Acts 22-26 – UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH WEEK 17
Scripture: Acts 22-26
The Big Idea: The Gospel story is THE STORY!
Paul and his mission as a prisoner for two years:Time frame AD 57-59
- WHO IS PAUL?
- Pharisee
- Apostle
- Missionary
- Pastor
- Teacher
- Leader
- Influencer
- The most influential leader of the early Church.
- By the world’s standards (then and today) Paul must have appeared a fanatic.
- All he did was obey God’s call to influence the world around him.
- Paul never failed to courageously defend & preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Paul was not a man pleaser; he was a God pleaser.
{note)
Question: Are you willing to obey God with your life?
- WHAT IS PAUL’S STORY?
- KEY PLAYERS:
- The Jewish Crowd
- Roman soldiers
- The High Council
- Felix Roman Governor AD 52-59
- Festus Roman Governor AD 59 -61
- King Herod Agrippa II (Jewish) son of Herod Agrippa I and great grandson of Herod the Great who ruled at the birth of Christ.
- The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth
- Paul’s story: He preaches The Gospel in Jerusalem & Caesarea-“It’s All About Jesus!”
- I was in spiritual darkness; religious but lost.
- Jesus called me.
- I repented of my sins, and believed in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead.
- I was Baptized in Water.
- I received the Holy Spirit.
- Appointed to be a servant and a witness for Christ.
The Gospel is not mere information, it’s all about Life Transformation!
KEY QUESTIONS:
- Do you have a Gospel story?
- Has your life been (and is your life being) changed by the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Are you saved? (Born Again)
- DO YOU BELIEVE PAUL’S STORY?
- Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” Acts 26:24 NLT
- The Million Dollar, Eternal Life Giving question: King Agrippa: “Do you believe?” Acts 26:27 NKJV
- Maybe this is the saddest scripture?: Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26: 28 NKJV
- What holds us back from believing in Jesus? Almost isn’t good enough
- What holds you back from believing in Jesus?