Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 8

PAUL’S DEFENSE WAS THE GOSPEL!

From: July 8, 2023

‘Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”’ (Acts 26:28-29 NLT).

After Paul gave his defense before Festus, King Agrippa, Bernice and a crowd of Roman military officers and Jewish dignitaries, Agrippa realized Paul’s purpose. It wasn’t only a defense of his innocence, but a testimony of his salvation through the resurrected Jesus Christ. Paul wanted to persuade his audience to join him in believing and trusting in Jesus. This is why Agrippa interrupted Paul, saying, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

Agrippa got the point. Paul’s purpose and prayer was that they believe the gospel and follow Jesus. He cared more for preaching the gospel than defending his own life.

Can you imagine sharing the gospel to a judge who has the power to fine you or even execute you? Wouldn’t you want to hire a lawyer and do whatever it takes to get out of being convicted? Would you be thinking of sharing the gospel before a judge or jury?

Apparently, Paul had decided that no matter the situation or setting, his life purpose was telling others the Good News about Jesus Christ.

Let us determine to be like Paul. As the apostle Peter wrote, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for not sharing the Good News in our daily lives. We are easily distracted and put our cares on temporary things rather than eternal ones. Forgive us. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit and strengthen us to live for You and to always be ready to give a defense of the hope we have in Jesus, Your Son. For it’s in His name we pray, amen.

“Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18 NLT).

From: July 8, 2022

OUR EYE-OPENING ASSIGNMENT

Paul gave his faith testimony before the Roman governor Festus and the last of the House of Herod, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In his testimony, he shared the calling that Christ had given him.

First, he was sent by Jesus (“I am sending you”). The Greek word for this is “apostolos” (“one sent”). Paul was an apostle of Jesus.

Second, his ministry was to lead people into the light of the gospel to open their eyes and set them free from Satanic lies. So that they might “receive” the forgiveness that Christ offers and be given a place among God’s people.

Festus and Agrippa had different reactions to Paul’s testimony. Festus thought him crazy, while Agrippa admitted that he was nearly persuaded. But both decided that Paul was innocent of the Jewish leaders accusations. And both remained unchanged spiritually. Festus continued in spiritual darkness, failing to comprehend the light. And Agrippa stayed in bondage to sin, continuing in an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice and idolizing Rome.

Yet, Paul had fulfilled his calling. He shared the testimony that Christ had commissioned him to give. Some people choose to remain in ignorance, while others willfully choose to love their sin over submitting to Christ as Lord and Savior. Yet some have their eyes opened, being set free from Satan’s power, receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation through faith in Jesus.

Now we, like Paul, have been given this same eye-opening assignment.

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us the same assignment as the apostle Paul through Your Son, Jesus. We are sent. Strengthen us for the ministry You have given us. Open doors for Your Word to shine forth through us that people might open their eyes and be saved. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place— that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:22-23 HCSB).

From: July 8, 2021

GOSPEL-CENTERED PROCLAMATION

Paul’s testimony before the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa showed not only the focus of his gospel teaching, but also its rootedness in the Old Testament Scriptures. For he was convinced that the good news about the Messiah was clearly foretold by Moses and the prophets.

In Paul’s testimony, he gave three focused points for his gospel teaching:

1) Jesus suffered for our sins just as the Scriptures foretold. Chief among these are Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.

2) Jesus was the first to rise from the dead as the Scriptures foretold (Others have been raised, but only Jesus was raised to never die again).

3) Jesus is the Light of the World for both Jew and Gentile alike, as the Scriptures foretold.

This is the same message Paul preached everywhere. As he told the church at Corinth, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

This message continues to be the focus of our gospel teaching today, so that we may testify to everyone concerning the good news about Jesus Christ, so that in hearing they might believe unto eternal life.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to continue to teach and preach the simple gospel to everyone. We would neither add nor subtract from it. For it is the power of salvation to all those who believe. Give us the focus and boldness of the apostle Paul to testify of Jesus to everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I now send you, 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” (Acts 26:17-18 NKJV).

From: July 8, 2020

PAUL’S EYE-OPENING ASSIGNMENT

Paul gave his faith testimony before the Roman governor Festus and the last of the House of Herod, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In his testimony, he quoted the calling that Christ had given him.

First, he was one “sent” (“I now send you”). The Greek word for this is apostolos. Paul was an apostle of Jesus. Second, his ministry was to lead people into the light of the gospel and set them free from Satanic lies, so that they might “receive” the forgiveness that Christ offers.

Festus and Agrippa had different reactions to Paul’s testimony. Festus thought him mad, while Agrippa admitted that he was nearly persuaded. But both decided that Paul was innocent of the Jewish leaders accusations. And both remained unchanged spiritually. Festus continued in spiritual darkness, failing to comprehend the light. And Agrippa continued in bondage to sin, continuing in a incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice and idolizing Rome.

Yet, Paul had fulfilled his calling. He had shared the testimony that Christ had commissioned him to give. Some people choose to remain in ignorance, while others willfully choose to love their sin over submitting to Christ as Lord and Savior. But some have their eyes opened, being set free from Satan’s power, receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation through faith in Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us the same assignment as the apostle Paul through Your Son, Jesus. We are sent. Strengthen us for the ministry You have given us. Open doors for Your Word to shine forth through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.” (Acts 26:22-23 NLT).

From: July 8, 2019

THE FOCUS OF GOSPEL TEACHING

Paul’s testimony before Festus and Agrippa showed not only the focus of his gospel teaching, but also its rootedness in the Old Testament Scriptures. For he was convinced that the good news about the Messiah was clearly foretold by Moses and the prophets.

In Paul’s testimony, he gave three focused points for his gospel teaching:

1) Jesus suffered for our sins just as the Scriptures foretold.

2) Jesus was the first to rise from the dead as the Scriptures foretold (Others have been raised, but only Jesus was raised to never die again).

3) Jesus is the Light of the World for both Jew and Gentile alike, as the Scriptures foretold.

This is the same message Paul preached everywhere. As he told the church at Corinth, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (“1 Cor. 15:3-4).

This message continues to be the focus of our gospel teaching today, so that we may testify to everyone concerning the good news about Jesus Christ, so that in hearing they might believe unto eternal life.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to continue to teach and preach the simple gospel to everyone. We would neither add nor subtract from it. For it is the power of salvation to all those who believe. Give us the focus and boldness of the apostle Paul to testify of Jesus to everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”’ (Acts 26:29 NLT).

From: July 8, 2018

PAUL’S PURPOSE AND PRAYER FOR HIS AUDIENCE

After Paul gave his defense before Festus, King Agrippa, Bernice and a crowd of Roman military officers and Jewish dignitaries, Agrippa realized Paul’s purpose. It wasn’t only a defense of his innocence, but a testimony of his salvation through the resurrected Jesus Christ. Paul wanted to persuade his audience to join him in believing and trusting in Jesus. This is why Agrippa interrupted Paul, saying, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

Agrippa got the point. Paul’s purpose and prayer was that they believe the gospel and follow Jesus. Agrippa had used the name “Christian,” a name first used in Antioch to describe disciples of Jesus (See Acts 11:26). It was a new name, more respectful than that which Paul’s accusers had used, calling him a “ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5).

The “Nazarene” is what they had called Jesus. And it is the name that ISIS recently used to label Christians in the Middle East, forcing them to wear the Arabic letter “N” on their clothes and painting it on their houses.

Paul was proud to wear either name, as long as they identified him with Christ. His purpose and prayer was that others would join him.

“I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.” (Psalm 6:6 NKJV).

From: July 8, 2017

David wrote of a time when he was so distressed in his soul that his nights were filled with groaning and his bed drenched with tears. Whether the occasion was because of his enemies without or of his own sense of guilt within, he described the torment he felt as he cried out for the Lord’s help, yet for a time, heard no response.

Some have described such a time as the “dark night of the soul.” Anyone who has been a believer for any length of time has probably experienced such a “night.” Which is really an indefinite period that can last for days or weeks, or longer, as one’s soul cries out for the Lord’s response. Such a state is intensified, in that night, which was meant for rest, has instead become a time of weariness and groaning. And the bed, which is meant for comfort and relaxation, becomes a place of torture and tears.

David experienced such a time. And certainly, so did Christ, as He cried out to the Father in the garden of Gethsemane. Yet, the Father is not far away. He never leaves, nor forsakes us. David’s sixth psalm closes with confidence that the Lord has heard him in his distress. And we too, can have that confidence. For ultimately, the dark night ends, and a new day dawns, and the Lord answers us in our distress.

‘But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.’ (Acts 26:25 ESV)

From: July 8, 2016

When Felix, the Roman governor over Judea, heard Paul’s testimony, he accused him of being “out of his mind.” Felix recognized Paul as an educated man, referring to his “great learning” (v.24). Yet, Paul’s report of his vision of the resurrected Christ was too much for the Roman governor. He dismissed it as insanity. Paul’s response was notable. He replied that his testimony was both “true and rational.”
This reminds me of C.S. Lewis’ observation that the testimony concerning Jesus as the Christ can only rightly be answered in one of three ways:
1) It was false and Jesus knew it = Jesus was a LIAR.
2) It was false and Jesus didn’t know it = Jesus was a LUNATIC.
3) It is TRUE and Jesus proved it = JESUS IS LORD!
Felix dismissed Paul’s testimony as lunacy. Yet, many others believed. The truth is, many are “out of their minds” in this world. However, it isn’t those who believe, but those who reject Jesus as Lord, who have been given over to a “debased mind” (Rom.1:28).

“I now send you, 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” (Acts 26:17-18 NKJV)

From: July 8, 2015

Paul gave his faith testimony before the Roman governor Festus and the last of the House of Herod, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In his testimony, he quoted the calling that Christ had given him. First, he was one “sent” (“I now send you”). The Greek word for this is apostolos. Paul was an apostle of Jesus. Second, his ministry was to lead people into the light of the gospel and set them free from Satanic lies, so that they might “receive” the forgiveness that Christ offers. Both Festus and Agrippa reacted to Paul’s testimony. Festus thought him mad, while Agrippa admitted that he was nearly persuaded. Both decided Paul was innocent of the Jewish leaders accusations. And both remained unchanged spiritually. Festus continued in spiritual darkness, failing to comprehend the light. And Agrippa continued in bondage to sin, incestuously loving his sister Bernice and idolizing Rome. Yet, Paul had fulfilled his calling. He had shared the testimony that Christ had commissioned him to give. Some people choose to remain in ignorance, while others willfully choose to love their sin over submitting to Christ as Lord and Savior.

“But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest…” (Acts 26:22 NLT)

From: July 8, 2014

Leadership gurus often instruct their clients to write a personal purpose statement to bring focus to their life. Paul was a man who often declared his personal purpose statement. Here, he announced his purpose to “testify to everyone” about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. When a life is lived with such singular purpose, it burns like a laser with focused energy. Paul said, “This one thing I do,” not these thousand things I dabble in (Phil.3:13). What’s your life purpose?