On The Witness Stand
October 26th, 2008
Scripture:
“Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.” Acts 26:16
Observation:
In this 26th chapter of Acts, Paul is defending himself before King Festus regarding the trumped up accusations of the Jews. Paul’s defense is the testimony of his life up to that moment and as with any testimony, he tells of what he has seen and heard. Paul divides his life into three stages; pre-cross, at the cross, and after the cross.
The pre-cross is Paul’s life before encountering Jesus and His crucifixion. Verses 4, 5 and 9 reveal his life before Jesus. He states, “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child. According to the strictest sect of religion, I lived as a Pharisee. I too was convinced that I ought to do all possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”
Paul’s next step in testifying is his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. In verses 15-18 the account reads, “Then I asked, ‘who are you Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ I am sending you to them to open there eyes and to turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness for their sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Paul now reveals his life because of his encounter with Jesus. In verses 22-23 he states, “But I have had God’s help to this very day and so I stand here to testify to small and great alike. That the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to His own people and to the Gentiles.”
Application:
Through the years I have learned many evangelistic outlines to help me share my faith. I am glad I learned them and they have even helped in leading people to Jesus. The fact of the matter is that I already had an evangelistic outline in my life story. I have been without Christ, I have encountered Christ and I now live in Christ — the pre-cross, at the cross and life today. Most people on the street, soccer field and at the water cooler want to meet someone who has had an authentic encounter with the living God. My hope is, as with Paul, we have been living life in such a way that we too will be asked to give a testimony of the transforming power of the cross.
Prayer:
Father, though my testimony may sound simple in human terms, may I remember the sacrifice you made in sending Jesus, the change in my life that He has made, and the difference you make in my life each day as you live in me. Help me to know my story and to be prepared in season and out of season to give an account of the life changing power of Christ. Amen
— Kenny Hardin, congregational care pastor