(Acts 26:1-2 NKJV) Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: {2} "I think myself happy, King Agrippa,

because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews

In the verses ahead we have Paul’s testimony – The account of a life TRANSFORMED by Jesus. He tells us three things about this transformation introduction

The man he had become in Christ The One who transformed his life. The man he used to be. introduction

key insight: In it we also see The ESSENCE of evangelism The WORKINGS OF GOD in the saving of a soul. introduction

"My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. {5} "They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, the man he used to be (Acts 26:4-11 NKJV)

the man he used to be that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. {6} "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. {7} "To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain.

the man he used to be For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. {8} "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? {9} "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

the man he used to be {10} "This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. {11} "And I punished them often in every synagogue

the man he used to be and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

key observation: Paul was not merely a devout Pharisee (Phil. 3:5) - he had also been a zealous persecutor of the church. He had punished the believers and tried to force them to deny Jesus Christ, and sent some of them to their death. the man he used to be

In the early days of the church, the Jewish believers continued to meet in the synagogues, and that was where Paul found them and punished them. Which, by the way, Jesus had promised would happen to them. the man he used to be

"But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (Mat 10:17 NKJV)

the man he used to be note well: Paul was out of control in his hatred of Christians and being exceedingly enraged against them v.11 EXCEEDINGLY superabundantly:-- MAD To rave on, i.e. rage at:--be mad against.

Paul was like a wild animal in his rage against Christians. the man he used to be “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:3) “breathing out threatenings and slaughter” (Acts 9:1)

In VERSE 9 He said, "I thought I should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." The Lord Jesus has never had an enemy more bitter and brutal than Saul of Tarsus. He had an deep-seated hatred of Jesus Christ and of the gospel. the man he used to be

Paul wants Agrippa - a man with a history of violence - to see how Jesus can transform lives. Paul didn’t take an anger management class - He was TRANSFORMED by Jesus note well: That was Paul BEFORE Jesus. the man he used to be

key insight: Paul is NOT sharing his pre-Jesus life for shock-value. He is NOT glorying in it. You do NOT have to have a RADICAL TESTIMONY to prove that Jesus changes lives. the man he used to be

key insight: A man sold out and submitted to Jesus IS RADICAL. Even if you didn’t smoke or chew or run with them that do, the fact that you live for Jesus and love Jesus cost you everything. the man he used to be

the One who transformed him key observation: Having shared what he was like before Jesus, Paul goes on to tell Agrippa WHO transformed his life and HOW He did it.

the One who transformed him (Acts 26:12-14 NKJV) "While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, {13} "at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven,

brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. {14} "And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language,

'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

the One who transformed him key insight: The light that Paul saw was supernatural. It was the glory of God revealed from heaven It blinded Paul for three days (Acts 9:8-9), but it opened his spiritual eyes and enabled him to see the living Jesus.

(2 Cor 4:3-6 NKJV) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, {4} whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them…

{6} For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

the One who transformed him But seeing a light was not enough; he also had to hear the Word of God. (Acts 26:14-17 NKJV) "And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language,

'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' {15} "So I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. {16} 'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose,

to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. {17} 'I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

key insight: Jesus knows how to “speak our language.” the One who transformed him key observation: Jesus Christ spoke to Paul in Hebrew and called him by his name.

the One who transformed him He speaks to each of us right where we’re at. He knows just how to get through to each of us.

the One who transformed him key application #1 - We ought to be sure that we are speaking to the unbeliever in a language that they can understand. We ought to be seeking the Lord as to how we can GET THROUGH to them - But ONLY the language can change!

the One who transformed him THAT is how Jesus works. He will be glad to show us, I’m sure.

the One who transformed him key application #2 - He calls each of us PERSONALLY. He calls each of us “by name”. We need to make our evangelism as PERSONAL as possible.

1.) Jesus of Nazareth was alive the One who transformed him key observation: In that moment on the road to Damascus, Paul had made two surprising discoveries

the One who transformed him 2.) Jesus was so united to His people that their suffering was His suffering!

the One who transformed him It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' (Acts 26:14 NKJV) key application: Isn’t it radical to know that God, in His grace, speaks to those who are His enemies. And even more than that, His STUBBORN enemies.

the One who transformed him God had been dealing with Paul, but Paul had been resisting Him, kicking against the “goads.” goad = A rod, generally about eight feet long, with a pointed end used to control oxen.

Paul had been FIGHTING against God, RESISTING God by kicking against the pointed conviction of the Holy Spirit. the One who transformed him

the man he would become 'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness… (Acts 26:16 NKJV)

the man he would become key observation: Jesus was going to MAKE something out of Paul make = to handle for oneself in advance

the man he would become key insight #1 - Jesus had been working in Paul’s life up to that very moment to MAKE something out of Paul that would serve His eternal purposes.

the man he would become key insight #2 - He had been handling Paul in advance to MAKE of this proud and violent man a minister = “an under-rower” and refers to a lowly servant on a galley ship.

the man he would become note well: The purpose of the under-rower was to get the people above deck to their destination. What a PERFECT illustration of Paul’s life and ministry. He LIVED to get people to Jesus.

(1 Th 2:19 NKJV) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

the man he would become Here is the proof of a transformed life - Paul had been accustomed to being an honored leader - But after his conversion he became an under-rower; and Jesus Christ became his Master.

the man he would become key insight #3 - He had been handling Paul in advance to make of this proud and violent man a witness. witness = Martus…. We get the word martyr from it.

the man he would become How TRUE that would be of Paul key application: We can not just become a witness for Jesus. Jesus must make us one.

Paul stood before Agrippa, Bernice and Festus BECAUSE he was transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ. I’m before you today because Jesus transformed my life.

Maybe you know someone who is an enemy of Jesus - Maybe YOU have been fighting against Jesus. Jesus can, and will, transform YOU!