Jesus asks Paul why does he kick against the goads. We’ll talk about what this phrase means today. The goads were things the Romans used to keep animals and people walking on the right path. They kept them on the road. It hurt to step on one. There is this image today of Paul kicking against it. How often in our lives do we kick against the path God is leading us on? This only causes us needless and useless pain. Today, we talk a little more about this concept.

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Good morning. I’m delighted to be with you on this beautiful Thursday morning as we continue with Paul’s defense of himself before King Agrippa and Festus. Today, we’ll be reading verses 1 through 23 of chapter 26, in which Paul gives his testimony once again. We’ve already seen Paul give his testimony twice in Acts Chapter 22, and now in Chapter 26. In fact, we witness the actual conversion in Acts Chapter 9, so we’ve seen it three times in Acts, with Paul telling it twice. However, this version of Paul’s testimony is my favorite due to one specific line that always resonates with me.

So, let’s read Chapter 26, verses 1 through 23:

Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began to defend himself. “I consider myself fortunate to stand before you, King Agrippa, today, defending myself against all the accusations of the Jews. By ‘Jews,’ I mean the religious leaders. You are well-acquainted with the customs and controversies of the Jews, and I implore you to listen to me patiently. The Jews have known me from my youth, a life spent among my own people in Jerusalem. They have long known, if they are willing to testify, that I belonged to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.

Now, I stand on trial due to my hope and the promise made by God to our ancestors, a hope that our twelve tribes earnestly worship day and night, hoping to attain. I am accused by the Jews concerning this hope. But why is it thought incredible that God raises the dead? At one point, I was convinced that I should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. In Jerusalem, with the authority granted by the chief priests, I not only imprisoned many saints but also voted for their condemnation to death. I frequently punished them in the synagogues, trying to make them blaspheme. My rage against them led me to pursue them even in foreign cities.

With this purpose in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. In the middle of the day on the road, a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shone around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice in the Hebrew language saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you to serve and testify about what you have seen and will see. I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles, to whom I will appear, to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. They will receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. I proclaimed first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and perform deeds consistent with their repentance. For this reason, the Jews seized me in the temple and attempted to kill me. To this day, I have received help from God. So here I stand, testifying to both small and great, proclaiming only what the prophets and Moses predicted would happen: that the Messiah must suffer and, being the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to both our people and the Gentiles.

Paul is sharing his reasons for his actions and retelling his conversion story here. It’s important to note the significance of sharing our testimonies. When we share our testimony, we accomplish two vital things. Firstly, we remind ourselves of God’s goodness and are encouraged by the act of sharing our faith. As Paul wrote in the book of Philemon, ‘Always be encouraged by the sharing of your faith.’ Secondly, we share our testimonies to encourage others, allowing them to understand the good things God has done. So, don’t hesitate to share your testimony, as it has a profound impact on others.

Revelation 12 states, ‘The devil is defeated by the blood of the Lamb and the power of their testimony.’ Therefore, our testimonies are not just about what God has done but also about what God is doing. Share your testimony for your own and others’ benefit.

Now, back to the line I particularly love. In verse 14, Jesus said to Paul, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ This metaphor of kicking against the goads is powerful. In Roman times, goads were used to keep animals on the road. They were like spiked metal or clay balls that would hurt animals if they strayed off the path. God’s guidance is often like these goads, steering us in the right direction. Sometimes, we resist and kick against this guidance because it doesn’t align with our plans or desires.

However, kicking against the goads is counterproductive. It only exhausts us and causes unnecessary pain. Instead of resisting God’s guidance, we should embrace it, even if it takes us on an unexpected path. We cannot out-kick God, and we should trust His direction, even if it differs from our own plans. Following His guidance leads to a fulfilling life.

In conclusion, it’s crucial to share our testimonies and to embrace God’s guidance, rather than kicking against it. Let’s follow where the Spirit leads and trust in His wisdom. Thank you for joining us, and have a wonderful day.