Acts 26
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Acts 26
In Acts 26, Paul finds an audience with those with influence. How does he use this opportunity? By giving a beautiful explanation of his story, sharing the gospel, and calling those listening to a response.
Paul’s Story
You might be familiar with the way that we train people to share their spiritual story. When you’re sharing your story, share:
Some might spend more time telling about life before Jesus, some after, but the point is that sharing your story is directing people to what Jesus can do in the life of the person (or people) that you are sharing with.
Paul explains that before he truly met Jesus, he was an elite Pharisee, to the point that he was persecuting the very people that identified as Christians. He tells of his encounter with Jesus that changed everything for him in verses 12-18, and even in those verses, Paul describes the commission that Jesus gave him as a result of his conversion.
Sharing the Gospel
Verses 20-23 are a beautiful expression of the gospel. Paul talks about repentance, the suffering of Christ on the cross that had been foretold by the Old Testament prophets, and his resurrection from the dead.
Calling for Response
Paul is not shy in his desire for Agrippa and those listening to come to know Christ. And then, Agrippa did what many who hear the gospel do: they put it off. It is true that the cost should be counted before becoming a Christian, but the reality of sin and hell are real, and there is also a great urgency in calling people to respond to the free gift of grace that is being offered to them in Christ.
I hope this passage serves as a great encouragement in your evangelism efforts. Pray this week, that God would direct you to people to share your story to, share the gospel with, and call for a response. You cannot make anyone become a Christian, but you can be faithful to do what God has called you to do, and trust him with the rest.
By: Graham Withers
Read: Acts 26
In Acts 26, Paul finds an audience with those with influence. How does he use this opportunity? By giving a beautiful explanation of his story, sharing the gospel, and calling those listening to a response.
Paul’s Story
You might be familiar with the way that we train people to share their spiritual story. When you’re sharing your story, share:
- What life was like before meeting Jesus.
- What Jesus did.
- How your life has been different.
Some might spend more time telling about life before Jesus, some after, but the point is that sharing your story is directing people to what Jesus can do in the life of the person (or people) that you are sharing with.
Paul explains that before he truly met Jesus, he was an elite Pharisee, to the point that he was persecuting the very people that identified as Christians. He tells of his encounter with Jesus that changed everything for him in verses 12-18, and even in those verses, Paul describes the commission that Jesus gave him as a result of his conversion.
Sharing the Gospel
Verses 20-23 are a beautiful expression of the gospel. Paul talks about repentance, the suffering of Christ on the cross that had been foretold by the Old Testament prophets, and his resurrection from the dead.
Calling for Response
Paul is not shy in his desire for Agrippa and those listening to come to know Christ. And then, Agrippa did what many who hear the gospel do: they put it off. It is true that the cost should be counted before becoming a Christian, but the reality of sin and hell are real, and there is also a great urgency in calling people to respond to the free gift of grace that is being offered to them in Christ.
I hope this passage serves as a great encouragement in your evangelism efforts. Pray this week, that God would direct you to people to share your story to, share the gospel with, and call for a response. You cannot make anyone become a Christian, but you can be faithful to do what God has called you to do, and trust him with the rest.
By: Graham Withers
4 Comments
Thanks for the commentary this morning Graham! Such a great reminder of what the main focus our testimony should be - Jesus.
Love this Graham! People can choose to not believe in the Bible but if we share our stories with passion & sincerity about how Jesus changed our lives and gave us joy, that is beyond dispute. If you are a Kentucky basketball fan, imagine you just attended an NCAA Final and watched UK win a thrilling game on a last second buzzer beater. You would want to share that amazing experience with anyone who would listen. Your experience is real and your excitement about sharing the story draws people in to listen. Even though we see things in our culture that are deeply disturbing, our joy & enthusiasm in Christ must be real to people so that they'll listen to our story. When we live joyless lives and simply grind our way through each day we are not showing Jesus to others. (please understand I am preaching to myself as I write this). Regardless of circumstances, my joy in Christ should always be visible to those around me. Blessing to you this Thursday Jumpstart readers.
"You cannot make anyone become a Christian, but you can be faithful to do what God has called you to do, and trust him with the rest."
This is so important to remember. How often do we continually pray for a non-believer, and have conversations with them, and then just get frustrated when they just don't get it? We have to understand that everything happens in God's timing, and we just need to be faithful in sharing the gospel. Praying that I won't get discouraged when things don't happen in my timing, but that I rely on God and his sovereignty.
Bringing them to a point of response. So key. We often share and never expect a response.