Paul's Perseverance through Prejudice (2)

Introduction

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Perseverance

Two frogs fell into a can of cream,

Or so I’ve heard it told.

The sides of the can were shiny and steep,

The cream was deep and cold.

“Oh, what’s the use?” croaked number one.

“Tis fate, no help’s around.

Good-bye, my friend!

Good-bye, sad world!”

And weeping still, he drowned.

But number two, of sterner stuff,

Dog-paddled in surprise.

The while he wiped his creamy face,

And dried his creamy eyes.

“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he said,

Or so I’ve heard he said;

“It really wouldn’t help the world,

If one more frog were dead.”

An hour or two he kicked and swam,

Not once he stopped to mutter,

But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,

Then hopped out, via butter!966

What is it that will give you the ability to act and avoid procrastination?

What is it that should compel you to persevere?

What is it that should compel you to willingly withstand prejudice and even persecution?

Danger in Jerusalem

Acts 23:12–14 NKJV

And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

Acts 23:12

Plot foiled

Acts 23:16–22 NKJV

So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.” So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.” Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.” So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

Acts 23:16

Prejudice

In Cesarea

Acts 24:1–9 NKJV

Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

Tertullus the Orator

Felix Flattered

Acts 24:2–4 NKJV

And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.

Acts 24:2-

According to Josephus this Felix...

A former slave, bought freedom

Married Drusilla, an adulteress

Appointed by Claudius, governor of Cesarea

Murderer, Thief

Eventually recalled to Rome by NERO to answer for his corruption. NERO!

Paul Maligned

Paul - “A plague”

Acts 24:5–6 NKJV

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

Acts 24:5-

Trophimus of Ephesus seen with Paul

Acts 21:29 NKJV

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

Acts 21:

Accusers were called but failed to appear

Acts 24:7–9 NKJV

But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

Acts

Perseverance

Paul give “nod” to Felix’s rank

Acts 24:10 NKJV

Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,

Acts

Paul’s Defense of himself

Acts 24:11–13 NKJV

because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

Acts 24:11

“Twelve days” - how did he incite unrest?

Paul’s Defense of “the Way”

Acts 24:14–16 NKJV

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Acts 24:14-

The Resurrection: Strong point of division between the Pharisees and Saducees

Acts 24:15 NKJV

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Where are Paul’s accusers?

Acts 24:17–21 NKJV

“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Acts 24:

It’s not for insurrection that Paul is being accused, but for the Resurrection!

Procrastination

Felix Procrastinates

Acts 24:22–23 NKJV

But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

Acts 24:22

Procrastination - not simply spiritual but political

Felix (and Drusilla) convicted and afraid

Acts 24:24–25 NKJV

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Acts 24:24-

Felix’s Greed

Acts 24:26 NKJV

Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

Acts 24:26

Paul imprisoned for 2 years amidst this procrastination

Acts 24:

Acts 24:27 NKJV

But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Eternal Perspective

Paul imprisoned for 2 years amidst this procrastination

Acts 24:27 NKJV

But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

What is it that permitted…COMPELLED Paul to persevere?

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE!

Acts 23:11 NKJV

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Application

What is it that will give you the ability to act and avoid procrastination?

What is it that should compel you to persevere?

What is it that should compel you to willingly withstand prejudice and even persecution?

It is the Eternal Perspective of Paul!

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It is the that which you want or even the earthly things that your Father knows you need of which this verse speaks. It is those things of a spiritual and eternal significance that you can will have, “through Christ who strengthens you”.

Amen