Acts 26:1-8

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”
So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!
4 “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 6 Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7 In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! 8 Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?

How would you like to be accused of being hopeful? Paul has a way of putting things in perspective and lets King Agrippa know that he is truly being persecuted for being hopeful that God has sent His Messiah in Jesus. But that is only part of the reason they want him dead. They want him dead because he is teaching that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. I think his question is brilliant and I recommend you use it when someone questions the resurrection. “Why does is seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?” If there is a God He would have to be capable of such a feat or He would not be God! If you do not believe there is a God then there is no point talking about the reality of the resurrection for it means nothing to the person who does not believe. Either way, Paul does not deserve the treatment he is getting since it centers around hope for mankind. And who deserves to die for being hopeful? That is what we offer the world, HOPE! Hope in Jesus Christ!

Acts 25:23-27

23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
26 “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. 27 For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”

Paul has gotten to share the gospel with the leaders of the Jewish faith, two Governors and now a King and his high profile wife. None of these are likely converts! His sharing would not likely win any of them to Christ. Yet, time and time again God has given him the opportunity to share and he does not back down. There is a lesson in these opportunities. Do you relish each and every opportunity you have to share your faith with others, even others you think may not respond positively? You never know what God is doing in another person when you share and you never know when the seed you planted will be watered. Relish each and every time you have to give away your faith, whether it is to kings or janitors. God bless your week!

You’ve been issued an Invitation!

Matthew 22:1-14

3-30-08

Acts 25:13-22

3 A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice,* to pay their respects to Festus. 14 During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. 16 I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.
17 “When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. 18 But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. 19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. 20 I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. 21 But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.”
22 “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said.
And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”

It all comes down to this as far as Christians are concerned. We believe that Jesus who was crucified, is risen from the dead and is alive. Festus admitted to Agrippa that Paul’s defense is confusing to him because it is all about a man named Jesus who Paul insists had died but is now alive! It is hard for the world to put their arms around such a belief. Even though we just celebrated Easter, there are many who do not understand the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For those of us who follow Him it is of first importance as Paul would later say to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:2ff). It is what our belief all comes down to. Paul tells us if there was no resurrection then we who follow Jesus are the most to be pitied in life of all men. We have nothing to stand on and no truth to share if it did not happen. That is why we find out in this text that it was at the heart of Paul’s message to those he was defending himself before in the roman court. Remember that when you are sharing your testimony or your faith with others. The resurrection is at the center of what we believe! It is not about Jesus goodness, His miracles or His teaching ministry! It is that he died for our sins but now lives because He rose from that place of Death as our Lord and God! HE IS RISEN!

Acts 25:1-12

1 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). 4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. 5 So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”
6 About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove.
8 Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.
9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”
10 But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. 11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!”
12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

You think your over that hump and it looks like things are settling down and then, WAM, out of nowhere you get hit with another round of flak! Does that sound familiar. Paul had been in prison for more than two years and was in position to be released. Had he paid the bribe Felix wanted him to pay he would be out of jail. But now a new Governor comes to power and wants to please the Jews so Paul gets bounced around again and Festus tries to trick him into going to Jerusalem to stand trial so he can be ambushed and killed. Notice Paul does not question God or throw in the towel. He keeps his head and does what any Roman citizen would do if he was going to be mistreated. He appeals to the highest authority in the roman system, Ceasar, and gets an expenses paid trip to Rome. What do you do when things get worse when you are hoping they will get better? Do you keep you head and your faith in tacked and do you appeal to the real Lord in your life? It can always get worse, but Paul says in his letters to the Corinthians, “we are never abandoned……We are beaten but never crushed” and much more. When you are hoping for a break and things get worse, do what Paul did. Appeal to the highest authority of the land. We can’t go to Ceasar, but we can go to Jesus Christ our Lord! Keep the faith baby!

Acts 24:17-27

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council* found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”
22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer* to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Paul had not done anything wrong and yet he continued to be held for over 2 years under guard. He had some freedoms but he still was under house arrest. It would have been easy for him to buy off Felix and that was what Felix was looking for from Paul; an opportunity to make a few dollars. But Paul would not compromise the truth for the sake of his own comfort or release. He continued to preach the truth to Felix and probably any of his guards that would listen. But he never thought to buy his way out of jail! It makes me think about how easy it is for some Christians to compromise who we are in Christ for the sake of a comfortable work place or to avoid conflict with others in life. Don’t compromise the truth for comfort’s sake. Live the truth and bare the responsibility for who you are in Christ. Paul stayed in prison for the truth! Be willing to live with what may come for the sake of the truth. It’s what God has called us to do!

Acts 24:1-16

1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer* Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:
“Your Excellency, you have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this we are very grateful to you. 4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. 5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.* 8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.
10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

Paul did not back away from his personal faith in Jesus. He readily admits it and ties it together with the Old Testament so all the Jews who were there trying to have him condemned knew he did not oppose the word of God. He then makes it very clear to the Governor and those present that He did everything he could to keep a clear conscience before God and all people. He did not give them any reason to condemn him by his actions! I thought it would be good to ponder that in this devotional. Don’t give anybody any reason to condemn you based on your actions towards others. Conduct yourself in such a manner as Paul, never backing away from your personal faith in Jesus and always seeking to treat people to such a degree that even though they disagree with you, they cannot condemn you for treating them poorly or doing something ungodly. Have a great day!

Happy Easter!!

Multiple Versus.

3-23-08

Acts 23:23-35

23 Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. 24 Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 Then he wrote this letter to the governor:
26 “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!
27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28 Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 29 I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”
31 So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32 They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
35 “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.*

When God has a plan for you life He will orchestrate the details. That is what he did with Paul’s life. In this case he protected his life, gave him a strong armed guard to get him to Caesarea and instead of having just anybody hear his case, he got the governor himself to oversee it! You might be inclined to say he was a lucky man. That’s what most of say when things go our way, but it isn’t luck. It is the hand of God unfolding His plan in our lives. It isn’t always as dramatic as Paul’s life, but none-the-less, He is working on our behalf when we live in submission to His will. As you begin this new week after Easter look for the hand of God in your daily experiences. Trust him to unfold what he is doing! Look for Him in the details you may be inclined to overlook. Paul would later write to the Philippians, “it is God who is at work in you both to will and work for His good pleasure.” Have a great week in the Lord!

Matthew 27:45-54

45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,* lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”*
47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”*
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
54 The Roman officer* and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

Today we reflect on the life of our King. The one who went the way of pain and suffering for us. The one who took our place among thieves and robbers. The one who painfully endured the mockery of those who sneered and shouted obsceneties and those who abandoned Him and betrayed His trust. He climbed that hill determined for our sake to die so that we might live. He hung in darkness, felt God turn away in pain and took on the weight of all our sin before yielding His spirit in a proclamation of victory; “It is finished!” There is nothing we can add to what He did, nothing we can take away from what was accomplished. So, with gratitude and humility thank Jesus for doing what you could not and would not accomplish on your own. Happy Easter Celebrations!