It Is No Secret

Acts 26:24-28 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

During a Billy Graham evangelistic meeting in Los Angeles, Stuart Hamblen was saved. You may not know the name, but I am sure that you will know the first song that he wrote. He took the Great Commission seriously and went around the country giving his testimony. He wrote a song that goes like this.

It is no secret what God can do

What He’s done for others, He can do for you

With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

Introduction

Many centuries ago, the Apostle Paul was standing before King Agrippa and made a passionate appeal to him and those listening around him.

“For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.”

So how did Paul get into this predicament?

· Paul was preaching in Jerusalem and his preaching caused a rebellion among the people. (Acts 22:1-25) When Paul was about to be "flogged and questioned" Paul told those that flogged him that he was a citizen of Rome. The commander was alarmed when he found he had put a Roman citizen in chains. (Acts 22:29).

· Paul was no longer the prisoner but now under his protection. The commander wasted no time in getting Paul out of his hair. He gave instructions to two of his centurions saying “..Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.” (Acts 23:22-24).

· Let’s see, two hundred soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen all just to protect Paul on his journey that was to begin at 9:00 PM that evening. And for good measure, make Paul as comfortable as possible; don’t make him walk those 70 miles.

· Paul was kept there for two years, during which he had many opportunities to witness to the Roman governor and other visiting royalty (Acts 24:24-27).

· Paul was kept there until a new governor was appointed. His name was Festus and it didn’t take the Jewish leadership long before they began to pressure him to return Paul to Jerusalem. Paul knew their plan was to get him back to Jerusalem where they would find a way to put Paul to death. So he claimed his right as a Roman to have his case brought before Caesar. He told them "I appeal to Caesar. "Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. (Acts 25:12) A citizen who appealed to Caesar was released from the jurisdiction of lower courts, and could take his case to Rome itself, and to the Emperor's court.

· Within days, King Agrippa, a grandson of Herod the Great and ruler of northeast Palestine, came to pay his respects to the Roman governor. Festus brought before him the case of Paul that was left for him by his predecessor. Agrippa wanted to hear Paul and that is the setting of our passage this morning. Agrippa was a practicing Jew which meant he believed the prophets and their prophecies. He knew the Jewish faith.

Paul told them that God doesn’t do anything “in a corner.” All the things that God has done, were not done in secret.

· There is no secret about the Virgin Birth – Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27

· There is no secret about His Virtuous Life – John 2:11

· There is no secret about his Vicarious Death – Romans 5:17

· There is no secret about his Verifiable Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

· There is no secret about His Visible Ascension – Acts 1:11

· There is no secret about His Victorious Return – John 14:2-3