"Are you out of your mind? Your great learning is driving you out of your mind!" This accusation was mere sticks and stones. Paul didn't waste the great opportunity that God gave him to tell this king about His King, Jesus. He had shared his story: life before his conversion, the change that Jesus made in him, and presently, his life of obedience tinged with suffering. He knew he was speaking true and rational words. He may have these chains around his hands, but he knew that there was no imprisoning the truth. So he answered with boldness, "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." Paul knew a great deal about this king. Agrippa was familiar with all the customs and controversies with the Jewish people. None of the things he had talked about escaped the King's notice. "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?", Agrippa asked. This had been Paul's whole purpose in life since Jesus had opened his eyes. He had faced much opposition since he started living for Christ; angry mobs, slander, stoning and imprisonment. But it had all been worth it. So he responded. "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."
This passage of scripture found in Acts 26 encompasses the true Christian heart. Saying that Paul had a rough go of it would be a vast understatement. With all of adversity that was stacked against him, it would have been easy to withdraw into despair or to lash out against injustice, but instead he saw the bigger picture; God's glorious plan and purpose. Paul loved people so much and wanted them to have a living relationship with Jesus because of it. It didn't matter how much he had to suffer or how long it took, he wanted people to be able to connect with the One True God. King Agrippa saw this in Paul when he said at the end of the passage, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." Death. Imprisonment. It didn't matter the cost. Paul knew that the Gospel leads to the greatest good for any person drawing air.
Paul knew it, but do we know it? Our culture today has us immersed with our jobs, hobbies, goals, even our families. It is so easy to get completely consumed with these things. Each one seems demands our attention and our care. It may be easy to think, "Well, Paul didn't have the distractions and expectations that are put on us here in the 21st century." But honestly, thats a bit arrogant. I'll explain this in terms of ice cream. His culture may have been a different flavor than ours, but at the end of the day, its still all ice cream just the same. What I mean is, people are still just people. We all choose what we want to value in our short lives. Merchants valued their jobs just like the modern day businessman value theirs. Our hobbies may be different than those in Paul's day, but were they really any less valued? Think of the things that Jesus spoke to the people of old. Do they not still apply to us today? Look at the words of Jesus to the people of his day. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, is not worthy of me." Do these words not ring true for us today as well?
So if we can agree that life today and life in Paul's day both presented distractions, (however different they may be) then we can move forward with this thought. Paul models for us the life of a disciple. I define a disciple as a lifelong learner and follower of Christ. Paul's life had been very different before Jesus changed his life forever. Paul's name had been Saul then. He was a Pharisee who had much to brag about from a worldly standpoint. He had born from the tribe of Benjamin, educated at the feet of Gamaliel (One of the most well known Jewish teachers). Saul's heart had been full of pride and ambition. That pride and ambition is what actually put him on that road to Damascus in the first place, where Jesus would change his life forever.
When Jesus met Paul and made a change in him, everything changed. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." His desires changed. His ambitions changed. As his heart grew closer to the Lord's heart, he began to resonate with the desires and purposes of God. Bottom line, God had brought Paul into His family and consequently into the family business. Jesus made it crystal clear what the family business is in Matthew 28 and Acts 1. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” and "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We are to witness. We are to make disciples. This is a command to every believer great and small. From the lead Pastor to the quiet youth student to the single mom to the elderly widower to the businessman. Every believer.
We have to ask the question, why don't more Christians take ownership of the family business? Again we look to Paul's story. Following Christ in obedience and in faith isn't always sunshine and rainbows. There are consequences. Paul followed Jesus. Jesus was hated by the world. Therefore Paul was hated by the world. But what we need to see is the same thing that Paul saw. It was worth it. God had given Paul opportunity to grow his character through trials that God allowed in his life. Paul had responded to these trials in obedience. As modern day american Christians, isn't our immediate response to trials, "what is the quickest way out of this?" Paul, through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, learned that God allowed trials to perfect us. To make us more Christlike. And the more Christlike we are, the better off we are and, don't miss this, the better off those around us will be. So the next time you think to yourself, that person need Jesus, remember that the presence of Christ in you makes all that He is available to others. Let's be known as a faithful generation of disciples and take up the family business, no matter the cost. Ponder on Hebrews 13:
"So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Let's take up the family business in faithfulness to our Lord.
Ask yourself these questions:
In what areas of my life have I not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ? (work, home, school, friends, family, etc.)
Is there anyone that I am not willing to share the gospel with? (enemies, friends, family, etc.)
Am I willing to take up responsibility for sharing the gospel with and discipling the lost people in my life?
What step can I take now and this week to take up the family business?
Who can I pray about now to share the gospel with?
-Pastor Kyle
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