More of Paul's trial. He got a chance once again to share his "story" with the King Agrippa and Festus. Festus thought he was crazy and King Agrippa let the message go right over his head. Funny, how that didn't seem to deter Paul in the least. He didn't concern himself with whether or not they listened to him, all he cared about was that he had a chance to share the Gospel once again. They knew he wasn't guilty too but their hands were tied because of Caesar. He was on his way to Rome.
I wonder what I would have done. I don't know if I would have felt like my "story" is what kept getting me into trouble and would have just shut up - or not. Paul had a tenacity that was unparalelled! Just keep telling that sory - believe people will get saved - and know God is going to take care of you.
Keep right on doing what God has called you to do no matter what. Keep speaking the good news whether people 'hear' you or not. It isn't up to us to make them listen, it is just up to us to share the 'story'.
2 comments:
Amen, Pastor Susan, our job is to keep on sharing and sharing and sharing, praying for people's ears to hear and hearts to receive. Some of us plant, some of us water, and God will bring in the harvest.
Every time I read about Paul’s prison times and persecutions, I don’t remember ever reading that he walked around with a long face saying “why me, Lord . . . why is this happening to me, Lord . . .” Rather, Paul worshipped and praised God . . . not for being in jail or for being persecuted but for who He (God) was in his (Paul’s) life, which kept his focus on God and not on the situation . . . which kept him instant in season and out to share the gospel!
Paul had a passion for God, which gave Paul a heart for the lost. After Paul gives his testimony (vs. 4-23), Agrippa says to Paul in vs. 28, “Do you think you can make me a Christian so quickly?” Paul did not react to Agrippa’s brush off but focused on sharing the gospel. Paul continued calmly with “I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” (vs. 29) In other words, I pray that you will know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior!
Father, give your Church such a passionate heart for the lost that our passion for the lost will overshadow any problem or circumstance we may be going through. Let us see people through your eyes, with your heart, and through the blood of Jesus. Amen
I love the last verse of this chapter, spoken after the 3 dignitaries realized that Paul was not deserving of death or jail: "Then Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'"
I have to wonder if Paul purposefully appealed to Caesar -- so he could continue to share the Gospel with the leaders and authorities with whom he might never have an audience?
Wow, what an obedient, man-on-fire for God! And what confidence and faith he had in God to keep him!
Would i make the choice to continue in chains (or an uncomfortable situation) in order to have the opportunity to share the salvation message with someone whose probabilty of accepting it is pretty slim?
Faith and belief in planting the seed. Like you said, Pastor Susan, we are just responsible to present the plan.
Passion for the lost, like you said, Mom.
Those things are what break chains.
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