Let’s
look at a lesson about having God’s vision in Act 26:1-15:
1 Then Agrippa said to
Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So
Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider
myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the
accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted
with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen
to me patiently.
4
“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from
the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have
known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed
to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is
because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial
today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as
they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this
hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it
incredible that God raises the dead?
9
“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name
of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the
authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and
when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went
from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them
to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them
down in foreign cities.12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus
with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King
Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the
sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I
heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It
is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are
you, Lord?’“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied”.
There
is much we can learn from Paul here. A big part of vision is just doing what
you’ve already been told to do. That’s called obedience (vv 1-3). We need to
remind ourselves of God’s promises in His Word. (vv 4-8) It will keep us
focused on our purpose. We are all obsessed with something. Is it for or
against Christ? (vv. 9-11) When you come in contact with Jesus Christ there is
no mistake about who He is! (vv.12-15)
Today and every day is a good time to share your story.
Today and every day is a good time to share your story.