TESTIMONY: BEFORE CHRIST- BOOK OF ACTS LESSon #74

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Sermon Notes

Date of Sermon:    April 9, 2017

Main Idea:     Every Christian has a before Christ testimony
  
Key Verse:     “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”   Acts 26:8

Bible Reading:    1 So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9 "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Outline: 
​​​​I.          Looking for Someone Who Will Listen   (1-3)
            A.         Seek permission   (1)
            B.         Seek someone who will understand   (2)
            C.         Seek a patient listener   (3)
II.         Locating Common Interests   (4-8)
            A.         Religious interests   (4-5)
            B.         Hope in God’s promises   (6-7)
            C.         Stepping gently beyond common ground   (8)
III.        Listing Actions Before Christ   (9-11)
            A.         Motive   (9)
            B.         Actions   (10-11)

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