Turn in your Bible to Acts 26 for our lesson this morning

Acts 26:12-19

Jesus Knows Who You AreJesus Knows Who You Are –“Saul, Saul…”  Before you were ever conceived – Jer. 1:5  While you were in your mother’s womb – Psa. 139:13-16  When you were living outside of Christ – 1 Tim. 2:5-6  As one of God’s children – 2 Tim. 2:19; John 10:11, 3 –Est. 500 billion galaxies with avg. 300 billion stars in each –Est. 150,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars in universe –“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” – Psa. 147:4  In the heart of the Lord, YOU are precious & unique  The Creator, Savior & Judge of all knows you!

Jesus Knows What You Are DoingJesus Knows What You Are Doing –“Why are you persecuting Me?”  “There is no creature hidden from His sight… All things are naked and open to [His] eyes” – Heb. 4:13 All things are naked and open to [His] eyes” – Heb. 4:13  The acts & words of your disobedience – Ecc. 12:14  The acts & words of your obedience – Matt. 6:4, 6, 18  The sacrifices you are making for Him – Rev. 3:8; 2:23  The struggles you are going through – Heb. 4:15; Jn. 2:25  The flaws & weaknesses you are working on – 1 Jn. 3:20  The tough decisions you are trying to make – Jas. 1:5-8

Jesus Knows That Living Against Him Is HardJesus Knows That Living Against Him Is Hard –“It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Making things more difficult & injuring no one but himself)  Living the Christian life is narrow & difficult – Mt. 7:13-14  “But the way of the unfaithful is hard” – Prov. 13:15 –Kicking against God, your Creator & Sustainer –Kicking against Jesus, your only hope – Col. 1:27 –Kicking against truth, your only way to God – 1 Tm. 2:4 –Kicking against righteousness, your only acceptable “lifestyle” – Rom. 6:13-23; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 2:29 –Kicking against your soul’s “built-in yearnings” – Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Jer. 38:16; Acts 17:27; Rom. 1:20

Jesus Knows What He Has in Mind for YouJesus Knows What He Has in Mind for You –“…to make you a minister and a witness…to send you…”  His eternal plan for you involves: –Your salvation in Him (1 Pet. 1:18-21) »Redeemed with precious blood of Christ – 1:18-19 »Planned before the foundation of world – 1:20 –Your service in holiness (Rom. 12:1-2) »Living sacrifice, holy, reasonable service – 12:1 »Not conformed to world, acceptable to God – 12:2 –Your security in heaven (2 Tim. 4:7-8) »For those who fight, finish & keep – 4:7 »There is laid up the crown of righteousness – 4:8

Jesus Gives These InstructionsJesus Gives These Instructions –Arise & Go Learn! – Acts 22:10  Paul obeyed – Acts 9:7-8  He was taught the will of God – Acts 22:14 –Arise & Be Baptized! – Acts 22:16  The urgency & purpose (thus, essentiality) of baptism  Paul obeyed – Acts 9:18 –Arise & Go Preach! – Acts 22:21  Go to the lost: open their eyes, turn them from darkness and the power of Satan that they might be saved – 26:18  Paul obeyed – Acts 9:20-22; 26:19

Believe that HE is the Son of God – John 20:31Believe that HE is the Son of God – John 20:31 Repent from your sins by HIS authority – Acts 2:38Repent from your sins by HIS authority – Acts 2:38 Confess your faith in HIM – Romans 10:9Confess your faith in HIM – Romans 10:9 Be immersed into HIM – Galatians 3:27Be immersed into HIM – Galatians 3:27 –Sins are forgiven – Acts 22:16 –Added to His church – Acts 2:47 –Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Shine for HIM faithfully until the end – 1 John 1:7Shine for HIM faithfully until the end – 1 John 1:7

What did King Agrippa do with Jesus?What did King Agrippa do with Jesus? –He knew about Jesus!  “For the king…knows these things; …none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.” – Acts 26:26 –He believed in Jesus!  “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” – Acts 26:27 –He rejected Jesus!  “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’” – Acts 26:28 Will you be altogether persuaded today?