Acts 24:10-27 | Part 48
Acts 48 Outline
Psalms 37:1-4 “Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants. Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
A pacifist is a physically non-combative person. They are, however, verbally clear about what they believe. They fight with their words.
A coward is a physically non-combative person. They also refuse to speak up and tell the truth. They fight nothing, they bow down to power greater than themselves for their own personal safety.
A Christian may or may not be physically combative. God makes us all different. Christians must be, however, verbally clear about the God they serve and the truth they know that God makes clear in His word. That is non-negotiable.
Acts 24:10-27
When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. 11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
Paul has been in Caesaria for 5 days
Paul almost being killed in the temple was 12 days ago
Paul is given an opportunity to give a defense
Paul does not LIE and FLATTER, he just shows respect and speaks the truth
12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. 13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.
Paul defends himself. Paul defends truth
Paul is not afraid to stand up for the unpopular opinion
Paul clearly and undeniably aligns himself with JESUS
15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.
Paul’s hope is in God almighty, not in people or ideas
He explains why he was in Jerusalem
He describes, based on facts, the event of violence
19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”
The high priest, Ananias, and Tertullas the lawyer had come up, but not the Jews who had condemned Paul
Paul shows wisdom and a knowledge of court preceedings
22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.
Felix is a horrible leader
Felix, passes the buck and decides to wait on the commanders arrival, Lysias, who did the same thing
As you will see, neither want to take responsibility
They are not pacifists, but they are cowards when it comes to truth
Paul is put under house arrest
24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.
Felix has interest
He also has motive not based on truth but greed
25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. 27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.
Paul is under house arrest for TWO YEARS
God’s plan for you is not subject to what you decide is timely
Based on what we know about Paul from all of Acts we know he was kept busy speaking UP speaking OUT and telling the TRUTH
This is our calling. TELL THE TRUTH.
Three Facts about Truth:
1.) Blind faith can cause exploitation, No faith can cause paranoia. Facts matter
We want to be right in the middle. We have faith based on facts, and we ask questions.
Real Truth is not promulgated by emotion or desire. Real truth stands on its own. A “truth” that is pushed because of personal feelings or desires is called propaganda. It is a lie.
I believe in this ideology. No matter what. You will be exploited
I don’t believe at all because I decide what is right and wrong.Paranoia will destroy you.
Proper response: I want to know the truth. It will allow me to operate in reality, not personal delusion
John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Believe in Jesus. Belief means to trust. The facts are there of his life, his resurrection, and his offer of salvation to all who believe
Continue in His Logos. His word. Faithful study of holy scriptures bring facts and knowledge into your life. This calls for action!
This truth from God’s word sets you free (FACT), not enslaves you (LIE)
2.) When in search of truth, saying I don’t know is ok. Truth reveals itself
Transgender rights. Truth reveals itself
Transgender, a created being lifting their fist to God and saying, “You made a mistake!” And the church’s response? We need to respect their opinion.
Covid. Truth revealed itself
Covid. The government flat-out lied to us, and this is not political this is just fact; both sides of the line LIED to us, and big pharma made billions. The church’s response? We need to obey the government.
This was propaganda. It was alive in the early church, circumcision saves you, the law saves you, legalism….and it is alive today
Take this shot, and you are safe. Trust this candidate, and you are safe. Don’t disagree with certain lifestyles, and you will not be criticized.
There are times, church, when civil disobedience is not only BIBLICAL but demanded.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
As Christians, we must STAND on the truth and declare it! In today's economy, most of the church is more than willing to let non-Christians decide the narrative.
3.) Your emotion or how you FEEL does not decide the truth. Truth based in fact is the only reality.
Some lies from history:
Amazon wants us to shop more. Their marketing and service are brilliant
Has anyone ever gotten carried away before?? Just me?
We can all agree that shopping does not satisfy. Shopping is for meeting needs, not increasing the lust of the eyes. It never satisfies.
Leaving the ladder in the box at the trash can