Cowardice & Conflict

Investigative

Acts 25:1–12 (ESV)

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

Acts 25:1–12

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

There has been a changing of the guard so to speak with Festus taking over for the failed leadership of Felix.

This would’ve happened because Felix was unable to stop the Jewish unrest/revolt and Rome didn’t like disturbances.

Festus comes in and gets right to work on Paul’s case. First he went to Jerusalem to interview the Sanhedrin/Jews about their grievance regarding Paul.

They attempted to butter him up, as they were usually pretty good at manipulating Roman leadership e.g. Pontius Pilate, and get him to grant them a favor in transporting Paul to Jerusalem

They, like before, wanted to assassinate Paul.

Festus, whether aware of the plot or not, disagrees and travels to Caesarea to have the trial and tells them that they’ll need to travel there.

Once arriving at Caesarea, Festus begins the trial.

The Jews offered the same arguments but no evidence. This would’ve been the third trial that Paul was presented before and was accused.

The literal depiction is of the Jews surrounding Paul as they are accusing him. This is an in your face encounter.

How would you feel, after over two years of unjust confinement, coming face to face with your accusers again?

Paul argued his case once again and asked for the evidence. Although they accused him of severe things (especially violating Caesar) they couldn’t prove anything.

Festus, seeing that he was in a dilemma of having found no reason to condemn Paul but also couldn’t release him because of the potential unrest, offers a compromise of traveling to Jerusalem to be heard.

He believed that this compromise would win the favor of the Jews.

Maybe there have been times when you have been in a situation where a difficult decision had to be made and you tried to take a middle ground although knowing what was right? Or maybe you’ve suffered at the hands of someone who had authority but didn’t stand up for what was right.

Story of Afghanistan, American soldiers and Pineapple Express mission.

So here we have another example of cowardice depicted by the Roman authority. In an effort to maintain his political position, he would corrupt justice!

This corruption of justice could very well endanger the life of Paul, an innocent man.

Paul, responds in a challenging way to Festus

He argues this IS Caesar’s tribunal so why would he need to go to Jerusalem.

He also accuses Festus of being dishonest because he knows that Paul is innocent.

Paul uncovers the true intent of Festus’ heart, that he would hand an innocent man over to the Jews simply to curry favor but to do so would be unjust!

Paul apparently has had enough at this moment and confronts Festus primarily in a very challenging way, questioning his very integrity.

Paul appeals to Caesar, which is a way of escalating his case out of Festus’ hands and into Caesars…this was a right of every Roman citizen.

Not to be slept on is the promise of Jesus back in Acts 23:11 “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Festus confers with his counsel and agrees to Paul’s appeal of going to Rome thus fulfilling Jesus’ statement.

TR: I’ll pause there and ask us to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve said and the truths of this passage, in a few moments I’d like for you all ot verbally respond to two questions. 1) Where is this passage challenging you or presenting some conflict? 2) Where is this passage bringing some clarity or encouragement for you?

Expressive

As we move into a time of response and explore what the Spirit of God is doing among us, I’d like to outline some ground rules.

Please don’t share more than a minute so other people can have a time to respond. You can also text in a question or statement in the GroupMe.

Please remember we are different humans with different opinions and it’s okay to hear something you don’t agree with. This is a time to be nourished by listening to what the Spirit of God is doing amongst each other.

TR: SIT DOWN ON STOOL

I want to ask the kids a couple questions and to whoever can give me an answer I’ll toss them some candy as a reward.

Raise your hand if you can tell me what a bully is like?

So in this passage Paul is dealing with bullies that are trying to scare him so that he won’t talk about Jesus anymore but that’s not all...

Raise your hand if you have ever had someone be unfair to you or you’ve seen someone being unfair?

Paul is also dealing with a big powerful person that is being unfair to him and keeping him in jail for something he didn’t do.

What should you do about someone when they are being unfair?

Paul, because he trusted in Jesus, spoke up for what was right even though it probably was scary. Which is what the Lord wants you to do too.

Collective

TR: STAND UP

I’d like to take a minute to collect our clarities and our conflicts

What are some themes you see on the board?

What are our feelings? What is intriguing?

What might God’s Spirit be saying?

Declarative

Children of God will face the cowardice of aggressors

Here the Jews are extremely aggressive but what they’re really doing is masking their cowardice.

They are afraid to face the reality that they may be guilty of the very thing Paul claims that they are and that is sin!

Aggressiveness is a ploy many times to mask fear.

We as believers though have nothing to fear. You have been cleansed before the Lord.

The beauty of rebirth is that although you are not perfect, to the Father you are righteous because you’re found in Jesus.

There may come character attacks, belittlement, manipulation, accusations of false motives which you’re duped into defending yourself from. They’re all tricks to get the focus off of them and their issues.

Stand firm in the reality that yes you’ve sinned but you’ve confessed and been forgiven!

Don’t give weight to their accusations but face their aggression with confidence in the Word!

Children of God will face the cowardice of authorities

You will also face the cowardice of those that should protect you and serve you.

This may be from loved ones, spouses, bosses, politicans, or civil authorities.

Their role doesn’t excuse their behaviors…matter of fact it makes them even more reprehensible.

Stop with the passive culture that believes you should keep your peace with matters of injustice. This false idea that a Christian is supposed to be palatable.

Biblical Christianity isn’t palatable. It isn’t unnecessarily offensive but it does offend. Speak the truth in love but don’t waver in it.

Theme: Confronting Cowardice is a Call of the Christian

This doesn’t mean you violently oppose those who are wrong but it does mean that you are not called to go quietly into the night!

Paul confronted Felix with biblical precepts of righteousness, self-control, and judgment and he fled. He then confronted Festus with his direliction of duty and cowardice in the face of the Jews and he back pedaled.

If there is any example here it’s that while we are ambassadors of peace, we can’t mistake peace for passivity. Stand firm believer on the truth of God’s Word.

And in doing so Jesus will chart your course to whatever end He sees fit but the greatest blessing of all is not that you’ll be free from suffering but that Jesus will be with you!

If that is an insufficient consolation, then consider that you may in fact be serving a different god altogether.

COMMUNION & MEDITATIVE PRAYER