Acts - The Unstoppable Church - Acts 24-26

Homiletics                                             Study – Acts & Letter of Apostles

Lesson     26                                                     Passage: Acts 24-26

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Paul’s testimony before Felix (Acts 24) a. High priest Ananias bring charges against Paul (24:1-9) b. Paul denies proof of charges (24:10-13) c. Paul admits to hope in God, a follower of the way,  and resurrection of the dead (24:14-16) d. Paul shares of bringing offerings (24:17) e. Paul declares there was no crime (24:18-21) f. Felix puts Paul under guard and listens him speak of faith in Jesus (24:22-27)

Paul’s testimony to Porcius Festus (Acts 25:1-21) a. Festus arrives and goes to Jerusalem where Jewish leaders request Paul be transferred to Jerusalem  (25:1-3) b. Festus invites leaders to come to Caesarea (25:4-5) c. Festus convenes court; Jews bring charges but could not prove them (25:6-7) d. Paul makes defense and declares he will be tried in Caesar’s court (25:8-12) e. Festus discusses the case with King Agrippa (25:13-21)

Paul’s hearing and testimony before King Agrippa (Acts 25:22-26:32) a. King Agrippa requests to hear Paul himself  (25:22-23) b. Festus presents Paul to Agrippa with Paul request to send to Rome (25:24-25) c. Unreasonable to send a prisoner to Rome without charge  (25:26-27) d. Paul presents God’s resurrection to Agrippa (26:1-8) e. Paul tells of meeting Jesus on Damascus road (26:9-14) f. Paul shares his commission from Jesus to preach to Jews and Gentiles (26:15-23) g. Festus questions Paul’s sanity (26:24) h. Paul tries to persuade Agrippa of Jesus (26:25-32

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Paul’s testimony before Felix	Acts 21:16-22:29
Paul’s testimony to Porcius Festus	Acts 25:1-21
Paul’s hearing and testimony before King Agrippa	Acts 25:22-26:32

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words

Paul is brought before Felix, Festus and Agrippa declaring Jesus.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATLT we are to declare Jesus boldly no matter the circumstance.  There is a reason for faith.

Specific Application Questions

1	What do you admit to?  If there were charges that you were a Christ follower how could they prove it?
2	What defense could you offer for your faith?
3	We have a commission from God, what is your part in fulfilling that commission?

Principles to Remember

1	Faith must be visibly lived.
2	God protects
3	Truth requires action to belief

Characteristic of God

Provides life direction

Theme

When called to defend our faith we must be bold.

God’s Word  - What’s happening?

God’s Heart – What does God care about?

Today’s World – How does this connect to what is happening in my world today?