Mission Impossible
Dead In Sin, Raised in Christ
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 26:8 NLT - Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?
OBSERVATION:
Acts 26 continues Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. In this chapter, we see that Paul recognizes Agrippa's broad knowledge of Jewish law, customs, and religion. Paul even refers to him as an expert in these areas (vs 3). Later in the chapter, Paul reminds Agrippa that he knew what the Prophets said about the Messiah (Jesus) who would come.
Acts 26:22-23 NLT - "But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen -- that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike."
Apparently, Agrippa was a firsthand witness to these historical events and knew all about them.
Festus, unfamiliar with all of this, could only reply, “Too much study has made you crazy!” (vs 24)
Acts 26:25-27 NLT - But Paul replied, "I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do--"
Acts 26:8 NLT - Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?
OBSERVATION:
Acts 26 continues Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. In this chapter, we see that Paul recognizes Agrippa's broad knowledge of Jewish law, customs, and religion. Paul even refers to him as an expert in these areas (vs 3). Later in the chapter, Paul reminds Agrippa that he knew what the Prophets said about the Messiah (Jesus) who would come.
Acts 26:22-23 NLT - "But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen -- that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike."
Apparently, Agrippa was a firsthand witness to these historical events and knew all about them.
Festus, unfamiliar with all of this, could only reply, “Too much study has made you crazy!” (vs 24)
Acts 26:25-27 NLT - But Paul replied, "I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do--"
With this, Paul brought the challenge and a point of decision directly to Agrippa. This is a good and often necessary part of the presentation of the message of who Jesus is and what He did for us — calling the listener to a decision. – David Guzik.
Unfortunately, King Agrippa did not turn to Christ. His comment reflects the sadness of those who “almost" decide but do not follow through.
Acts 26:28 NLT - Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
Acts 26:28 NLT - Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
If the sense is “almost,” Agrippa’s reply is especially sorry. Of course, almost being a Christian means that you almost have eternal life and will almost be delivered from the judgment of hell, but almost isn’t enough.
Far from being admired for how far he did come, Agrippa condemned himself even more by admitting how close he has come to the gospel and how clearly he has understood it, while still rejecting it. – David Guzik.
Far from being admired for how far he did come, Agrippa condemned himself even more by admitting how close he has come to the gospel and how clearly he has understood it, while still rejecting it. – David Guzik.
APPLICATION:
Paul, in his closing defense, left Agrippa with these words.
Acts 26:29 NLT - …"Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains."
You might wonder whether Paul failed to communicate the Gospel. No! He did the opposite. It’s not our job to save; that’s up to God. Our task is to follow what Paul outlined in this chapter. He offers us a simple four-step model to follow.
Example: Paul used his old life as an example of someone who was dead and then brought to life. He used phrases such as “I used to,” “I did,” “I caused,” “I cast,” “I had,” and “I was” (vs 9-11) to describe his past, all in the past tense. He was no longer the same man King Agrippa had known.
As he described who he was in the past, he also shared where he was now. Paul said, “he saw the light” (vs 12-18). Jesus met him where he was and saved him.
Share: Paul explained that he was careful to teach only about Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection (vs 22-23), and the change and impact they had on him and on those who have come to believe.
As Paul shared with those present, including Festus, who said he was “crazy,” Paul clarified that it was not just the truth but the “sober truth”—the complete truth—that could save someone from their inability to see it.
Invite: Paul directly stated, “Do you believe… I know you do?” Often, the challenge is understanding what people genuinely need. Asking“What are you waiting for?” and “How much more do you need to see and hear?” are effective prompts that invite people to accept Christ. Sometimes, simply asking, “Where are you at with God?” can yield surprising responses.
Pray: Like Paul, when the message isn't received, pray. Pray that they would come to know Christ as we have (vs 29), that their chains would be loosened, and that death would turn into life.
It may seem like an impossible mission, but God is still able to raise the dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT - But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for giving me life and raising me from the dead. I was so lost, dead in my sins and trespasses, but because of Your grace, I now stand alive in You. May I follow Paul’s example—not only to be an example myself but also to share, invite, and pray.
Paul, in his closing defense, left Agrippa with these words.
Acts 26:29 NLT - …"Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains."
You might wonder whether Paul failed to communicate the Gospel. No! He did the opposite. It’s not our job to save; that’s up to God. Our task is to follow what Paul outlined in this chapter. He offers us a simple four-step model to follow.
Example: Paul used his old life as an example of someone who was dead and then brought to life. He used phrases such as “I used to,” “I did,” “I caused,” “I cast,” “I had,” and “I was” (vs 9-11) to describe his past, all in the past tense. He was no longer the same man King Agrippa had known.
As he described who he was in the past, he also shared where he was now. Paul said, “he saw the light” (vs 12-18). Jesus met him where he was and saved him.
Share: Paul explained that he was careful to teach only about Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection (vs 22-23), and the change and impact they had on him and on those who have come to believe.
As Paul shared with those present, including Festus, who said he was “crazy,” Paul clarified that it was not just the truth but the “sober truth”—the complete truth—that could save someone from their inability to see it.
Invite: Paul directly stated, “Do you believe… I know you do?” Often, the challenge is understanding what people genuinely need. Asking“What are you waiting for?” and “How much more do you need to see and hear?” are effective prompts that invite people to accept Christ. Sometimes, simply asking, “Where are you at with God?” can yield surprising responses.
Pray: Like Paul, when the message isn't received, pray. Pray that they would come to know Christ as we have (vs 29), that their chains would be loosened, and that death would turn into life.
It may seem like an impossible mission, but God is still able to raise the dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT - But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for giving me life and raising me from the dead. I was so lost, dead in my sins and trespasses, but because of Your grace, I now stand alive in You. May I follow Paul’s example—not only to be an example myself but also to share, invite, and pray.
Today if you hear His voice, don’t harden your heart.” – Hebrews 4:7
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