According to the U.S. News, over 80% of New Year's Resolutions have failed by the weekend.
The New Year is for many people a New Beginning
People make resolutions with the hope that the New Year will bring positive change.
The 10 most common New Year Resolutions are:
1. Spend more time with Family and Friends
2. GO to the Gym
3. Loss weight
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quick Drinking
7. Get out of Debit
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organized
Continued
• IT IS for many people, a fresh start…a new beginning.
• BUT for Christians we have already experienced the greatest NEW BEGINNING…we are a NEW CREATION
READ: 2nd Corinthians 5:17
1. In our passage Paul’s details, his NEW Beginning for us. His testimony
2. Paul provides us with an outline for sharing our testimony
Background and Context of Acts 26:1-23
• Paul is detained in Caesarea on allegations made my Jewish chief priest and elders.
• He has refused to be taken to Jerusalem and has appealed his case to Cesar
• Although the Jewish leaders wanted Paul killed, Roman officials could not find him guilty of anything.
• During this time, Paul to speak with King Agrippa.
• Not a legal defense since Paul innocence has be acknowledged. Rather, Paul takes this hearing/ trial as an opportunity to explain the motivation of his life and ministry.
• He provides his testimony for the purposes of sharing the gospel.
God desires that we use our own story of life change to share the gospel.
EVERY opportunity to speak to people is an opportunity to speak of Christ.
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As we examine Paul speech to the King, I’m going to provide you with some information about myself and (4) considerations when sharing your testimony.
1. Recount your Condition before knowing Christ
READ Acts 26:4-11
Paul was:
a. Pharisee (v.5)
b. A persecutor (vv. 9-11)
Illustration:
Before Christ I was:
a. Grew up in a non-Christian home
b. Military—the Marine Corps
c. Attraction to sin
Point of Application
Who were you before Christ?
a. What is your story?
b. Did you grow up in a Christian home?
c. Were an atheist or agnostic?
d. Lost people can relate to your former life.
e. Looking back at the person we use to be should make us thankful for the work God has done IN us.
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2. Recall your conversion to Christ (vs. 12-15)
• Christ spoke to Paul, called him by name, and informed him it was futile to continue fighting the Lord.
• Paul made two surprising discoveries:
a. Jesus of Nazareth was alive
b. Christ is so united with his people that their suffering is His suffering!
Illustration
My Conversion:
a. One day I felt the call to church
b. I didn’t know what I was hearing, but I knew it was the truth
c. God CHANGED me.
Application
How did you come to Christ?
Conversions occur in diverse ways:
a. Developmental (You grew up in church)
b. Crisis Conversion (Traumatic event)
c. Process (You considered the other world views and found them lacking)
POINT: No matter how you were converted, a supernatural act of God took place by the SAME God who saved Paul!
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3. Recognize and share your commission by Christ (vs. 16-18).
a. Jesus sent Paul as a minister and witness in order to:
i. Open their eyes
2 Corinthians 4:4, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (ESV)”
ii. Turn them from darkness to light
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV)"
iii. Turn them from the power of Satan to the power of God
Illustration
My ministry calling: Teach/ Preach ministry.
Application
• We have the Great Commission!
• What is your calling?
• Every Christian has a calling and ministry?
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4. Reaffirm your commitment to Christ (vs. 19-23).
• Paul was faithful to his calling
• We also see that Paul endured hardships for Christ
Illustration
• Over the years I have shared the gospel with many people who have not been pleased to hear it.
• I have spoken with atheists, JW’s and proclaiming “Christians”
• When I tried to be faithful to my Commission, hardships occurred.
Application
• FIRST remember that when we share the gospel it is with an attitude of LOVE!
• We are called to be a LIGHT in a fallen world, we must be strong, courageous, and faithful to the calling God has given each one of us.
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Conclusion
Success in evangelism is sharing God’s good news of salvation in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
Was Paul unsuccessful (vs. 28)? YES!
He was successful because he was faithful!
Like Paul, faithfully tell your story!!!
