Truth Telling
Reading: Acts chapter 26 verses 19-29.
ill:
4 boys entered the classroom at school two hours late;
• And nervously, rather sheepishly;
• They told their teacher they were late due to a flat tire.
• The teacher knowing what rascals these 4 boys were decided to test their story;
• She wanted to know if they were telling the truth.
• She gave them each a piece of paper and a pencil;
• And sent them to four corners of the room.
• Then she asked them to answer just one question:
• Which tire was flat?
ill:
• Story of the little 4 year old girl called Sophie;
• Who despite several reprimands kept telling lies and spinning tall tales.
• So her mother decided to tell her the story of the boy who cried wolf;
• “He kept telling the villagers a wolf was about to attack, but there was no wolf at all”.
• Sophie’s mum explained.
• “Wasn’t he naughty?”
• Sophie replied very seriously; “Oh yes!”
• Sophie’s mum continued the story:
• “And then one day there really was a wolf,
• And he cried out but everyone thought he was lying and the wolf ate him up. Silly hey?”
• She looked down hopefully to see if Sophie had got the point;
• 4 year old Sophie was deep in thought;
• Then she replied; “I was eaten by a wolf once!”
Telling the truth:
• If you have ever been in a court of law;
• Maybe you were there as a victim, a witness or even as a defendant!
• But if you have been in a court and you were called to give evidence;
• Then you will have had to read certain words from a card.
• “I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth , and nothing but the truth…”
• They are usually sworn while holding a bible or other holy item.
Now whether we know it or not:
• Every Christian is on trial every day of their lives.
• We are in the biggest courtroom of all - the world around us.
• And the people of the world have a right to look at us and see Jesus!
Ill:
• In San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
• More than 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex;
• Known worldwide as "The Alamo."
• At one time it was a Catholic mission and fortress complex,
• Which became the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836
• Today the site has been turned into a museum.
• Near the main entrance into the Alamo museum on a wall,
• Is a portrait with the following inscription:
“James Butler Bonham—no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.”
• Every Christian is the image or should be the image of Jesus;
• To a world that does not know him!
• We see this idea illustrated for us in the life of the apostle Paul;
• As he stood before King Agrippa.
• He is in a pressure cooker situation;
• But notice how he remains faithful to God despite opposition!
Background:
• Let’s meet the main characters involved in this passage:
• There are three of them that we need to know.
(1). Festus, the Roman Governor.
• Festus is a typical high class Roman of his day.
• He is the ‘new kid on the block’.
• The Emperor Nero has made him Governor of Syria and Palestine;
• He has been brought in as a fixer.
• To try and clean up the mess his predecessor had left behind.
• His predecessor was a man called Felix – who made a number of bad decisions.
Ill:
• Mainly the case of the apostle Paul.
• In Acts chapters 21 and 22 Paul goes to Jerusalem and causes a riot!
• Quote: Tony Campolo:
• “When Paul preached it was followed by a riot,
• When we preach it is followed by a cup of tea!”
• Paul had done nothing wrong;
• But because the Jewish people of that city did not like his message – they reacted badly!
• As a result Paul was put in prison.
• In Acts chapter 24, there is a trial;
• And Paul’s case is brought before the then Governor Felix.
• Felix finds Paul innocent but keeps him in custody;
• Hoping that Paul would offer him a bride to let him go.
• Paul would not do something like this;
• So Felix kept him in custody for two years – don’t miss that!
• When Felix was recalled to Rome,
• Felix left Paul in prison because this pleased the Jewish people – it appeased them.
Now in chapters 25&26 Festus enters the picture:
• After just a few days, he has a trial about Paul’s case,
• And once again he finds Paul’s innocent!
• Not once has Paul broken any Roman law,
• But Festus is wise enough to know that this problem is all about Jewish law.
• So Festus suggests that Paul stand trial in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin.
• Paul is against this because he knows he will not get a fair hearing;
• And as a citizen of Rome he exercise his right to appeal to Caesar.
• (Read about that in Acts chapter 25 verse 12).
• Festus confreres with his council, and he declared:
• "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!"
Note:
• Festus was in a sticky situation.
• If he released Paul, this would cause the Jews to riot.
• If he sent Paul to Rome without any Roman charges,
• He would look bad to the Emperor.
• Festus, being a wise politician and being new to the region,
• Asked the advice of King Herod Agrippa on Paul’s case.
(2). King Agrippa.
• This King Agrippa was a Herod – he was from the family and clan of Herod.
• His full title was King Herod Agrippa II.
Note:
• The Herod family and clan in the New Testament;
• Were often opponents to the things of God.
e.g. 1:
• His great grandfather, was Herod the Great,
• He ruled all of Palestine.
• He was the Herod who killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem.
• Shortly after Jesus was born.
e.g. 2:
• His great uncle, King Herod Antipas, ruled in Galilee.
• He beheaded John the Baptist.
• This same uncle;
• Was the Herod that was in Jerusalem on the Passover when Jesus was crucified.
• He interviewed Jesus before sending him back to Pilate.
e.g. 3:
• His father, King Herod Agrippa I, is found in Acts 12.
• He ruled all of Palestine.
• He was the one who had James the apostle executed.
• He was the one who put the apostle Peter into prison.
Note:
• For the apostle Paul to stand before a Herod:
• Would be a courageous thing to do.
• This Herod – King Agrippa sad to say was also a rogue and a rascal:
• He had alongside him a lady called Bernice.
• Bernice was Agrippa’s sister.
• She had been married to her uncle, and had she had deserted him.
• She married a man called Polymon, and run away from him.
• Now she was living in an incestuous relationship with her brother Agrippa.
• They were brother and sister, living together as man and wife.
• So for the apostle Paul to stand before a Herod & Bernice as God’s representative;
• Would be a courageous thing to do.
• There was a name for people who upset royalty – victim!
(3). Paul.
• Paul was born Saul and at one time was an opponent of Christianity;
• He was determined to destroy all Christians and their false message!
• But one day he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.
• And the persecutor turned preacher.
• And as I mentioned earlier;
• His preaching got him in trouble with those who did not like his message.
On 3 separate occasions between chapters 24 and 26:
• Paul would stand before different audiences to defend himself;
• Often he stood alone.
• The audience that he addressed was made up of unbelievers,
• Many of whom were hostile and rude.
Question: Do you know the method Paul used each time in witnessing?
Answer: His personal testimony.
• Each time he spoke he simply shared how his own life had been changed,
• By the risen, glorified Lord Jesus Christ ill: chapter 26 verses 4-18.
Question: Why did he share his testimony?
Answer:
• Because one of the most convincing,
• Unanswerable argument on earth regarding Christianity is one’s personal story.
Ill:
Like the blind man in John chapter 9.
• People might not believe your words,
• But they will have no answer for your changed life or different lifestyle.
Challenge:
• When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?
• Pray and ask God to give you the opportunity this week!
3 lessons from this passage:
(1). WE MUST OBEY GOD’S VISION (vs 19-20)
19"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
Quote: Leonard Ravenhill:
“The Church today has never had so much vision, trouble is it is television!”
• God gave Paul a vision for his life.
• It was a calling, a vocation, a plan that God wanted Paul to fulfil.
• Paul did not have that plan all mapped out;
• He had an outline – we read about it in Acts chapter 9 verse 15:
“But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
• Paul did not have that plan all mapped out;
• God would lead him step by step.
Ill:
• Never A to Z.
• Rather it is A to B, B to C, C to D etc
Question:
• Have you discovered God’s vision, his plan for your life?
• In other words; Christian do you believe that you are in the place God wants you to be?
Ill:
• In the 1700’s a little man in England, a shoe cobbler by trade,
• Kept a map of the world on a wall of his workshop;
• So that he could pray for the nations of the world,
• He became burdened for a definite missionary outreach.
• When he shared his burden at a meeting of ministers,
• He was told by one of the senior men of God:
“Young man, sit down. When God wants to convert the heathen,
He will do it without your help or mine.”
• But William Carey did not let the fire of his enthusiasm be dampened by such a response,
• And eventually he left the shores of England for those of India.
• History calls William Carey; “The father of modern missions”.
• Carey was one of the founders of the Baptist Missionary Society.
• He also translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, and numerous other languages & dialects.
• William Carey; is the story of one man who believed God had a plan for his life;
• And he was obedient, faithful to discovering that plan!
Question: WHAT ABOUT US?
• Have you discovered God’s vision, his plan for your life?
• In other words; Christian do you believe that you are in the place God wants you to be?
• I don’t want to assume I am in the place – I want to know!
• That assurance comes as we seek his will, read his word & fellowship with God’s people.
(notice Paul’s) Answer:
• In verse 19 Paul tells King Agrippa that;
• His vision, his motivation, his goal, the reason he got out of bed in the morning;
• Was to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Question: HAVE YOU CAUGHT THAT VISION?
• The New Testament records tell of forty people,
• Each suffering from some disease, who had been healed by Jesus.
• Of this number, thirty-four were either brought to Jesus by friends;
• Or Jesus was taken to them.
• In only six cases out of forty;
• Did sufferers find their way to Christ without assistance.
• That tells me that if do not bring people to Jesus;
• They ain’t gonna come!
Quote: Matthew chapter 9 verses 35-38
‘Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the labourers are few.
Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out labourers into his harvest."’
(2). WE MUST NOT FEAR ACCUSATIONS (vs 24-27)
24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
25"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."
Ill:
• Two taxidermists stopped before a window in which an owl was on display.
• They immediately began to criticize the way it was mounted.
• Its eyes were not natural;
• Its wings were not in proportion with its head;
• Its feathers were not neatly arranged;
• And its feet could be improved.
• When they had finished with their criticism,
• The old owl turned his head ... and winked at them!
No matter what criticism may come our way (and as sure as ‘eggs are eggs’ it will):
• When you are wedded to the truth;
• You need not fear it.
• Like the old owl time will prove your critics to be wrong and without substance;
• So if you face criticism – hang on in there.
Note: Chapter 25 verse 23:
“The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city”.
• This trial is a big occasion; anybody who is anybody is there!
• Including although all the leading men of the city.
• Notice Paul has one purpose,
• And his eyes are only focused upon one man in his congregation.
• His eye is on Agrippa.
• He mentions Agrippa’s name all the time during his defence.
• He did it in verse 2, verse 7, verse 13, verse 19 and verse 27.
• He made direct reference to Agrippa.
• He was in this great assembly, but he was talking to Agrippa. T
• There’s no doubt, what was in Paul’s mind; he was after the soul of this man.
• So, he kept addressing himself personally to Agrippa!
Now remember the background of Agrippa:
• In front of him was a preacher,
• Making no secret of the fact that he was out to convert the King;
• And he kept mentioning the King throughout the whole of the sermon.
• In Agrippa’s mind was the mess:
• That the past two or three generations of his family;
• Had got into by opposing the message of Jesus.
• By his side was his sister, now taking the role of his wife;
• A visible reminder of his own sin and depravity.
• But Paul remained faithful to the call of God;
• Despite the opposition he was and could further expect to face.
Ill:
• Hugh Lattimer once preached before King Henry VIII.
• Henry was greatly displeased by the boldness in the sermon;
• And ordered Lattimer to preach again on the following Sunday;
• And to also apologize to the king for the offence he had given.
• The next Sunday, after reading his text,
• He began his sermon:
• “Hugh Lattimer, dost thou know before whom thou are this day to speak?
• To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty,
• Who can take away thy life, if thou offendest.
• Therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease.
• But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest—upon
• Whose message thou are sent?
• Even by the great and mighty God,
• Who is all-present and Who beholdeth all thy ways;
• And Who is able to cast thy soul into hell!
• Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.”
• He then preached the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday;
• Only this time with considerably more energy.
(3). WE MUST PRESENT THE TRUTH OF GOD (vs 26-29):
26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
Paul stood before King Agrippa and presented the truth of God about Christ.
• Twice in this chapter (vs 3 & 26)
• Paul tells Agrippa that: “He was familiar with these things”.
Question: “What things”?
Answer:
• The things concerning Jesus Christ.
• Just look at verses 20b & 23:
“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds”
“The Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."
• Paul’s message was a message of repentance from sin;
• And a belief, a faith in the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Application: THIS IS WHY GOD PUT US HERE!
• To present the truth of God about Christ to people!
• God wants all men to be saved in Jesus
• And He wants us to do the work of pointing people to Christ!
Ill:
Swedish Au-pair.
• Meant to say; “What on earth are you doing?”
• Instead she said: “What are you doing on earth?”
