Greetings in the Strong Name of Jesus!

Keep the Main Thing the Only Thing!

Acts 26:22-23 - “But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”  NLT

I sometimes watch news on television.  I am constantly intrigued by politicians who are interviewed by various reporters.  When asked very straight forward questions, most of them talk around the tree and back about everything but the question.  Very rarely will you ever see a politician give a simply “yes” or “no”.  Sometimes it would be better for them to say “yes” or “no”, as their comments are then picked apart by every reporter and commentator on every news show.

In our scripture today, Paul is standing before King Agrippa and Governor Festus, speaking about the things of the Kingdom of God.  He takes considerable time to lay out the foundation of his Christian faith.  He speaks of his training as a child and an adult.  He speaks of his opposition to this Christ in his early years as an aggressive young Jewish leader.  He finally comes to this point -” I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

What a great, point-blank statement.  It is so to the point that Festus calls Paul “insane”.  Paul then goes on to continue his defense.  The reason I like this statement by Paul is this - the Christian faith is a point-blank faith.  You don’t have to drive around the block to get the answer to the issue of sin and salvation.  You don’t have to drone on and on about everything under the sun to get to the foundational truth of the Gospel message - “Man is a sinner and Jesus died for our sin”!  I know that is a very simple statement of faith, but it is true.  And in our day, it is enough for some to turn and call us “insane”.  Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the father but through Me.”  I didn’t say that - Jesus said that.

As we move closer and closer to the closing of time as we know it, the real, devoted, passionate Christian will be called “insane”.  Why?  Because we, like Paul, will stand and preach an undiluted, point-blank Christian faith.  There will be a “Festus” who will rise up and speak against the simplicity of the Gospel.  But, I for one, will not back down, water down, or speak around the tree to be accepted by a society who cannot and will not deal with sin.  I stand with Paul - “I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

Will you stand with me to keep the main thing the main thing?

You are loved, Pastor Roger