Paul defends himself before Agrippa by explaining his hope. This is the same hope of the fathers who received a promise from God. This is the same hope shared by the prophets and Moses. Paul’s hope was in a Christ that would suffer and be raised from the dead. The promise of a Christ was fulfilled in the suffering and raising of Jesus of Nazareth. God raised Jesus from the dead, thereby affirming the claims of Jesus – most notably deity and Messiahship. Paul proclaimed that forgiveness of sins is possible only through faith in Jesus the Christ. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 26:1-23.
If I do what is right, does it really matter why I do it? This question is examined from a biblical perspective in light of Paul’s trial before Festus. In the trial Festus initially does not fulfill a request made by the Jews regarding the trial of Paul. Was this a virtuous act? What constitutes a virtuous act? These questions are examined in our sermon today. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 25:1-12.
Christians are those committed to following God. We understand that God is the Lord over all creation, therefore we must submit to His lordship. This is often easier said than done. For our way in life may be more difficult and have more trials than we prefer. Yet, Scripture teaches us to expect hard times while following Christ. Paul’s life and ministry was full of blessings in following Christ. Yet, it also had much suffering.  Through it all we see God’s will accomplished and Paul’s willing submission to God’s way - even when the way is difficult. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 24:1-21.Â
People often get more than they bargained for. Sometimes it happens because you don’t think through all the implications of a commitment you make. In Acts 23, we may ask if Paul got more than he bargained for. In the end, we must conclude that he did not. He got exactly what he expected when he committed to follow the will of God wherever it led. If we feel like the Christian life is more than we bargained for, it may be due to a misunderstanding of what God has called us to when He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 23:1-22.
Paul was convinced that God’s ways are best. This was not always true for him. Before his conversion he denied God’s ways – that is, God’s ways in salvation through Jesus Christ. Later, he questioned God’s ways – when he was commanded to leave Jerusalem rather than stay and preach Jesus. Finally, Paul was convinced that God’s ways are best and unflinchingly followed when God sent him back to Jerusalem to face certain persecution. Our lives are full of opportunities to prove that we believe God’s ways are best – and we do this by joyful submission to God’s Lordship over all our lives. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 22:1-30.