Agrippa asks Paul if he is trying to make Agrippa a Christian. Paul says yes, on God’s timeline. Conversion, that’s is not up to us. Salvation, that’s in God’s hands. Our job is to be faithful, to preach, teach, and invite. But we don’t save people. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. So, today, be faithful, no matter where you find yourself. Pray for others. Pray for the Spirit to move. Our job is to be faithful. The rest is up to God.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this Friday morning. I’m pleased that we can conclude Chapter 26 of Acts today, with only two more chapters to go. We’re getting closer to the end, and though I don’t know where we’re headed next, we won’t be in Acts much longer. Today, we’ll explore the response of Agrippa and Festus to Paul’s testimony from yesterday. So, let’s pick up with verse 24 and read through the end of the chapter, which is verse 32 (Acts 26:24-32).

While Paul was making his defense, Festus exclaimed, ‘You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane.’ Paul responded, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. Indeed, the king is familiar with these matters, and to him, I speak freely, for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, as this was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.’ Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening today might become such as I am, except for these chains.’ The king, the governor, and Bernice, those who had been sitting with them, rose and said to one another, ‘This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.’ Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to the emperor.’

Now, we see the next step is Paul’s journey to Rome. However, this passage holds special significance, as it lays the foundation for an old hymn in the hymnal called ‘Almost Persuaded.’ We used to sing it at the old Cokesbury. The hymn is inspired by King Agrippa’s response in verse 28, ‘Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?’ Paul, in verse 29, expresses his desire for all, not just Agrippa, to become like him in faith, except for the chains.

This passage highlights Paul’s sincere efforts to persuade others through his testimony and their knowledge. It’s a powerful moment where Paul essentially asks, ‘Do you believe the prophets?’ And though we don’t know Agrippa’s ultimate decision, it’s a crucial story for us. Paul used every tool at his disposal to present the Gospel to Festus and Agrippa. He was persuasive, winsome, and used his personal story to connect with them.

In verse 29, when Agrippa questions, ‘Are you trying to persuade me to become a Christian?’ Paul’s response is profound. ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that you all who are listening will be like me, except for these chains.’ This humble acknowledgment that salvation is not on our timeline but on God’s is a reminder that our role is not to convert people; it’s to be a tool through which God works.

As a pastor who has preached many revivals and camp meetings, I’ve witnessed professions of faith. However, it’s crucial to remember that we don’t save souls. Salvation is the work of grace, the Holy Spirit’s work. Paul emphasizes this by saying, ‘Quickly or not, quickly or not, I pray you become like me.’ We cannot determine the timeline of someone’s conversion; it’s in God’s hands.

Our responsibility is to be faithful, sharing our stories and praying for those who hear them. While our stories are essential, the Holy Spirit’s work is what truly converts hearts. So, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results when you share your faith. Your job is to be faithful, and the rest is up to God.

In conclusion, let’s remember that our most powerful tool is prayer. Pray for those you meet, pray before sharing your story, and pray afterward. It’s the Holy Spirit who convicts, softens hearts, and draws people closer to God. Paul did his part, and now we look forward to reading about his journey to Rome in the coming days. Have a fantastic weekend, and I hope to see you at St. Matthew’s for worship this Sunday. See you on Monday!