Paul's Testimony Pt. 3 ~ Pastor Dan Cravillion

Paul’s Testimony Pt 3

2014-09-14

Acts 26:19-29 English Standard Version (ESV)

19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

There are 3 components to a testimony: Before Conversion (4-11), Conversion (12-18), After Conversion (19-23)

·      Today: After conversion… we will start here, but we need to remember the unifying theme.

o   Paul’s: zeal for serving God

Paul’s testimony proclaimed the power of the Gospel, not only to save but also to transform lives.

·      With God’s enabling Paul didn’t ignore Jesus but rather obeyed Him. Acts 26:19-22a, Lk 6:46 & 3:8, 1 Cor 9:27, 1 Pet 1:14

o   The proof of genuine repentance is a life characterized by obedience.

§  Not just the getting rid of the negative “sin”, but also a positive “pursuit of ___”.

·      Works are never the basis of salvation but are an inevitable result of genuine repentance.

o   Obedience acknowledges God's authority & wisdom, expresses trust in God, & is proof of love for Jesus.  Heb 11:8, Jn 14:15,21

To be honest like Paul: we need to tell a person that becoming a Christian is not an automatic removal of struggles and difficulty. 

·      Peace & joy are fruits of salvation, but don’t use these as drawing cards for salvation.

o   If you do…the lost will respond with impure motives & lack true repentance.

§  This is displayed by the continuing of sin & disobedience to Jesus Christ.

o   We should NOT JUST preach come to Jesus for happy a lifestyle but rather to flee from the wrath to come

§  So when life gets difficult, we are not angry at God or lose our joy/peace.

·      parachute story: better flight or saved from sure death.

Test into Gospel…not contrary to Scriptures/history. Act 26:22b-26, 1 Cor 1:18-25

·      Paul is saying that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were and are proven facts and able to be examined.

o   Festus thought the resurrection was impossible….thinking any sensible person knows the dead don’t rise

§  This is supreme egotism: If I can't understand it, it isn't true, & you must be insane." 

·      King Agrippa was the last of Jewish kings until Jesus’ 2^nd coming. He seems unable to deny what has been said & unwilling to believe.  Acts 26:27-29

o   By remaining silent, Agrippa confirmed the truth of what Paul said- ie. The Gospel.

§  In the end: the prisoner is a free man while the king remained a slave.

Like Paul, we need to emphasize the need for a decision and response to the message.

·      But we also need to be satisfied with knowing we were faithful & not orientated toward results.

o   There is no report that anyone came to faith that day--though some may have believed.

Video (on LEFC website under “What Is the Gospel) presents Gospel & encourages Christians to obey Jesus & share Gospel…in the power of the Holy Spirit.

·      http://ellerslie.com/short-films/the-gospel

Paul’s Testimony Pt. 2 - Pastor Dan Cravillion

Paul’s Testimony Pt. 2

2014-09-07

Acts 26:12-18

12"In this connection I journeyed 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, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 

15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 

16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17  delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you  18  to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Paul, before the whole Jewish legal council & the three highest Palestine political officials, defends himself against false accusations, in part by sharing his Christian testimony.

·      Testimonies are stories told by Christians about what God has done and is doing in their lives. 

o   Every Christian has a testimony of life-changing work of Jesus in their life.

·      A testimony is an eyewitness account - not arguing anyone into heaven!

3 components to a testimony: Before Christ (4-11), Conversion (12-18), and after Conversion (19-23)

·      My goal: Is to help you organize your thoughts so you can present your testimony clearly & concisely anytime.

o   Last weeks point- 1:Before Christ (4-11), today’s is point 2: Conversion (12-18),

Outside the cross and resurrection of Jesus, Paul’s conversion may be next most important New Testament event.   Act 26:12-15

·      Paul is explaining what happened the day God changed his life forever.

o   Notice that conversion is connected to Before Christ theme: Jesus interrupted the persecuting activity against Christians.

·      Whereas Before Christ: General, fluid, multifaceted, hints of seeking. 

o   Conversion is a specific event connected to Before Christ handle with Jesus Christ and/or the Gospel as the focus.

§  Specific event: Damascus Road, bright light, heard voice.

·      Keep it simple…you don’t need every detail. Act 9:3-9

How specifically did you receive the gift of salvation?

·      Include Gospel here & at end…..use Christ’s name.

o   Some have very clear event.  My testimony.

o   Others: were raised in Christian homes, and regularly exposed to Gospel or saved at early age so are sometimes unsure of the exact events/timing.

§  I suggest planting a “marker”. Lew’s test.

Evangelism/Missions isn't something someone else does somewhere else;

·      It's what God has sent you to do wherever you are. 1 Pet 2:9

o   Saved out of darkness not to be out of world but to be sent back into world.

Like Paul, what Christ aims to do through your testimony is open eyes of spiritually blind; to turn them from darkness to light. Act 26:16-18, Jn 3:19, Lk 1:78-79, 1 Jn 1:5-6

·      Piper: Darkness isn’t strange for blind. It’s their “normal”.

o   Lost are blind to & are at home in the darkness of sin: it is their natural state

·      Unless a God-wrought miracle happens they will remain spiritually blind.

The Holy Spirit uses testimonies with the Gospel to open men's eyes.

·      And not just open eyes, but turn from darkness to light…conversion.

o   Resulting in a new creation and a complete transformation. 

·      Today, remember when Jesus saved you & freed you from power of Satan so we can glorify God & celebrate Lord’s Table with a greater gratitude and joy.

Paul’s Testimony, Pt. 1 ~ Pastor Dan Cravillion

Paul’s Testimony, Pt. 1

2014-08-31

Acts 26:4-11

4  "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7  to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9  "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10  And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

We need to see unplanned events as divine appointments not interruptions & irritations.

·      Story about the oil pan drain plug...

• Sharing seldom requires extra time in your schedule, just a greater awareness.

·      2 yrs of frustrating events gave Paul an opportunity of lifetime. Proclaim the gospel without hindrance to powerful people, that he would  not have encountered in normal course of events

o   Act 26:4-27 is a beautiful example of sharing the Gospel with a Christian testimony.

Testimonies are the stories told by Christians about what God has done and is doing in their lives. 

·      It is both a pleasant & painful past that God uses to open our eyes to the need of  a Savior.

·      What is He doing NOW in your life (difficult & comfortable) to transform you to be more like Jesus is also part of your Christian testimony.

o   That means every Christian has a testimony & your story is important even if you don’t have a sensational/dramatic testimony.

§  I believe the best testimonies aren’t “wild child” ones.

·      Christian testimony is sharing the life-changing work of Christ in your life.

o   It’s hard to argue with because it’s your experience with God as a believer.

The goal of a testimony is to inform rather than coerce people into salvation. 

• Crossfire example
• We do not need to argue/debate anyone into heaven but to give eyewitness testimony!

o   As in a courtroom, we're called to be witness for Gospel, not the lawyer, judge or jury.   1 Cor 2:1-5

3 testimony components: Before Christ (4-11), Conversion (12-18), After Conversion (19-23)

·      Today look at 1^st part of personal testimony…BC

Testimonies are fluid & multifaceted: they start & end with any “handle” that relates to discussion.

·      Paul was accused of stirring up riots & subverting Judaism so he begins Christian testimony with his Jewish heritage & misguided religious zeal.  Act 26:4-5, 9-11

o   Hint: like Paul tone down graphic sin!

·      What are some of your testimony “starting points”?

o   It might include event observed/involved, emotional trauma, discussion, “out of the blue” thoughts, etc

§  If you were saved young: you have similar struggles as other youth.

§  Use current discussion/activity to ask questions and to lead to your testimony.

Everyone is called to share their faith, not everyone has gift of evangelism. Mt 28:19, 2 Cor 5:20, Eph 4:11-12, Rom 10:14, 1 Pet 2:9

·       One of LEFC biblical values is: We will strategically share the Gospel with our local, regional and global neighbors.

o   For a Christian: Glorifying God is the main purpose, evanangelism is not the primary purpose. 1 Cor 10:31

§  In heaven there is NO evangelism.

• Gives Jesus glory & Christians joy when His people witness about the light of Gospel.

We don't usually hit targets that we are not aiming at, so be intentional & begin by 1^st delighting in Jesus & preparing with prayer (opportunity, courage) & action.  Mt 12:34b, 1 Pet 3:15-16,  1 Cor 2:1-5 & 3:6-7, Philemon 6, Jn 6:44 & 65

·      Live a life that glorifies God; verbally share your testimony with the Gospel, & trust God for results.

o   Ultimately salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, not clever presentations.