Sermon 11/19/23 Am service

Man’s Plague is God’s Treasure

A. Rapport for the time

B. Reading of the text

C. Review of the text

D. Relevance of the text

I. Accusations from Testimony

Acts 24:1–9 ESV

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.

People introduction

Tertullas—who is he

He is an “orator” for the Jews. They did not have attorneys as we know them but instead people that could do the talking for you. He specialized in rhetoric and would have been familiar with the Roman system of law.

Governor Felix—who is he

Antonius Felix—fourth governor/procurator of Judea during the time of emperor Claudius. He in interesting in that he was born a slave and later became free. What we need to know is that he ruled brutally from 52-60 AD. He was put in place to bring about peace but instead his reign was full of violence and constant uprisings.

“Felix practiced every kind of cruelty and lust, wielding the power of a king with the instincts of a slave—Taticus, Histories..5.9...”

Butter up the person that would be making the decision. Human wisdom. This was a rhetorical device known as Captatio Benevolentiae

The idea is to build rapport with the one listening.

vs. 2-3

Understand that zero of what Tertullas is true in anyway. Felix brought no peace to the region at all and had zero care to fix anything. The Jewish people had zero respect for him and wished he would go away. But in this instance they need his help so they say all the nice things about him to pump up his pride that he might in turn help them.

vs. 4-6 3 charges

The man is a plague—Word used to refer to a disease, disaster, or pestilence. One who causes all sorts of trouble. A pest or Troublemaker. Anyone ever call you a plague? Those are pretty strong words against Paul who is before Felix on this day because no one outside the Jews can find anything wrong with what Paul has done or what he is at the moment.

Not the first time Paul has heard this Charge

Acts 21:28 ESV

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.”

This guy is trouble everywhere.

Calling him a plague was suppose to get Felix’s attention because he is to bring peace in the region at whatever the cost.

2. Ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes

Ringleader goes along with the plague in the previous accusation. A person who leads an illicit activity. Tertullus is trying to talk in a negative way as though Paul is going from uprising to uprising leading the Christians against the Jewish people and Roman government.

3. Profaned the temple

This is the charge that we heard about back in:

Acts 21:28–29 ESV

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.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

The Romans did grant the Jews the right to enforce their ban on Gentile access to their sacred places. If they were able to actually prove this Felix could have turned Paul over to the Sanhedrin and they would have been allowed to kill him as they saw fit. But the witnesses don’t seem to come with them because as we know this is a false claim.

I love vs. 9. Its like the little dog standing behind the big dog and exclaiming that’s write. What he said.

T.S. They have accused Paul of a lot but he just sees this as an opportunity to speak about the truth by defending himself but really announcing God’s Kingdom.

II. Announcing Paul’s Defense

Acts 24:10–21 ESV

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ”

10-13 is a personal defense of the accusation brought before Felix this day.

14-16 is Paul’s witness of the Way. What they call a sect of the Jews Paul makes clear that he does not deny this but instead wants them to know the way.

Look how quickly Paul turns to the resurrection again in these verses. Paul wants them to know that he word of God brings people to the Way if they will only look at the Resurrection.

“The Christians believed that the resurrection already had begun in Christ. One should observe how the them of the resurrection unfolds in Paul’s successive speeches. “

Acts 23:6 ESV

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

vs. 15 The resurrection was more precisely defined as including both the just and the unjust, implying thereby a coming Judgement. That is why he explains his own conscience being blameless in vs. 16.

17-19 defends the idea that Paul did anything wrong in the temple at all

Acts 21:29 ESV

29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Paul finishes with this is not about Roman Law but instead about what to do with the resurrection of the Christ Jesus and the resurrection for all people whether to Judgement that leads to death or life everlasting in Christ.

Isn’t it amazing that all the bible and the salvation of all sinners comes down to what do you do with the resurrection of Christ?

T.S. With his defense complete it leads to adversity leading to boldness

III. Adversity Leads to Boldness

Acts 24:22–23 ESV

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

We never hear about Lysias arriving or providing more information for Felix. The truth is that Felix doesn’t want to make a judgment on the case because their is nothing that he can pronounce Paul guilty. Instead he orders for him to be taken away with the idea that his friends can come visit and take care of any of his needs. Felix is trying to kick the decision further down the road.

Acts 24:24–27 ESV

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

vs. 24 Paul speak about faith in Christ Jesus

What is the Gospel!!!

Sending Paul away over and over again hoping for a bribe out of Paul and his friends and he would release Paul. There we have the plague against the world…The Treasure of God is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ the resurrection from the dead. Man’s sees the truth of God as a plague that needs to be extinguished. The amazing part is that God uses his people emboldened by the power of God to pass on this truth of the kingdom to all that might believe. Felix is looking for money and Paul is continually motivated to give him the Gospel that he might have everlasting life.

TWO YEARS>>>>>>>>>>>