Living Spirit-Led and On Mission | Acts 26

Summary

As Paul stands before King Agrippa in Acts 26, he shares how Jesus transformed him from an enemy of the Church into a bold witness for the gospel. His story reminds us that no one is beyond God's saving power and that salvation is always a miracle. Like Paul, every follower of Jesus is called to share the gospel, trusting in God's help rather than our own abilities. As we near the end of Acts, this message challenged us to consider whether we've grown in Spirit-led missional living and are taking intentional steps toward reaching those who don't know Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• Don't Count Anyone Out of Heaven (Acts 26:1-11): Before encountering Jesus, Paul actively persecuted Christians and opposed the gospel. Yet God saved him and transformed him into a missionary. Paul's story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God's grace. We should never give up on someone because of their past, beliefs, or opposition to Christianity.
• Pray for a Miracle (Acts 26:12-18): Paul's conversion was possible because Jesus miraculously met him. Every salvation is a miracle of God that opens spiritually blind eyes, brings forgiveness, and gives new life through Christ. Rather than focusing on someone's resistance or our own efforts, we can pray confidently, knowing God is able to save anyone.
• Obey Jesus' Call With His Help (Acts 26:19-29): Paul faithfully proclaimed the gospel despite opposition because he relied on God's help. Jesus has given every believer the same call to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), along with the promise of his presence. When fear, judgment, or complacency keep us from sharing our faith, we're called to repent and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us obey. Spirit-led missional living looks like:
  • Pray: Identify unbelievers you can begin praying for regularly by name.
  • Befriend: Intentionally pursue a relationship and look for opportunities to care for someone's needs.
  • Invite: Invite someone to church or a ministry that could serve them.
  • Share: Initiate a spiritual conversation and be prepared to share your testimony or the gospel.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• As we've studied Acts this year, where have you seen growth in your willingness to pray for, pursue, or share the gospel with unbelievers? Where have you struggled to take ground?
• Who in your life have you started to believe will never trust in Jesus? How does Paul's conversion challenge the way you think about or pray for that person?
• What most often keeps you from engaging unbelievers with the gospel? Is it fear of rejection, judgment toward others, complacency, or something else? What might repentance look like in that area?
• Paul said he was able to continue sharing the gospel because of the help he received from God (Acts 26:22). Where do you most need to depend on God's help rather than your own abilities or confidence?
• This week, how can you take an intentional step toward someone who doesn't know Jesus? Consider the four invitations from the sermon (Pray, Befriend, Invite, Share). Who specifically comes to mind, and what step will you take this week?