“Slowly,
steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.” Habakkuk 2:2
“Real faith
grows between the deadline and the deliverance.” – James Watkins
Read: Acts 25
S.O.A.P.
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
S:
“ … they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own
religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive …” Acts 25:19
O:
We are nearing the end of the book of Acts and I hope you have enjoyed
reading through the life and ministry of Paul with me. Yesterday we left Paul in prison after two
years of being there and ministering to Felix.
Now Festus arrives.
In history we know that Porcius Festus
was procurator of Judea from about AD 59 to 62, succeeding Antonius Felix. Festus inherited all of the problems of his
predecessor in regard to the Roman practice of creating civic privileges for Jews. The Apostle
Paul had his final hearing before Festus. In Acts 25:12, Festus sought
to induce Paul to go to Jerusalem for trial; Paul appealed to the Emperor. The appeal resulted in Paul being sent to
Rome for judgment by the Emperor himself although Festus had difficulty in detailing
charges against him (Acts 25-26). (The above was excerpted from Wikipedia.)
Festus hears the case and asks Paul to go to Jerusalem, but
Paul knows he will not receive a fair trial there so he appeals to Caesar, but
before Festus can send him to Rome he has to have charges to write up to send
Paul with (vs. 27). So King Agrippa
arrives and Festus shares this problem with Agrippa and Agrippa asks to hear
the case as well. So today we leave Paul
standing in front of King Agrippa in the auditorium …
“Here was a noble assembly brought together to hear the
truths of the gospel, though they only meant to gratify their curiosity by
attending to the defense of a prisoner. Many, even now, attend at the places of
hearing the word of God with "great pomp," and too often with no
better motive than curiosity. And though ministers do not now stand as
prisoners to make a defense for their lives, yet numbers affect to sit in
judgment upon them, desirous to make them offenders for a word, rather than to
learn from them the truth and will of God, for the salvation of their souls.” –
Matthew Henry
A:
To keep learning the truth and the will of God and to be patient and
wait on Him even when the road seems long and seems to be going no where.
P:
Dear Jesus, Thank You for examples like Paul who stood up for what he
believed in even if that meant staying in prison or appealing to a higher
court. You gave Paul confidence and
wisdom and You LORD were Paul’s defense attorney. There was no other person standing with or
defending Paul, but we know You were and are in charge of all things and Your
justice will be done. Thank You LORD for
wisdom and truth! Thank You for being present
to walk beside us and even when we are tired and weary of the journey You Lord
continue to travel beside us and You lead and guide us. Thank You!
In Jesus Name, Amen & Amen.
Matthew
Henry points out the God can make even our enemies do us right!
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