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Main Idea
All Christians are commissioned to proclaim LIGHT and LIFE to a dark and dying world.
When I say John chapter one, what comes to mind?
- In the beginning was the Word…
- The Word became flesh…
- The Word was God…
John chapter one is one of the most beautiful and descriptive passages of scripture on the incarnation… God stepped into human history, leaving the throne room of heaven and putting on flesh to walk among His creation.
But, there is another key description of Jesus in this passage, and that is LIGHT and LIFE.
John 1:1–5, 9-13 ESV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Though we don’t have all of the details of what Paul said to Agrippa as he unpacked his testimony, and the gospel of John had not yet been written, I have a feeling Paul was pondering such truths in his heart that day.
Passage
Acts 26:12–32 ESV
“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Conversion Event vv. 12-15
The story begins with supernatural light at midday
Others with Paul also bore witness
Jesus spoke, asking the same question Paul had mentioned before: Why are you persecuting me?
Paul asks the same question, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus replies with the same reply we’ve heard before: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”
But here, Jesus says something else: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
A goad is a sharp stick used to prod oxen when they resisted what the farmer wanted it to do, highlighting the futility of fighting against God’s plan and will.
All the fussing, fighting, persecuting God’s people, and misplaced zeal were futile efforts to rebel against the direction of the God Paul thought he was serving. Jesus identified it, Paul felt it and then submitted to it. And that would be the best decision he ever made.
Conversion Purpose vv. 16-18
Rise and stand, for I have appeared to you for this purpose:
a. To appoint you as a servant and witness
b. To open the eyes of the people
c. To turn them from darkness to light
d. To turn them from the power of Satan to God
e. To show them how to receive forgiveness of sins
f. To give them a place among the redeemed
Scripture gives us insight into this spiritual dynamic. For the Jews, Paul told the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 3:12-18) that when the Law is read, their hearts are covered by a thick, dark veil that can only be removed by Christ. And, when that happens, the darkness is lifted, and their eyes are open to behold the glory of Christ, where there is freedom. In chapter 4, the ‘gold of this world has blinded the minds of all unbelievers, keeping them from seeing the light of the gospel.
Likewise, at Jesus’ coming, John tells us that the light of the world came to His own, but they didn’t recognize Him. When light pierced the darkness, they scattered back into the shadows like roaches. Why? Because they loved their sin, were enslaved to that sin, and were accustomed to the dark. So, what could be done to change this situation? Turn to Christ, embrace the light, and submit to the power this light has to remove all darkness within you.
Paul’s mission is the mission of every Christian. Each one of us who has been converted has also been commissioned. We have been commissioned to proclaim the gospel, the power of salvation. What happens at the moment of salvation? Our eyes are opened. We are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light… from the power of Satan (being enslaved to sin) to the power of God (a servant of righteousness), our sins are forever removed and forgiven, and we are placed in the household of God as sons and daughters.
We are all given the privilege to proclaim LIGHT and LIFE to those who are dead and in darkness.
Historical Truth of Conversion vv.19-21
I obeyed the one I formally fought against. That is how drastically He changed my life.
I spread the message of Christ from Damascus to Jerusalem and then throughout the Empire (to Jews and Greeks).
The core of that message was:
1. repent and turn to God
2. do works in accordance with #1.
This is why the Jews seized me and wanted me dead.
Proclaiming the benefits of Christ without the call to repentance is a half-baked gospel, and like a half-baked cake, it makes more of a mess than a meal. All who hear Paul’s words should hear the call of Jesus throughout His ministry: “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Secondly, the proof of your new life is seen in your works. Our good works don’t save us, but we produce good works because of our salvation. All who hear Paul’s words should also hear John the Baptist: “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” You have repented; now act like it.
Isn’t it interesting that Paul draws his argument from where the baton was handed off from the old covenant to the new… from the final Old Testament Prophet to the eternal High Priest and Son of God who would fulfill all the prophets said? This is a crescendo in the song of redemption that shouts the truth of salvation itself in a two-part chorus: To live in God’s Kingdom requires you to turn from your sin and receive Christ, then produce fruit in good works so that this Kingdom is built, and the reality of your faith is known to all.
No one should ever think they are saved, and therefore, they can keep living sinfully… as if Jesus is now just an add-on to their current lifestyle. Real redemption is reconciliation to God through Jesus in a loving relationship. And God said, “If you love me, you will obey me.” No respectable married man thinks he can continue to live like a bachelor, neglecting his responsibilities to his new bride. That would be absurd. No, he must change. He must sacrifice his old lifestyle to live in a loving and caring relationship with the one he loves. That is an authentic portrait of redemption.
Core Truth of Conversion vv.22-23
But the God who rescued me from their evil plans helps me stand.
Now, here I remain standing, and I testify to all… small and great… saying nothing more than what Moses and the Prophets have already told you.
1. The Messiah must suffer.
2. That the Messiah would die.
3. That the Messiah would be the first to rise from the dead (permanently).
4. He would be the light and proclaim the light (truth) to Jews and Gentiles.
Romans viewed Christianity as a new religion; in terms of belief and practice, new is bad. Old and rooted is good. Jews rejected Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, but Paul was making an ironclad case for Jesus that Agrippa couldn’t refute from his Roman or Jewish side. And, for everyone else in the room, Paul would proclaim that Jesus was THEIR Messiah, whether you were a Jew or a Greek. This light of the world was spoken about hundreds of years prior, and though he would come through Israel, his salvation would reach all nations.
Paul’s Persuasion vv.24-27
As a Gentile without Jewish understanding, Festus thought Paul was off his rocker. He felt Paul had come full circle from brilliant to stupid.
Paul responds calmly and rationally.
The proof of his sanity was in Jewish scripture. Festus may not understand it, but Agrippa certainly does! Paul makes three consecutive remarks that demonstrate this:
1. “The King knows about these things.”
2. None of these things has escaped his notice.”
3. Do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”
Agrippa’s response is not acceptance and not rejection, but a quippy remark that gets him out of the hot seat and which allows him to keep face with the Jews and with Paul.
Paul gives a brilliant, honest, and passionate response. Despite being unjustly imprisoned for 2+ years, neglected, plotted against, and called a basket-case, Paul wishes that everyone present would have the relationship and light of Jesus that he has… all the benefits of the Christian life, minus the chains he is currently wearing.
Think about the impact of that moment. The military commanders had the authority of Rome behind them and the allegiance of 1,000 soldiers in front of them. The prominent men of the city had their prestige and social clout. Festus had the power and benefits that came with the Governor’s office. King Agrippa II has the kingship of the region, friendship of the Emperor, and control over the Temple and its priests. Yet, Paul stands before them, claiming that he is the one who has it all. I wish you had what I have. POWERFUL.
The King’s Pronouncement vv.28-32
Agrippa huddled with Festus, Bernice, and a handful of others to give their feedback, as Festus had asked.
And what did he say?
1. There is nothing here deserving of death.
2. There is nothing here deserving of imprisonment.
3. Paul is innocent.
4. He could have walked today had he not appealed to Caesar!
Takeaway
1. I pray for our lost friends and family… that they feel the pain of kicking against the goads. May that pain point them to the reality of their darkened state and submit to the Lordship of Christ.
2. I pray you will be awakened to the purpose of your salvation. Does it secure your eternal home? Yes, it does, but it is so much more than that. Like Paul, you were appointed to eternal life as a servant of Christ. Your old, sinful life is gone. You are now His and are made new to reflect His light to a dark world that is outside the family of God, under the power of the evil one and enslaved to sin.
You were redeemed to be the city on the hill, the light on the nightstand, and a star that stands out against the darkness of the night sky.
And I pray you will learn how to shine so brightly that your very essence will declare the same message from your lips: I want you to have what I have – Jesus, the light of the world and giver of spiritual life, who is worth more than anything this world has to offer.
Questions to Consider
- Think about the importance of repentance and producing good works as a response to salvation. How can you ensure that your actions evidence your faith?
- How can you reflect Jesus’s light to a dark world and be a beacon of hope and truth in your community?
- What can you learn from Paul’s conversion experience about submitting to God’s plan and purpose in your life?
- How can you shine the light of Jesus in your school or among your friends who may not know Him?
- How does the core truth of conversion highlighted in the sermon challenge the common misconception that salvation is merely a one-time event without lifestyle changes?
- How can you respond to the call to proclaim LIGHT and LIFE to those who may not know Jesus, even amidst the pressures and challenges of today’s society?