7.8.8 "You're Nuts!"

"You're Nuts!"

I Chronicles 5:18-6:81
Acts 26:1-32
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 18:20-21

In Acts 26 Paul is in front of King Agrippa, his lovely wife Bernice, and Governor Festus. The charges have been brought forth by the Jews. Agrippa says to Paul, "Go ahead. Tell us your story." (Acts 26:1)

Paul then lays out what is to me a tremendous path of understanding where he's at. He speaks in terms they can understand. Common ground. He begins talking of his being a Pharisee, and how he only desires what all Jews want. He then recounts his history of torturing Christians and chasing them to distant cities in foreign lands.

Then comes the Damascus road. He tells them the story of this light and how it changed his life forever. He tells of his commission to "tell the world about this experience." to go to the Gentiles "to open their eyes to their true condition so that they may repent and live in the light of God." (Acts 26:15-18)

He talks of his obedience to that call, and God's protection and provision as he's been obedient.

He closes by connecting the dots from Moses to the Messiah.

Wow - What a great job, Paul! If I were there as a believer, I would have wanted to jump to my feet clapping and yelling "attaboy, Paul!!!" But before I could do that, Festus interrupts shouting, "PAUL, YOU ARE INSANE!! YOUR LONG STUDYING HAS BROKEN YOUR MIND!" (Acts 26:24)

In verse 30, "Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left."

Well, what do you get out of that little tale?

First, I think we need to understand our testimony the way Paul did.
1. Remember where you came from. You were no different than those you are speaking to.
2. Remember what changed your life. Be able to communicate your salvation experience.
3. Remember what God has called you to do. Understand that you are to "tell the world about this experience."
4. Remember what God has done since to sustain you. Tell of his greatness & provision.

I think Paul laid out a great road map for sharing Christ with your world.

The next thing we must realize is that to the world, we are insane! I've always kind of felt that was a bad thing. It's not. I'm not saying we should be out of balance loonies. We need to be people of good works so that we bring glory to the name of the Lord. But it's normal that the world doesn't get it. I catch myself being so afraid of sounding "weird", that I render myself ineffective for the Kingdom. I know I'm sounding like I contradict what I said the other day about being a light that men are drawn too, but in living the DREAM, both are true. Your world will be drawn to you as a Balanced Christian, and at the same time, they will think you're insane. Do you know why?

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Cor. 1:18.

As you have opportunity to share your story with unbelievers, don't feel like a failure if their response is like that of Festus. Stick it out. Don't let it knock you off course. You can't Live the DREAM without your "Mission to reach our world for Christ." God has commissioned you to go to them to "open their eyes to their true condition..."

Be confident in your testimony. Not arrogant, or obnoxious, just confident in what God has done in you. If we get this, I believe that through the Power of the Spirit, we can change the world!

"Go ahead. Tell us your story."



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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