Sunday Worship Scriptures Commentary (September 15)

Sunday, September 15 Sermon – “Almost Persuaded”

Acts 26:27-31

Our reading from the Book of Acts shows the Apostle Paul near the end of his ministry, on trial before King Agrippa, who was the puppet king the Romans allowed to sit on the throne. Paul uses this opportunity to invite Agrippa to become a follower of Jesus.

Agrippa was known to have sympathy toward the Jewish people and some understanding of Jewish traditions. So, Paul appeals to Agrippa’s knowledge of the Jewish faith.

If Agrippa answers Paul that he does believe in the prophets, this will open the door for Paul to say that he does believe in the possibility of resurrection and so why not believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Paul is very gifted at sharing his faith with Roman authorities!

Agrippa doesn’t take the bait, but he was probably a little embarrassed since Paul was exposing his double loyalty with the Roman Empire and the Jewish faith.

Like Agrippa, we can struggle in living a “double life” where we have divided loyalties. What does it mean for us to be fully persuaded that Jesus is our Lord and Savior? Are we willing to fully commit our lives to Jesus Christ?

Galatians 5:22-24

The Letter to the Galatians has been referred to as the "Magna Carta" book of the Bible because of it's emphasis on the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. In our passage today, the Apostle Paul describes what it means to live in this new Christian freedom by listing the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul contrasts the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit.” These are two lists that he provides in this section of his letter. This is the difference that God makes in someone’s life when that person is baptized into the life of the church community.

To be born in the flesh, is to be born into a fallen world of sin. To be born in the Spirit, is to become part of Christ and his family which includes nine qualities (the fruit of the Spirit.) These do not come naturally. We need to be open to God’s Spirit and to be intentional in incorporating these into our daily lives. This is why Paul writes that we need to “line up with the Spirit” (v. 25.)

How would our lives be different if we were more intentional about living in the Spirit and living out the fruit of the Spirit? How would the church be different?