1) As we delve into the Book of Acts, we find ourselves in Chapter 26, Verse 8. Paul has just finished explaining to King Agrippa that his sect, the Pharisees, to which he belonged, shares the same fundamental hope as the 12 tribes of Israel. This hope is the reason Israel is supposed to worship God Almighty day and night. Paul then poses a question to Agrippa, "Is it wrong for me to harbor this hope?" In essence, he's asking, "What's wrong with having a profound hope in God Almighty?"

2) Paul then shares one of the most underrated, underprivileged, and seldom preached texts of all - Acts Chapter 26, Verse 8. The apostle asks, "Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?" This passage should be a constant reminder on our walls, for it regularly reminds us that God can do anything. It only takes a moment for a miracle, and if God can raise the dead to life, He can certainly assist us in all the circumstances we encounter.

3) Sometimes, confession is good for the soul. It's not about paying for something; it's about confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other so that we may be healed. In the following verse, Paul shares his own failures. He used to believe that he had to do everything to oppose the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Some people want to hide their past when they were doing things that were wrong. However, that's not how the testimony of the Lord works. Understanding your past and recognizing where you've come to because of the Lord is the testimony of the power of the Gospel.

4) As Paul prepares to share his testimony once again, he confesses that he was quite vicious against the church. He was on a mission, not from God, but to inflict as much damage as possible on the followers of the Way. Anyone who has not encountered Jesus but harbors a viciousness towards Christians has a great deal of darkness and evil within their hearts. But Paul uses his past to illustrate that someone as dark and bad as he was can change into a completely different person after a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Never forget the power of Christ that can change you, me, and everyone we pray for. Amen.