The Trials of Paul

Acts: The Gospel in the City PART XXVI
Rev. Leo Schuster
02 June 2013

Acts 23:11
11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

Acts 24:10-26
10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.  11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.  12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up the crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.  13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.  14However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.  I believe everything in accordance with the Law that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.  18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this.  There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.  19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.  20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin--21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concering the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"

22Then Felix who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings.  "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."  23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish.  He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.  25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now!  You may leave.  When I find it convenient, I will send for you."  26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

How Paul dealt with his trials and how we can as well.

HAND OF GOD
--Always at work.
--Paul is told by God that he has to go to Rome.
--Paul escapes death often.
--Trials weren't abandonment by God, but Him at work.
--God's plan unfolds.
--Ephesisans 1:11 (written by Paul)
--God is at work in the details of our lives.
--Romans 8 - Working for those who love him; Fix our eyes on the unseen.

HELP OF GOSPEL
--"I am the Way".
--All prophets spoke about the Way being an embodiment of Jesus.
--Paul interprets his trials through the lens of Jesus.
--Gospel encourages us to be humble servants of society.
--Jesus so loved the world that he gave himself to the world.
--Personal trials--Life isn't always about finding comfort--its often about enduring.
--Jesus is the way to endure--not other distractions.
--Believing in Jesus means having nothing yet possessing everything.

HOPE OF GLORY
--Suffering
--Perserverance
--Character
--Hope