IF THE APOSTLE PAUL WERE MY DAD ACTS 26:11-29 11 "And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. 12 "While thus engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 'But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 delivering you from the {Jewish} people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. ' 19 "Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but {kept} declaring both to those of Damascus first, and {also} at Jerusalem and {then} throughout all the region of Judea, and {even} to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance 21 "For this reason {some} Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death. 22 "And so, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23 that the Christ was to suffer, {and} that by reason of {His} resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the {Jewish} people and to the Gentiles."
24 And while {Paul} was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! {Your} great learning is driving you mad."
25 But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 28 And Agrippa {replied} to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." 29 And Paul {said,} "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." (NAS)

INTRODUCTION
None of us chose our father. Have you ever thought about who you would choose if you could have chosen? If you can say I would chose the man who is my dad you are a fortunate person?

This week the though crossed my mine "what if a man like the apostle Paul were my father. What would be the benefits? I can easily list four: If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . .

CHANGED LIFE,

COMMITTED LIFE,

CONSISTENT LIFE,

CONFIDENT LIFE.

I. If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . . CHANGED LIFE. v 11-15

11 "And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. 12 "While thus engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

A. Changed from Persuading to . . Persuaded.
1. Paul was zealous against ..Christians.

B. Changed from Persecuting to. . Persecuted.
1. Paul was persecuting .. Jesus.

Illustration
This week the father of an old friend dropped in. He told me about the pastor of First Baptist Church of Houston many years ago telling him Walker do you know your going to Hell? Walker got saved. That pastor believed people could change.

Illustration
Another man came in to my office this week. He talked about a book on values they print and pass out to children. I asked him where he went to church. He told me and then said but I was saved in the Plaza Heights Baptist Church when Jay Piper was the pastor.

I told him I knew Jay 30 years ago when we both pastored in Illinois. He told me he got saved on his wedding day. The brides mother led him to the Lord. He said my wife went to church to marry one man but she wound up marrying a different man.

He said I can't believe I went through life for 32 years and no body told me how to be saved. The Bride's mother believed in a changed life and wanted her son in law to be a changed man.

Illustration
At the mall Friday I saw a little girl laughing and playing but I didn't see her parents. 1 said to my grandson "look at that little girl she is not with her parents." Then the little girl realized her mother was no where around. She looked shocked and then began to cry and cry out Mommy. My grandson ran to her to try and console the little girl.

Her Mother came running to her and all was okay for the little girl. I thought so many times a person laughs and plays through life until they realize they are lost.

Application

Jesus confronted Paul with his lostness. Paul's life was changed. Dad do your children know a man's life can be changed? Have they seen you change because of your acknowledging the Lordship of Christ?

2. If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . . COMMITTED LIFE. v 16-19

16 'But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 delivering you from the {Jewish} people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. ' 19 "Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,

A. Committed in . . Ordination. v 16-18

B. Committed in . . Obedience. v 19

Illustration
Did you know Billy Graham was offered a Movie Contract by Cecil B DeMiles. The contract was for staring in several Biblical movies. The salary amount was blank. Billy was told to enter the dollar amount. He told Mr. Demiles he was faltered but he had more important work to do.

Illustration
I think of a missionary doctor on a lonely village station, a very able doctor, but even more effective as a Christian and a leader in evangelization. Not long ago a convert was being baptized, a rare event in that difficult area, and he was answering questions to test his very simple faith. One answer he began safely enough. "I believe in God almighty, and in the Lord Jesus," but then his training gave way to his experience, and turning to the doctor he burst out, "and, sahib, I believe in you"

Application: Paul left no doubt he was committed.

3. If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . . CONSISTENT LIFE. v 20-22

20 but {kept} declaring both to those of Damascus first, and {also} at Jerusalem and {then} throughout all the region of Judea, and {even} to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance
21 "For this reason {some} Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death. 22 "And so, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;

A. Consistent in his . . Message. v 20 & 22 b

B. Consistent in his . . Manner. v 21-22 a

ILLUSTRATION Topic: Steadfastness Index: 3438-3442
One day C. H. Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but God's love is constant."

"I don't agree with you about those words, Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love."

Application

What ever way the wind blew Paul remained consistent in his faith and fellowship with the Lord. What about you dad?

4. If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . . CONFIDENT LIFE. v 23-29

23 that the Christ was to suffer, {and} that by reason of {His} resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the {Jewish} people and to the Gentiles." 24 And while {Paul} was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! {Your} great learning is driving you mad." 25 But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 28 And Agrippa {replied} to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." 29 And Paul {said,} "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."

A. Confident in . . Mentality. v 22-25

1. A Prepared Mind.
2. A presented Mind.

B. Confident in . . Manliness. v 26-29

1. Stood Strong in the Presence of a King
2. Represented the King of Kings.

Illustration
Dr. Howard A. Kelly had a unique and effective way of "witnessing". He was never seen in public without a beautiful pink rose in his lapel. This practice gave him many opportunities to witness about his relationship with the Lord Jesus. Someone meeting him on the street might remark, "That's a lovely rose, Dr. Kelly." "Yes, it is," he would reply. "Actually, it's a 'Christian rose!'"

"Why do you call it that?" he would be asked. The well-known physician would then turn back his lapel and display a tiny water bottle which held the stem of the flower and kept it fresh and sweet.

"It's a 'Christian rose,'" he would explain, "because it has a hidden source of life and beauty. When our Savior pardons our sins, He also unites us with Himself and thereby nourishes and strengthens us. He becomes the secret reservoir of our joy, and any fragrance of testimony we exhibit to the world comes from Him."

Conclusion

If the Apostle Paul Were My Dad; I Would Know My Dad Had a . . .

1. CHANGED LIFE.

2. COMMITTED LIFE.

3. CONSISTENT LIFE.

4. CONFIDENT LIFE.

E-Mail preachim@scan.missouri.org
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