Acts 23:23 - 24:9 | Part 47
Acts 47
Sickness, death, physical issues, relational pain, How do you respond in these situations?
Different people do different things. Some just ignore it. Some deny it. Some obsess over it. Is there a better way?
Today, I will give you two. The Nehemiah Protocol and the Micah Protocol. Both awesome, but very powerful.
The Nehemiah Protocol:
Pray
Process the information
Plan
Proceed with action
Acts 23:23-24:9
He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought safely to Felix the governor.”
Paul was going to be assassinated
Roman Commander orders 470 armed men to accompany him for safety. Why?
Paul was born by blood Roman citizen, and the Commander had mistreated him. Bound him, and almost whipped him
Romans were serious about their law and due process
Pain. Suffering. Physical pain. Emotional pain.
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
If we are God’s children, we are heirs and co-heirs with Christ
One requirement: We must suffer for Him
25 He wrote the following letter: 26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen.
The Commander leaves out his mistakes
Some things never change
28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.
Passing the buck
Real leaders deal with problems
Cowards push the problems on others
Problems
Problems with health. Problematic relationships.
31 So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. 32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him.
Antipatris was halfway (30 miles)
Map:
Calvary (70) went the rest of the way
Foot soldiers and spearman returned (400)
33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 After he read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also get here.” He ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace. Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.
Process
How do you prepare for pain and problems?
They are always on the way
The Micah Protocol:
Micah 6:8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Act justly
Love faithfulness
Walk with humility