The Lord stood by Him
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Text: Acts 23:1-11
Intro: Today we are going to pick back up our study through in the book of Acts. It is hard to believe that it has already been 3 months since our time here. The last preaching from Acts was in Acts 22 a message entitled For Christ’s Sake. If we remember at the close of chapter 22, we see the Apostle Paul imprisoned in Jerusalem. He speaks with the brethren in the Hebrew tongue and shares his testimony. There was a great uproar among the people and the chief captain commanded Paul be brought into the castle and examined by scourging. Paul asked them if it was lawful for them to scourge a Roman. Unsure what to do with him, he brought Paul before the council of the Jews the following day.
I want to bring our attention to the last time we saw Paul with the High Priest...
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Consider the contrasts of these two meetings. One to promote Religious Judaism and the tradition of these men, the other to promote Christ at the expense Religious Judaism and the tradition of these men.
Along with the change of Paul’s name from Saul, we see the change in Paul’s purpose, a change in what motivates him, and this time instead of being willing to take someones life, he is willing to give up his own life.
A meeting much like that of Peter and John’s after healing the lame man at the temple gate which is called Beautiful and after 5000 were saved through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. They were questioned, threatened and released because of the people.
A meeting much like that of the twelve Apostles after they were arrested and thrown in prison the angel of the Lord opened the prison by night and commanded them saying; “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” The following day after going to the jail and finding the doors locked, the guards in place, no prisoners, and the Apostles teaching the people in the temple they are brought before the council. Gamaliel standing and having this to say; “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” They beat them and commanded them no more to speak in the name of Jesus...
A meeting much like that of Stephen, when the high priest asked him “... Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken...” At the end of his preaching they cast him from the city, stoned him and he fell asleep.
Saul was there, on the other side, remember the Bible said that he was consenting unto his death?
Paul knows first hand the power of these men, he ones was an instrument of the high priest. This meeting however, he stands in opposition. Along with the change of Paul’s name from Saul, we see the change in Paul’s purpose, a change in what motivates him, and this time instead of being willing to take someones life, he is willing to give up his own life.
Vs. 1 - A Courageous Testimony - Paul likely knew many of these men, and he knew at this moment that many of them most likely wanted him dead. Regardless, there was one relationship that had Paul’s attention and it was not the relationship to a dead religion. It was His relationship with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
A Confident Testimony - Having a good conscience Paul is stating that no part of his life has been dishonest, or hypocritical. In good conscience the last time he stood for Judaism, and in good conscience he stands in opposition to those things, and in the promotion of Christ!
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Vs. 2-10 The Testing of Paul’s Faith - It has been said, that “A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted. God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them.”
Tested by the high priest-
Paul is slapped like Christ was in John 18:22.
In response he revers to Ananias as being a “whited wall”. I believe Paul is speaking here of Ezekiel rebuke of the vain prophets of his day.
Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
I believe Paul response here is simply a lack of recognition because he only had One High Priest and it wasn’t Ananias...
Tested by a divided Sanhedrin- The religious governing body of the Jews was hopelessly divided between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Both disproved of Paul’s teaching, but Paul was able to use their division to keep them from coming to a unified division against him.
Tested by a Threatening Crowd- The Sadducees stirred up the crowd against Paul once before in Acts 21. It says here they “strove” meaning they contented fiercely. This was a heated and likely physical argument.
Note: God does not put heavy burdens upon weak shoulders. God tests our faith by trials that results in the increase of our faith. God expects us to do adult work, and to endure adult afflictions. I have said many times that the Christian life is the hardest life, but the only life worth living. As we progress, you should expect things to be more difficult. But at the same time as you progress, your dependence upon Christ increases along with your faith, which results in things becoming less difficult.
Paul’s Triumph - I don’t think any of us would have though less of Paul here if he was discouraged. He recieved a hostile reception in Jerusalem, arrested, nearly scourged, and now twice taken away to avoid being killed. If he questioned if he was in the Lords will we would have understood. But instead we don’t see any of that, but we see this!
Read vs. 11 - The Lord stood with him.
God’s will for our life is often not easy but remember in His will, The Lord stands with you.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
The Lord Comforted Paul with His word! Much like he had been comforted by the word of Christ before.
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
After which Paul spent a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.
Closing: Notice Christ did not change Paul’s situation but He comforted Paul in it. That is because God had a plan and purpose in it! I think we often are quick to want out of the painful situation, before considering God’s plan for us to endure it! All I know is His thoughts and ways are higher! I know that I am much more teachable, and I listen when I am of a heavy heart...
We are only comforted by His word, when we truly believe His word...
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
When we believe the word of God, we follow the word of God and like Paul we can go through this life and say. “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And at the end,
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: