Sunday School 9/25/22

Continuing through Opposition

Acts 22:30, 23:6-17, 22-24

How many of you like roller coasters?

What’s your favorite roller coaster?

What would be something that would cause you not to get on a roller coaster?

broken harness

ride shutting down often

fear

Perhaps the reason most people get on a roller coaster to begin with is because they are assured of the harness.

They are sure that no matter what danger, thrill, or curves and turns are coming, they know that they are held.

the harness makes us brave.

We are strengthened by the presence of the harness.

Therefore we ride the roller coaster.

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For us, following Christ doesn’t carry a high risk.

For Paul it did.

In other words, for us, following Christ is not like looking at a roller coaster and assessing whether or not we want to get on the ride.

For Paul, his life was in danger, he was accused, He had been beaten, thrown in prison, but through it all, Paul was held by God.

IN the midst of danger and death, Paul’s refuge and defender was God.

Let’s see though today that although Paul’s life is in danger, God strengthens Paul through His presence.

Read Acts 22:30, 23:6-17, 22-24

Let’s define a few terms real quick here.

Sanhedrin - Jewish courts made up of Pharisees and Sadducees

Sanhedrin answers to Roman authority and courts.

Why was Paul arrested?

Paul was arrested in Acts 21:28 “28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.””

So Paul was accused of bringing Gentiles into the temple (which he didn’t do btw) and he was also accused of teaching salvation apart from Jewish Heritage (which he did do.)

The Roman Problem

Paul was accused by the Jewish courts. But, Paul was a Roman citizen.

In other words, the Jewish courts answered to the higher Roman court of which Paul was a part.

The Romans wanted to be very careful then how they allowed a Jewish court to try a Roman.

So Paul is given an opportunity to speak before the Sanhedrin. Acts 21:40 “40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:”

Paul Speaks

In chapter 22, Paul speaks.

In vs. 6, Paul speaks again and says in vs. 6 , “It is with respect to the hope and resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Sadducees - Reject the resurrection of the dead, angels, and the Holy Spirit (vs. 8)

Pharisees accept the resurrection, angels, and the Holy Spirit.

So in the midst of a high tense situation, Paul elevates the situation by causing the Pharisees and Sadducees to begin arguing.

Illustration POINT:

WHat a roller coaster.

1 Peter 3:15 says to “Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.”

In the roller coaster, Paul spoke on the core of what he believed; namely, that Jesus is God and He rose from the dead.

Hebrews 6:18 “18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

God is our refuge. We can hold fast to Him.

When the path before us is uncertain, as was the case for Paul, are we certain of God?

When we find our certainty and assurance in Christ, no matter how rocky the path before us, God will give you strength to endure. He is your refuge.

Examples of Opposition:

The first sons of Adam and Eve had opposition. Cain killed his brother Abel over jealousy and disobedience.

David was hated by king Saul. Saul tried to kill David multiple times.

1 Peter 4:12 “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

*As believers, we should never be surprised by the trials and hard times that come upon us.

As believers, just like when we get on a roller coaster, what should we always be looking to?

The harness! The refuge! Our protector!

In vs. 11 God seems to come to Paul and tell him WHY he is experiencing these trials.

Paul has shared the gospel with Jerusalem, but now he will go to Rome and spread the gospel.

Have you ever heard of God’s Providence?

Providence what God sees and we do not.

In our limited knowledge, we can look around and see the trials we are going through, but we often cannot see why things are happening.

God in his providence is at work in ways we could never have planned for ourselves.

Paul never would have known all he was experiencing was so the Gospel would be spread to Rome.

Yet God in his providence works.

APPLICATION:

How easy it must have been for Paul to think God had abandoned Him.

The same Paul who was blinded on the road to Damascus, likely felt metaphorically blind again to what God was doing through his imprisonment.

Yet God in his providence was taking the gospel somewhere new.

God’s presence in telling Paul this news strengthened Paul. It gave him a second wind to carry on!

This time last week I was in DC for a Pastor’s conference.

Sunday afternoon I was quite tired and had 2 hours to rest.

However, I reminded myself, I don’t want to waste the 2 hours. What could I see in the last free time I had?

I decided to go to Arlington.

Where so many have faced trials I could never know and willingly gave their lives in service to their country.

I’m thankful I used that time to visit such a humbling place.

However, the only reason I did that was because I had a second wind. My second wind came from the reminder not to waste the time I had.

When life is hard for you, isn’t it tempting to wish your life away?

It’s so tempting to say God… please remove this trial from me.

I think back to 6 years ago when my parents got divorced.

As an adult male, working as a pastor at this church, I walked with my parents through the end of their marriage.

What a tragedy.

How I longed for it to be over.

Maybe you hate school right now.

You already long for summer vacation again and for the trial of the school year to be over.

Can I remind you of Acts 23:11 for a moment?

Acts 23:11 “11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.””

We don’t see the end. We only see the present.

But friends, don’t miss what God says.

Take courage.

Take courage.

I’ve used you there, I will use you here.

I’ve used you here, I will use you there.

We so often long for God to remove us from the trails and situations we are at in life that we forget he has us there for a reason to shape us, use us, refine us.

When we are motivated by fear, we look at the roller coaster of life and we turn away.

Fear overcomes us and we refuse to get on the ride.

But when we remember Jesus.

We can confidently sit on this ride of life and trust that he is strengthening us.

He is the harness that we hold fast too.

The key again rings in Acts 23:11.

Take courage.

Be strong in the Lord friends.

DO not let school overwhelm you

DO not let bullies put fear in you.

DO not let the trials you face distract you from the God who has you there for a reason.

To strengthen you. Encourage you. And use you for a force for the Gospel.

How will you let Christ use you this week?