Acts 25
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Reading and Phillipians 4
Last week we saw Paul on trial again. Paul was suffering for his faith and obedience to God, being held in prison. We considered how Paul was faithful to his message in the face of opposition, false accusation and injustice. Paul gave a bold witness before felix because he knew that there was a greaterJudge to which we all must give an account. And he entrusted his situation to God.Paul in his trial was of course was imitating our Lord Jesus, whom Peter reminds us: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Paul of course was imitating his Savious Jesus, whom Peter reminds us:
Of Course Paul was immitating the Lord Jesus.
the supreme example of godly behavior toward one’s evil accusers is Jesus Christ himself.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)1
And that what we found last week, Pauls knew that there was a higher court a greater Judge. And he entrusted his situation to God.
Background Context
Background Context
Well Today we see Paul on trial again before new Govner Festus who had been sent to replace Felix. We find Paul two years older than he was at the end of chapter 24, having been in prison for two years. And it is from this proson that alot of Scholars believe he wrote the pastoral epistle to the phillipians. In Many ways Chapter 25 feels like a repitition of the trial before Felix.
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)1
Big Idea
Big Idea
through a special vision (), that he would get to Rome.
So why does Luke recount aanother ccount of another trial before another govener and another King recapitulating the same accussations and the same rebuttles of the previous trial. Luke wants Theopholus (The man who comissioned him to draw up this account) to know that what is happing to Paul is no accident. Rather, This is the fullfilment of promises made by Jesus about Paul back in , that Paul would be Jesus’s chosen instrument to proclaim his name to the Gentiles and thier Kings. That Paul would suffer for Jesus name. And In fullfilment of the vision in (), that Paul would indeed get to Rome, this is the event that triggers Pauls Journey at Romes expence!
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”
), and has been promised by Jesus through a special vision (23:11), that he would get to Rome.1
Aim of Sermon
Aim of Sermon
The Aim for us this evening is to see how God through his sorvrienty, fulfills the divine promises in Pauls life. And working our way out from their we will hopefull consider how we might be victorious in various trials and in Gods purposes for us as a church.
Why you should Care?
Why you should Care?
You and I might not find ourselves in a situation like Paul where we are in prison for our faith and testimony. But we do live in a culture whose value system is becomming increasingly hostile to the Law of God. Consequently we are constantly being pressured to compromise or deny our faith and affirm the values of the spirit of the age. If we are to overcome and be victors then we will need to be like Paul. In the midst of trial we will need to Know:
Consequently we are constantly being pressured to compromise or deny our faith and affirm the values of the spirit of the age. If we are to overcome and be victors then we will need to be like Paul. In the midst of trial we will need to Know:
1) God is sovriegn in any situation we find ourselves.
you and I face a world whose value system is hostile to the standards of the Lord Jesus Christ and in which we are constantly pressured to compromise or deny our faith
2) We will need to know and hold onto the promises of God, in his Word.
3) We will need to be willing to pay any price.
Background
Background
1) God is Sovriegn in any situation we find ourselves.
What do we mean? When we talk of God as being sovriegn we are saying that:
There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has no limitations exept if he chooses those limitations.
God is above all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is immortal, and He is present everywhere
God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, God knows everything completely before it even happens ().
God is above all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is immortal, and He is present everywhere
God can do all things and accomplish all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him
God created all things and holds all things together, both in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible ().
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for
God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for
God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for
God knows everything completely before it even happens ().
God can do all things and accomplish all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him
Paul himself said: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.()
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
He orchestrates and determines everything that is going to happen in your life, in my life, and throughout the world. Whatever He wants to do in the universe, He does, for nothing is impossible with Him ().
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act ().
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
God is in control of all things and rules over all things. He has power and authority over nature, earthly kings, history, angels, and demons. Even Satan himself has to ask God’s permission before he can act ().
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Paul himself said: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.()
That’s what God being sovereign means. It means being the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists. Only God can make those claims; therefore, it’s God’s sovereignty that makes Him Holy, and Him alone, worthy of worship.
Paul knew this and it affected how he dealt with his trials. Its why Paul from prison and write:
The New International Version Chapter 4
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
knowing God was sovrien and near is what brought enabled Paul to be content on Prison. That enabled him from prison to write “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
knowing God was sovrien and near is what brought enabled Paul to be content on Prison. That enabled him from prison to write “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I wonder how many of us need to hear those words this evening, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
If you and I are to find the contemtment in any situation to sustain us in the midst of lifes trials then we must have a robust theology of Gods Sovreignty.
Because of the Sovriengty of God Paul can write thos seemingly baffling words:
We must dispel some myths:
The New International Version Chapter 4
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), .
There would have been nights in that prison where Paul would have been full of sorrow, he says as much in his letter to the Phillipaians . Yet he also says he learned the seceret to being contented,
Luke wants us to know that Paul would have been bolstered by the assurance that what was transpiring was according to the sovriegn plan of God.
Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Now understanding that God is sovrigen does not mean that we we must simply pray, then sit on our bums, twiddle our thumbs, and do nothing.
(; ; ). That conviction lifted him up so that he could see beyond his own personal crises and view God’s greater purposes, God’s greater majesty, and God’s greater power.
Luke wants us to know that Paul would have been bolstered by the assurance that Jesus stood by him through everything (; ; ). That conviction lifted him up so that he could see beyond his own personal crises and view God’s greater purposes, God’s greater majesty, and God’s greater power.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Aplication
If you and I are to find the contemtment in any situation to sustain us in the midst of lifes trials then we must have a robust theology of Gods Sovreignty.
Some of you will be facing trails on account of your faith.
Maybe your service and faithful witness and commitment for Jesus has caused tentions among Family. (You need to know God is in control)
Maybe your service and witness for Jesus has cost you friends and brought about hardship . (You need to know God is in control)
Maybe your witness for Jesus has got you into trouble at work. (You need to know God is in control)
Maybe your dedication and obedience to Jesus, has caused problems in the church.
You need to know that God is sovriegn over your situation?
Dispel some myths
1) Being contented does not mean that we are happy all the time. Jesus himself the bible tells us was a “man of Sorrows, aquainted with Grief”, Paul was suffering for his obedience and he did experience sorrow which he refers to Phillipians 2:27 when Epaphroditus who was visiting him fell sick. Yet knowing God is sovrigen can and does bring contentment. A sense of fullness and peace that says “I lack nothing” Paul discovered in the end that in poverty or in Riches, Christ was all he needed in the end.
Yet knowing God is sovrigen can bring contentment . Paul discovered in the end that in poverty or in Riches, Christ was all he needed in the end.
Epaphroditusfell sick. Yet knowing God is sovrien can bring contentment. discovered in the end that in poverty or in Riches, Christ was all he needed in the end.
2) Believing in Gods Sovrienty does not always mean that we are simply passive and make no effort to resolve or better our situations, we are not expected or required to be stoic about every situation we found ouselves in but to trust Gods goodness.
Aplication
Illustration: The Calvinist and the lifeboat.
The Calvinist and the lifeboat.
Tom Wright: This is an important point about the interaction between God’s purposes and our praying. Sometimes, when we pray and wait for God to act, part of the answer is that God is indeed going to act, but that he will do so through our taking proper human responsibility in the matter. It’s hard to tell in advance what the answer will be. There are times when it is ‘The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still’ (), and other times when it is ‘Be strong and very courageous, for you shall put this people in possession of the land I swore to give them’ ().
do not make use of the means God has provided or that we do not
Lifeboat and the Calvinist.
We must remeber that God makes use of human means, and at that time the protection of Roman Civil Law was available to Paul, Paul used his intellect, and acted and ceased upon a God given opportunity. “I appeal to Ceaser” (acts 25:11) Paul wasnt afraid to excercise his rights for the advancement of the Gospel: Using Roman laws, Romans roads, and Roman shipping, the gospel of Jesus Christ would now make its way to the heart of the empire and to Ceaser.
Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire An Appeal to Caesar (Vv. 9–12)
Some believers might criticize Paul here, saying he should have simply waited on God and allowed him to direct the apostle’s circumstances however he willed. But certainly there is no fault with using the provisions God gives us for our lives and ministries. As John Calvin stated, “God, who has appointed courts of law, also gives his people liberty to use them lawfully.” Romans 13:1–7 clearly teaches that God ordained human governments to punish wrongdoers and to reward those who do right. Paul did well to use his rights as a Roman citizen to protect himself and to extend his ministry.
Thats why it is important to make use of civil law (lile freedom of speach whlile we have them. But also not to freak out when they are taken away.
Pax Romana. Using Roman laws, Romans roads, and Roman shipping, the gospel of Jesus Christ would now make its way to the heart of the empire.
Paul did well to use his rights as a Roman citizen to protect himself and to extend his ministry. Thats why it is important to make use of civil law (freedom of speach while we still have them). But equally not to freak out when they are taken away (and they will be taken away). We should alsways trust in God first and formost.
Paul wasnt afraid to excercise his rights for the advancement of the Gospel,
Only this last week (Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham) is being denied to speak the gospel by Glasgow council because of His political view. Yet something like Jerry Springer the Opera which is unspeakably obscene and offensive is happily permitted. (I degress)
Thats why it is important to make use of civil law (freedom of speach while we have them). But also not to freak out when they are taken away and they will be taken away (Franklin Graham). We should alsways trust in God first and formost.
Using Roman laws, Romans roads, and Roman shipping, the gospel of Jesus Christ would now make its way to the heart of the empire.
Thats why it is important to make use of civil law (freedom of speach while we have them). But also not to freak out when they are taken away and they will be taken away (Franklin Graham). We should alsways trust in God first and formost.
Aplication
If you and I like Paul are to find the contemtment in the midst of lifes fiery trials then we absolutly must have a robust theology of Gods Sovreignty understanding that his ways are not our ways, because if we don’t, it will lead to discouragment and dispair and we will stop witnessing for Jesus.
Some of you will be facing trails on account of your faith.
Maybe your service and faithful witness and commitment for Jesus has caused tentions among Family. (You need to know God is in control)
2)
Maybe your service and witness for Jesus has cost you friendships, promotions, loss of Income, everone else goes to work on sunday but you choose to be with the Lords people. (You need to know God is in control)
Maybe your witness for Jesus has got you into trouble at work. (You need to know God is in control)
Maybe your dedication and obedience to Jesus, has caused problems in the church. (You need to know that God is Sovriegn)
2) Knowing the Promises and Words of God.
2) Knowing the Promises and Words of God.
Luke wants us to know that Paul would have been bolstered by the assurance that, what was transpiring was according to the sovriegn plan and promises of God.
Knowing the Bible. You can
(; ; ).
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
That conviction lifted him up so that he could see beyond his own personal crises and view God’s greater purposes, God’s greater majesty, and God’s greater power. Paul knew that he would testify in Rome.
Paul Knew the Sovreinty of God
Paul Knew the Promises and Words of God
Paul was willing to pay any price.
3) Paul was willing to Pray any Price.
3) Paul was willing to Pray any Price.
Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
Acts 25:
The fear of suffering and death cripples most people and can prevent them from living for God and yet we are called to die. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ()
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
“whoever would come after me must
The fear of suffering and death cripples most people.
Band of Borthers.
Paul had a perspective on Life that would baffle most, He said to the phillipains from Prison “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”
Paul had a perspective on Life and death that would baffle most, He said to the phillipains from Prison “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”
Band of Brothers:
As Far as Paul was concerned he had been Crusified with Christ, the old man Saul was dead he said in The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
Paul was willing to pay any price to fulfill his lifes mission before Jesus and so he could bodly say before Festus “I do not refuse to Die”
The New International Version Chapter 25
I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Aplication
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
For most of us I suspect we will not have to put our necks on the line for the advancement of the Gospel, All of us are required to pick up our Cross and follow Christ for the advancement of his mission. If we are too afraid to die to ourselves then we will never truly live in God’s purposes.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
died and the life he now lived he lived for Christ, who loved him and gave his life for him
Aplication
if we are too afraid to suffer and die then we will never truly live.
Paul had a perspective on Life that would baffle most, He said to the phillipains from Prison “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”
As we watch Paul slowly but intentionally make his way to Rome for the various trial experiences, we learn that to live, we need to be free of the fear of dying.
If your too afraid to die then you will never truly live, To live is christ to die is gain.
To live is christ to die is gain.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
They did not love their lives even to death
As we watch Paul slowly but intentionally make his way to Rome for the various trial experiences, we learn that to live, we need to be free of the fear of dying.
But also remeber as much as the Gospel is a call to come and dyie to self, the call of the Gospel is a call to come a and live, thats hard. To live for Christ, to be able to say yes to God in any circumstance.
Personally that might mean
I dont want to overly spiritualise this:
God offers us life, the peace and contentment that paul talked about, but we dont choose life because we are afraid to die to our idols, afraid to die to our love of power, money, status, sex, pleasure. We belive the lie that there is something we just can’t live without, something that God just can’t give to us. (All the while God is calling us to come and live, Come loose your life that you might find it).
All the while God is calling us to come and live) Come loose you life that you might find it.
We are afraid to die to a life of easy comfort and temporal pleasure, a life were we feed our desires with more and more stuff, (Come loose your life so that you might find it).
I wonder how often we stall the purposes of Gods work in our lives because we are unwilling to die to self.
God has a purpose a mission for his church here in Rosskeen, How are we to advance.
We must know that God is Sovriegn, We must know the promises and the word of God, we must be willing to die to self.
“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand” ()
If I acted as a Christian in that situation, my boss would never understand; my wife, my parents, my friends would never understand.” We fail to do what is right because we are not willing to pay that high price. We are not ready to surrender everything to follow Jesus.
We cam know that God is sovereign. we can know what is right because we study our Bibles. Yet we still fail to do what is right because we value something else more than our obedience to Christ. We must be willing to pay any price, to die in order to live, to put our own agendas aside and to put Gods mission first.
If I acted as a Christian in that situation, my boss would never understand; my wife, my parents, my friends would never understand.” We fail to do what is right because we are not willing to pay that high price. We are not ready to surrender everything to follow Jesus.
You can know that God is sovereign. You can know what is right because you study the Bible. Yet you can still fail to do what is right because you value something else more than your obedience to Christ.
You can know that God is sovereign. You can know what is right because you study the Bible. Yet you can still fail to do what is right because you value something else more than your obedience to Christ.
more than your obedience to Christ.
We must be willing to pay any price, to die in order to live, to put our own agendas aside and to put Gods mission first.
“The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up” ()
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ –
For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” ().
Landing
Landing
You and I are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of a hostile world, and the only way we are going to be able to stand against the world when it pressures us is if we are willing to give up everything to follow him.
“Everything?” you say.
“Everything?” you say. Yes, everything. But why should we be surprised? He gave up everything for us, and it is he who said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (). A cross is a symbol of death. He was teaching that we must be willing to die to be his followers. That is the victory of faith that overcomes the world.
If we are to advance the mission of God in the face of trials we must know
Yes, everything. But why should we be surprised? He gave up everything for us, and it is he who said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (). A cross is a symbol of death. He was teaching that we must be willing to die to be his followers. That is the victory of faith that overcomes the world.1
Know That God is Sovrien
Know his Word is true
Be Willing to pay the Price.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
O Lord, when we are unfairly criticized or misjudged or wrongly charged with misbehavior, please help us respond with love, not hate; forgiveness, not bitterness; hope, not despair. When circumstances threaten to thwart our ministry or our spiritual growth, help us to look up to you—our life, our salvation, our God. Remind us again and again, O Lord, that as we cooperate with you, we will be fruitful ambassadors, through your strength and for your glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.