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ACTS 26: 18

"THE TRUE MINISTRY"

Intro: Paul had returned to Jerusalem after 3rd missionary trip. The Spirit had warned  that
       bonds awaited him . He was going into temple daily with four men who had  taken a vow 
       and were going through the purification rites. Arraigned before Felix,  after two years
       he was replaced by Festus now before King Agrippa.

I. THE TASK OF THE MlNlSTER.
        A. "To open their eyes."
                1. This implies the blindness of the sinner.
                        a. Blind as to their present condition.
                        b. Blind as to the future.
                        c. Blind to the spiritual.
                                1. Living in and for material only.
        B. . "To turn them from darkness to light."
                1. Those in sin in darkness.
                        a. Moral and spiritual
                        b. Talk of enlightened age.
                                1. As though education the light.
                2. Jesus is the light.
                        a. "In Him was life and the life was the light of man"
                  b. "And this is the condemnation, that light has come into
                                the world.
                        c. "And those that sat in darkness have seen a great light.
                3. Darkness is representative of sin, light is representative of
                        righteousness.
                        a. 'Who hath translated us out of the kingdom of darkness into the
                           kingdom of His dear Son."
                        b. "But if we walk in the light as He..."
                4. Look at the world about you. "Ye are the light of the world."
        C. "Turn them from the power of Satan unto God."
                1. I am continually amazed at the power of Satan.
                        a. To look at world you would conclude he is going to win.
                                1. We see his power in governments.
                                2. We see his power in the church.
                                3. We see his power in individuals, tyranny,        ,
                                        blindness.
                        b. We look at the word and we know he has been defeated  already.
                                1. A stronger power available to man.
                                2. Power to break every fetter by which you were bound.
                2. Ours is the glorious task to minister the power of God.
                        a. I am only amazed at power of Satan until I look at the power  of
                           God.

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE MINISTRY.
        A. That they may receive the forgiveness of sins.
                1. This is man's greatest psychological need - to become freed
                        from guilt.
                2. God the final judge of the universe has offered to man a  pardon.
                        a. So what if a lower court condemns.
        B. "And inheritance."
                1. As if forgiveness itself was not enough
                2. "Come ye blessed of the Father."

Ill THE WAY TO THIS GRACE.
        "By faith that is in me."
        "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."
        "The preaching of the cross unto them that perish is foolishness but unto us who  are
        saved thereby it is the power."

IV. THE HEARTBREAK OF THE MINISTRY.
        "Almost thou persuadest me to become a Christian."