Acts Chapter 22 Verse 1

• The word, “defense” is It’s where we get our word apologetics today and it means the defense of the faith.  I was wrong, I thought it was Miyagi that said, “The best defense is a powerful offense!”  Apparently, that saying originated as early as 500 BC with Sun Tzu who wrote “The Art of War,” but hey, for me, it will always be Miyagi!  HA!  In fact, many a wise truth in my life comes directly from Karate Kid…and other 80’s movies!  HA! 
• But back on earth (HA), Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15 that we must always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you! Why?  Because if we have no defense…we will be taken, overcome, overwhelmed…and the enemy of our souls and the enemy of that searching, seeking, asking soul…will get the control, will get the advantage and perhaps the victory.  Not an option, man! 
• Remember, even when people are attacking your faith and demanding that you answer their, “whys,” remember, they’re still asking! What an opportunity!  Be ready…Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:2, be ready in and out of season…when things are great and when things are not so great…when you’re walking out of church empowered and freshly filled by the presence of God AND when you’re at the market on a Tuesday evening!  Be ready to offer that defense and Miyagi said, forget Sun Tzu (HA!), the best defense…is a good offense!
• How do we attack the prince of the power of the air, the god of this age, the enemy of the souls of men? By walking and being trained and muscular in the Spirit!  Check this out…1 Peter 3:15 again, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts!”  Here is your preparation, here is your training!  God should be, ought to be, its reasonable, He MUST be the Lord of your heart…the first and the most high!  The priority and the focus…everything in your life is after Him in terms of credence, priority, importance and audience…This is where you start…this is how to fulfill the single commandment of God…to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength…
• Take in the Word (a good diet), put it into practice (exercise in the Spirit) and in doing so…in trusting Him and seeking Him you will find, you will discover how much He loves and seeks YOU! How He pursues you with His grace and His faithfulness and with that…relationship will surge!!!  NOW, because we still have that old man, that flesh to battle in our own self, we’re typically boastful, haughty people…with close relationship with God can sometimes come pious pride so remember this as you put together this offense…2 Corinthians 7:11, You must remember who you were without the Lord…man, without Him…there’s nothing!
• THAT is how you don’t become ready, that is how you stay ready and that defense of the hope that is in you…bruh…natural…no problem…no anxiety…you simply get to shine and share the truth…and if you don’t seemingly reach them and haters’ hatin’ on you? Even then, the sting isn’t long for lasting…because you have sanctified God in your hearts and it is Him that matters and He is ultra-uber-hugely (pronounced “ewegly”) pleased!!

Acts Chapter 22 Verse 2

• Paul spoke to the soldier in Greek to get his attention and now he speaks in the language of the people to get theirs. This is an important concept to observe and consider that not all people respond to the same type of communication or the same approach.  Which means, within the Body of Christ, we need all types of people, from all walks of life, cultures, histories, and backgrounds so that we can get the singular message out to most people possible!  YOU are needed!

Acts Chapter 22 Verse 3

• “I am indeed a Jew,” the first thing he does is lay common ground down between them! I love that.  He doesn’t go right into it, he doesn’t go right for the spiritual jugular!  (Get over here!)  The first thing he does is connect personally with them.  Is that our hearts when we are faced with a challenge in our faith?  Perhaps not.  That’s hardly what I see even happening within the body of Christ when there is disagreement and offense.  Everyone just seems to want their way and want their own wounds tended to…but Paul said in Romans 12:10, “Be kind, show each other love and honor and give preference to one another.”  That’s what the Word of God says…how is that not enough for us ‘Merica!?
• I am a Jew just like you, a Helenist at that, born in Cilicia, not Jerusalem and so I connect with you Jewish culture Jews AND you Greek culture Jews…I know the law, I was passionate towards God which you all are today (even a bit of a compliment there). I was taught by the best teacher around…I wonder if Gamaliel was in the crowd…listening to Paul, Paul noticing him out of the corner of his eye…maybe.  He invokes Gamaliel because in those days the teachers and instructors were the ones cherished by society, not the ball players!  
• My opinion, we should fully fund schools and require prisons to collect box tops to make their annual budgets! Teachers have it rough!  I mean, math teachers…they have problems!  HA!  Alright, I’m done!  And so Paul points out, connects with them…, “I am and was just like you…”

Acts Chapter 22 Verses 4 – 5

• Paul is essentially giving his testimony which over the course of the New Testament, we see him give 5 times. Your testimony is so very powerful!  Folks can argue your points or the Word (and its especially hard to argue the Word with someone who doesn’t know it) but how can anyone argue what God has done in your life!?  Please…
• And I love that he says, “Look, with ferocious tenacity I persecuted this Way…” Later in Philippians 3:12, Paul will use this word again…that he is in pursuit…but now its all towards serving the Lord!  The way you are God doesn’t wipe you out, man…He redeems you!

Acts Chapter 22 Verses 6 – 10a

• That’s it…that’s the validation, the verification…that’s the certification right there that you have indeed met the Creator of all life who is forever fervently focused on loving you! So much so that it was put on display, that while we were yet in rebellion, while we were and many still are, living for self and sin…it was then that He gave everything for you.  To buy you back to eternal life…and now, with Him and for you are all the promises of God…all that pertains to life and godliness…exceedingly abundantly more than you could ask or think…when you really meet Him…your response…the certification of a true conversion…your heart will beat with this phrase…, “What shall I do Lord?”  And His response…walk a bit with Me…