Acts 26:16-18
Introduction: In this passage of scripture Paul is going through his conversion experience before king Agrippa. Paul explains how he is to be a minister and a witness for God to the people and Gentiles.
Paul then is given five specific things in verse 18, that his ministry is to accomplish.
Paul’s Ministry is to:
1. Open the Eyes of Men– “To open their eyes”. People today are walking around with their eyes closed and to open their eyes is to warn them of the things that may be coming if they don’t open their eyes. Why open the eyes of men?
Lost People need their Eyes Opened– II Corinthians 4:1-4 Their eyes are closed because the devil doesn’t want them to see the truth found in Jesus Christ.
Saved People need their Eyes Opened– Revelation 3:14-17 There is more to life than be rich, increased with good, and have no need. Meanwhile we are lukewarm. Their eyes are closed to spiritual needs that really matter.
Solution: Ask God- Psalm 119:18 “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law”.
2. Turn Men From Darkness to Light– “turn them from darkness to light”. People today are walking in darkness and stumbling all over the place. Why turn men from darkness to light?
Lost People stumble in the Dark- Proverbs 4:19 “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble”.
Lost People’s Deeds are Evil- John 3:19-20 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”.
Solution: Jesus is the Light- John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I Am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.
Solution: This Bible is Light- Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light”. When we tell people that darkness is wrong, we have to turn them to the light, and this Bible is the light unto their path. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”.
3. Turn Men From the Power of Satan to God– “from the power of Satan unto God”. Satan today has believers and unbelievers in their power. Why turn men from the power of Satan to God?
Satan has the power to: tempt, afflict, accuse, sift, beguile, ensnare, and take people captive at his will (like a string puppet). I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.
Saved people will end up Destroyed by the power of Satan– I Corinthians 5:5 “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”.
Lost People are Completely Changed – Acts 8:1-3, 9:1, 13, 21, 26, 31.
4. To Preach Forgiveness of Sin– “that they may receive forgiveness of sin”. Why preach about the forgiveness of Sin?
Lost People get their sins forgiven when they receive Jesus Christ- II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be mad the righteousness of God in him”. Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.
Saved People get their sins forgiven when they confess their sins to God- I John 1:7-9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
5. To Preach an Inheritance– “inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”. Why preach about God’s Inheritance?
Lost People gain much in Jesus Christ- A new/glorified body and a mansion in heaven- I Thessalonians 4:17 and John 14:2.
Saved People stay Focused- Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on thins above, not on thins on the earth.
Ephesians 5:5 “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God”.
Conclusion:
You too can open the eyes of men, turn men from darkness to light, turn men from the power of Satan to God, preach forgiveness of sins, and preach about God’s Inheritance. By looking at people in light of this passage, we are encouraged to see people beyond their physical body and to minister to their spiritual soul. It stirs up a genuine concern for lost and saved people alike.