A Life Changing Experience
Acts 26:1-23
4-2-00 a.m.
In 1980 when we move to Arkansas I was only 8 years old. But for 8 years I had grown up Dekalb IL. Yes your pastor was born a Yankee. However, since I have lived in Arkansas and Texas for the last 20 years I like to consider myself a Reformed Yankee. I know some people have more graphic description of a Yankee that moves South but let’s just leave it at that.
Moving from one part of the country to another can be very dramatic. Life styles can be very different and it can take some time to get used to the change. I remember when we were moving I was determined to fit right in with Arkansas. So I started rediscovering the ABC’s. Then when I got to our new home I found a little buddy and asked him to teach me how to be a southerner. Well it really wasn’t as difficult as I thought I just had to learn to talk a little slower and blur my syllables. And learn phrases like jaeatyet, yantoo, awight.
It wasn’t until I went back to visit my friends in IL. that I realized the conversion or life changing experience that had taken place. I was different and I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I wouldn’t want to move back for anything. I was happy with this life.
Compared to salvation that life changing experience amounts to very little. But in a way salvation is similar. Along with salvation comes a new way of living a new way of talking and a new way of experiencing life. When you give your life to the Lord there should be in a sense a cultural difference between the old life and new.
In this text we find Paul in prison because the Jews did not understand or appreciate his way of life. As he stands before King Agrippa, Paul explains to the King how he came to this place in life. Paul say before I was converted I believed like you, but I had a life changing experience that opened my eyes to the error of my ways, and from that time on I have been a different man. Listen as Paul shares his testimony with King Agrippa and those gathered in the auditorium.
Read Text: Acts 26:1-23
I. Pre-Conversion Experience
As Paul stands to deliver his testimony he begins by reminding those gathered that he was not always the man they see today. What Paul was saying here is, “I was opposed to the very faith I now embrace. I was like you with somewhat of a reputation.” Folks I want you to understand it was an:
A. Indignant Reputation
Everyone has some kind of reputation. Some are good and some are bad. We hear the phrase, “I have a reputation to protect”, sometimes thrown around in jest. Your reputation may be different with different people. I have a reputation for being stubborn. That is a characteristic that many of you could be labeled with also. Some have a reputation for being very generous. Some have a reputation for being mean, ornery, a prankster, or a stick in the mud. Some have a reputation of dependability and some untrustworthy. Reputations can be both a curse and a blessing.
Paul in his testimony says he had an Indignant Reputation in that he was known for two things. One he was a Pharisee of Pharisee’s. Look at verse 4-5. Not only does he admit he was a devout Pharisee but he also says that if anyone were asked they would confirm this to be true. Others knew of Paul’s reputation.
Throughout the Gospels Pharisees were known to be antagonistic toward Jesus. They were overly concerned with fulfilling the literal detail of the Law. They were always questioning and arguing with Jesus looking for a way to discredit Him. In saying this Paul was admitting that at one time he too felt the same way as King Agrippa and the rest of his audience.
Not only was Paul adamant about being a Pharisee he chose to be an adversary of what was referred to as the “Way”… that is, those who followed Jesus. In verse 9 Paul says he thought he should act in a way that was contrary to what Jesus taught. I guess you could say Paul rebelled. This, Paul says was his reputation. Not only did Paul have an indignant reputation he had an Indignant Determination. Look at verse 9.
B. Indignant Determination (Vs. 9 & 11)
When people are very adamant against someone or something it can become a cause or an obligation to defend their beliefs. Paul says in verse 9 “I must” do these things. And in verse 11 he says “often in every Synagogue”. In Paul’s contempt for Jesus and believers he felt he was obligated to go, he “MUST”, into “EVERY Synagogue” and he must go “OFTEN”. The NIV tells us that Paul’s contempt even took him to foreign cities. Now that is determination. But it is determination driven by hatred. And that indignation drove Paul to act out.
C. Indignant Application
This indignation did not seclude it self in Paul’s heart, Paul acted on his hatred. Look at verses 10 & 11. Paul put believers in prison, consented to their deaths, he made some speak irreverently against God or curse God. Thank God people don’t have the authority to treat us this way in the United States of America. But that doesn’t mean people won’t laugh at us or mock us.
Today there are still people like Paul once was, people who have no use for our faith. There are people who desire to hold on to a life style of rebellion. People who feel there is nothing wrong with having a good time as long as no one is getting hurt. They’re angry because our faith condemns such behavior so they resist and rebel.
Paul wants the King and those present to know that he, like them, chose not to believe that Jesus was Lord. And that he was more determined than they to discredit the faith. And those of us who are Children of God today can share a similar testimony. We resisted and chose to live life in a way that pleased us. Most of us not seeing anything wrong with our lives. But in God’s eyes we had a terrible reputation. But at some point we had an experience like Paul. Paul says, “at one time I believed just like you. I walked a dark lonely road but I had a life changing experience.”
II. Conversion Experience
I like the bumper sticker that says “Life is fragile handle with prayer”. Life is indeed fragile and some times things happen to us that bring that truth home. Through a near death experience on our part or a friend or family member or co-worker we are either reminded or realize at that moment that life is short and fragile. We vow to make the most of our lives from that moment on. Some would say it was a life changing experience. Someone who wins or inherits a large sum of money may tell you that it changed their lives for the better. But unless you had the life changing experience of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ than you will never fully experience life. Paul had such an experience. I want you to know it was:
A. A Visual Experience
Paul’s experience took place on the road to Damascus. On his way to persecute Christians Paul had a visual experience. He saw the light. The road he had taken in his indignation seemed bright. But when his eyes were opened to the Light of the Truth he realized he had been living in a world of darkness.
Some of you could testify to this very experience. I grew up in a Christian home and was saved at an early age so there wasn’t a dramatic change of life style. But some may have had to struggle through childhood and maybe adulthood in a non-Christian home. Some experienced bad relationships, hard times, resentment, bitterness, belittlement, alcohol, drugs, crime, or whatever kept your life unfulfilled and resentful you know what it is like to look at life from a totally different light of knowing Jesus as Lord. Regardless of how pleasant or unpleasant your life was the light of Christ will open your eyes to a glorious new world. Have you seen the Light?
B. An Audible Experience
Paul also had an audible experience. He heard the voice of the Lord.
Now I would venture to say that you probably have not heard the voice of the Lord in audible form. But those of us who have surrendered our lives to God HAVE had a similar experience. Look at verse 14. Paul indicates by saying “we” that he was not alone. However, Paul does indicate that God had singled him out. He said, “I heard a voice speaking to ME”. Furthermore God called him by name. I don’t know how many were with Paul but God was speaking in a very special way that spoke to Paul as an individual. With a world so populated as ours when God calls He still calls us by name. He singles us out.
I want you to also understand that when God speaks to you it will be very clear and understandable. In verse 14 Paul goes on to say that God spoke to him in the Hebrew language. God spoke to Paul in words that Paul was certain to understand. God does not want to confuse us. He wants to save us. He wants to lead us and love us. Do you want to hear and understand God? Than open His Word and open your heart. There you will find God speaking clear and loud.
C. A Verbal Experience
Paul also had a Verbal Experience. He responded to the voice of God. In verse 15 Paul asks, “Who are you Lord?” In Acts 22:10 giving this same testimony Paul also asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” Because Paul saw the errors of his ways and heard the loving voice of God calling him Paul exchanged his indignation for God’s salvation. When Paul said, “What shall I do?” he was saying God I have been so wrong. Now show me how I can serve you. Paul verbally expressed his desire to follow Christ. The Bible tells us that if we will confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus we will be saved.
God’s desire is for you to respond to the Light of His Truth and so He calls you by name personally and lovingly, have you responded? Have you had a life changing experience? If you have than your life should surely show it. Paul explains to King Agrippa that the man they see and hear that day is a result of the change Jesus made in His Life.
III. Post Conversion Experience
Look at verses 19-20. When you surrender your life to serve God not only should there be a change in your life there will be a change in your life. To surrender means that you abandon or relinquish your self-serving ways to follow the way of Christ. Before you were a prisoner of sin. But now you give yourself up as a prisoner of Christ and to his service. The Lord called Paul to a life of obedience and service. And Jesus expects the same from each of us today. In verse 19 Paul said, “He was not disobedient”. Know this, God calls us to a life of obedience.
A. Obedience
Paul had heard the voice of Jesus calling him to service. That was a call Paul could neither ignore nor disobey. Back in verse 16 Jesus said that Paul was to be a minister and a witness. Paul was faithful to that calling beginning with Damascus where he had planned to persecute those who believed in Jesus. When God saves us commissions us to serve Him. It is not a request it is a command. Are you being obedient to your calling? What are you doing to lead people to this wonderful new life that you now enjoy?
I want you to see in verse 20 that Paul says obedience not only involves witnessing but good works as well. His witness calls them to “repent, turn to God and do works befitting repentance.” He says once your saved by the grace of God… act like it. You cannot walk with the Saints and run with the Devil. Live a life doing things that make people wonder what makes your life so different. Then when they ask tell them.
B. Obedience brings rejection
This lifestyle won’t always be appreciated by people. In verse 21 Paul says that some rejected his witness and ministry. They seized him and even tried to kill him. You will probably never face this extreme hatred that Paul did. Some may laugh at you, they may shut the door on you, they may ignore you but by the strength of God you can stand strong.
C. Standing in God’s Strength
Look at verse 22. Paul says, “Having obtained help from God, to this day I stand”. What an encouraging word that should be to you. Believe that God is working in your life and will bring you through those times of rejection a better person. Then you will be able to stand and your stand will influence your critics instead of them influencing you.
Listen, no one is more powerful than the God you serve! Nothing is more true than the life He calls you to live. Know that what God calls you to do He will enable you to do. Where God guides He will provide. When we stand for God we stand in His strength, and love. With God’s help we can STAND but without His help we will FALL. I don’t know about you but I chose to stand upon the promises of God. Will you stand with me today?
Conclusion.
Perhaps you stand here today a child of God but you have not stood in the power of God. Maybe you have surrendered your life to God but not your total obedience. Today you need to decide will I be a spectator or will I be a participant the effort to further the Kingdom of God. You can’t be obedient and be a spectator. If that is a decision you feel you need to commit or recommit yourself to I want you to come forward today and let me pray with you. Just come and stand here in front with me and in a moment I want to lead the church in a special prayer.
Perhaps you’re here today and your looking for a place where you can go to work and serve the Lord through some area of ministry. I would encourage you prayerfully consider whether or not New Hope Baptist Church is that place. We want people to help us as we minister to one another and or community.
Perhaps you recognize today that you have never had the life changing experience that we talked about this morning. There is an emptiness or a sense of lacking something in your life. You like Paul realize the road your on is not the one that leads to God. You know God is calling you and you want to surrender your life to Him, to live in obedience to Him and in His strength and the promise of eternal life. Then come this morning I want to pray with you.
