Paul had been told that he would have opportunity to share his testimony before the leaders of Rome. As Paul made his way to Rome, God literally opened opportunities for him to share the Gospel with the leaders of the Empire.
In Chapter 26 of Acts, Paul is speaking before the Roman Procurator Festus and King Agrippa. As Paul shares he states confidently, Acts 26:22 (CSB) “To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great…” Paul understood that the key to any effectiveness in his witness lay not with him but with the help he received from God.
Too often we fail to share our faith because we fail to remember that God is there to help us. We fall for the lie that it is our responsibility to save others. It isn’t. God is always the one who does the saving work; we are simply along for the ride.
As Paul shared his conversion story with these men, he reveled the new purpose that he had received in life. Acts 26:16–18 (CSB) ” But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
The purpose of Paul is the purpose of all Christians. We may not all stand before Kings and Procurators, but we all share the same purpose. Every day God brings people into our lives so that He can work through us, ”To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
Perhaps the reason we fail so miserably in this purpose is because we don’t value our relationship with Christ enough. When Paul was put on the spot by Agrippa that he would not be so easily converted, Paul emphasized the motivation for his zeal, Acts 26:29 (CSB) “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”
Paul’s motivation was the life he had with Christ. It was so special, so intimate, so powerful that Paul wanted everyone to experience it. Paul gladly embraced his new purpose. Do you?
Dear God, help me to embrace my new purpose in life so that I want to do everything possible to draw others to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Food Cards Needed for NKU International Students
We have 50 international students stranded at NKU (primarily from African nations). There is a need to collect gift cards FOR THESE RESTAURANTS SPECIFICALLY (walking distance to where they are housed with no transportation) to help feed these students: Chipotle, Canes, Chick Fil-A, Ichiban, Subway, Wendy’s, and Meijer. They were supplementing their income to cover food costs at NKU and are now unemployed.
Currently, we no longer need food for the Piner Families. If we receive any more requests, we will restart this program.
Join us for worship on Campus or through live streaming on Sunday Morning, May 24th at 10 AM.