The Cray-Cray Button

GETTING STARTED

Once, while riding the train to work in downtown Chicago, I watched a homeless man pleading with each person on the train for help. When my turn came, I asked what he needed and he said, “I need Venus to come down from her throne and crown me the rightful king.” No amount of money was going to help him at that moment. I prayed for him and expressed that even if I had money, that wouldn’t help him. He told me, “It’s ok. I’ll remember your kindness when I am king.” He said it with such confidence I almost believed I would soon have a sweet connection to the king of a different planet. Then I came to my senses and realized this guy was out of his mind!

  • How do you respond when you encounter a person who does not appear to be in his or her right mind?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 26:24-32 (ESV)

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What did Festus accuse Paul of twice in verse 24? What did Paul say in his own defense?
  2. Paul turned from talking to Festus to speak to King Agrippa, who was in charge of overseeing the Jewish temple. What authority did Paul appeal to in verse 27, and why might this have had meaning to King Agrippa?
  3. What did Agrippa think Paul was trying to do? What did Paul say was his wish for all people?
  4. What was the verdict rendered by King Agrippa and Festus concerning Paul? What does this tell you about what Paul was proclaiming?
  5. Are you willing to “speak boldly” about Jesus, even at the risk of being thought crazy? Why or why not?

RESPOND TO GOD

Paul’s passion to share the gospel was so intense that he was thought to be crazy. In his final statement, he sums up his desire: “I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am.” His craziness in the eyes of the world was surrounded by the gift that he received in salvation and by his desire for others to accept that gift. God has given us an amazing gift of grace. This gift is not something to keep to ourselves. We may sound crazy, but God has given us something that should make us crazy to share!

  • Ask God to give you a passion for sharing the gospel and to remove any fear that may be holding you back.