Sovereign Circumstances (part 4)

Beginning in chapter 20 we have been learning about God’s Sovereignty over our circumstances. We have examined God’s purpose in our suffering and God’s purpose in our story. Today we will begin an examination of “God’s Purpose In Our Status.”

David. God used David in some awesome ways. Perhaps the most well-known is David’s defeat of the giant Goliath. It is important to remember that those events didn’t happen in a vacuum.

The first time we meet David is when Samuel has arrived at Jesse’s house to anoint a new king. At that time, David’s status was sheepherder. He was the youngest son and didn’t even rate an invitation to see Samuel.

Next we meet David as a minstrel sent to soothe Saul’s spirit. This is not where you would expect to find a mighty warrior! My mental image of a man who slays giants is not someone who plays a harp and tends sheep.

Then we finally meet David at the war camp ready to face Goliath. The problem is, this “mighty warrior” is to small to fit into the armor provided for him! He’s kind of a shrimp!

When David stands before Goliath that is his status. He is the forgotten son, the harp playing sheepherder, the one too small to use armor.

That lowly status makes him a perfect vessel for God to use.

When David kills Goliath it is obvious that it is God because there’s no other explanation! Therefore, God gets all the glory.

It is not great ability, talent, or charisma that God honors. It is great faith.

That is what David displayed. That is what Paul displays throughout the rest of the book.

As we get into this I want us to realize that verse 11 is the hinge point.

Why does God allow the trial and the theological battle of vv. 30-10? Because that is what motivates the men to want to kill Paul in vv. 12-22. Which then leads to the fulfillment of what God promises in v. 11.

To reach God’s sovereign purpose of Paul testifying in Rome, the leaders need to get angry enough to allow men to plot murder which will motivate Lysias to send Paul up the chain of authority.

All of the events we will look at are tied to Paul’s status.

Paul’s status: A Pharisee. Theological status. Status as a prisoner. Status as a troublemaker. Status as a Roman?

Who is the Apostle Paul? What is his status? He is a Pharisee. Which means he has a particular theology. Now, as a believer he has a transformed theology. Paul’s theological status plays a role in all this. Paul also has status as a prisoner and as a perceived troublemaker. His status as a Roman citizen ties in as well.

Here’s the point.

All of us have status that is sovereignly used by God as we serve Him.

There are four components of status that God will use.

First we are going to list them, then we will examine them both this week and next.

The four components are: Testimony, Theology, Tension, Temperament.

Testimony, Theology, Tension, Temperament.

Our goal this morning is to understand how God uses status.

Our understanding makes us better tools for God to use.

Component #1…

1. God Will Use Your Testimony vv. 30-5

We heard in the Scripture reading that Paul claims he has a good conscience before God. That’s quite a statement. What does Paul mean?

He means that though he has sinned and will continue to sin, He has been cleansed and transformed through faith in Christ! He has confessed His sin and is endeavoring to live righteously.

How do you have a good conscience? How do you live in such a way that you can say this? How can you have a testimony that attracts others to Jesus?

Paul’s testimony is reflected in two actions he takes here.

From Paul’s actions we learn how we too can have a good conscience and a testimony that God can use.

Action #1…

a. Act on truth vv. 30-3

READ v. 30

The commander wants to know the truth so he investigates.

“Accused” is the idea of “bring charges against.” The commander wants to know why they are accusing Paul and what exactly they are accusing him of.

I want us to notice the trust placed in Paul because it is important later. The commander removes Paul’s chains for this trial.

We also see the authority this tribune possesses as he is able to command the Sanhedrin to appear and they do it.

The hand of God is present here as the tribune is interested in the truth, not in what might be convenient or easy.

It seems likely that Paul already has had an impact on this officer.

v. 1 – Paul’s defense. He probably knew many of these men having served on the council himself.

READ v. 1

Paul’s defense. He probably knew many of these men having been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and some believe Paul himself served on the council.

He addresses them with deference and respect even though he knows full well that he is guilty of nothing.

And so, Paul declares his innocence.

The declaration made by Paul is incredible. He has lived with a good conscience.

But how can Paul say this? After all, earlier he stated that he had killed Christians and approved of Stephen’s death.

Paul had always lived the truth he knew. Once he met Christ and understood the Gospel, he lived it.

The ability to have a clear conscience comes when we put truth into practice as it is revealed to us.

For a clear conscience, live the truth you know.

This declaration of Paul’s leads to an interesting confrontation.

READ v. 2

The High Priest seems to be motivated by an assumption that Paul is being dishonest.

If he too assumes Paul brought a Gentile into the temple, that could be his reasoning.

Regardless, Paul’s response reveals the truth of this action.

READ v. 3

Paul is basically accusing the High Priest of hypocrisy.

He has commanded Paul to be struck which is a violation of the law since Paul has not actually been condemned.

Calling the High Priest a whitewashed wall was a pretty serious insult and accusation.

Yet the context seems to indicate that it was warranted. The High Priest was essentially accusing Paul of lying while simultaneously breaking the law himself. It’s a pot calling the kettle black kind of situation.

What we have in these verses is Paul’s declaration of his innocence.

He has a good testimony. He has a clear conscience.

As we have already mentioned, this clear conscience was the result of Paul always living the truth that he knew.

This is required for a good testimony.

A good testimony is born out of a clear conscience.

Can we say the same? Do we live with a clear conscience? Do we have a good testimony?

If we want to have these things, we must learn the truth and live the truth.

What does that look like?

Turn with me to (p. 1386).

(p. 1386)

James 1:22–27 NKJV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James - Not a hearer but a doer.

James gives us several illustrations here. Being a hearer only is like looking in a mirror, seeing that we need to do some work, and going on without doing it. A doer of the Word controls their tongue. A doer doesn’t lie to themselves. A doer visits orphans and widows and is uninfluenced by things of this world.

When we judge ourselves by that standard, how are we doing? Do we read the Word, see areas that need to change, and then ignore them?

Do we exercise self-control in the area of our speech?

Are we self-deceived?

Do we visit those in need?

Have we been influenced by the society around us?

A clear conscience does not mean that we are sinless. It means that we confess our sin and deal with it as soon as we are aware of it.

Keeping a clear conscience gives us a good testimony.

Action #2...

b. Admit wrong vv. 4-5

READ v. 4

After Paul’s accusation of the High Priest, he is confronted.

Revile – λοιδορέω (loidoreō) revile; abuse. To use foul or abusive language towards or about.

Revile – λοιδορέω (loidoreō)

vv. 2-5 – Interesting sequence of events. Did Paul really not recognize the high priest? Or, as some suggest, is he saying the high priest wasn’t acting correctly or like the high priest?

Paul is now accused of being verbally abusive to the High Priest.

Paul’s response to this accusation is a little difficult to understand.

READ v. 5

The word translated “know” here would probably be better translated “recognize” in this context.

Paul is indicating that the actions of this man were not those of a High Priest. He was behaving in a way that made him unrecognizable.

It is not that Paul didn’t know who he was, it is that the High Priest was not behaving in a fitting way for his position.

This is a rebuke of the High Priest.

But then Paul goes on to correct himself.

Regardless of how the High Priest acts, Paul has a responsibility to respect his position.

This is something that is applicable to our government, local, state, and national. Whether or not you respect the person in a position, respect the position.

Paul quotes .

vv. 2-5 – Interesting sequence of events. Did Paul really not recognize the high priest? Or, as some suggest, is he saying the high priest wasn’t acting correctly or like the high priest?

Did Paul really not recognize the high priest? Or, as some suggest, is he saying the high priest wasn’t acting correctly or like the high priest?

This is an acknowledgement that even though the High Priest had violated the law in commanding Paul to be struck, it was still unacceptable for Paul to speak the way he did.

This takes maturity.

Paul is willing to correct himself even though he has been wrongfully accused, unjustly arrested, and now unlawfully harmed.

Are we willing to admit wrong?

I’m sure that all of us have met people who are never willing to admit they were wrong.

There is always an excuse. Always a reason why doing what they did was okay.

That should never be true of a believer in Jesus Christ. We, more than anyone else, should understand our need of grace because of sin.

We should understand our own human frailty and propensity to sin.

We are sinners by nature and by choice.

In situations where we have been wronged, we are often unwilling to own any part of the blame.

Yet in almost every circumstance, there is sin on both sides of an issue.

Paul has a good testimony because he is willing to admit when he is wrong.

Here Paul admits he is wrong even when the people he wronged are in the act of persecuting him!

Only a heart transformed by Christ will act in this way. Have we been transformed?

A good testimony confesses failure.

That is very hard to do.

Can we all just admit that we don’t like to fail?

This is a particular area of struggle for me. Deep within myself is a belief that admitting failure will lead to rejection. That is a lie from Satan.

Admission of failure is where forgiveness is found! Admission of failure brings healing and hope! Admission of failure is a necessary part of growth!

If we never admit we were wrong, we can never learn to improve!

If we want to have a testimony that God can use, if we want to be the kind of men and women who make an impact for Christ; we must admit when we are wrong.

In these verses Paul teaches us to live the truth we know, to have a clear conscience. He also teaches us to admit when we are wrong and make the necessary course correction.

To have a good testimony, act on truth and admit wrong.

Our testimony is the first component of our status that God uses. Component #2…

2. God Will Use Your Theology vv. 6-10

As we read through these verses you will notice that there are competing theologies present.

If you look at your bulletin you will see the section titled “Things to meditate on.” Follow along as I read “thought #2.”

“Every person has a theology. For the atheist, their theology is anti-God. For others, theology is often a mix and match selection of thoughts and ideas. For the believer, our theology must be Biblical. Does my theology line up with Scripture?”

Here we are using the term theology to refer to one’s belief about God and the things He has revealed in His Word.”

Each one of us sitting here today have a theology. We have a particular belief about God and about what He has revealed in His Word.

The question we must always ask ourselves is if our theology lines up accurately with Scripture.

When our theology is Biblically accurate, God will use it.

Paul reveals to us 3 requirements of a theology God will use.

Requirement #1…

a. Be certain v. 6

READ v. 6

If you are going to have a theology that God can use, you must know what you believe.

Paul is very definite.

Know what you believe

Paul uses observation and wisdom to get out of this situation.

The next verse will provide an explanation of why this statement gets Paul out of this situation.

Before we get there I want to point out something.

Paul needed three things to make this statement. In a culture where everyone has their own truth, we need these same three things.

1 - Know what you believe.

Notice that Paul is not uncertain. He mentions two things. The hope and the resurrection of the dead.

What is our hope?

Hope – ἐλπίς (elpis) hope; expectation. hope n. — a reasonable and confident expectation of a future event. Noun (prepositional object), genitive, singular, feminine.

Hope – ἐλπίς (elpis)

What do we have as our reasonable and confident expectation?

Heaven!

In order for that hope to be a reality, there must also be a resurrection from the dead.

Paul knew what he believed. Do you? Do you know where in Scripture you find what you believe? If not, come to theology class. Come to Thursday night. Come to one of the men’s or women’s Bible studies.

The second thing Paul and us need is to…

2 - Know what others believe.

Paul looks at the Sadducees and the Pharisees and he knows they don’t agree. He knows which doctrine to talk about to get them focused on one another instead of on him.

Part of theology is knowing where there are areas of disagreement and why.

I am not suggesting that we become experts in false religions. But to speak intelligently with others we need to be informed.

The third thing needed…

3 - Be able to articulate your belief.

Paul knew what he believed and he put it into specific words. “The hope and the resurrection of the dead.”

It is important to have theological conversations so that we know how to express what we believe and why we believe it.

Paul is a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. He is on trial because he has a different belief about the resurrection of the dead.

There is another issue we need to address here. Is Paul lying?

He was taken into custody because they thought he had brought a Gentile into the Temple, right? Almost. Flip back to .

Acts 21:28 NKJV

28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”

Acts 21:28 NKJV

Their first complaint had to do with what Paul was teaching. What did Paul teach? That Jesus was the Christ!

Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, He was raised from the dead and seated at God’s right hand!

He isn’t lying. It really is about the resurrection of the dead! This will be made even more clear later when Festus is talking to Agrippa about Paul (25:19).

Paul knew what he believed.

To be used by God, we must know what we believe.

Know what you believe.

Knowing what we believe is not the end. We must stand firm on what we believe.

That is requirement #2…

b. Don’t compromise vv. 7-9

READ v. 7

Paul uses an argument to divide the council so he can get out of the situation.

Conflict arises over Paul’s statement.

There is a rift in the Sanhedrin because some are Pharisees and some are Sadducees and they had opposing theology.

We see this in the next verse.

READ v. 8

The Sadducees teach that there is no life after death. They deny what the Pharisees taught about angels.

Why did the Sadducees teach this? Because they compromised.

They wanted to fit in with the secular people around them.

Paul refused to compromise his belief.

All of this gives rise to an almost comical scene.

READ v. 9

The Greek word translated “outcry” here is the idea of shouting. The word translated “loud” is the word “megas”. We get mega from this word.

There was mega shouting over this. :)

This is what the council chamber where the Sanhedrin met looked like (S).

I picture everyone out of their seats and yelling at one another.

The Pharisees are now willing to compromise with Paul because he espoused their pet theology. They may disagree in other ways, but they agree on this.

Now they are saying he should be released because “they don’t want to fight against God.”

Now the Sanhedrin can’t even agree about condemning Paul because they are fighting one another.

All of this confusion and chaos came about because of compromise.

The Sadducee’s compromised. They didn’t hold to a Biblical theology and now a prisoner could be released because of it.

It is interesting that the words of the Pharisees echo those of Pilate when Jesus was on trial.

This chaos, division, and shouting teach us a clear lesson. Compromised theology is damaging.

These men are serving on a council together. And because of their theological disagreement, they lose the chance to condemn Paul.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful that Paul escaped. But the dissension here should be instructive to us.

We all have a theology. When we do not hold a Biblical theology or when we compromise, chaos is the result.

A theology God can use is firmly held.

Are we uncompromising in our commitment to Biblical theology?

Theology is vital. Let me quickly mention one more passage that makes this clear. (S).

1 Peter 5:9 NKJV

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

When reference is made to “the faith,” as it is here, it speaks of the body of our belief or doctrine.

Here’s the idea.

Our ability to resist Satan is tied to our theology. It is tied to what we believe.

God uses our theology when it is Biblical and when we refuse to compromise.

However, when we know what we believe and we stand firm on it there will be opposition. When that opposition comes we find the third requirement of a theology God will use.

Requirement #3…

c. Accept consequences v. 10

READ v. 10

a. Be ready to witness v. 11

b. Be ready to endure vv. 12-13

c. Be ready to die vv. 14-15

This verse suggests that things are getting even more crazy.

4. God Will Use Your Temperament vv. 16-22

It is becoming a riot.

a. Retain relationships vv. 16

Don’t burn bridges. Maintain family relationships.

v. 10 – The commander has to intervene because he was afraid Paul would be torn apart.

Things get so bad the commander has to intervene because he was afraid Paul would be torn apart!

b. Respect authority vv. 17-19

The tribune sends his soldiers into the council chamber to forcibly remove Paul. He does this to protect Paul.

Why was there a riot? Because of what Paul said.

Done correctly, this helps to build trust.

There were consequences to his belief.

Beliefs have consequences.

When we state our beliefs with confidence and we are unwilling to compromise, there will be consequences.

Next week we will see more of the consequences for Paul.

For today I want us to pause and consider a question. Am I willing to face persecution for what I believe?

Peter speaks of what we can expect in his first epistle. Turn to (p. 1394).

(p. 1394)

c. Reap trust vv. 20-22

1 Peter 4:12–16 NKJV

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Peter reinforces what we have already learned from Paul. Trials are going to come. Don’t think they are strange! They are to be expected.

How should we react to them? With rejoicing.

Endure reproach. Glorify God and suffer willingly as a Christian.

Don’t suffer for doing evil. Don’t suffer because you are sinning. Suffer for Christ.

Paul has to accept the consequences of what he believes. He is facing the result of his declaration.

Taking a stand for Christ comes with consequences, but it will always be worth it.

A theology God can use endures opposition.

Accept the consequences of your belief and God will use your theology.

Sometimes God will use it to deliver us, other times it will be used to challenge and transform.

Know what you believe, don’t compromise, and endure. God will use your theology.

Conclusion

What is your status?

Parent, teacher, sibling, worker.

All of us have a status.

God wants to use our status for His glory.

God will use your testimony.

Your reputation can either close or open doors for the gospel.

For God to use our testimony we must act on the truth and admit wrong.

God does not expect us to have the entire Bible memorized.

God commands us to learn truth and put it into practice.

As we do that there will be times when we mess up, times when we sin.

In those moments we must admit when we are wrong.

We cannot learn from mistakes we are unwilling to acknowledge.

God will use your theology.

All of us have a theology. We have a belief about God and all that He has revealed.

Our theology is useful only as we know what we believe, avoid compromise, and accept the consequences.

Being a “Bible believing Christian” does no good if we do not know what the Bible teaches.

Knowing truth is useless if we do not stand firm under pressure.

Consequences will come. When they do, accept them and keep on serving.

God has spent your entire life shaping, molding, and fashioning you.

He has given you the status you have so you can serve Him and bring Him glory.

May the lives we live and the truth we believe give us opportunities to exalt Jesus Christ.

“Rejoice In The Lord”

Acts 22:30–23:10 NKJV

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. 1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” 6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” 10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

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