PART 17COUNTERINTELLIGENCE

Sophomores Among Us• We all strive to be the right

mixture of experience, education, intelligence, wisdom, and maturity.• Many of us FAIL.• What does Christ encourage

us to achieve?

Top Secret Backwards Scene• We are going to retrace the

closing moments of Paul’s ministries (as recorded in Acts) in reverse order to solve this puzzle.

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the

Gentiles, and they will listen!”

ACTS 28:28

“‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never

understanding; you will be ever seeing but never

perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become

calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their

eyes, hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

ACTS 28:26-27

He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the

kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he

tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he

said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had

made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your

ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

ACTS 28:23(b)-25

So much for education.• Paul spent all day with them.• He quoted Scripture, law,

and prophet.• He eloquently tied

everything together, pointing to Jesus.• All had knowledge, but some

“would not believe.”

At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,

Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

ACTS 27:24

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets

and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the

first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own

people and to the Gentiles.”

ACTS 27:22-23

Incredible Story• In Agrippa and Festus, Paul

had an open-minded audience.• Paul’s supernatural points

were too much for Festus to handle.• In what way was Paul

commissioned to evangelize?

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people

and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who

are sanctified by faith in me.’

ACTS 27:15(b)-18

Jesus’ Formula:• Stand on your feet!–You are my servant, and I have a purpose for you.

• You are my witness!–Of what you have seen and will see of me.

• I will rescue you!–From the Jews and Gentiles I am sending you to.

Did you catch that, Eeyore? • Paul had the most advanced

education a religious person could hope for.• Christ’s commands are

compatible with our own level of education and experience.–Get up.–Share what I do for you.–Experience My Hand on you.

Acts 22• Paul delivers his detailed

testimony:–Personal history, education.–Review of sins.–Encounter with Jesus.–“You will be a witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.”

Myths of Ineffectiveness• “I don’t know enough.”• “I don’t have experience.”• “I’m not completely right

with God on (X).”• “Others are gifted to do

this.”• “I’m not good with words.”• “I have afflictions of my

own.”

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these

things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were

pleased to do.

LUKE 10:21

Child Sacrifice• We gain wisdom, insight, knowledge,

experience, trust, perseverance, eloquence, power, encouragement . . .–By experiencing the power of our Holy Father through Christ Jesus with the faith and trust of a little child.

• Jesus calls for us to give Him our all, now.–Not when we’re all “spiritually grown-up.”

Practical Application• Get up. There is a mission

before you.• Share who you are.• Share what you know.• Be a blessing and

encouragement.• Stand out, stand apart.• Let God grow you.