek AND save the lost. What must He do before He saves them? He must seek them. 2.) [Slide 18] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God is sovereign over His global redemptive plan. a. This is actually the only theological conclusion once we arrive at the previous point. b. If Man is unable to believe without God’s grace… c. Then God has Free Will to determine whose eyes He opens. d. Man cannot force God to give him sight, life, or to find Him. Man does not seek God or have life in himself. He cannot give himself sight. e. God must do this for him. f. This conforms to the Ezekiel and Jeremiah passages describing the New Covenant where God does it all and He does it for His name’s sake. g. In these passages it almost sounds like God not only does this without us… but in spite of us. h. Not only is this true in an individual way, but it is also true in a global way. i. God is not prevented from reaching any person He has chosen to reach. He is absolutely free in His will to do this. j. You can’t be too sinful, too Jewish, too gentile, too rich, too poor, to female, too male, too intelligent, too unintelligent. If God has appointed you for life, not only will your own spiritual deadness not stop Him, but your earthly circumstances won’t stop Him either. k. Jesus says it this way – I know my sheep and my sheep hear my voice and all that the Father has given to me I will by no means lose even one. l. Which means we must also… 3.) [Slide 19] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that even one person the Lord has predestined will be able to ultimately resist His call. a. Since it is totally up to God to enable us to believe and to give us what to believe and since Jesus knows His own sheep, His own sheep hear him, and He won’t lose any of them… then there is no possibility that someone whom the Lord brings to life and calls to repentance will be able to resist. At least not ultimately. b. Once again, we cannot say that God forces us to choose something. He merely removes all other options as desirable. c. Jesus or possibly Paul says this in so many words when he quotes this Greek proverb. d. An animal has a choice when it is goaded forward. It can go forward or it can go forward in pain. e. Paul, like all believers, is called to abandon his opposition and believe and obey Jesus. He is called to do this after discovering that Jesus is Yahweh who spoke to Him from heaven. He is called to this after it is quite clear that He stands in direct opposition to The Most High God. f. All of those whom God has predestined and called have the exact same choice Paul had. g. With new hearts, with regenerated souls, with now seeing eyes, with a map to lead us home… we respond in the only way that makes sense and is desirable to us. We go home. h. So, with a message like this…. What must we do? 4.) [Slide 20] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” Jesus came to suffer and die for the heinous and treasonous sins of His people. And for His people He was raised to provide abundant and eternal life. So repent and believe the gospel! a. Perhaps you are here today and you have heard the gospel for the millionth time. b. But today, the lights came on. Today you heard the command. Today you heard the triangle calling you home. c. My friends, if that is you – do not delay. You don’t even need to wait until the sermon is done. d. If you sense the Lord’s call for you to turn from your sin and renounce Satan’s authority and believe on Jesus to the extent that you desire to do all that He has commanded you to do… e. You don’t have to wait. f. The Elders of this church are well acquainted with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their hands are up in the air right now. g. You see them? h. They will help guide you. They will explain what it means to turn from sin and to the Lord. i. They would be happy to. j. Just walk up to them and ask them to help you. k. Don’t resist. For if the Lord is calling you… it is pointless to resist His call. l. Again, I emphasize that you don’t have to wait. This is too important for you to put it off. Don’t have Jesus saying to you, “It is difficult to kick against the goads” m. Go and be made new. n. But to those of us who are children of God already – what does such a message call us to do? 5.) [Slide 21] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don’t naturally do or aren’t currently doing?” We must preach the gospel like Jesus did to Paul. a. Jesus’ presentation of the gospel although truncated, was essentially the same message He preached before His crucifixion. b. The gospels record that Jesus preached repentance from sin and belief in the gospel. c. Jesus confronts Paul with his sin… namely that he is opposing the almighty God by opposing Jesus of Nazareth. d. Jesus tells Paul to get up and obey the calling He has prepared for Paul. e. Faith at this point is believing Jesus is who He says He is by obeying His commands as Paul’s Lord. f. Faith is only shown to be saving faith when it is practiced in obedience. Just like love is only shown to be real if it is practiced in obedience. g. Jesus says if you love me you will keep my commands. h. James says that faith without works is dead. i. Saying you believe in a chair to hold you up without sitting in it, is useless. j. When we preach the gospel to our friends, our neighbors, our family and those we come into contact with – we should begin by calling them to repent of their wickedness before God. k. And then command them to believe on and submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. l. We must include both of these elements if we are to give the whole gospel of Jesus Christ. m. But we must also… 6.) [Slide 22] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don’t naturally do or aren’t currently doing?” We must preach the gospel like Paul did to Agrippa and Festus. a. Some may remember a couple weeks back how I warned not to use your personal testimony to share the gospel with others. b. You may see Paul doing this and wonder if I have spoken too strongly about this. c. Well 2 things on that subject. i. First, I didn’t say you shouldn’t use your testimony at all – I said that you should have a polished, practiced testimony that makes much of Jesus Christ, His Work, What He’s done, and what they must believe. ii. Which leads to the second point – Paul’s testimony does EXACTLY that. 1. Paul’s testimony has absolutely nothing to do with him. 2. He establishes quickly that he was a wicked person and then it is all about Jesus. 3. And he tells Agrippa and Festus in no uncertain terms what they must believe and what Christ has done. d. So go ahead and use your testimony… just be sure to use it like Paul does his own. [Slide 23(end)] Let me close with a word of prayer by the church father Gregory of Nyssa You, O Lord, have freed us from the fear of death. You have made the end of this life the beginning to us of true life. For a season, you rest our bodies in sleep, and awaken them again at the last trumpet call. You give our earth, which you fashioned with your hands, to the earth to keep in safety. One day you will take again what you have given, transfiguring with immortality and grace our mortal and unpleasant remains. You have saved us from the curse and from sin, having become both for our sakes. You broke the head of the dragon that had seized us in his jaws, in the yawning gulf of disobedience. You have shown us the way of resurrection, having broken the gates of hell, and you brought to nothing the one who had the power of death-the devil. You have given a sign to those who fear you— the cross, to destroy the adversary and save our lives. We praise you for this in Jesus’ name… Amen. Benediction: Now may the Son who redeems us, The Spirit Who renews us, And the Father Who receives us, for so great is His love, Be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. Until we meet again, go in peace.