252 – Acts 26: Encountering
Jesus Changes Everything
He gives us hope
Now I am on
trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our
ancestors. In fact, that is why the
twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the
same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! ACTS 26:6-7 NLT
…we have a priceless
inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled,
beyond the reach of change and decay. And
through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this
salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be
truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many
trials for a little while. 1 PETER 1:4-6
NLT
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. ACTS
26:22-23 NLT
He changes our perspective
Why does it
seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead? ACTS 26:8 NLT
Suddenly,
Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” 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!”
ACTS 26:24-26 NLT
He increases our courage to share about Him
For I have
appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you
have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. And I will
rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to
the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and
from the power of Satan to God. ACTS
26:16-18 NLT
“King
Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—” Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to
become a Christian so quickly?” Paul
replied, “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.” ACTS 26:27-29 NLT
But if I say
I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart
like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones. I am worn out trying to hold it in!
I can’t do it! JEREMIAH 20:9 NLT
He changes our priorities
Now I am on
trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our
ancestors… “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose
the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.” ACTS
26:6, 9 NLT
“‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to
your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness.”
ACTS 26:15-16 NLT
Don’t copy
the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new
person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will
for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ROMANS 12:2 NLT
Community Group Discussion Guide