Acts 21: When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place.

And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.) 30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.

35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”

Telling Your Story Act 21:17 – 28:31 Acts is the account of Paul’s missionary journeys. He and his companions have shared the story of Jesus far and wide. Neither the Jews, nor the Romans liked what Paul was saying.

Paul has had opposition before, but now his arrest in Jerusalem brings on great difficulty. However, it does not stop his ministry. Telling his story…giving witness to Christ in his defense…was his ministry even while he was accused and in prison awaiting trial.

Why was Paul arrested? The Jews thought he was a troublemaker. What were the charges? It was difficult for the Jews to bring charges that could be prosecuted. Religious dispute rather than legal.

Chapter 24 5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

But Paul understood that he was really on trial because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead, especially the resurrection of Jesus: 23:6 “I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 24:21 Same statement

Chapter 25 (Festus speaking to King Agrippa) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters…

Paul’s defense: He simply told his story! He told how he was just like the Jews himself, until Jesus stood before him on the road to Damascus. He told what he knew about Jesus on a personal level. Witness -- testimony.

His story: His upbringing was in the Jewish faith He was a Pharisee steeped in the Law He defended the faith by persecuting the followers of Jesus Until…on the road to Damascus he was blinded by light and heard Jesus’ voice speaking him to be a servant and witness to both Jews and Gentiles

These 7 chapters are redundant. Paul tells his story to: The crowd The Sanhedrin Governor Felix Festus King Agrippa Roman guard & prisoners Roman Christians Writes letters from prison No opportunity to stand before Caesar

Paul was upset with the Jews because what he proclaimed was what the Jews hoped for... what God had promised their ancestors. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead… but they just couldn’t see it in Jesus.

Chapter 26 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Paul has the confidence to say this in front of King Agrippa and Jews accusing him. He knows who Jesus is and never changes his story because of threats on his life. “Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to Him”. Romans 14:8 His witness is simply telling what he has seen and experienced with Jesus.

Putting it all together We are also suppose to be witnesses for Christ. That simply means that we are to share our personal story of Jesus. All we can do is tell how we have experienced Jesus in our lives.

Some people have dramatic experiences…like Paul. Others are low-key, almost mundane…like mine. None of us have exactly the same experience; that’s part of the beauty of our relationship with Christ.

Giving our “testimony” is not so common as in past generations. But it still important to share our faith through our story. Today, it may be more conversational than a monologue.

If Jesus is our hope in life...and in death, then we need to share our story. People today are more interested in how Christ can help them right now, So it is important to tell people how Jesus has affected your life.

Some things to share: Hope, purpose in life Jesus gives us worth, value He’s taken away the ugliness of things we’ve done in our lives Help through difficult times Connectedness, relationship How Christ has changed or enriched your life

Maybe there was a pivotal point, a crossroad… Or maybe you grew into your faith over a long period of time… Maybe you’ve walked with Him so long you can’t remember life without Jesus…

Your story is unique, And it has the power to inspire and encourage others… Both believers and non-believers. Don’t be afraid to share your story. Whether it is dramatic, or simple, it is your story with Christ.

My story…

The Book of Acts is about the disciples and apostles sharing what they had experienced with Jesus. We are called to continue to tell that story in our world today.