The Acts FactorThe Acts Factor Sharing the LightSharing the Light

Jeff StriteJeff Strite

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=128198&Page=1 http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=128198&Page=1

A mother was busy making A mother was busy making supper in the kitchen, and supper in the kitchen, and

needing a can of tomato soup, needing a can of tomato soup, she asked her 5 year old son to go into she asked her 5 year old son to go into the pantry and get one for her. But the the pantry and get one for her. But the

light in the pantry was out and he light in the pantry was out and he didn’t really want to go in there.didn’t really want to go in there.

"It’s dark in there and "It’s dark in there and I’m scared" he said. I’m scared" he said.

She asked again and he persisted. She asked again and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK honey, Jesus Finally she said, "It’s OK honey, Jesus

will be in there with you." will be in there with you." So, the little boy walked hesitantly to So, the little boy walked hesitantly to

the door and slowly opened it. the door and slowly opened it.

Looking inside, he saw it was dark, and Looking inside, he saw it was dark, and he started to leave when all at once an he started to leave when all at once an

idea came. He peeked back inside idea came. He peeked back inside again and called out, "Jesus, if you’re again and called out, "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can in there, would you hand me that can

of tomato soup." of tomato soup."

What’s happens October 31st? What’s happens October 31st? That’s right, Halloween.That’s right, Halloween.

Halloween was actually celebrated Halloween was actually celebrated hundreds of years before the birth of hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. In the British isles, a group of Christ. In the British isles, a group of people called the Celts observed a people called the Celts observed a

festival they called festival they called Samhain on Oct 31st.Samhain on Oct 31st.

But unlike today’s Halloween, But unlike today’s Halloween, theirs was no children’s holiday. theirs was no children’s holiday.

You see, the Celtic New Year began on You see, the Celtic New Year began on November 1st. The fall harvest was November 1st. The fall harvest was complete and winter loomed. At this complete and winter loomed. At this

season of the year the Celts knew that the season of the year the Celts knew that the power of the sun was fading. For the next power of the sun was fading. For the next several months, darkness would prevail.several months, darkness would prevail.

For the Celts this impending darkness For the Celts this impending darkness was a fairly scary time. was a fairly scary time.

It was especially scary because they It was especially scary because they believed that there was a something believed that there was a something like a curtain that separated the living like a curtain that separated the living from the dead. And they believed, that from the dead. And they believed, that

at this time of the year, at this time of the year, that curtain was at its thinnest. that curtain was at its thinnest.

On the evening of October 31, it was On the evening of October 31, it was their belief that evil spirits and souls of their belief that evil spirits and souls of the dead passed through this barrier the dead passed through this barrier

and entered into the world of the living. and entered into the world of the living. And when the dead crossed that And when the dead crossed that

barrier they would torment the living. barrier they would torment the living. Crops might be destroyed, babies Crops might be destroyed, babies

stolen, farm animals killed. stolen, farm animals killed.

To appease these dead spirits, various To appease these dead spirits, various sacrifices, including human, were sacrifices, including human, were

performed by the Celts. And food was performed by the Celts. And food was left out for the spirits, hoping that this left out for the spirits, hoping that this "treat" would prevent an evil "trick." "treat" would prevent an evil "trick."

(based upon an article by Ken Klaus)(based upon an article by Ken Klaus)

Thus, Halloween originally began because Thus, Halloween originally began because people were people were

afraid of the dark.afraid of the dark.People generally don’t like darkness. People generally don’t like darkness.

Darkness, too often, Darkness, too often, is a time when life becomes uncertain is a time when life becomes uncertain

and even scary.and even scary.Knowing that darkness has this kind of Knowing that darkness has this kind of effect on people, God has made us a effect on people, God has made us a

promise. promise.

Isaiah tells us that the reason the Isaiah tells us that the reason the Messiah was being sent, was Messiah was being sent, was

to open blind eyes, to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, to release prisoners from dungeons,

those who live in darkness from those who live in darkness from prisons.prisons.

Isaiah 42:7Isaiah 42:7 NETNET

Matthew (quoting Isaiah) Matthew (quoting Isaiah)

tells us that when Jesus came…tells us that when Jesus came…

the people who sit in darkness have the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,: and on those seen a great light,: and on those

who sit in the region and shadow who sit in the region and shadow

of death a light has dawned.of death a light has dawned.""

Matthew 4:16Matthew 4:16 NETNET

John 8:12John 8:12 NET NET Then Jesus spoke out again, Then Jesus spoke out again, "I am the light of the world. "I am the light of the world.

The one who follows me will The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life."but will have the light of life."John 12:46John 12:46 NET NET

I have come as a light into the world, I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me so that everyone who believes in me

should not remain in darkness.should not remain in darkness.

Several years ago an atheist by the Several years ago an atheist by the name of Hemant Mehta gained some name of Hemant Mehta gained some

notoriety by trying to sell his soul on e-notoriety by trying to sell his soul on e-bay. He began to be invited by bay. He began to be invited by

churches to come and share why he churches to come and share why he was an atheist.was an atheist.

http://www.otmatheist.com/ebay-atheist-sells-his-soul/http://www.otmatheist.com/ebay-atheist-sells-his-soul/

After one such visit, he observed: After one such visit, he observed:

"At one church I visited, some people "At one church I visited, some people were asked to write down how they felt were asked to write down how they felt before and after becoming Christian. before and after becoming Christian. They said things like ‘dark and light,’ They said things like ‘dark and light,’ ’lonely and befriended,’ which got me ’lonely and befriended,’ which got me wondering: Is being down or lonely or wondering: Is being down or lonely or

desperate a prerequisite to finding desperate a prerequisite to finding God? God?

Do these people think that others who Do these people think that others who have not yet found God are lost, have not yet found God are lost,

scared or miserable? Do I have to go scared or miserable? Do I have to go through some sort of trauma or crisis through some sort of trauma or crisis

before finding some ultimate before finding some ultimate meaning?" meaning?"

Of course, Hemant didn’t understand Of course, Hemant didn’t understand that many people who become that many people who become

Christians do so because they have Christians do so because they have actually seen how dark and lonely life actually seen how dark and lonely life

can be. can be.

Barbranne had lived a life of alcohol and Barbranne had lived a life of alcohol and partying. For 30 years of her life did a partying. For 30 years of her life did a lot of things a “nice” person probably lot of things a “nice” person probably

wouldn’t do. But eventually that way of wouldn’t do. But eventually that way of living began to take its toll on her body living began to take its toll on her body and she became tired of that kind of and she became tired of that kind of

lifestyle. lifestyle.

One of the things that made the most One of the things that made the most difference to her was that she literally difference to her was that she literally

threw herself into attending church and threw herself into attending church and reading Scripture. She even bought a reading Scripture. She even bought a

children’s Bible so she could children’s Bible so she could understand the Bible in its simplest understand the Bible in its simplest

stories. stories.

Barbranne had lived for so long in Barbranne had lived for so long in darkness and emptiness, the message darkness and emptiness, the message

of Scripture was literally one that of Scripture was literally one that spoke to her of spoke to her of

light and hope.light and hope.Over the past few weeks, the sermons Over the past few weeks, the sermons

have been building towards this have been building towards this particular message. particular message.

In the first sermon of this series we found In the first sermon of this series we found that many people are dissatisfied with that many people are dissatisfied with

their lives because God has their lives because God has set eternity set eternity in the hearts of men in the hearts of men ((Ecclesiastes 3:11Ecclesiastes 3:11)). . God has placed a knowledge, a feeling, God has placed a knowledge, a feeling, an inner suspicion, in the heart of every an inner suspicion, in the heart of every

man and woman who has ever been born, man and woman who has ever been born, that there is more to this life than what we that there is more to this life than what we

generally experience. generally experience.

It’s almost as if He’s placed a hole It’s almost as if He’s placed a hole inside of every person who’s ever lived inside of every person who’s ever lived

that only He can fill.that only He can fill.In the next sermon we discussed that In the next sermon we discussed that God wants to fill that hole in our lives God wants to fill that hole in our lives by giving us a special relationship. He by giving us a special relationship. He

wants to walk with us and talk with wants to walk with us and talk with us… and be there for us. us… and be there for us.

But then we found, But then we found, there’s a problem. there’s a problem.

We can’t successfully have a We can’t successfully have a satisfying relationship with God when satisfying relationship with God when our lives are burdened with guilt and our lives are burdened with guilt and

shame. The stain of our past sins shame. The stain of our past sins would always block us from getting would always block us from getting

close to God. close to God.

Each of us were guilty of thoughts and Each of us were guilty of thoughts and words and (sometimes even) actions words and (sometimes even) actions

that stained us so badly that there that stained us so badly that there wasn’t anything that we could possibly wasn’t anything that we could possibly

do to ever pay for those sins. do to ever pay for those sins.

Since we were unable to remove that Since we were unable to remove that sin from our lives… God did for us. He sin from our lives… God did for us. He came down in the form of a man and came down in the form of a man and paid the price for every wrong thing paid the price for every wrong thing

we’ve ever done. He died on the cross we’ve ever done. He died on the cross and rose from the dead to give us life and rose from the dead to give us life

and light in our lives. and light in our lives.

John 1:4John 1:4 In him In him (Jesus)(Jesus) was life, and that was life, and that life was the light of men. life was the light of men.

Now, I’ve said all that to bring us to our Now, I’ve said all that to bring us to our text this morning.text this morning.

The story from The story from Acts 26Acts 26 is the 3rd time that is the 3rd time that we’re told the account of Paul’s we’re told the account of Paul’s

conversion.conversion.I’m convinced that nothing is in Scripture I’m convinced that nothing is in Scripture

by accident. by accident.

There’s a reason why God tells this There’s a reason why God tells this story three times.story three times.

And I believe that the story is retold And I believe that the story is retold here in here in Acts 26Acts 26 because God want us to because God want us to see and understand the significance of see and understand the significance of

this one statement: this one statement:

Paul was told he was being sent Paul was told he was being sent to open to open their eyes so that they turn from their eyes so that they turn from

darkness to light and from the power darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a receive forgiveness of sins and a

share among those who are sanctified share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'by faith in me.' Acts 26:18Acts 26:18 NET NET

In In Acts 9Acts 9 we’re given the first description we’re given the first description of this confrontation between of this confrontation between

Jesus and Paul. Jesus and Paul. In that telling of this story, we find that In that telling of this story, we find that

God literally plunged God literally plunged Paul into darkness:Paul into darkness:

Acts 9:4 Acts 9:4 NIVNIV HeHe (Paul) (Paul) fell to the ground fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 5 5

‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. replied. 66 ‘Now get up and go into the ‘Now get up and go into the

city, and you will be told what you must city, and you will be told what you must do.’do.’

77 The men traveling with Saul stood there The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did speechless; they heard the sound but did

not see anyone.not see anyone. 8 8 Saul got up from the Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. hand into Damascus. 99 For three days he For three days he

was blind, and did not eat or drink was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” anything.”

For three days Paul waited in Damascus For three days Paul waited in Damascus blind. He must have been fearful, and blind. He must have been fearful, and praying for all he was worth. He knew praying for all he was worth. He knew

that he had sinned against the that he had sinned against the Messiah that his people had waited Messiah that his people had waited

generations for. He was afraid of generations for. He was afraid of punishment… he was afraid even for punishment… he was afraid even for

his very salvation. his very salvation.

Then a man named Ananias, sent by Then a man named Ananias, sent by Jesus, came to him. And when Jesus, came to him. And when Ananias laid his hands on Paul, Ananias laid his hands on Paul,

something like scales fell from his something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see. eyes and he could see.

((Acts 9:12 & 18Acts 9:12 & 18))

Then Ananias reinforced the Then Ananias reinforced the commission Jesus had given 3 days commission Jesus had given 3 days earlier, and when he’d told Paul all earlier, and when he’d told Paul all

this, Ananias declared: this, Ananias declared: Acts 22:16Acts 22:16 NET NET And now what are you waiting for? And now what are you waiting for?

Get up, be baptized, Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, and have your sins washed away,

calling on his name.'calling on his name.'

God had blinded Paul for those three God had blinded Paul for those three days as an object lesson.days as an object lesson.

God intended this physical blindness God intended this physical blindness to drive home the spiritual blindness to drive home the spiritual blindness that had symbolized his life to that that had symbolized his life to that

point. And that object lesson was so point. And that object lesson was so powerful that Paul later wrote: powerful that Paul later wrote:

1 Timothy 1:161 Timothy 1:16 NET NET But here is why I was But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as treated with mercy: so that in me as

the worst, Christ Jesus could the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as demonstrate his utmost patience, as

an example for those who are going to an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.believe in him for eternal life.

Because of that blindness, for the rest of Because of that blindness, for the rest of his life Paul understood that he had his life Paul understood that he had

been brought out ofbeen brought out of· darkness into light· darkness into light· from the power of Satan to God· from the power of Satan to God· And that he had received · And that he had received

forgiveness… and a place in God’s forgiveness… and a place in God’s family. family.

Paul’s sin had been removed and Paul’s sin had been removed and God had filled thatGod had filled that

God-sized hole in his life.God-sized hole in his life.And from that day forward Paul had a And from that day forward Paul had a

special relationship with God. special relationship with God. Paul understood that Jesus expected him Paul understood that Jesus expected him to help others gain that very same change to help others gain that very same change in their lives. In fact, he realized that was in their lives. In fact, he realized that was

the job of EVERY Christian. the job of EVERY Christian.

Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi: Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi: Philippians 2:14Philippians 2:14 NIV NIV Do everything without Do everything without

complaining or arguing,complaining or arguing, 1515 so that you may so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God become blameless and pure, children of God

without fault in a crooked and depraved without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the generation, in which you shine like stars in the universeuniverse 1616 as you hold out the word of life—in as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that order that I may boast on the day of Christ that

I did not run or labor for nothing.I did not run or labor for nothing.

Paul was telling them that THEIR job as Paul was telling them that THEIR job as Christians was to Christians was to

““hold out the word of life”hold out the word of life”Of course, Jesus had already Of course, Jesus had already

told us that.told us that.Matthew 5:14Matthew 5:14 NET NET You are the light of the You are the light of the

world. A city located on a hill cannot world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.be hidden.

1515 People do not light a lamp and put it People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, under a basket but on a lampstand,

and it gives light to all in the house.and it gives light to all in the house. 1616 In the same way, let your light shine In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your good deeds and give honor to

your Father in heaven.your Father in heaven.

So… how do we do that?So… how do we do that?How do we let our light shine?How do we let our light shine?

How do we “hold out the word of life” How do we “hold out the word of life” to people in darkness?to people in darkness?

As I studied this story out of As I studied this story out of Acts 26Acts 26, I , I saw some intriguing insights on this saw some intriguing insights on this

question. question.

11stst:: I found that we have to realize that I found that we have to realize that God has given US this job to do. He’s God has given US this job to do. He’s not going to do the job for us. It’s ours not going to do the job for us. It’s ours

to do.to do.He depends upon us to help others He depends upon us to help others

understand what they’re missing understand what they’re missing without Jesus. without Jesus.

Despite what some people may believe Despite what some people may believe Paul was not saved on the road to Paul was not saved on the road to

Damascus. He was saved IN Damascus Damascus. He was saved IN Damascus when Ananias obeyed Jesus and went to when Ananias obeyed Jesus and went to

talk to Paul.talk to Paul.Acts 22:16Acts 22:16 tells us up to that point, Paul’s tells us up to that point, Paul’s

sins had not yet been washed away. sins had not yet been washed away. Ananias had said Ananias had said “be baptized, and have “be baptized, and have

your sins washed away”your sins washed away”

Paul’s salvation was hinged upon Paul’s salvation was hinged upon Ananias doing what Ananias doing what

God asked him to do.God asked him to do.God had sent Ananias to Paul to lift God had sent Ananias to Paul to lift

him out of his blindnesshim out of his blindnessAnd God sends you and I to others to And God sends you and I to others to

lift them out of their blindness. lift them out of their blindness.

2ndly:2ndly: When we talk to people about When we talk to people about Jesus – God doesn’t expect us Jesus – God doesn’t expect us

to do it all by ourselves.to do it all by ourselves.Jesus is working behind the scenes Jesus is working behind the scenes

to change their hearts.to change their hearts.Jesus had already worked on Paul’s Jesus had already worked on Paul’s

heart long before Ananias showed up. heart long before Ananias showed up.

In the same way Jesus tells us that one In the same way Jesus tells us that one of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is to of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is to John 16:8John 16:8 NET NET And when he comes, he And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgmentsin and righteousness and judgment

God’s Spirit works behind the scenes to God’s Spirit works behind the scenes to soften the hearts of those we talk to. soften the hearts of those we talk to.

As we pray … and we share the story As we pray … and we share the story of Jesus… God is working behind the of Jesus… God is working behind the

scenes to help us do what He has scenes to help us do what He has asked us to do.asked us to do.

33rdrd:: We need to realize the importance of We need to realize the importance of telling others OUR story.telling others OUR story.

You and I need to tell people You and I need to tell people why we are Christians.why we are Christians.

We need to tell them what is so important We need to tell them what is so important about Jesus that we’ve been willing to about Jesus that we’ve been willing to

build our lives around Him. Why we would build our lives around Him. Why we would sacrifice so much of our time to worship sacrifice so much of our time to worship

Him and honor Him. Him and honor Him.

The story of Paul’s conversion The story of Paul’s conversion is recorded 3 times in Acts.is recorded 3 times in Acts.The first time, it’s merely a The first time, it’s merely a

fact of church history.fact of church history.The other two times – Paul is telling The other two times – Paul is telling people WHY his life was changed.people WHY his life was changed.

He had a life-altering confrontation with He had a life-altering confrontation with Jesus and he wanted others to know Jesus and he wanted others to know

about it. about it.

Your story might be about why you were Your story might be about why you were baptized into Christ (why you became baptized into Christ (why you became a Christian to begin with), or it might a Christian to begin with), or it might

be about something that has be about something that has happened since then that made happened since then that made

God real to you.God real to you.

But the main thing people want to know But the main thing people want to know is this: does it work for you. Most is this: does it work for you. Most

people don’t care about your theology people don’t care about your theology or where you go to church. All they just or where you go to church. All they just

want to know, DOES IT WORK? want to know, DOES IT WORK?

I once read the true story about a I once read the true story about a woman who put thiswoman who put this

ad in the local paper: ad in the local paper: "Lost 50 pounds! Selling my fat "Lost 50 pounds! Selling my fat

clothes, good condition, sizes 18-20."clothes, good condition, sizes 18-20."She was bombarded with phone calls, She was bombarded with phone calls, but nobody wanted to buy the clothes, but nobody wanted to buy the clothes, they all wanted to know how she had they all wanted to know how she had

lost the 50 pounds. lost the 50 pounds.

We can have a powerful worship service We can have a powerful worship service every Sundayevery Sunday

The singing can be inspirationalThe singing can be inspirationalThe prayers touch our heartsThe prayers touch our hearts

The preaching can bring you to your The preaching can bring you to your knees in repentanceknees in repentance

And the fellowship can be outstanding. And the fellowship can be outstanding.

But we won’t be REALLY successful But we won’t be REALLY successful until we are convicted of the need to:until we are convicted of the need to:

open their eyes open their eyes (of our neighbors, (of our neighbors,

friends and relatives)friends and relatives)and turn them fromand turn them fromdarkness to light, darkness to light,

and from the power of and from the power of SatanSatanto to GodGod, ,

so that they may receiveso that they may receiveforgiveness of sinsforgiveness of sins

and a place among those who are and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ.sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ.

Lets read Paul’s commission.Lets read Paul’s commission.Acts 26:16Acts 26:16 NET NET But get up and stand on But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for your feet, for I have appeared to you for

this reason, to designate you in this reason, to designate you in advance as a servant and witness to advance as a servant and witness to the things you have seen and to the the things you have seen and to the things in which I will appear to you.things in which I will appear to you.

1717 I will rescue you from your own people I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending yousending you 1818 to open their eyes so to open their eyes so

that they turn from darkness to light and that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that from the power of Satan to God, so that

they may receive forgiveness of sins they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are and a share among those who are

sanctified by faith in me.'sanctified by faith in me.'

That’s what God hasThat’s what God hascalled us to do. called us to do. to open their eyes so to open their eyes so

that they turn from darkness to light that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to Godand from the power of Satan to God

And if we fail in this responsibility, a lot And if we fail in this responsibility, a lot of people will spend their lives in a of people will spend their lives in a

very dark and uncertain life. very dark and uncertain life.

But, at this church, we so much believe in But, at this church, we so much believe in the importance of this charge that it is the importance of this charge that it is

constantly a part of our worship service. constantly a part of our worship service. At the end of every sermon, again and At the end of every sermon, again and

again and again, we offer a time for those again and again, we offer a time for those who haven’t made that decision to belong who haven’t made that decision to belong to Jesus to step forward and allow God to to Jesus to step forward and allow God to

change their life. change their life.