Sunday School October 16, 2022

Living for Christ wherever God’s Providence places you.

Do you ever ask God, “Lord, how did I get here?”

You’ve found yourself in a situation you didn’t want.

Maybe you’ve found yourself in a situation you love!

You realize how blessed you are and wonder, “Lord, How am I so blessed with ____ when there are so many in the world who have nothing?”

In all situations, God is writing a story.

He uses different people and different things along the way to accomplish His purposes.

The important thing for us, is:

We need to Live for Christ wherever God’s providence places us.

Providence is God’s work and involvement in His creation.

The way he cares for us (Col. 1:17 “17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Hebrews 1:3 “3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

Providence helps us understand God created the world and He is separate from it. Meaning, He is the creator, He is outside of all that is created.

However, we also believe God is personal and works in the lives of individuals and always had throughout history.

Providence also speaks to God knowing all outcomes and all potential outcomes.

For Example:

If you went to starbucks today and ordered a drink. You have 30 drinks to choose from let’s say, God knows what happens if you choose any of those drinks. However, he allows us to choose.

This is where free will comes in. Even though God knows the outcome of any choice we make, he still gives us the freedom to make the choice.

Some don’t believe that.

But God in His providence says that.

I’m sure Paul is glad God knows all the outcomes in his situation today.

Let’s read from Acts this morning:

Acts 24:1-9 “1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.”

Acts 25:9-12 “9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.””

Acts 26:27-32 “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.””

EXEGESIS:

In Acts 24, Paul is accused of stirring up the Jews.

In vs. 5, they say Paul is a “Plague” and a “Ringleader” of Christians.

Ironically though, Paul wasn’t causing issues.

The Jews who opposed Paul would cause issues in any town Paul came to.

However, Paul, now having been imprisoned for some time, is taken before Felix.

Paul, in prison, was not comfortable.

He’s had agony and heartache hearing about his brother’s and sisters in Christ and their troubles in addition to his own.

But…

Paul still sees God working.

In between Acts 24 and Acts 25, 2 years pass.

Felix is no longer ruling over the Jews, but Festus now is.

Paul, not wanting to be tried by a Jewish court since He is both a Jew and Roman citizen appeals to Caesar.

In other words, he wisely says, Hey… Let me be put on trial before Caesar and the Romans, not the Jews.

At that time, there was no justice for Paul in a Jewish court, they had already made up their minds and wants to be rid of Paul.

Only in Rome, did Paul think he might have justice.

All of this is important this morning for a few reasons:

This shows us how Paul ended up in Rome.

This shows us how difficult life was for Paul in his last days.

It shows us that God is still working even when Paul is in prison!

I love Paul’s response to all of the accusations in Acts 25:11 “11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.””

I’m not trying to escape death here guys… I just want to be sure before the law, I really do deserve it, cause… I don’t think I do.

Then we move forward to Acts 26 and Paul is asked if he is trying to persuade Agrippa to be a Christian?

And I love Paul’s response.

Acts 26:29 “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.””

Not only you, Agrippa, but everyone who can hear me!

APPLICATION:

Whether in chains, in Jewish custody, or in Rome’s custody, Paul is going to do the same thing.

He’s going to believe in Jesus.

Trust in God’s providence.

Tell others they should believe in Jesus too! Not because Paul said so, but because apart from Christ there is no life. No hope. No peace.

Right where he is, wherever he is, Paul shares Christ.

What a great reminder that is for us today.

Am I sharing Christ?

Throughout Scripture, men have been put in prison for false accusations.

Joseph was in prison for years at the end of Genesis for something he didn’t do!

But years later, He gets out and becomes second in command of Egypt.

God was faithful to Joseph in the prison and leading the kingdom.

Jesus himself was put on trial for false accusations and then eventually put on the cross for it.

The point is ultimately this.

Live for Christ.

Wherever God’s providence takes you…

Live for Jesus!

Is life boring for you right now? - Live for Jesus.

Is life painful right now? Live for Jesus

Is live all rainbows and butterflies? Live for Jesus!

Theres never a moment Jesus doesn’t want you, but there’s a lot of moments I don’t want Him!

Hebrews 6:19 “19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,”

Remembering Jesus loves me.

That anchors me in all situations.

I don’t have to prove my love to anyone.

In the good times and bad times.

The love of the father draws me in.

Am I living for him?

Why wouldn’t I live for the one who loves me so dearly, so tenderly!