March 1, 2020
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

I. Rock and a Hard Place

Acts 25:1-12
Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” 6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Duty = determination to meet external expectations
Drive = determination to meet internal goals

Integrity is a filter to properly align duty and drive.

II. Report Reveals “I” Trouble

Acts 25:13-22
13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

People may not clearly see Jesus, because they can only see themselves.

III. Respect to Wait Patiently

Acts 25:23-27
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Hebrews 10:36
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

God will open doors for you every day.

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord,and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary;his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.

Next Steps

• I confess that I need to make Jesus the King of my life.
• I confess that I have compromised my integrity and commit to submit to God’s authority.
• I choose to walk through doors that God reveals to make His name known.

Deep Dive

1. Acts 25:19 reveals that Festus simply viewed Christianity as a superstitious feeling. How can our faithful expression of hope to our friends and family reveal that the Gospel has life-changing power and is not just superstition?
2. God uses circumstances out of Paul’s control to reveal an open door to share the Gospel to the King and his court. Share some examples of how God has opened doors for you to advance His name and mission?
3. Read Isaiah 40:27-31. How does a deeper understanding of the character of God impact our endurance and faith?

Springboard

In Acts 26:20, Paul reminds us that a relationship with Jesus produces actions that are consistent with a heart of repentance. Read Luke 2:8 as a family and discuss the following:

1. How does a fruit tree tell us it is healthy? (Guide them to understand that a healthy tree will produce fruit that is consistent with the type of tree it is).
2. How does this relate to our relationship with Jesus? (Help them recognize that their actions should be consistent with their heart).
3. Paul in Acts 26:20 uses an important verb that describes “practice” or “exercise.” This suggests an intentional effort to make choices that are Christ-like. How can we as a family encourage each other to exercise our faith to grow?