God and the Circumstances of Life - Acts 23:12-35

“God and the Circumstances of Life ”

Acts 23:12-35

©Copyright 2004 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, February 8, 2004

If you have lived for any length of time you have discovered that life can take a sharp turn at any moment. Things may be going great and then suddenly something horrible happens. Someone you love dies or is struck down with illness; the market changes and you lose more money than you can afford to lose; an unexpected bill overwhelms you; your job is suddenly terminated; or your spouse tells you they don’t want to be married any longer. These times are like a punch in the stomach. You are overwhelmed with the question, “Why me?”

In fairness, it is also true that you may be in the midst of a great struggle when suddenly everything changes. The person you thought would not recover, suddenly makes dramatic progress; the closed door now opens; the pregnancy you had given up on happens; you get an unexpected check in the mail; or a new job brings you an undreamed of opportunity and joy. These are times of great joy.

This morning we turn our attention to Acts 23:12-35. In this passage we witness the changing circumstances in the life of the Apostle Paul. From this passage we are reminded about the wonderful hand of God’s Providence.

The Plot

When we last saw Paul he was still in jail, but the Lord had assured him he would proclaim the message of salvation through Christ in the city of Rome. After such an assurance, Paul was strengthened and confident about his future. What Paul didn’t know was that over 40 terrorists were vowing and plotting to assassinate him.

“Why did these men want to kill Paul?” The text does not give an explanation. It could be that Paul was viewed as a traitor for deserting the Jewish faith. Paul was not only a follower of Jesus; he was reaching out to the Gentiles! Perhaps these men believed the stories of Paul bringing a Gentile into the temple area. Maybe they were frustrated by what they perceived as a lack of justice. If the Roman government would not punish Paul, they would take matters into their own hands like some Muslim extremists today.

The text tells us these men “took an oath”. Literally they anathematized themselves. They said in essence, “Let us be cursed if we do not fulfill our vow”. They vowed that they would not eat until they had accomplished their goal. (Hmmm, as we’ll see, they must have become very hungry.)

The plot was simple and similar to what happened with Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald had been arrested for the assassination of President Kennedy. When they went to move Oswald to his arraignment, Jack Ruby stepped out of the crowd and killed Oswald. This plan was very similar. The Sanhedrin would ask for another meeting with Paul and when he was being transported to the meeting, he would be killed.

It was an unlikely alliance: the terrorists and the Sanhedrin. Hatred, sin and fear cause people to do things that at one time no one dreamt was possible.

An Example of God’s Providence

At this point the story get very interesting. We are told,

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20 He said: “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.” 22 The commander dismissed the young man and cautioned him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

This is the only place in the Bible we hear anything about Paul’s family. We didn’t know he had a sister or a nephew. There are many questions we would like to have answered. Were some of Paul’s family believers or were they hostile to Paul’s new faith? (Most people believe Paul was disowned and his family ties severed when he followed Christ, but this is an argument from silence.) How did his nephew learn about the plot? How did he get in to the barracks to see Paul? How long had it been since they had seen each other? Why did the Centurion believe Paul’s nephew?

Our answers to these questions have to be purely speculative. It is possible that this young man (he must have been fairly young since the Centurian “took him by the hand”) was getting his education from the chief rabbi’s just as Paul had done earlier in his life. If this was the case he could have easily overheard conversations about the plans against Paul. This nephew obviously still cared about his uncle.

The Centurion, Claudius Lysias, having listened to the boy, took action. Paul was moved out of the area that very night! An escort of 470 Roman soldiers accompanied him to Caesarea! The terrorists would not be able to get to Paul.

Some people might say Paul was lucky. This is not Biblical thinking. All throughout Scripture we are told that God is in control of the circumstances of life. The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as “luck”. God is in charge. In Proverbs 16:9 we are told, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines His steps.” In Lamentations 3:37 we read, “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?” The message is simple: God oversees the circumstances of life. Don’t take my word for this, let’s look at some of the host of verses that say this quite clearly.

Psalm 33:10-11 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.

Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all (not “some”) things God is working for the good of those whom love God and are called according to his purpose.

What these verses teach us is that Paul’s nephew was in just the right place at just the right time because God placed him there. This was no accident. This was God working to protect His servant, Paul.

We see examples of the Providence of God throughout the Bible. The best example was that of Joseph. Consider these “coincidences” or “lucky breaks” in Joseph’s story.

· The cistern he was thrown into by his brothers was dried up.

· The Midianite Caravan passed by at just the right moment so Joseph was not killed, but sold.

· Joseph was sold to the captain of Pharaoh’s guard a man named Potipher.

· Joseph was thrown into jail where it just so happened the Baker and Cupbearer for Pharaoh were being held.

· The Baker and Cupbearer both happened to have dreams that Joseph was able to interpret.

· Pharaoh had a dream and Joseph was the only one who could interpret that dream and Joseph was given the number 2 job in the Empire.

Was Joseph “lucky”? No. God was working in Joseph’s life so that Joseph could save the nation of Israel. In Genesis 50:20 Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for the good that is now taking place, the saving of many lives.” Joseph understood that God was using the circumstances of his life, to maneuver him into the position that allowed him to save the Israelites.

The Bible is filled with stories like Joseph,

· Moses was plucked out of the water by Pharaoh’s daughter and given the finest education of the day which enabled him to lead the Israelites and to record the first five books of the Bible.

· King Saul wandered into the cave in which David was hiding so David could demonstrate that he did not want to kill the King.

· Ruth just happened to go to work in the field of Boaz, an unmarried man who could be her kinsman-redeemer and from this relationship several generations later, David was born.

· King Xerxes, the Persian Emperor had a sleepless night. To help him sleep he chose to read the dry daily record of the Kingdom. And while he was reading he “just so happened” to read a passage that told about Mordecai’s heroism in thwarting and assassination plot against the King. Xerxes did this on the night before Queen Esther came to plead for the life of Mordecai and the people of Israel.

The Bible teaches us that God is actively watching over our lives and working in and through circumstances to guide us to His appointed purposes.

Paul Before the Governor

The remainder of our text this morning consists of the implementation of the plan of escape. We see the letter that was sent by the Centurian, Claudius Lysias to the Governor a man by the name of Felix.

We can’t help wondering how Luke learned what was in this private letter. It is possible that the letter was read in court and Luke recorded the gist of the letter for us. It is also possible that since Paul was a Roman citizen, he was given a copy of the letter.

Notice a couple of things from this letter. First, notice the self-serving nature of the letter. Claudius is careful to put himself in the best light. According to Claudius, he rescued Paul because he was a Roman citizen. We know that Claudius didn’t know Paul was a Roman citizen until Paul was about to get tortured! In Claudius we see our human nature illustrated.

Second, notice that this Roman official testifies to Paul’s innocence. He said, “I found that the accusations had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.” Yet, Paul is still imprisoned.

CONCLUSIONS

First, we must never be surprised at the depravity of the human heart. It may stun you that these religious leaders would unite with the terrorists . . . but it shouldn’t. There is a foolish notion that human beings are basically good. That isn’t true. The Bible tells us that human beings are basically self-centered and rebellious. It warns us that the depth of depravity knows no bounds. When we see decadent behavior, reckless disregard for life, ethics, and the truth, and when we observe a stubborn resistance to the things of God, we should not be surprised. God has warned us.

Second, we need to remember that the truth we learn in the times of blessing is the truth we must rely on in the times of difficulty. The apostle Paul was told that he would preach the truth in Rome. When the circumstances changed Paul had a choice: he could be fearful of the circumstances or he could trust what God had told him earlier.

That same choice exists for each of us. God has told us that He would defend us, strengthen us, provide for us and abide with us. He has promised that nothing would separate us from His love. When difficult times come our way we also must choose between giving in to our circumstances or holding fast to His promises.

Remember, Joseph spent years wondering why God had forgotten him. David spent years wondering why God allowed Saul to pursue him. Moses spent years in the desert wondering if he was really going anywhere. What made these men, men of faith, was the fact that they trusted God, even when they did not understand what was going on in their lives.

When God seems most indifferent to our circumstances he is really just waiting for the right timing. I envision God somewhat like a percussionist in an orchestra. There are times when the percussionist may not seem to be doing anything. They may appear disinterested. Don’t be fooled! These musicians know exactly what is going on. When it is time for the cymbals, triangle, or other percussion instrument they will be ready. They are not indifferent; they are waiting for the right time to act. When God seems distant we must wait on His timing.

Third, we must remember that God’s promises and leading are designed to help us accomplish HIS will not ours. It is easy to forget that our will and God’s will are not the same. We forget that what we call “good” and what God calls “good” are not the same. We dwell on the superficial; God pursues the eternal. We long for comfort; God desires to build faithfulness. We look for the easy way; God pursues the best way.

Dr. Boice wrote,

Have you ever found yourself thinking, If the circumstances of my life were different, perhaps then I could have been somebody or could have done something great for God or could have triumphed in the particular difficulty in which I am now? Do not think that way. Circumstances do not limit God. Circumstances are not independent of God. God creates the circumstances. God is the master of circumstances. [Boice, Acts p. 384-385]

I was convicted by these words this week. To be honest, I wonder sometimes why God placed me in LaHarpe. At times I wonder about “what could have been” if my circumstances had been different. Perhaps you have wondered the same thing. What if you lived somewhere else? What if you had married someone else? What if you had chosen a different profession? What if you had taken a different turn along the way? Would you know a greater blessing? Would you have done something greater for God?

The answer is, No. Such thinking is actually sin. When we think this way we show that we do not really believe in God’s providential guidance and rule in our lives. God has placed us where He wants us to be at the present time. This means we must stop trying to imagine what could have been, and begin living faithfully where we are.

You and I have no idea what God is doing and can do through our lives by His providence. We have no clue what we have been spared because of His providence. We will not understand until we get to Heaven and see God’s plan in full. Until then, we are called to trust. We are called to trust His wisdom, His grace, His power, His love, and His ability to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all we could ask or imagine”

I believe it is not accidental that you are here this morning. It is possible God intended to use this hour to lift your spirit or to lift the spirit of another. Maybe God wanted you to hear something that would change the way you have been thinking. It’s possible that you are here today because God wants you to know that Christianity is not about religious words and deeds . . . it is about a transforming relationship with Jesus. Maybe today is the day for you to stop pretending you believe, and finally say, “Lord Jesus, I trust you. I trust you to cleanse me from my sin through your sacrifice on my behalf. I trust you to make me new and to fill me with your Holy Spirit. I trust you with my life and with my future.” Perhaps God has you here today so you might recognize and respond to His love. Whatever His purpose for you being here, don’t let this moment pass you by.

I conclude with these words from William Cowper (Cooper),

God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace;

Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain:

God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain

©Copyright 2004 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, February 8, 2004