The Important Thing is that Christ is Preached

Do you find yourself sharing your testimony when a conversation turns to spiritual and faith matters? I do.

Acts 26:1-32

Jesus told us he would give us the words and courage.

More and more I take people back to my personal story of coming to know Christ. For me, it grounds the conversation into something that has been experienced rather than a theoretical discussion.

In the book of Acts, Paul’s conversion is told three times (Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-16 and 26:12-18). Paul himself also refers to his conversion in his letter to the Galatians and the Philippians. For Paul, the undeniable truth of the gospel of Christ was emblazed in his heart and mind through the encounter and presence of Christ in his life. This moment on the Damascus road where Jesus spoke to Paul turned his life upside down and realigned his priorities. He went from persecuting and denigrating the name of Jesus and his followers to living and preaching Christ through enormous sacrifice and ultimately his death. The most important thing was that Christ was preached.

In the 26th chapter of Acts, Paul had been imprisoned and was presented before Festu, (Governor of the district), and King Agrippa (Jewish King) in Caesarea. Paul once again shared his conversion story with them, appealing to the King’s knowledge of the Law and Prophets that Jesus is the Messiah,. Festus thought he was crazy! Agrippa challenged him, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28 NIV) Paul’s response, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am…” (Acts 26:29 NIV)

For Paul, people needed to use this moment to preach Christ and his prayer was for people to become Christians. It was absolutely essential to Paul that people heard the message for Jesus.

I am humbled by his singlemindedness and challenged by his courage.

Jesus told us he would give us the words and courage. Let me Fan the Flame for us today—believe in faith that God wants to speak through your life the gospel. And ask Him to enable you to take an opportunity today to share your story of the blessing of knowing Jesus.

God bless.

Pastor Stephen