Preaching to Power | Acts 26

·44 min·4 clips

A pastor shares his recurring nightmare of having nothing to say, then reveals Paul preaching to kings while chained.

The episode begins with acknowledgments of mission trips to Roatan and partnerships with organizations like Foundations for His Ministry and Dwellings Now. The speaker then introduces the teaching text from Acts 26, focusing on Paul's address to kings while on trial. Paul recounts his Damascus Road conversion, where Jesus appeared as a light, commissioning him to preach repentance to Jews and Gentiles. The speaker describes Paul's recurring legal troubles, starting with a false accusation in the temple that leads to a mob beating and Roman intervention. Paul uses his Roman citizenship to avoid a beating and cleverly divides the Sadducees and Pharisees by declaring his belief in the resurrection. Jesus appears to Paul in chains, promising he will testify in Rome. The Roman system, despite its paganism, becomes a tool to rescue Paul and deliver him to kings. The speaker discusses the biblical view of government as God's idea to restrain evil, though it will be judged. Paul preaches to Felix about righteousness, self-control, and judgment, causing Felix to become afraid. Festus, confused by the theological nature of the charges, calls in Herod Agrippa for insight. Paul's preaching aims to turn people from darkness to light and from Satan's power to God's, offering forgiveness and sanctification. The speaker emphasizes that Paul's personal story of conversion is his primary witness. The broader biblical narrative is summarized as creation, sin's brokenness, and Jesus' rescue. The speaker warns that we live in a spiritual war with Satan as a defeated but active enemy. Paul's innocence and conviction impress Agrippa, who notes Paul could be free if not for his appeal to Caesar. The sermon concludes with two responses: praying for holiness and innocence, and asking God to stir up passionate love for Jesus. The episode ends with an invitation to communion and prayer.

As heard by us

A sermon on Paul, compromised power, and faithful witness under Jesus' authority.

Power is the through line in this single-episode sermon on Acts 26, as Paul moves through political systems while remaining answerable to the Lordship of Jesus.

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Why you'd press play

You want to think about public power, bribery, and faithful witness through Paul’s road toward Rome.

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