Intro.

1.  Paul had held himself out as an example - 1 Cor. 11:1 (Phil. 3:17)

2.  Now, he finds himself imprisoned, waiting to stand before Caesar (Acts 21:33ff).

3.  Acts 26 - Before King Herod Agrippa II he makes his defense by preaching the gospel to save lost men.

4.  Acts 26:28-29 - Except for bonds, Paul wanted them to be as he was. What was there about this man which commended his condition to others? Are we as Paul was?

I.  HE WAS FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN.

  A.  cf. Agrippa & Company.

    1.  Incestuous relation w/ sister Bernice - Outrageous, even by heathen standards.

    2.  All others in courtroom - Guilty of sin, thus slaves of sin - Jno. 8:34.

      a.  Overcome by it - 2 Pet. 2:19.

      b.  Yield to it - Rom. 6:16.

    3.  Freedom from it - Jno. 8:36; Rom. 6:17-18.

  B.  cf. Paul.

    1.  Had at one time been in bondage to sin.

    2.  1 Tim. 1:12-16 - Chief of sinners obtained mercy to show God’s long-suffering.

    3.  Acts 9:6; 22:16 - What shall I do?

II.  HE WAS FREE FROM THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST.

  A.  Paul’s Past Was Filled With Sin - Acts 26:9-11.

    1.  Murderous persecutor of church.

    2.  v. 14 - All sin is futile & self-defeating.

    3.  Paul could not change the past, but he could (did) repent & become a "new creature" in Christ - 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-4.

  B.  How Are You Dealing With Your Past Mistakes?

    1.  Like Paul, repent & become Christian?

    2.  Cover, hide, ignore? - cf. Phil. 3:13-14.

    3.  Become & be a new creature in Christ!

III.  HE WAS FREE FROM RITUALISM & CEREMONIALISM - Gal. 4:8-12.

  A.  Religious Ritualism Was Never An End In Itself - Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Isa. 1:10-20; Psa. 51:16-17.

  B.  Man Offers Many Self-Made Religious Ceremonies To God (Lent / Easter / Christmas....)

    1.  Religious ceremony at the expense of truth is abominable to God! (Jno. 4:23-24)

    2.  Two basic lessons to remember:

      a.  Don’t add man-made ceremonies.

      b.  Don’t "ritualized" what God has commanded us.

IV.  HE WAS FREE FROM THE LOVE OF THE WORLD.

  A.  This Had Not Always Been So - Phil. 3:4-7.

      -Now, he gladly gloried in the cross of Christ - Gal. 6:14.

  B.  Some Only Half-Heartedly Refrain From The World, Never Glorying In The Cross.

    1.  Exo. 16:3 - Israel longed for flesh-pots instead of rejoicing in their freedom!

    2.  Lk. 9:62 - Some still put their hands to the plow & then look back!

    3.  1 Jno. 2:15-17 - Stern prohibition!

V.  HE WAS FREE FROM VACILLATION.

  A.  A Lack Of Steadfastness Did Not Characterize Paul - Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 4:7.

    1.  Cf. Graph of life: Up or down?

    2.  Be careful! We can be carried away w/ the error of the wicked - 2 Pet. 3:17-18.

    3.  Things which could not stop Paul:

      a.  Suffering - Rom. 8:18.

      b.  Unlawful arrest (Acts 21-28).

      c.  Lies against him - 1 Cor. 4:13.

    4.  1 Cor. 15:58 - Be steadfast!

Conclusion

Paul was not a perfect man, but he was a forgiven man. His Christian life sets a standard of excellence for us to emulate - To become such as he was.