Acts 26:1-18 Key verse 17-18

Everybody needs the gospel.  The world is a dark place, and everyone in the world is living in darkness.  Some realize they are in darkness and they seek enlightenment.  People seek enlightenment in many ways.  Some meditate, some practice self-denial, some practice doing good works and some follow after new age mysticism.  Many people live in the darkness with no awareness of the existence of light.  Others are aware that light exists but they love the darkness.

In the darkness, the power of Satan enslaves the people.  Their own selfish desires enslave them to deeds of the flesh.  The wickedness of others steals away their freedom, some are in bondage to addictions and others are simply slaves of ignorance.  Those living in the darkness all have a spirit of rebelliousness both against God and against all other authority.  They all live in need of forgiveness of sins and a rescue from bondage.  Some recognize their situation, and live lives full of hopelessness.  The ones who are seeking to save themselves have hope; they do not yet recognize that their hope is a false hope.  Everyone in the world needs to hear good news.

God sent Paul to people in need.  God instructed Paul to open their eyes with the truth.  Paul preached the truth about God, man, sin, judgement, repentance and salvation.  The truth has the power to give site to the blind.  The gospel Paul preached shined light in the darkness, and gave people the option of turning from the darkness to the light.  We call turning to the light away from the darkness repentance.  When a person repents and turns to the light God breaks the power of Satan.  When we have faith in Jesus and walk in the light with him, we receive forgiveness and walk in freedom.  We find our place among the body of believers.  The body of believers is the church; they are the ones God has sanctified and is sanctifying by faith in Jesus.  The world needs the gospel.