Acts 26:1-20
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
1 Cor. 1:21
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
Ps. 107:2
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
Acts 4:18-20
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Acts 5:26-39
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Lk. 10:8-9
8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Ecc. 7:20
For there is not a just man on earth who does good
And does not sin.
Is. 59:2
But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:9-11
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
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This morning we are going to. Move from Genesis to x. x. Chapter 26 verses one through 20 and out titled this message what is your testimony friends when you go and look at the mere look at yourself I can answer that for you what is your testimony what is your witness for the Lord and only you can answer that Paul gave his testimony many times but I picked Acts Chapter 26 to share Paul’s testimony 26 verses one through 20then Agrippa said to Paul you are permitted to speak for yourself so Paul stretched out his hands and answered for him self I think myself happy King Agrippa because Today Show answer from myself before you concerning all things of which I am accused by the Jews. Especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews therefore I beg you to hear me patiently So now he’s going to get into his personal testimony he says my manner of life from my youth which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem so he is identifying that he is a Jew I spend it among my own nation at Jerusalem all the Jews know they knew me from the 1st if they were willing to testify that according to the strictness the strictest sect of our religion I lived a fair Sea So again as his personal testimony I was a fair sea according to the strictest sect of the law so he’s let them know who he is what he was they knew me from the 1st if they were willing to testify.And now I stand in and judge for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers to the promiseto this promise our 12 tribes earnestly serve God night in day hope to attain for this hope say can grip I am accused by the Jews why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead indeed I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth this I also did in Jerusalem and made this many of the saints I showed up in prison having received authority from the chief priest and when they were put to death I cast my vote against them and I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheming. And being exceedingly enraged against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities while the us occupied as I journey to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priest at midday Oking along the road I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun shining around me and those who journey with me and we had when we had all fallen to the ground I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in Hebrew language so all so all why are you persecuting me it is hard for you to kick against the goads So I said Who are you Lord and he said I am Jesus whom you are persecuting but rise and stand on your feet private appeared to you for this purpose to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you I will deliver to you from the Jewish people as well as from the gentiles to whom I now send youto open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me friends or is no other way but to be sanctified by faith in Jesus therefore can a grip of I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision but the cleric 1st of those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea and then to the Gentiles that they should repent turn to God and do works be fitting of repentance may God at His blessings to the here and in the reading of His Holy Word Rizana can I call on you to praywith my.OkFather we thank you so much for today.Just gathering us into your presence here and every day and just for building a community of believers in a church in your we ask that you just anoint dad as he’s bringing us the message today we ask that you and we are ears that we will hear the truth that you would have us to absorb today and to just take it in and just kind of ingest it and put it into our spirits and our souls in our hearts and our minds we ask that you just help us to walk worthy of the calling that you put on all our lives that we will have that testimony for you and that we will give it without fear in every every situation that we may encounter in life knowing that our 1st and foremost calling is to be your child Jesus Amen Amen Amen friends of the Apostle Paul was a great theologian and a great preacherhe had the ability to woo any audience with a vast knowledge that this man had attained he studied under gamma LeoHe was recognized as a fair see Dr of the Jewish law gave Aliyah was a man who was held in great esteem by all the Jews and considered one of the greatest teachers of the Jewish lawand the Apostle Paul studied under himthe Apostle Paul said in glaciers one versus 13 and 14 he says for you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it he says I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers my friends he was at the top of his class. Probably the best student gamma Leo had ever had he was that zealous to learn and that zealous for the Jewish law he had vast knowledge he was a theologian he could have wooed them with all of this knowledge he could have dazzled them with that knowledge but instead what he did youhe gave them his testimonybecause he knew that there is tremendous power in the words of a personal testimony that’s what he shared with the kinghe could have doubted him but he gave his personal testimony of what Jesus did for him through him testimony can never take the place of preaching or teaching 1st Corinthians 121 says for since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom did not know God that it please God through the bullishness of the message preached to save those who believe but personal testimony friends personal testimony empowers the Word preached in every single person that has been converted every person that believes in the Lord Jesus Christ ought to be willing to tell their storywhat the Lord has done for him or her for you should be willing to tell what the Lord has doneeach one has a story to tell each one has a testimony when you look in that mirror you have a testimony for the Lord Soames one of $72.00 says let the reading to the Lord say so whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy so friends if you’re redeemed Let’s say so share that testimony x. 4 verses 820 says so they call them and commanded them. Not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus but Peter and John answered and said to them whether it is right in the say to God to listen to you more than to God You judge for we cannot but speak to things which we have seen and heard Peter say we can’t help it we can’t help to speak but to speak of the things that the Lord has done for us it’s we can’t we have to sharewe have to share what the Lord has done in our liveshe has redeemed us we must share that and we must share with others in the very next chapter of Acts Chapter 5 you know the Apostles they told they commanded him don’t go don’t speak in that name any more said I’m away but they continued continued to preach Christ continue to share with praises done and they continue to perform many signs and wonders so much so that many people will be converted many Jews were being converted and they were no longer going to the Jewish synagogue but there was going to the Christian church here and Paul and or me Peter and John teach the Sadducees became outragedbecause all these people were not showing up right so then when they laid hands on the apostles and they put him in prisonfor preaching Christ then in Acts Chapter 5 to pick up a verse 26 says then the captain went with the officersWell let me get ahead of myself the Lord delivered them from prisonhe on did the shackles that held him in prison open the doors they walked out of the prison so they’re right back out there preachin. So they’re like where did they go the next morning like where did they go so they come looking for me they went and found them then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence for they feared the people lest they should be stoned and when they had brought them they set them before the council and the high priest asked them saying that we not strictly command you not to teach in this name and look you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood on us but Peter any other possibles answered said we ought to be a god rather than man the God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree Him God has exalted to the right hand to be Prince and Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins and we we are His witnesses to these things and so also is the Holy Spirit and God has given to those who obey Him when they heard this they were furious and plotted to kill them then one in the council stood up a fair sea named gamma lel a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people and he commanded them to put the Apostles out for a little while and he said to them men of Israel take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men for some time ago thought of us rose up claiming to be somebody a number of men about 400 joined him he was slain and all who bade him were scattered and came to nothing after this man Judas of Galilee rose up in those days.In the days of the census and drew away many people after him and he also perished and all who bade him were dispersed and now I say to you keep away from these men and let them alone for if this plan.Or this work is of men it will come to nothing but if it is of God You cannot overthrow it lest you even be found to fight against God The wise old Fair see the wise old teacher Gamli old it surely are flecks truly reflects the wisdom they gotta given him keep away from these men keep away because if it’s a man it’s just going to fail but it if it is of God Do you really want to fight against God It’s incredible and we know that damn Aliya would have passed this wisdom along to PaulI’m sure that most here and most listening of probably heard the old saying Don’t judge someone to you’ve walked a mile in their shoe Now I know some of the younger people may not have ever heard that same but most of us that are well advanced in years have heard that right the old admonition to walk a mile in someone else’s shoesand it’s trulya wonderful same because it reminds us to practice a little empathy before we are too quick to judge someone rightand I know that we’re not talking about judging todaybut there is a principle found in this old saying that Don’t judge someone so you’ve walked in the shoes that can be very hopefulin our ministry and our testimony in our sharing with others and I’m going to use another example that really isn’t tied to this but it yet it can bemost of us I’m sure are familiar with it with this and or know someone that has had cancer ormaybe even been that personand we know that when someone hears that dreaded news that you have cancer that they’re devastated they’re devastated they’re shocked they’re depressed the rover Well with all the thoughts that are flooding their minds flooding their hearts 1st then they’re going to think is cannot survive this.Can I survive all the treatments cannot survive all that my body is going to have to go through I’m not going to die so many fears going through their.Shouldn’t that way rightso many fear is going through their minds but medical experts know that one thing that can truly help that person that has received that dreaded news is to hear the testimony of someone who has fought the same battle and wonhim a right to hear that testimony that one has fought the said I had the same cancer that you did and yes it was a battle but you can beat it I beat it and you can beat it too it will give them hope it will give them encouragement to hear the stories they hear the testimony it will win Speier them in their own battle but for someone that has not experienced it to walk up to that person and pat him on the shoulder and say all honey it’s going to be Ok on no you get through this it doesn’t bear the same weight as that person that has walked in your shoesthat has experienced spiritual sync spiritually speaking the same principle pluswe know a man that well actually I would think we had him here many years ago named Carlos Reyesthis man when he was a young man I’m not sure how he was a teenager into he’s young adult life he got mixed up with drugs and alcohol and gangs and all kinds of things that he shouldn’t have gotten intobut the Lord delivered him from thatset him free from that broke those chains that bounding this man has a tremendous testimony testimony of what the Lord can dois an amazing testimony to hear.Set him free and he is a great witness to young people that maybe in that lifestyle or thinking about that lifestyletestimony to God can set you freefriends we all have a testimony what does a testimony look like what it should look like it doesn’t need to be real long it can be shortened to the pointdon’t make our witness longer than it needs to be don’t make our personal testimony longer than it needs to bethere is a testimony of a man found in John Chapter 9 a man that was blind from birth Jesus touched gave him the sighthe’s going around telling everybody how wonderful Jesus is he he could see one of the religious leaders drug him in there and they’re telling Jesus as a demon he’s evil he’s wickedJohn 925 he answered and said whether he is a sinner or not I do not know but one thing on know that though I was blind now I see it as what Jesus did for that man I was blind and now I see your testimony can be that sure or testimony needs to be up to date it doesn’t hurt to tell what God did force in the past yes 35 years ago he saved me but it needed to be up to date what’s he doing for you now today because he is alive and well he’s not just the Lord of the past he is a lot of the presentLuke 189 whatever city you enter and they receive you eat sets things as are set before you heal the sick there and say to them the kingdom of God has come near youever presentthat can be part of our testimony the kingdom of God has come near you he is with me todaythe same message we sent every daythat God is alive he is near you he is with usso let’s be honest and let’s be realistic with one anothermost believers. I do not havesuch a dramatic conversion is it possible Paul’s most of us weren’t walking down the road one day and some tremendous light blinded us and put us on our faces on the groundmost of us didn’t hear that Autobytel voice from heaven it’s not that dramatic was it most of us may not have had a conversion like Carlos Ray as most of us probably weren’t involved in drugs and alcohol all and all those things all manner of evilbut most people here in this message probably lived a pretty normal life probably a pretty good person right an average Connop person an average Joe or an average Susie whatever you want to say pretty good person right you have most here probably haven’t killed it by right I mean we’re talking about that’s mornings out of school one kill 6 people right but most here probably haven’t killed anybodyprobably haven’t lived an extremely wicked life most are probably pretty good people like me I was a pretty good pretty average person I don’t think I was ever suspended from schoolI might have to stay after late one day I only remember giving and getting in about 2 little scuffles in school with you know friends but you know how kids can be I was a pretty good kid but back when we went to school the teachers had these things there was Wouldn’t things as some of them are about this long they were varied in size isn’t about that wide and some about that they can never caught a paddlekids today don’t know what that is they were called a paddle and they were allowed to use those things imagine that they were allowed to use those things on the kids if they got out of a line of schoolyou were bad he brought you home from the class and whacked without I had a couple of those not to mention I did a couple of those. Because you know when a teacher leaves a room kids get rowdy and I get rowdy real long with them so when you get Peter comes back all right line up you know you’re going to get that Pal and but I still thought I was a pretty good kid you know I might of Schrade a little bit in my young adult life some drinking and some things but a pretty good person as I thought of myself right as most people probably do I’m a pretty good person while tell you what the devil wants you to think you’re pretty good the devil want you to think that all good people go to heaven but friends that is just not trueEcclesiastes the 720 says for there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sinso kind of Sabbath school confirmed the message today whether you just feel a little something or what their murder of 6 murders 6 people it is both sin it is both sin we all know it we have all sin of all short of the glory of God right Romans 323so that little sin that stealing or that whatever it may be is just as bad as those who go out and murder sin is sinsin is sinthat average Joe that pretty good person is just as lost as the worst sinners among us todayI was saying that the 9 to says but your nicotine’s have separated you from Godand your sins have hidden your face hidden his face from you so that he will not herefriends those who are savedall who are say can say this can be part of your testimony I don’t know what a sinner you are but I know what a savior he is. I don’t know where your feet have taken you but his if car I Mount Calvary Still I don’t know what kind of words you have spoken but his a says Father forgive them for they know not what they do I don’t know what a sinner you are but friends I know what a savior he isthis I know that if you have repented of your sins and receive Christ as your Savior you have a story to tellyou have a witness take time to remember the excitement that build your heart when you 1st believed remember how hungry you were for him when you 1st believeremember how hungry was for that word remember that 1st love we were even talking about that last we can Bible study remember that 1st loveand though your face story may not be as exciting as some people’s It is still your testimony of what God has done for youor testimony must be Christ centered though it’s not about us it’s about what he has done for us and in us Romans 51 in 2 verses 9 to 11 says therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ how important is that that we know that that we are justified by faith and that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ through Also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in verse 9 much more then having now been justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his son much more having been reconciled we shall be saved by His life and not only that we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have been we have now we see the reconciliationI was reading an audible chambers this week actually shared it our little Bible study in prayer time Wednesday morning so it was awesome all chambers and verse here on October 28th and he this just want to read what he says and is called just a case by faith we have.He says I am not saved by believing I realize I say by believing it is not repentance that saves me repentance is a sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus the danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of the cause it is my obedience that puts me right with God my consecration never says I am put right with God because prior to all Christ died when I turn to God in my belief except what God reveals I can accept instantly the stupid stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes into me a right relationship with God and by the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified not because I am sorry for my sins not because I have repented but because of what Jesus has done to Spirit of God brings it with a breaking all over light and I know though I do not know how that I am say I know I do not know how but I know that I am say the salvation of God does not stand on human logic it stands on the sacrificial death of Jesus.The sacrificial death of Jesus we all have a story we have a testimony to tell to the nations there is a very old hymn that was very it was a very popular missionary him among the nomination of churches in past years very typical typical of the hundreds that were penned to express to determine dynamic energetic expansive attributes of the might think centric Christian missions however songs like this have become disliked by many of the modern churches because it implies a salvation to be attained only through hearing the preaching of the gospel of Christ which my friends is the truth we’re going to sing this song I want to read it to you 1st just of stanzassays we as we yet back up and start we’ve a story to be to tell the nations friends we’ve a story to tell the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right a story of truth and mercy a story of peace and light we have a song to be sung to the nations that sold if their hearts to the Lord a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword we have a message to give to the nations that the Lord to reign at the bus of has sent us his son to save us and show us that God is love we have a savior to show to the nations who the path of sorrow have chod that all the world’s great people might come to the truth of God.Friends we have a story to tell friends it is God’s desire it is God’s desire 1st Timothy it will not be up there to one through 4 therefore exert 1st of all that supplications prayers intercessions and giving the thanks be made for all men for kings and all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all good godliness and reverence for this is a good and except yet this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth it is God’s desire that all men come to the knowledge of the truth the knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ the knowledge that we are sinners that we need to repent and believe on Jesus Christ I don’t care what your story is but you have a storyit may not be dramaticbut of Jesus Christ has saved you you have a story to tell someone elsedon’t be afraid to share that story because just one word spoken can bring glory and honor to him it might say that lost souls that we might say psalm that they would come to Jesus.
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