ACTS 26
"Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!"
I have so loved the last few chapters of where we have been in our study of the book of Acts! Since the moment Paul knew he was leaving Ephesus, each and every verse has been life as we know it for those that commit to following Jesus and doing the work of the Lord. The tug from friends and foes to not go out in faith, persecution, struggles in ministry, and God's grace and provisions can all be seen in the last four chapters in our study.
If anyone desires to follow Christ and be faithful to the ministry, expect versions of what Paul has experienced.
In this week's text, Paul's time of waiting is over and now Festus has a decision to make on what to do with Paul. We start the chapter with Paul once again speaking for himself, sharing his testimony, and pleading with the people to hear the need of God through his story. As I stated earlier though, if you are going to follow Jesus, how the world responded to Paul in this week's text is how the world will respond to us as well.
Festus hears Paul's testimony and plea and responds with a plea to Paul as well. Festus pleads with Paul to come to his senses! To stop this foolish new lifestyle that seems to have only gotten him in trouble.
If you are a born again follow of Jesus, you have probably received such a response from those in your life much like Paul did in Acts 26. For you and I today, we must learn from what Paul is experiencing in chapter 26. Not only will the world hate what God loves, but the world will also question our sanity, motives, and character when we live radically for Jesus. But keep reading church and learn from not only what Paul experiences, but also how he responds. With his life on the line and so much at stake, Paul stands his ground for the gospel to be proclaimed!
Learn from the faithful men and women that have walked before us, lean on the Spirit for strength, and praise God in the midst of trials!
Stay faithful church.
If anyone desires to follow Christ and be faithful to the ministry, expect versions of what Paul has experienced.
In this week's text, Paul's time of waiting is over and now Festus has a decision to make on what to do with Paul. We start the chapter with Paul once again speaking for himself, sharing his testimony, and pleading with the people to hear the need of God through his story. As I stated earlier though, if you are going to follow Jesus, how the world responded to Paul in this week's text is how the world will respond to us as well.
Festus hears Paul's testimony and plea and responds with a plea to Paul as well. Festus pleads with Paul to come to his senses! To stop this foolish new lifestyle that seems to have only gotten him in trouble.
If you are a born again follow of Jesus, you have probably received such a response from those in your life much like Paul did in Acts 26. For you and I today, we must learn from what Paul is experiencing in chapter 26. Not only will the world hate what God loves, but the world will also question our sanity, motives, and character when we live radically for Jesus. But keep reading church and learn from not only what Paul experiences, but also how he responds. With his life on the line and so much at stake, Paul stands his ground for the gospel to be proclaimed!
Learn from the faithful men and women that have walked before us, lean on the Spirit for strength, and praise God in the midst of trials!
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Romans 1 this week as many believe that Paul wrote Romans during the time of Acts 20-24. Knowing what you know from our Acts study, shines much light on how he writes to the people of Rome.
Posted in Year One