Acts 24: Trust that God is working through you.

 

Scripture: Acts 24:25 Paul spent some time talking about faith, living according to the ways of Jesus' teachings, and even about the judgment that was coming.

 

Title: Trust that God is working through you.

 

The person leading the charge against Paul was Ananias, the chief priest at the Sanhedrin that Paul had an interchange with during his recent "trial" in Jerusalem. I am thinking that their interchange meant they had been friends or maybe even rivals in their younger years. They might have both studied under Gamaliel or they might have been competing for the same status at the time that Saul gained the approval of the Sanhedrin to bring the followers of Jesus back from Damascus. It just appears to me there was some history between the two.

 

Ananias brings a contingent to see if they can't get Paul convicted. He was the one who accepted the plot of the 40 men who planned to kill Paul on the way to the second "hearing."

 

 24:1 Ananias arrived in Caesarea a few days later and brought with him some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They presented to the governor the charges they had against Paul. 2 With Paul present, Tertullus said to Felix: "We greatly appreciate the peaceful way you have ruled our region and how you have wisely brought reforms to us. 3 "We can't thank you enough for what you have done, O most excellent Felix. 4 "I would like for you to hear our brief concerns.

 

5 "We have found Paul to be a difficult person to our nation in the way he starts riots within the Jewish communities all over the world. He is one of the major teachers within the sect we call The Way, which started with the Nazarene, Jesus. 6 "Just recently, he tried to desecrate the temple and that is why we seized him [it was our intent to put him on trial according to our own laws. 7 "However, Claudius Lysias harshly took him from us and ordered us to bring our charges before you.] 8 "If you will kindly examine him, you should be able to find out the truth about all of these charges we have against him." 9 The Jews in the room all agreed that these statements were true.

 

Their case is based upon their dislike of Paul and the sect called The Way. They did not state any reason why they thought he desecrated the temple; they just make that claim. Then they turn their case over to Felix to make a ruling. From the Roman legal practice at the time, it is important for the accused to have a chance to defend himself. 

 

10 Felix encouraged Paul to tell his side of the story. Paul began, "You have been a great judge in this region for many years and I am happy that I can defend myself in front of you. 11 "It is a known fact that I went up to Jerusalem just twelve days ago so that I could worship in the temple. 12 "I went peacefully and did not argue with anyone or stir up a crowd during my visit to the city. 13 "These accusers cannot prove anything they are now claiming about me. 14 "It is true that I worship our God in the group they call The Way, and they believe that The Way is not a valid form of Judaism. However, what I do believe is in keeping with their Law and according to the words of the Prophets. 15 "I have the same hope that these men have, that after this life there will be a resurrection of all mankind, whether righteous or wicked. 16 "I always seek to have a clear conscience before God and my fellowman. 17 "I came to Jerusalem for the first time in several years so that I might bring gifts for the poor and make offerings to my God. 18 "When these people found me in the temple courts, I was engaged in these activities. There was no crowd around me, and I had not created any disturbance. 19 "I know there were some Jews from Asia who stirred things up and they should be here because they are the ones who made the accusations first and created the mob scene that Lysias had to break up. 20 "Otherwise, the people accusing me today should state the crime they saw me commit within the court of the Sanhedrin when I was on trial there. 21 "The only thing I can think of that they saw or heard, was me shouting, "I am on trial today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead."

 

Paul's defense is simple. "I have done everything God asks of me according to the Scriptures. My conscience is clear. What they have claimed is not true and they cannot substantiate any criminal charges against me. I do believe and teach faith according to the ways of Jesus, the Christ, the Nazarene, whom they repudiate. But that is not a crime. When I was before the Sanhedrin, I did claim my belief in the resurrection of the dead."

 

Paul is putting his fate in a human judge who knows the ways of the Jews and has been known to be fair. But more than that he puts his trust in God, who is greater than any human judge. Paul is willing to accept the consequences. Remember that on the way to Jerusalem he told his friends, "I will not mind being bound if that is the will of the Lord. I do not even mind dying in Jerusalem for the name of my Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:12 EBV)

 

Paul's approach seems to always be that God knows best and makes the best happen in life. I would not say he does not plan things out and set some paths in his life, but he is always willing to let what happens be "in the hands of God." And in this case, God appears to say the trial was over and He puts that thought into the mind of the governor.

 

22 That was enough for Felix. He was very much aware of the teachings of The Way. He said, "I will decide this case after I have had a conversation with commander Lysias." 23 He gave orders to his soldiers to guard Paul but allow his friends to meet with him and take care of any needs he might have.

 

24 Shortly after this trial, Felix and Drusilla, his Jewish wife, called for Paul to tell them more about his faith in Jesus, the Christ. 25 Paul spent some time talking about faith, living according to the ways of Jesus' teachings, and even about the judgment that was coming. Felix started to get afraid and stopped Paul saying, "I will call for you again." 26 Some think he was hoping that Paul would offer him money to set him free. He sent for Paul often over the next year or so, listening to him talk of the good news.

 

Some might think that the glory days of Paul are over because he is no longer traveling from town to town, preaching the good news, witnessing miracles at every turn. However, two things might need to be stated here. First, Paul describes his travels as tedious and filled with difficulties and opposition, not spiritual rosiness as some people want to portray it. Second, others might also say that some of Paul's lasting ministry is just beginning based upon the opportunities he has to witness in prison and the writings that he produces that have lasted for centuries.

 

When we look at the circumstances of our lives and think that God is not with us, we are often seeing life from our perspective rather than from God's. Even when "bad" things come my way, somehow, the "bad" I see is most often God's "good" in the long run, but I cannot see that to be true until I look back in hindsight.

 

My concern should not be on the "bad" deal that life has thrown at me, but instead on the faithfulness of God in my past and the confidence I have that even in this moment, whatever betide, He is watching over me and will guide me through to the other side.

 

I trust that God has everything under control. I try not to focus on whether or not my actions or words accomplish something wonderful. That is in the hands of God. My task in this life is to be faithful to what I understand is God's daily plan for me. In the long run, if something good comes from my life, it is because Jesus has chosen to work through me. Rather than trying to accomplish, I am called to live by faith and let God do His work through me, in His time.

 

27 Porcius Festus succeeded Felix about two years later. Festus left Paul in prison because he wanted to make the Jews happy with him.

 

The end of it all, Paul still in prison, there is a new governor, and new opportunities. At the same time, Jesus is still Lord and in control of our circumstances. Make the most of all that He desires to do through you.

 

I bless you in the name of Jesus with peace and faith.

 

Edd Breeden