Sermon Summary — "Why Are We Here?" (Our Mission Statement)

Date: September 6, 2026 (weekend of Sept 6–7)
Church: Grace Church
Length: ~28 minutes
Text focus: Matthew 28:18–20, with Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Acts 1:8; Revelation 7:9–10

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Big Idea

The church doesn’t have to guess why it exists — God has already said so in His Word, and the church’s mission statement simply crystallizes that calling:

"We exist to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ across the street and around the world."

It’s not a slogan. It’s a battle cry, a compass, and a task to fulfill. The sermon walks through the statement phrase by phrase and then calls the congregation to move "from statement to movement."

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1. Our ultimate purpose: to glorify God

• We were created for God’s glory (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36).
• To glorify God means to reflect His greatness, honor His authority, and reveal His goodness to the world — to "make much of God" and help people think rightly about who He is.
• We don’t add to God — He is already perfect and full of glory. We’re a mirror reflecting His light, and a telescope that magnifies a star (not by enlarging it, but by helping people see how great it already is).
  • Illustrations: you glorify a beautiful painting by enjoying and talking about it, not by trying to improve it; you glorify a great meal by eating and thanking the cook, not by adding your own seasoning.
• Glorifying God is an all-encompassing life endeavor — "whether you eat or drink… do all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). It happens in ordinary, everyday moments.
• As a church: every song, sermon, dollar given, and hour served has one target — God’s glory. Do a thousand good things but fail to glorify God, and we’ve missed the bullseye.

2. Our shared mission: making disciples

• The church receives its mission from Scripture — it does not invent it. Matthew 28:18–20 gives five parts:
  1. Authority behind the mission — "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
  2. Command of the mission — "make disciples."
  3. Scope of the mission — "of all nations."
  4. Process of the mission — going, baptizing, teaching them to obey everything Christ commanded.
  5. Promise sustaining the mission — "I am with you always, to the end of the age."
• The mission is not to fill seats. Attendance isn’t the finish line. "It’s not about our seating capacity; it’s about our sending capacity."
• What is a disciple? Someone who has trusted in Jesus alone for salvation, who follows, imitates, learns from, and increasingly obeys Him — and who can point to someone else they are leading along in the faith.
  • Discipleship isn’t merely accumulating knowledge; you gain knowledge so you can pass it on.
  • The goal isn’t getting someone to say "yes" to Jesus and then being done — it’s helping people follow Jesus for a lifetime and help others do the same. A "chain reaction of grace" meant to be replicated.
• Start at home. Personal example: Pastor Troy disciples his youngest son, Drake (playing basketball in Latvia, 8 hours ahead), by FaceTiming through Philippians line by line — the aim being real growth in Christ that overflows to others.

3. Our scope: across the street and around the world

• "Here, near, and far away." One day the phrase may change to "every day and everywhere."
• Both/and, not either/or: true biblical mission needs a local heart for your actual neighbors and a global heart for the nations. It’s easy to love "let’s change the world" while ignoring the neighbor next door.
• "Across the street" = the people right in front of you — neighbors, friends, coworkers, people at the game, concert, or school. Mission starts where your feet are planted — but it can’t stop at the city limits.
• Church history: Grace Church was once Edina Baptist Church (met at 53rd & France in the 1970s). The name was changed to "Grace Church" to signal a heart for neighbors and nations — not just one city, not just Baptists but lost people — "saved by grace… we want to extend God’s grace."
• God empowers the mission: Acts 1:8 — Holy Spirit power to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, all simultaneously. A healthy church has local gospel intentionality and a map of the world in its head and heart.
• Three snapshots: Matthew 28 = the command; Acts 1 = the power; Revelation 7:9–10 = the finish-line picture — a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language before the throne, crying "Salvation belongs to our God."

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The warning: consumers vs. participants

Without a clear mission, we drift into consuming church ("What does this church offer me?") instead of joining Christ’s mission ("How do I contribute?"). We must move from mission statement to movement.

A mission statement is either a blueprint or an indictment:

• A blueprint if we build our lives around it — shaping our living, giving, and going.
• An indictment if we write it down and preach about it but don’t live it — it will stand as a verdict against us on judgment day (e.g., claiming to care about the world but not putting the phone down to talk to a neighbor).

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Self-assessment: three questions

1. Does my life make much of God? Is there any area right now that reflects poorly on Christ?
2. Who am I helping follow Jesus? Who is growing closer to Jesus because God is using me?
3. Where am I engaged in the mission? Who is the one person God has already placed in my everyday life who needs the gospel — and how am I making Christ known beyond my own community?

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The call to action

• The congregation stood and looked around — including up at the balcony — to see the church not as "a crowd of random individuals" but as "a family of brothers and sisters on assignment."
• To anyone thinking a large church doesn’t need them: not true. "God brought you here because we have a weakness that you can shore up. We want you to jump in and serve."
• The best way to change culture is to make disciples. The math: if ~15,000 people at Grace (in person and online) each disciple one person → 30,000 → 60,000 → 120,000 — it spreads like wildfire, changing homes, neighborhoods, communities, and the state, one person at a time.
• Discipleship is messy — it means walking with people and encouraging them.
• Fall kickoff: get connected in a Bible study; more opportunities are coming. Grow in the Word so that you can make disciples — starting in your home.

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Closing prayer (themes)

Confession that it’s easy to sing about God’s glory but hard to live for it; repentance for choosing comfort over the Great Commission and for apathy. Asking God for courage to cross the street, boldness to open our homes, and protection from becoming consumers rather than disciples. Prayer for neighbors, coworkers, family members, global partners and missionaries, friends, and "our Nepalese brothers and sisters" — for protection, strength, and hope. "We don’t ask for an easy life, but a faithful one… may Grace Church be a movement that impacts eternity."

Refrain: "Neighbors and nations. Neighbors and nations. Neighbors and nations."

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Scripture referenced

Reference	Use in the sermon
Isaiah 43:7	We were created for God’s glory
Romans 11:36	"From Him and through Him and to Him are all things — to Him be glory forever"
1 Corinthians 10:31	Glorifying God as an all-encompassing life endeavor
Matthew 28:18–20	The Great Commission — five parts of the mission
Acts 1:8	Holy Spirit power to be witnesses locally and globally, simultaneously
Revelation 7:9–10	The finish line — every nation before the throne

Sermon Summary: The Final Word

Series: Acts
Scripture Focus: Acts 28
Date: August 23, 2026

Introduction: The End of the Story?

The final episode of a popular series often creates great excitement and expectation, but the endings frequently receive mixed reviews. Luke, the author of Acts, has taken us on a transformational journey, and his conclusion might be one of the most surprising ever written.
Last week, in Acts 27, we saw everyone aboard Paul’s ship survive a shipwreck and land safely on the island of Malta. They were wet, cold, and exhausted. They built a fire, which leads us to today’s passage.

Part I: Providence and Perception on Malta (Acts 28:1-10)

• Unusual Kindness and a Viper’s Strike
  • Scripture: Acts 28:1-6
  • Context: After the shipwreck, the travelers learn the island is called Malta. The native people show them "unusual kindness" by building a fire for them in the cold rain.
  • Example: As Paul gathers sticks for the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, bites his hand.
  • Application (The Islanders’ View): The native people immediately conclude that Paul must be a murderer. In their pagan worldview, even though he escaped the sea, "justice" (or a form of cosmic payback/karma) has caught up with him. They watch and wait for him to swell up and die.
• God’s Power and a Shifted Verdict
  • Who God Is: God’s providence is greater than any worldly "justice" or circumstance. He protects His servants for His purposes.
  • How We Are to Live: Paul models trust in God’s providence. He maintains his composure, simply shaking the snake off into the fire and suffering "no harm."
  • Example: When Paul doesn’t die, the islanders are stunned. They completely reverse their judgment, now declaring that he must be a god.
  • Key Point: First, they misread Paul’s suffering (as judgment for sin), and then they completely misread his survival (as proof of divinity). They get it wrong both times.
• Healing and Hospitality
  • Scripture: Acts 28:7-10
  • Context: The chief man of the island, Publius, entertains Paul and the others hospitably for three days.
  • Example: Paul learns that Publius’s father is sick with fever and dysentery. Paul visits him, prays, lays his hands on him, and heals him.
  • Application: This act of healing leads to the rest of the sick people on the island coming to Paul and being cured. Paul’s shipwreck becomes a source of blessing for the entire island.

Part II: Arrival in Rome and Ministry Under Arrest (Acts 28:11-31)

• The Journey to Rome and House Arrest
  • Scripture: Acts 28:11-16
  • Context: After three months in Malta, Paul resumes his journey. When fellow believers in Rome hear he is coming, they travel to meet him, which encourages Paul greatly ("Paul thanked God and took courage").
  • Example: Upon arrival in Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest, allowed to live by himself but guarded by a soldier.
• Paul’s Witness, Not Victimhood
  • Scripture: Acts 28:17-22
  • Context: Paul meets with the local Jewish leaders and recounts his journey and the injustices he has faced.
  • Who I Am: Paul does not frame himself as a victim or find his identity in victimhood. He identifies himself as a witness for Jesus Christ. As he states in verse 20, "It is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain."
  • Example: The Jewish leaders in Rome report that they have not heard any negative reports about Paul but are eager to hear his views about "this sect" (Christianity).
• Proclaiming the Kingdom: Belief and Unbelief
  • Scripture: Acts 28:23-24
  • Context: While under house arrest, Paul’s lodging becomes a center for ministry. People come to him in "greater numbers."
  • How I Am to Live: Paul’s daily ministry consisted of proclaiming the truth about Jesus. "From morning till evening, he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." This should be our ministry, too—to convince people to trust Jesus.
  • Result: The response is divided: "Some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved."
• A Diagnosis of Spiritual Resistance
  • Scripture: Acts 28:25-28
  • Context: Paul interprets the unbelief of his listeners through a prophecy from Isaiah 6.
  • How God Responds: Paul quotes the Holy Spirit’s words through Isaiah: "You will indeed hear, but never understand; you will indeed see, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull… lest they should… turn, and I would heal them."
  • Application: The primary issue for those who reject the gospel is not ignorance, but unwillingness—a hard-heartedness and dullness to the truth.
  • Key Point: Paul declares that because of this resistance, the message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, "for they will listen." This is not a rejection of Israel, but a diagnosis of spiritual resistance that can afflict anyone. Israel’s resistance will not stop God’s plan of salvation for the nations.
• The Final "Un-Ending"
  • Scripture: Acts 28:30-31
  • Context: The book concludes with a simple summary of Paul’s two years under house arrest in Rome. "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."
  • The Rub: We have been waiting for Paul’s trial before Caesar, but Luke never mentions it. We don’t know what happened to Paul. Why? Because Paul’s personal fate is not the point of the book. The point is the unhindered movement of the gospel.

Key Takeaways for Our Lives

1. Leverage Your Limitations, Don’t Be Limited by Them.
   • Who God Is: God’s calling on our lives is not nullified by our circumstances.
   • How I Am to Live: Many of us live in our own versions of "house arrest"—illness, financial strain, family conflict, etc. Paul did not see his chains as a cancellation of his calling, but as the context for it. He was physically restricted, but the gospel was "without hindrance."
   • Application: Limitations often redirect ministry rather than eliminate it. Paul’s house arrest became a theological classroom. He couldn’t travel, but people could come to him. He couldn’t move freely, but the message of Christ did. He turned his prison cell into a "content studio," writing letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) that have shaped the church for 2,000 years.
   • Your influence doesn’t shrink in limitation; it concentrates. Deeper impact can come from what feels like diminished usefulness. No expression of faithful witness is small or insignificant.
2. See the Vision of an Unfinished Gospel Story.
   • How I Am to Live: The reason Acts ends without a definitive ending for Paul is that it is not the ending of a book; it is the handoff of a mission.
     • If it ended with Paul’s execution, it would be a human tragedy.
     • If it ended with his release, it would be a human triumph story.
     • Instead, it ends with the mission continuing.
   • Who I Am: We are not just observers of the early church’s legacy; we are the current face of this movement. The story is still being written, and we have been moved from the audience onto the stage.
   • Application: This is a call to participation. The question is not, "What happened next?" but "What happens now?"
3. Redefine Success: Substance Over Spectacle.
   • How I Am to Live: Our culture is obsessed with platforms, reach, and influence—spectacle, speed, and scale. Paul’s ministry in Rome was marked by hospitality, teaching, and one-on-one conversations.
   • Application: Acts measures impact by endurance, consistency, and the quiet refusal to stop speaking the truth. History confirms what Acts implies: Rome faded, empires rise and fall, but the gospel of Jesus Christ advances.
   • Faith is stripped of outcomes. It is obedience that doesn’t depend on guarantees. Will you be faithful today, regardless of what you know about tomorrow?

Conclusion: An Inheritance, Not an Ending

The Book of Acts doesn’t have a tidy conclusion because it’s not a finished story. It is an unfinished invitation. It closes the book but opens wide the mission field. It’s an inheritance handed to us. We are not just reading about their legacy; we are now the face of the movement.

Prayer Prompts for Reflection:

• Believe: If you have been hesitant, recognize that you know enough. It is not a matter of intellect but willingness. Say "yes" to Christ today.
• Renewed Mission: Ask God to replace any spiritual staleness with a fresh sense of ministry, mission, and urgency. The Spirit of God is still moving.
• Endurance: Pray for the perseverance to keep grinding in quiet faithfulness, just like Paul, who simply tried to convince people about Jesus every day, one conversation at a time.
• Reframe Limitations: Ask God to help you see your limitations not as a disqualification but as a redirection toward a deeper, more concentrated impact. Ask Him to show you what’s next.
• Witness for the Lost: Pray for lost family and friends. Embrace the call to be a witness (marturion), someone so committed to the gospel they would die to get the word out.
• A Legacy of Faithfulness: Pray that your life would leave a legacy marked by quiet, faithful obedience to Jesus. God cares more about substance than splash.

Sermon Summary: Acts Chapter 27

Date: August 16, 2026

Introduction

The sermon continues the series on the Book of Acts, with this week and next week concluding the study. Pastor Troy began by addressing a question from a congregant: "Why did God want Paul to make it to Rome so badly?"

• Symbolic Importance: Rome represented the "end of the earth" and was the center of the Gentile world. Getting the gospel to Rome was a key missional objective.
• Political Powerhouse: Rome was the nexus of global cultural and political power. Paul, a Roman citizen, wanted to bring the gospel to this center of influence.
• Universal Need for Jesus: By having Paul present the gospel before Caesar, the highest human authority, the narrative demonstrates that even the world’s most powerful person needs Jesus.
• Spotlight on God’s Sovereignty: Paul’s perilous journey to Rome highlights the providence and sovereignty of God, showing that no human opposition, corrupt system, or violent storm can thwart God’s ultimate plan.

Scripture Focus: Acts 27 – The Shipwreck

The primary text for this sermon is Acts 27, which chronicles Paul’s journey to Rome as a prisoner. This chapter is noted by theologians like R.C. Sproul as a literary masterpiece, with Luke (the author and an eyewitness on the ship) providing an incredibly detailed and accurate mariner’s account of a storm at sea.
The journey was extraordinarily dangerous for three reasons:

1. Terrible Weather: They set sail during a dangerous season.
2. Questionable Decision-Making: The ship’s leadership ignored Paul’s warnings.
3. Structural Failures: The storm was so violent it threatened to tear the ship apart.

The Narrative of the Storm

• A Dangerous Time to Sail: The journey began after "the Fast" (Acts 27:9), a reference to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in mid-October, which marked the start of the dangerous winter sailing season. The ship immediately faced contrary winds (Acts 27:4, 7).
• Paul’s Warning Ignored: Paul perceived that the voyage would end in disaster and loss of life (Acts 27:10). However, the centurion in charge, Julius, listened to the pilot and the ship’s owner instead (Acts 27:11).
• The Storm Hits: A tempestuous northeaster struck the ship, driving it uncontrollably (Acts 27:14-15). The crew took emergency measures, undergirding the ship with ropes and jettisoning the cargo (Acts 27:18) and then the ship’s tackle (Acts 27:19).
• All Hope is Lost: After many days without sun or stars for navigation, and with the storm raging, the crew and passengers abandoned all hope of being saved (Acts 27:20).
• God’s Promise through Paul: Paul stood up and reminded them they should have listened to him (Acts 27:21). He then delivered a message from an angel of God:
  • The Bad News: The ship would be completely lost.
  • The Good News: Not a single life would be lost. Paul was promised he would stand before Caesar, and God had granted him the lives of everyone on board (Acts 27:22-26).
• Approaching Land and a Secret Escape: On the fourteenth night, the sailors sensed land and dropped four anchors, praying for daylight (Acts 27:29). Some sailors then tried to escape in the lifeboat, but Paul exposed their plan to the centurion, stating, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved" (Acts 27:31). The soldiers then cut the lifeboat’s ropes, letting it drift away.
• A Final Meal: Paul urged all 276 people to eat, reminding them of God’s promise that not a hair on their heads would perish (Acts 27:34). He gave thanks to God, broke bread, and everyone ate (Acts 27:35). Afterward, they threw the remaining grain overboard (Acts 27:38).
• The Shipwreck: At daybreak, they aimed for a beach but struck a reef. The bow stuck fast while the stern was broken apart by the surf (Acts 27:39-41). The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, stopped them (Acts 27:42-43). He ordered those who could swim to go first, and the rest to use planks and pieces of the ship to get to shore.
• The Promise Kept: Just as God promised, "it was that all were brought safely to the land" (Acts 27:44). They landed on the island of Malta.

Application: Why Does God Take Us on Difficult Journeys?

The story is not just a travel log; it is proof that God keeps His word through storms, poor human decisions, and wreckage. God does not take us on difficult journeys to destroy us but for specific, character-forming reasons.

1. To Reveal What is Truly Unshakable

• Who God Is: God is our unshakable foundation. He allows storms to strip away the things we rely on (our strength, resources, plans) to show us that He is the only thing that cannot be broken.
• How We Are to Live: We are to build our lives on the unshakable promises of God, not on our own strength, feelings, or temporary circumstances. When the journey is smooth, we can confuse our strength with God’s. Difficult journeys wean us off of ourselves and teach us to rely completely on Him. In the storm, the cargo, tackle, ship, and food were all lost, but God’s word remained intact.

2. To Demonstrate His Power to Us and Others

• Who God Is: God uses our difficult journeys as a public canvas for His glory. A smooth trip to Rome would have had no impact, but the storm created a platform for God to display His power before 276 pagan sailors and Roman guards.
• Who God Says We Are: We are living, breathing apologetics for the gospel. When we remain peaceful, faithful, and hopeful while the world panics, we become a powerful testimony.
• How We Are to Live: We should understand that our difficult journeys are rarely just about us. The storm creates an opportunity for a testimony that a calm sea never could. When you pray for impact, brace yourself. A life of impact may come with scars, but those scars tell a story of God’s faithfulness that can bring others into His Kingdom.

3. To Prove That a Messy Landing is Still a Divine Victory

• How God Responds to Humans: God ensures our ultimate salvation, even if the process is messy. The journey didn’t end in a pristine harbor but with a violent wreck and survivors clinging to driftwood. Yet, every person was brought safely to land.
• How We Are to Live: We must understand that salvation doesn’t always mean avoiding the wreck; it means surviving it. A difficult landing, though exhausting and disorienting, is still a victory if it brings us safely to the shore God promised. This experience should create in us a deep gratitude and worship for a God who keeps His word.

Closing Thoughts

• God’s Word is All We Have: The entire structure of reality depends on God keeping His word. If God were not dependable, our lives would descend into chaos. Unlike humans who break promises, God is perfectly trustworthy. The sailors who tried to take matters into their own hands nearly missed God’s deliverance. We must trust His promise, not our own escape plans.
• What Are You Counting On?: What are you truly trusting in—your health, home, retirement, or family? The sermon exhorts us to recognize that anything other than Christ is too flimsy to build a life upon. Only Christ and the promises of God are unshakable.
• Prepare for the Storm: If you are not in a storm now, bookmark this message. A time will come when you will need to remember that when everything else fails, His word holds fast.
• The Power of Testimony: After the shipwreck, Paul was the undisputed leader. He was heading to Rome to share the gospel with Caesar. His harrowing journey gave him a powerful story that impacted everyone around him. Our storms do the same for us.
• Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. We are to build our lives on the eternal, unchanging words of Jesus.
  Next Week: The series concludes with Acts 28, where Paul, on the island of Malta, is bitten by a viper.

“Acts 25–26: Not Done in a Corner” — Sermon Recap

Creation Date

• August 9, 2026, 10:54:41

Series/Title

• Title inferred from repeated emphasis: “Not Done in a Corner” (Acts 25–26)

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Opening Context and Aim

• Pastor Troy set the scene: Acts Chapters 25 and 26 form one extended narrative around Paul’s hearings under Governor Festus and King Agrippa.
• Listeners were encouraged to “listen fast” as the text is rich and complex, and to recognize the repeated pattern in Paul’s ministry: mistreatment, political corruption, false accusations, death threats, imprisonment.

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Scripture and Narrative Overview

Festus Succeeds Felix; Renewed Plot Against Paul

• Passage: Acts 25:1–3
  • Chief priests and Jewish leaders ask Festus to summon Paul to Jerusalem, secretly planning an ambush to kill him en route.
• Festus shows more restraint than Felix and insists on proper procedure, returning to Caesarea within ten days for a hearing.

Paul’s Defense Before Festus

• Passage: Acts 25:7–12
  • Accusers bring “many serious charges” they cannot prove.
  • Paul responds plainly: “I’ve done nothing wrong” against the law, the temple, or Caesar (Acts 25:8).
  • Festus, wishing to curry favor with the Jews, suggests moving the trial to Jerusalem.
  • Paul reads the political moment, rejects the venue change, and asserts his right: “I appeal to Caesar” (Acts 25:11).
  • Festus must honor the appeal: “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go” (Acts 25:12).
  • Context note: “Caesar” at this time is Nero (AD 54–68). Historically infamous, but earlier in his reign more administratively stable.

Agrippa and Bernice Enter; Festus Explains the Case

• Passage: Acts 25:13–22
  • King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice visit Festus. Festus recounts the situation:
    • The accusations center on religious disputes and Paul’s claim that Jesus is alive (Acts 25:18–19).
  • Agrippa expresses interest in hearing Paul (Acts 25:22).

Formal Hearing with Agrippa; Paul’s Testimony

• Passage: Acts 25:23–27; Acts 26:1–23
  • With pomp, Agrippa, Bernice, and military officers convene the hearing.
  • Festus admits difficulty specifying charges to send to Caesar (Acts 25:26–27).
  • Agrippa invites Paul to speak (Acts 26:1).
• Paul’s defense/testimony:
  • Paul’s background:
    • Known from youth among the Jews; lived as a Pharisee (Acts 26:4–5).
  • Theological center:
    • Hope in God’s promise to the fathers; shared by the twelve tribes who worship “earnestly night and day” (Acts 26:6–7).
    • Rhetorical question: “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8).
  • Former hostility:
    • Paul once zealously persecuted Christians until the Damascus Road encounter (Acts 26:9–11).
  • Damascus encounter:
    • Blinding light from heaven and the voice of Jesus: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14).
    • Meaning explained: Resisting Christ does not stop Him; it wounds the resister.
    • Commission:
      • “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting… Rise… I appoint you as a servant and witness…” (Acts 26:15–16).
      • Mission to Jews and Gentiles: “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God… receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17–18).
    • Application: God saves and immediately sends; salvation leads to mission.
  • Obedience and proclamation:
    • Paul obeyed the heavenly vision and preached repentance from Damascus to Jerusalem, Judea, and to the Gentiles (Acts 26:19–20).
    • Resurrection as fulfillment:
      • Paul frames the resurrection as rooted in promises to the fathers and the fulfillment of Moses and the prophets (Acts 26:22–23):
        • “Saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass—that the Christ must suffer, and that, by being first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Festus Interrupts; Paul Appeals to Agrippa’s Knowledge

• Passage: Acts 26:24–29
  • Festus shouts: “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you out of your mind!” (Acts 26:24).
  • Paul replies calmly:
    • “I am speaking true and rational words… this has not been done in a corner” (Acts 26:25–26).
  • Agrippa’s famous line:
    • “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28).
  • Paul’s evangelistic desire:
    • “I would to God… that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains” (Acts 26:29).

Final Assessment and Legal Outcome

• Passage: Acts 26:30–32
  • The officials agree: “This man has done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”
  • Agrippa to Festus: “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
  • Legal note: Because Paul appealed as a Roman citizen, only Caesar could legally release him.
  • Theological note: What looked like a legal setback becomes God’s providential means to get Paul to Rome, fulfilling God’s promise.

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Key Theological Themes and Applications

1) Christianity Is Public, Global, and Historically Grounded

• Passage emphasis: Acts 26:26
  • “This has not been done in a corner.”
• Teaching:
  • Christianity is not a secret sect or private philosophy; it is a global movement grounded in the public, historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
  • Application:
    • Do not let cultural marginalization tell you Christianity is small or irrelevant; God is advancing His worldwide plan.
    • Ultimate culmination: every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord (cf. Philippians 2:10–11).

2) Christianity Fulfills the Old Testament

• Passage: Acts 26:22–23
  • Paul did not go “beyond the text”—he taught what Moses and the prophets foretold.
• Teaching:
  • The New Testament continues and fulfills the Old Testament; both speak a unified message about Christ’s suffering, resurrection, and light to Israel and the nations.
• Application:
  • Don’t “unhitch” from the Old Testament. Read Scripture as one seamless story culminating in Christ.

3) Christianity Provokes Intellectual, Moral, and Spiritual Hostility

• Passage: Acts 26:24
  • Festus calls Paul insane; the cross and resurrection meet resistance.
• Teaching:
  • The message is “foolishness” to the perishing (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18), but the power of God to those being saved.
• Application:
  • Expect hostility over exclusive claims, moral standards, and accountability before God. Don’t be surprised; remain steadfast.

4) The Gospel’s Universal Summons to Repentance

• Passage: Acts 26:20
  • Repentance proclaimed in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea, and to the Gentiles—“performing deeds in keeping with repentance.”
• Cross-reference: Acts 17:30
  • “God commands all people everywhere to repent.”
• Teaching:
  • No one is above the gospel. The call to faith and repentance is for everyone.
• Application:
  • Share the gospel boldly; repentance confronts autonomy and pride, but it is God’s gracious command for life.

5) God Uses Hardship as a Platform for Witness

• Narrative pattern:
  • False charges, chains, courtrooms become stages for testimony.
• Teaching:
  • God transforms pain into mission opportunities; He keeps His promises and His providence guides our steps—even through adversity.
• Application:
  • Don’t waste your pain. Ask God to use your hardships to bear witness to Christ.

6) The Resurrection Is Logical and Reasonable

• Passage: Acts 26:8
  • “Why is it thought incredible… that God raises the dead?”
• Supporting logic:
  • Old Testament prophecy points to a suffering and rising Messiah.
  • The empty tomb; eyewitnesses; the coherence of Christian hope (cf. 1 Corinthians 15; John 11:25).
• Teaching:
  • With an Almighty, Sovereign God, resurrection is not incredible—it is consistent with His power and purposes.
• Application:
  • Speak of the resurrection with confidence, not just at Easter. It is central to faith and utterly reasonable.

7) Christianity Demands a Decisive Response

• Passage: Acts 26:28–29
  • Agrippa is “almost persuaded.”
• Warning:
  • “Almost” is spiritually fatal. To be “almost saved” is to be completely lost.
• Application:
  • Don’t delay with “later” or “almost.” Respond to Christ now—cross from conviction to conversion.

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Who God Is and How He Responds to Humans

• God is Sovereign, Just, and Faithful:
  • He oversees history and governments to fulfill His purposes (getting Paul to Rome).
  • He commands universal repentance and offers forgiveness and sanctification by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18).
• God Saves and Sends:
  • He rescues from darkness and commissions believers as witnesses to His light.
• God Is Patient Yet Decisive:
  • He provides public evidence (“not done in a corner”), but requires a real response—no neutrality.

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Who God Says We Are and How We Are to Live

• Identity:
  • Forgiven, sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18), citizens of God’s Kingdom under His authority.
• Calling:
  • Witnesses sent to family, workplaces, neighborhoods, and the nations.
• Conduct:
  • Repentance proved by deeds (a transformed life) (Acts 26:20).
  • Courage under pressure, reasoned defense, and hope anchored in the resurrection.

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Cultural Application (American Context)

• In a culture that prizes autonomy and tolerance:
  • Expect pushback against exclusive truth claims and moral accountability.
  • Embrace Christianity’s public, historical grounding; it’s not private opinion but revealed reality.
• Resist marginalization:
  • See the global, explosive scope of God’s movement. Stand confident in Christ’s lordship.
• Live missionally:
  • Use platforms created by hardship—public forums, workplaces, social spaces—to testify to Christ.

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Examples and Illustrations from Pastor Troy

• “In the pits”: A phrase describing compounding hardships—apt for Paul’s ministry narrative.
• “Kick against the goads”: Resisting God wounds the resister; it cannot stop God’s purposes.
• Festus’s interruption and “maniacal” accusation: Typical cultural dismissal of Christian claims.
• Agrippa’s “Almost persuaded”: A cautionary archetype of near-conversion that ends in loss.
• Taekwondo “energy” analogy: Emphasizing the clarity and universality of “all people everywhere” in calls to repentance.
• Baptism appeal:
  • “Waves of grace” with ninety baptisms planned this evening; an invitation to respond publicly and immediately.

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Practical Calls to Action

• Do not be intimidated by cultural marginalization; remember the global scale and inevitability of Christ’s lordship.
• Do not be surprised by hostility; stay humble and resolute.
• Remember repentance is a command from God.
• Do not waste your pain; ask God to turn it into a platform for witness.
• Keep the resurrection central and speak of it confidently; it is logical and essential to Christian hope.
• Do not be like Agrippa—move from “almost” to “yes” today. Trust in Jesus, turn from sin, go public through baptism.

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Communion Focus

• Centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Remember who Jesus is and what He has done; examine your life and draw close to Him.
• Pastoral prayer emphasis:
  • Approach the table with humility, gratitude, and a right heart.
  • Ask God to help us say “yes” to Jesus, no matter the cost.

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Selected Scripture References Highlighted

• Acts 25:1–3; 25:7–12; 25:18–22; 25:23–27
• Acts 26:1–8; 26:14–20; 26:22–29; 26:30–32
• Philippians 2:10–11
• 1 Corinthians 1:18
• 1 Corinthians 15 (summary reference)
• John 11:25
• Acts 17:30

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Closing Exhortation

• Respond to Jesus decisively today. Believe, repent, and publicly confess Christ as Lord.
• Remember: Christianity is not done in a corner; God’s global, historical movement continues—and He has saved and sent you into it. Amen.

Sermon Summary: Acts 24

Preached on: August 2, 2026
Primary Scripture: Acts 24

Introduction: The Trial Before Felix

The sermon begins by setting the scene in Acts 24. The Apostle Paul, after five days in custody, finally has his formal hearing before Governor Felix in Caesarea. The Jewish elders arrive with a powerful delegation, including the high priest Ananias and a skilled prosecuting attorney named Tertullus, to present their case against Paul.

The Prosecution’s Case: Tertullus vs. Paul

• Flattery and Lies (Acts 24:2-4): Before stating his accusations, Tertullus shamelessly flatters Governor Felix, praising his leadership and the "reforms" he has brought. Pastor Troy notes the irony, as Felix was historically known for his corruption, brutality, and political incompetence.
• The Accusations (Acts 24:5-8): Tertullus lays out three main charges against Paul:
  1. He is a "plague": A pest who infects people like a disease.
  2. He is a political agitator: One who "stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world."
  3. He is a ringleader of a seditious sect: Tertullus calls him a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes."
• Misrepresentation of Christianity: Tertullus attempts to frame Christianity not as a legitimate movement of Jesus but as a fanatical and dangerous political movement. He conveniently omits that a mob had tried to kill Paul at the temple.
• The Jews Concur (Acts 24:9): The other Jews present join in, affirming Tertullus’s accusations.

The Defense: Paul’s Cheerful Rebuttal

When the governor nods for Paul to speak, Paul "cheerfully" makes his defense (Acts 24:10), confident because his conscience is clear.

• Challenging the Timeline (Acts 24:11): Paul states he has only been in Jerusalem for twelve days, making it highly improbable that he could have caused the widespread trouble he is accused of.
• Demanding Evidence (Acts 24:12-13): Paul challenges his accusers to provide evidence or eyewitnesses, knowing they have none. He states they cannot prove their charges against him.
• The True "Crime": Faith in God’s Word (Acts 24:14-16): Paul confesses what he is actually guilty of:
  • He worships the God of his fathers "according to the Way," which they call a sect.
  • He believes "everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets."
  • He holds the same hope as his accusers: that there "will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust."
  • He strives to "always take pains to have a clear conscience before God and man."
• Addressing the Temple Accusation (Acts 24:17-21): Paul clarifies that he had been away for years and only returned to bring alms to the poor and present offerings. He was found purified in the temple without a crowd or tumult.
  • He points out that the actual eyewitnesses—the Jews from Asia who started the riot—are not present to testify, proving the weakness of the prosecution’s case.
  • Paul reframes the entire conflict, stating the real issue is theological: "It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day" (Acts 24:21).

The Verdict: Justice Delayed

• Felix Stalls (Acts 24:22-23): Felix, having a "rather accurate knowledge of the Way," recognizes the case is weak. However, for political reasons, he chooses to delay a verdict. He puts Paul under a form of house arrest, stalling for time.
• God’s Purpose in the Delay: Pastor Troy notes that while human justice delayed is often justice denied, God’s purposes are never delayed.
• Felix’s Motives (Acts 24:24-27): Over the next two years, Felix and his wife Drusilla summon Paul often.
  • Paul does not flatter Felix. Instead, he speaks directly about "righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment" (Acts 24:25).
  • Felix becomes "alarmed" by this message but does not repent. He tells Paul to go away, saying he will summon him at a more convenient time.
  • Felix’s true motive for the frequent meetings is revealed: "he hoped that money would be given him by Paul" as a bribe for his release (Acts 24:26).
  • After two years, to "do the Jews a favor," Felix leaves Paul in prison as he is succeeded by Festus.

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Key Applications for Christians Today

Pastor Troy highlighted four dynamics from this passage that every follower of Jesus must be prepared for.

1. Be Prepared for False Accusations

• It is common for faithful Christians to be falsely accused, just as Jesus and the apostles were. In today’s culture, disagreement with prevailing ideologies can lead to being labeled a bigot or a hater.
• How to Respond: We cannot let false accusations dictate our faithfulness or our commitment to the truth. Paul could have softened his message to Felix about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to make his situation easier, but he remained true to the truth, even when people didn’t want to hear it.

2. Be Prepared for Misrepresentations of the Christian Movement

• Tertullus misrepresented Christianity as a seditious political cult. This still happens today.
• How to Respond:
  • Contend for the Christian Worldview: We must remember and articulate that Christianity is not a philosophy but is centered on the person of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection.
  • Represent Christ Well: Paul’s character—joyful, truthful, respectful, and courageous even under trial—stood in stark contrast to the accusations against him. Pastor Troy emphasized: "Living Christianly helps people see Christianity clearly."

3. Be Prepared for Political Pressure to Cave on Theological Truth

• Paul’s belief in the resurrection, which declares that all people (including rulers) will answer to God, created immense political pressure.
• How to Respond: Today, there is pressure to be quiet or change our minds on what the Bible says about creation, life, marriage, and absolute truth. We must not buckle. Pastor Troy shared a quote distinguishing between three mindsets:
  • Cowardice asks: "Is it safe?"
  • Consensus asks: "Is it popular?"
  • Courage asks: "Is it right?"
• It is not right for followers of Christ to back down on what the Bible says.

4. Be Prepared for Unjust Treatment, but Know You are Not Forgotten by God

• Felix unjustly delayed justice for Paul for two years for personal and political gain. However, God used this corrupt situation to protect Paul from assassination plots.
• Our Hope: God’s sovereignty overrules corrupt human systems. "God’s justice triumphs over earthly corruption." Even political opposition cannot stop His divine purposes. He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him.

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Final Message: The Tragedy of Delay

The sermon concluded by shifting focus from Paul’s tragedy to Felix’s.

• The Greater Tragedy: The greatest tragedy in Acts 24 is not that Paul was imprisoned, but that Felix delayed repentance for himself.
• Convicted but Not Converted: Felix was "alarmed" and "shaken" by the truth of the Gospel. He felt conviction, which is a mercy from God. However, instead of repenting, he procrastinated.
• "Later" is a Trap: The enemy does not need to convince you that the Bible is a lie; he only needs to convince you to wait until "later." Delay is the devil’s quiet killer.
• Today is the Day of Salvation: The Bible is clear about the urgency of responding to God. Conviction over sin, the truth of the Gospel, and the warning of judgment are all mercies designed to drive us to Christ. Do not send truth away. Come to Christ today.