The absurd message – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Acts 26:23-24 – “That is, that Christ must suffer and, being the first to rise from the dead, must proclaim the light to this people and to the Gentiles. And when he had said this in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul! The many letters make you delirious!”
Introduction to Acts 26:23-24
Those were days of intense struggle for the early Church. Persecution was relentless, and the Gospel seemed to contradict everything that was logical for the society of the time. But even so, the disciples were not silent. They were committed to the mission that Jesus had entrusted to them: to witness to the world about the truth of Christ.
And why didn’t they keep quiet? Because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They didn’t preach based on human wisdom or their own strength, but on the power of God. The same Spirit who empowered the early Church is the same Spirit who empowers us today.
We are bearers of a message that seems absurd to the world, but which carries the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).
Development
In the context of Acts 26, we see Paul in an apparently unfavorable situation: imprisoned, being unjustly accused for preaching the Gospel. He takes the opportunity before the governor Festus and King Agrippa to testify to his faith.
Paul could have tried to use his eloquence, his education or his Roman citizenship to defend himself and get rid of the accusations. He was a cultured man, respected for his intelligence and erudition. But Paul chooses something that seemed crazy to the ears of the powerful: he preaches the message of Jesus Christ crucified and risen.
Festus, perplexed, interrupted Paul in a loud voice and declared: “You’re mad, Paul! The many letters make you delirious!”
Paul’s message was considered absurd because it went against everything the world understood as logical or rational:
- A God who became man?
- A Messiah who died like a criminal on the cross?
- A literal, physical resurrection from the dead?
- An eternal Kingdom that is not of this world?
To the natural mind, this was madness! However, Paul didn’t back down. He knew that this absurd message to men was actually the power of God for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The Church’s absurd message
Likewise, today’s Church carries this same message. We are a “center of reference” as a community: we help those in need, take care of each other and promote ethical and moral values. Society even respects us for this.
But there is one point where the world doesn’t follow us: when we preach the Gospel message. And why is that?
- Because the Gospel defies human reason.
- Because the cross confronts man’s pride.
- Because resurrection seems impossible to natural logic.
Just as Paul proclaimed that Jesus was alive and that he is Lord, we also proclaim that:
- Jesus died and rose again.
- Jesus is the only way to salvation.
- Jesus will come back for his Church.
This is madness to the world. But for us, it’s our living hope!
Today, we live in challenging times. The Gospel has become more popular, and being evangelical has become commonplace. But have people really embraced the essence of the Gospel? Do they understand what it means to believe in this “absurd message”?
The truth is that many people settle for a superficial Christianity, with no commitment to the prophetic, no willingness to live by faith. However, Jesus calls us to something deeper:
- He calls us to be crazy about him.
- He calls us to live not by human reason, but by faith working through the power of the Spirit.
How can we apply this to our lives?
- Preaching the Gospel without fear: Like Paul, we must witness to Jesus, even if the world thinks we’re crazy.
- Living counter-culturally: We don’t have to conform to the world’s standards (Romans 12:2).
- Awaiting Jesus’ return with joy: For many, this message is absurd. But for us, it is our greatest hope.
Conclusion of Acts 26:23-24
Just as in Paul’s time, the message of the cross is still foolishness to the natural man. Many will accuse us of delirium or fanaticism. But, as a Church, we know that this “absurd message” is the meaning of our existence.
Jesus has already fulfilled his project of redemption. He died, rose again and promised to come back for us. This certainty is what sustains us.
So, yes, we are crazy to the world. We’re crazy to reason, but we live by faith. While the world seeks logic and explanations, we drink the wine of joy that Jesus gave us on that cross.
This absurd message is our greatest treasure, our source of hope and the reason for our preaching. And until he returns, we will continue to proclaim: Jesus is alive, and he will return!
Preaching Outline on Acts 26:23-24 – “That is, that Christ must suffer and, being the first to rise from the dead, must proclaim the light to this people and to the Gentiles. And when he had said this in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul! The many letters make you delirious!”
More Preaching Outlines
- Opposition to the Gospel – I Corinthians 1:23
- Doctrine of Salvation: Soteriology
- A Message of Great Value – Acts 26:23-24
