Acts 25
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Acts 25
Paul is still in custody. We see him appear before Festus. We see him appeal to Caesar. A little while later King Agrippa and Bernice arrive and are very interested in what is taking place. They decided to see for themselves and bring Paul before them.
Paul must have had a tinge of fear in him. “What is going to happen to me?”... “Will God protect me again?” “What happens if I am found guilty?”... among other questions—they had to have been swirling around his mind. He must have been FIGHTING to trust in God’s plan, to lay down anxiousness at Jesus’ feet like he says in Philippians 4.
We may never be in Paul’s exact circumstance (or we may be) but here is what I do know - we often feel on trial by others. We feel misunderstood. When we stand for Jesus we feel like an outcast. When we stand for the Truth of God’s Word over cultural ideology we are put down.
What can we learn from the way Paul handled himself in Acts 25?
1) Don’t rush to defend yourself… Do what is right and trust God with the consequences (v.1-12)
Paul did not put up an elaborate defense of why he was innocent. He was honest that he was innocent but did not go on and on. If you read specifically verses 10-12 that he, if he was guilty, would accept the consequences. He did not run. He stood confident because he trusted in the plan of God.
There is a lot to learn from Paul. We can be confident in our stand for Jesus because it is Him we answer to.
2) Be clear with what you are standing for (v.19)
When King Agrippa and Bernice came there was no wondering about what Paul was standing for… they knew. He was standing for Jesus. He was not standing AGAINST their government. He was not standing AGAINST their leadership. He was standing FOR Jesus with clarity.
You are known just as much as what you are for as what you are against. When you take a stand for Jesus, do it with clarity.
3) When you stand well it leads to open doors to share Jesus (v. 26:12-32)
We are going to get to read about this tomorrow but when we stand well for Jesus it leads to open doors to share our story and share Jesus - at least it did for Paul.
What do I mean when I say stand well?
You will be shocked about how many doors standing like that opens. Even though people will disagree with you there is something about someone who stands for something like that.
The days are coming when we will have to stand well for the truth of Jesus. May we be prepared.
How can you stand well for Jesus today in your job, school, dorm, friend group? Any other observations?
By: Nick Parsons
Read: Acts 25
Paul is still in custody. We see him appear before Festus. We see him appeal to Caesar. A little while later King Agrippa and Bernice arrive and are very interested in what is taking place. They decided to see for themselves and bring Paul before them.
Paul must have had a tinge of fear in him. “What is going to happen to me?”... “Will God protect me again?” “What happens if I am found guilty?”... among other questions—they had to have been swirling around his mind. He must have been FIGHTING to trust in God’s plan, to lay down anxiousness at Jesus’ feet like he says in Philippians 4.
We may never be in Paul’s exact circumstance (or we may be) but here is what I do know - we often feel on trial by others. We feel misunderstood. When we stand for Jesus we feel like an outcast. When we stand for the Truth of God’s Word over cultural ideology we are put down.
What can we learn from the way Paul handled himself in Acts 25?
1) Don’t rush to defend yourself… Do what is right and trust God with the consequences (v.1-12)
Paul did not put up an elaborate defense of why he was innocent. He was honest that he was innocent but did not go on and on. If you read specifically verses 10-12 that he, if he was guilty, would accept the consequences. He did not run. He stood confident because he trusted in the plan of God.
There is a lot to learn from Paul. We can be confident in our stand for Jesus because it is Him we answer to.
2) Be clear with what you are standing for (v.19)
When King Agrippa and Bernice came there was no wondering about what Paul was standing for… they knew. He was standing for Jesus. He was not standing AGAINST their government. He was not standing AGAINST their leadership. He was standing FOR Jesus with clarity.
You are known just as much as what you are for as what you are against. When you take a stand for Jesus, do it with clarity.
3) When you stand well it leads to open doors to share Jesus (v. 26:12-32)
We are going to get to read about this tomorrow but when we stand well for Jesus it leads to open doors to share our story and share Jesus - at least it did for Paul.
What do I mean when I say stand well?
- Stand with confidence.
- Stand with clarity.
- Stand with respect.
- Stand with honor.
- Stand with boldness.
- Stand with gentleness.
- Stand with kindness.
- Stand with love.
You will be shocked about how many doors standing like that opens. Even though people will disagree with you there is something about someone who stands for something like that.
The days are coming when we will have to stand well for the truth of Jesus. May we be prepared.
How can you stand well for Jesus today in your job, school, dorm, friend group? Any other observations?
By: Nick Parsons
4 Comments
The circumstances Paul found himself in, God's will for sure. The years he was in prison, protected in a sense from would-be murderers, was he writing letters to the churches during that time or was that another imprisonment? Timeline in the Bible gets me confused sometimes.
'When you take a stand for Jesus, do it with clarity."
Good word today Nick. Clarity is the key word the American church is struggling with in our culture. There is a church located in the center of a small Kentucky town where I travel on business and they have a giant rainbow LGBTQ flag, a BLM banner, and another banner saying, "All are Welcome, No Exceptions! The clear implication is that other churches are out of touch with the times and NOT inclusive. It's sad that ALL churches bearing the name of Christ are not clear on the biblical definition of gender, marriage, and equality in Christ regardless of race or national origin. In other words, why can't Christians acknowledge II Timothy 3:16, that ALL scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness? The problem with CLARITY is that many churches have abandoned the absolute truth of scripture and accepted the "wisdom" of man. Once that happens and the foundation is gone, then chaos follows. Christians need to be knowledgeable about God's word and boldly, with grace, proclaim in to a confused & lost world. Sadly, many of those lost people are regular church attenders who are asleep in the light. I'm glad CPC stands firmly on the word of God and teaches sound biblical doctrine from our preschoolers department all the way through to our adult Connect Groups! God's Word is reliable and will never lead us astray.
Good message today, Nick!
Standing well for Jesus. Love that. It may cost something upfront, but the payoff is always awesome!
Wow! Loved this today, Nick!!!!