Sermon On the Net

DEDICATED TO THE END

 

ACTS 26: With the permission of King Agrippa Paul told his story. After a proper addressing to the council Paul begins to explain that from the beginning of his life, he lived as a dedicated member of the Pharisees in the strictest sense, and now finds himself on trial for the promise and hope made by God to our fathers. Paul was taught that he had to be hostile to the name of Jesus and His followers, and he was very dedicated to that task, putting them in prison; even to casting his vote against them for death.

 

Paul then explains the time of the Lord appearing to him on the road to Damascus and speaking to him, asking why he was persecuting Him. Paul, blinded by a very bright light surrounding him and his men, asked whom it was that was talking and the Lord told him who He was. He told him that He was appointing him to be a minister and witness of all that he had seen and all the things that He would show him. Paul explained to King Agrippa that he was immediately obedient to God and began to preach repentance to all, and the fact that they should turn to Jesus for their salvation. For this very reason the Jews were trying to kill Paul. Paul told Agrippa he was and is still committed to the preaching of the Good News of salvation through Jesus. Paul reiterated reason for the death of Jesus. Agrippa responded by telling Paul he was crazy. Of course Paul denied his accusation and actually told Agrippa that he should have been aware of this. Paul told Agrippa that that he (Agrippa) believes in the Prophets, at which Agrippa accused Paul of trying to convert him. Agrippa and his people arose and conferred with each other admitting that Paul could have been free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

 

A very significant point was made in this chapter in verse 18 when Jesus told Paul that his mission was to “open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul was a very dedicated religious person, but was on the wrong path as so many dedicated, religious people are today. It appears to me that many people would rather dedicate themselves to a religion than to the Bible (God’s word) and freedom from the consequences of sin. We do not have to experience what Paul did on the road to Damascus, all we need is faith, the same faith that Paul had. It was his faith in God that saved him, nothing else. If you don’t have faith you cannot find God, therefore I ask you to pray for the faith you need to realize that Jesus died for you on the cross and believing in Him releases you from the dominion of Satan to the freedom of God’s world.