Sermon Manuscript

[Video:  “Miracles - Bumper” - 0:30]

The Setting – Acts 26 

INTRODUCTION – We have three major roles in Acts 26 – Festus, Agrippa, and Paul – And one true star – Jesus Himself! 

There are moments in Scripture when the gospel stands in places we would never expect—moments when the message of Jesus Christ is proclaimed not in a synagogue, not in a home, not in a marketplace, but in the halls of political power. Acts 26 is one of those moments. 

Imagine the scene: the audience hall in Caesarea, filled with Roman commanders, civic leaders, and political dignitaries. Governor Festus sits with the authority of Rome. King Agrippa, dressed in royal garments, carries himself with the confidence of inherited power. The room is polished, formal, and intimidating. 

And into that room walks Paul—chained, yet freer than anyone present. Accused, yet speaking with authority. On trial, yet doing the persuading. 

Acts 26 is not just Paul’s defense—it is Paul’s declaration. Today, we walk into that room with him. 

Point I: The Gospel Confronts the Impossible 

I. THE GOSPEL CONFRONTS THE IMPOSSIBLE (Acts 26:8) 

Paul begins with a question that slices through the assumptions of the powerful: 

“Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8) 

You can almost see Agrippa shift in his seat. Festus raises an eyebrow. Resurrection? Dead men rising? Rome believed in power, armies, wealth, and Caesar—but resurrection was too much. 

Paul’s question confronts their worldview: 

If God is truly God… If God is Creator… If God is sovereign… Then why is resurrection incredible? 

Paul is not defending the resurrection—he is exposing the smallness of their view of God. 

1 Corinthians 18 Paul tells the Church in Corinth (AND US TODAY),  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to US who are being saved it is the POWER OF GOD”! 

Narrative Expansion 

Picture Paul lifting his chained hands slightly as he speaks. The chains clink softly, but his voice is steady. He is saying: “You believe in the might of Rome, but you struggle to believe in the power of God? Gentlemen, resurrection is not incredible—it is inevitable when God speaks.” 

Application 

Our world believes in technology, medicine, innovation, and human achievement. But resurrection? Transformation? New life? That still seems incredible. 

Yet the gospel begins where human possibility ends. 

The resurrection is not incredible—it is the natural expression of God’s power. 

The Gospel Interprets Our Path 

II. THE GOSPEL INTERRUPTS OUR PATH (Acts 26:12–15) 

 12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ 

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 

Paul moves from theology to testimony. He tells his story—not as a polished speech, but as a confession. 

He describes the road to Damascus: The dust rising under the hooves of the horses. The letters of authority tucked in his cloak. The determination to stamp out the movement called “The Way.” 

He was convinced he was right. Convinced he was serving God. Convinced he was protecting Israel. 

Then—at midday—when the sun was already at its brightest, a light from heaven outshone the sun itself. It was not a flash. It was a presence. 

The soldiers fell. The animals buckled. Saul collapsed. 

Then came the voice: 

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 

Not “My people.” Not “My church.” But Me. 

To strike the church is to strike Christ Himself. 

Then the revelation: 

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” 

In one sentence, Saul’s worldview shattered. Everything he believed—wrong. Everything he trusted—false. Everything he pursued—empty. 

But that shattering was grace. That interruption was mercy. That confrontation was love. 

Application 

Every believer has a Damascus moment—not always dramatic, not always blinding, not always on a road—but always interruptive. 

Grace interrupts. Truth confronts. Jesus reveals Himself. 

The gospel does not wait for us to find it. It finds us. 

The Gospel Demands a Response 

III. THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE (Acts 26:28–32)  

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” 30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” 

Paul finishes his testimony. The room is silent. 

Festus has already accused him of being insane. But Agrippa—Agrippa is moved. He is thoughtful. He is wrestling. 

Some earlier versions of the Bible indicate that King Agrippa said. 

“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Whether almost persuaded or merely brushing Paul aside, Paul and the Gospel had his attention! 

Almost is a sad and tragic word in the scriptures: 

Is Agrippa close—so close he can feel the pull of the Spirit. So close he can sense the truth. So close he can see the light. 

But “almost” is not enough. 

Paul responds: 

“I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29) 

Imagine Paul lifting his wrists slightly, the chains clinking. He is saying: 

“I don’t want you to share my imprisonment. I want you to share my freedom.” This from a man who in his 25 + years of ministry had suffered beatings, persecution in many ways, imprisonment, resulting in literal scars throughout his body all on top of a Thorn in the Flesh! A look at Paul’s ministry and we can he that indeed God’s Grace was and is sufficient! 

Narrative Expansion 

Agrippa stands. Festus stands. The commanders stand. The audience is dismissed. 

They walk out discussing Paul’s innocence, his legal status, his appeal to Caesar. 

But they do not discuss the condition of their souls. 

Agrippa leaves “almost.” Paul leaves “altogether.” 

Application 

Many admire Christianity without embracing Christ. Many respect Scripture without submitting to Scripture. Many feel conviction without surrendering to the Savior. 

Almost persuaded is still lost. 

The gospel demands a response.  

Almost Persuaded 

By Philip P. Bliss 

Lyrics 

1. “Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
“Go, Spirit, go Thy way;
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.” 

2. “Almost persuaded,” come, come today;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come. 

3. “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!
“Almost persuaded” doom comes at last!
“Almost” cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail,
“Almost,” but lost! 

The Gospel Advances Through Every  Circumstance 

IV. THE GOSPEL ADVANCES THROUGH EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE 

Paul leaves the room still in chains. Still a prisoner. Still headed to Rome. 

But he is not discouraged. 

He knows something Agrippa and Festus do not know: Rome is not his destination—Rome is his assignment. 

The gospel is going to Caesar. The testimony is going to the emperor’s household. The message is going to the heart of the empire. 

Paul’s chains are not obstacles—they are instruments. His trial is not a setback—it is a stage. His suffering is not a detour—it is a doorway. 

Narrative Expansion 

As Paul walks back under guard, he carries the unshakeable conviction that God is using every moment—every hardship, every accusation, every delay—to advance the gospel farther than Paul could have ever gone on his own. 

Acts 26 is not the story of a man on trial—it is the story of a gospel on the move. 

CONCLUSION – CLOSE- INVITATION 

Acts 26 invites us into a courtroom, but it leaves us at a crossroads. 

It asks us: 

• Will we believe in a God who raises the dead? 

• Will we allow Jesus to interrupt our path? 

• Will we respond fully—not almost, but altogether? 

• Will we trust God to use our circumstances for His mission? 

Agrippa heard the gospel and walked away “almost.” Paul proclaimed the gospel and walked away “altogether.” 

The question for us is simple: Which way will we walk? 

Invitation and Closing Prayer 

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