Is it better in life to pick a side, win or lose, or stay on the fence? There are a lot of people who think that they can sit on the fence with God, that they don't have to make a choice. The truth is, they already have, each of us is either a child of God, forgiven and living according to his Word, or we are not.
In Acts, Luke tells us two men who opposed God and lost, three men who followed God's lead in service, and one man who was willing to listen when God's message came to him. Herod Agrippa had long opposed the work of God and lived a life of false piety as part of his quest of personal gain. When the people of Tyre and Sidon tried flattery in their negotiations with him by saying, "This is the voice of a god, not a man", his doom was sealed because Herod accepted their praise and gave no glory to God. Immediately, Herod was struck down in pain and died five days later. It was not just that moment that caused Herod's demise, but a life lived apart from God that was confirmed in that supreme moment that cost him his life.
Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit calls Barnabas and Paul to leave Antioch and begin the first missionary journey, with them goes Barnabas' cousin, John Mark. These three obey God, drop everything, and serve. When they arrive in Cyprus they are called to explain their message by the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. Sergius, an aristocrat, actually listens to Paul's message about Jesus and believes. Sergius' mind is open to God's call despite the best efforts of a local Jewish man named Elymas ("sorcerer") whom Paul condemns for his continued actions against the will of God. Elymas is already spiritually blind, Paul conveys to him God's judgment of physical blindness as well.
Each of these men in Luke's narrative was clearly either on the Lord's side, or not. Herod and Elymas had walked down a path that led toward destruction for a long time before God's verdict came against them. Likewise, Barnabas, Paul, and John Mark were already serving God in Antioch before the call to serve him more came to them. Lastly is Sergius, a man who had been oblivious to his need for Christ until the moment Paul told him the truth, but that was a situation he quickly remedied when he believed.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
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