Acts 26:28-29 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said,”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.'” NKJV
Here we find the Apostle Paul 2 years into imprisonment for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- He has defended himself to the Jewish Council.
- He has testified in front of Governor Felix.
- Felix left him in prison for 2 years and turned it over to Governor Festus.
- Now King Agrippa wants to hear what this is all about.
Paul simply tells of his background as a devout Jew and then tells of his conversion experience.
- Paul did not want to become a Christian, he was very happy to remain a Jewish Pharisee.
- Paul converted because he saw a vision in which his acknowledged Jehovah appeared to him in the middle of the day and spoke to him these words…”I am Jesus.” And told him that Paul was to become a preacher of the Gospel.
No one becomes a Christian just because it sounds like a good idea one day.
No one becomes a Christian only because they were born into it.
But we become Christians because we are convinced that the ways of God are better than the ways of man.
We become followers of Jesus Christ because we live in a world that is empty and meaningless without God and we discover that Jesus has the words of life and the power we find in His spirit is real, exciting, life changing.
When God reveals His reality to you through the revelation of Jesus Christ, it changes you and makes you better.
When God fills you with his Holy Ghost, you become spiritually alive and a new person.
Today I want to speak about some reasons why I am a Christian.
1. Because people fail, but God does not.
In 2013 Seven time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong admits to Oprah Winfrey that he cheated and doped while winning championships.
Just a few years ago Bernie Madoff was exposed as a fraud and many, many people discovered that their life savings was lost in a Ponzi scheme he passed off as an investing company.
November 2013, 51 year old google executive Forest Hayes was found dead on his yacht. He was given a lethal dose of heroin allegedly by a prostitute he frequented.
Heb 13:8-9 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” NKJV
People lie, cheat and disappoint and they change their mind in a moments notice. Yet today, we can still trust God’s Word.
2. Because God’s word keeps turning out right every time
In a world when singers like Milli Vanilli and others prove to be fakes.
Million Little Pieces author James Frey was famously exposed as a fraud by Oprah Winfrey.
God’s Word is attacked, but turns out to be true.
In 1996, noted athiest Frank Zindler declared the Bible to be unreliable and wrong because there was never a historical town named Nazareth until recent History.
In 2009, Jewish Antiquities archeologist Yardena Alexandre published her findings from her excavation of Nazareth proving positively that there was indeed a town of Nazareth in the 1st century.
Noted Sceptic Robert Price famously made the claim that the Gospel record is inaccurate because its claims of Jesus visiting synagogues in the area of Jesus’ ministry are false because there was no evidence of Synagogues ever being built in that area.
Luke 7:1-5 “Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” NKJV
The language of this passage has caused some to believe that this particular synagogue must have been of some grandeur because it is noted that the Centurion had it built and it showed his devotion to the people.
Recent excavations in the area of Caperneum have proven that there was indeed Synagogues dating back to the time of Jesus.
This Synagogue excavated was much larger in comparison to contemporary synagogues, corroborating the speculation that the synagogue in Luke was special and did indeed exist.
The writings of Flavious Josephus, a non-Christian Jewish historian constantly corroborate dates, times, and events found in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.
Can I tell you today that this Bible is authentic? – It is God’s Word and it can most definitely be trusted!!
3. Because the love this world offers doesn’t last, but God’s love toward me is unfailing.
With divorce rates at an all time high.
Parents today are being exposed as hating their children.
Just a few weeks ago a lost boy was found hidden in his father’s basement. We now know his stepmother abused him.
Ross Harris stands accused of gross negligence in the hot car death of his son.
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” NKJV
John 10:11-12 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” NKJV
Jesus told the Parable of the Prodigal Son who was embraced, loved, and accepted by his father even after the son had wasted his inheritance.
God is our father and his love for you does not ever change.
God will embrace you no matter what you have done. He will never hold your past against you, once you repent.
This world can’t get it right, but God’s plan is perfect.
4. Government is a mess, but God’s government is always trustworthy
Israel and Palestine have had peace accord after peace accord. Agreement after agreement and yet they are still fighting.
Egypt several years ago deposed their evil dictator Hosni Mubarak and they are still mired in civil unrest, have barely survived a coup of the replacement government, and had people rioting in the streets.
President Barak Obama was elected with high popularity marks.
At one point he enjoyed a 68% approval rating…Yet today his approval is around 40%.
The once popular Healthcare initiative is a complete mess and very unpopular.
Today, Russia and the Ukraine are engaged in a high stakes chess match as the Ukraine tries to manage a civil war.
Syria is a complete train wreck.
A friend of my parents just recently made the decision to retire after losing his job and wasn’t able to replace it.
After working for 40+ years and living by the rules, his Social Security is barely over $1000/month.
YOU CAN TRUST THE GOVERNMENTS OF THIS WORLD IF YOU WANT TO , BUT ALL I SEE IS LOTS AND LOTS OF FAILURE AND DISAPPOINTMENT. I PREFER TO LOOK TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Jesus came preaching about a Kingdom or government of God that resides in our hearts and if followed will bring us to a better kingdom to be with Him for eternity.
Rev 21:1-5 “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said,”Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” NKJV
Your government might some day be able to offer you $1000/month in retirement.
Your government might some day be able to figure out the healthcare.gov website.
But I’m so thankful that God’s promises are far better than that.
I’m a Christian because God’s retirement plan is way more enticing than anything else out there!!!
5. This world will reject me if I am messed up, but God doesn’t reject anyone.
Planned Parenthood and other social reforming organizations say, If you don’t want a child, just abort it.
We live in a world focused on beauty and achievement.
If you’re not beautiful according to Hollyweird and People Magazine, you are relegated to the back of society.
It’s a well-known “secret” in human resources that beautiful people get the best jobs.
Overweight people are overlooked for promotions and are sometimes assumed to be lazy.
If you can’t excel in sports by the time you are twelve years old, you are ignored and have no chance in that arena.
Many companies won’t even consider you for employment if you don’t have a college degree.
Companies will perform background checks and if you have prior arrests, they will ignore and reject your application.
Matt 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” NKJV