Sermon On the Net

 

 

PAUL’S DEFENSE

 

ACTS 25: Festus went up to Jerusalem and met with the Jews who continued to bring false accusations against Paul. They asked him to bring Paul to Jerusalem to be tried because they had conspired to kill him on the way. He told them that Paul was being held in Caesarea and for them to go there .After spending some time with the Jews, Festus went down to Caesarea with some of the Jews. Paul began to make his defense when Festus interrupted him to ask if he would be willing to be tried in Jerusalem, to which Paul said no and explained to him that he had a right to be heard and he appealed to Caesar.

 

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived and Festus told him the story of Paul and how the Jews were accusing him of things related to their religion and something about a dead man who Paul claimed to be alive. The king was intrigued by all this and said he wanted to hear Paul himself.

 

The next day King Agrippa and Bernice entered the hall and Festus addressed them explaining how the Jews were accusing Paul and wanted him tried in Jerusalem. But Festus told them that he had found nothing wrong with what Paul had done, and also that Paul had appealed to Rome. Festus could find nothing to write to Rome about Paul so he was hoping that Agrippa might examine Paul and develop something worth writing to Rome.

 

Again Paul is demonstrating what needs to be done when adversity confronts us and there certainly is plenty to go around. Some Christians might sit back and say let God handle it or some might try to handle it in their own strength, but that is not what God wants. The Bible tells us that God has blessed us which means we already possess that which is necessary to confront any situation. All we have to do is to claim the right to the power that he has given us. In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Paul knew that God was going to put him in Rome; therefore he could have done nothing and left it up to God. However he did do something about it and did leave the results up to God. Paul knew God’s favor was upon him and we should all know that God’s favor is upon us. We are God’s children, therefore we are special in His eyes and he watches over us and wants the best for us. He has told us that throughout the Bible. Let’s claim it. He loves it when we claim what He gave us, when we accept His free gifts and especially the gift of salvation.

 

If you haven’t already given your life to Jesus, ask Him to come into your life. Tell Him you are sorry for your sins and you believe in what He died for on the cross. Look to Jesus directly, you don’t need religion; you need Him and His unchangeable Word.

 

 

Sermon On the Net

PRISON

 

ACTS 24: Five days later we find the high priest, Ananias and his lawyer, called Tertullus, presenting their case against Paul. They were falsely charging Paul with accusations that he was trying to destroy their religion and creating all kinds of disturbances. Paul responded by denying their allegations. However he did admit to following the Way and the God of their followers. He told him that he agreed with everything in the Jewish law and the resurrection of the dead, in particular. He

continued his defense explaining that he had been away from Jerusalem for quite some time and returned to bring gifts to the poor and to present offerings. He stated that there were some Jews who should be present to prove their accusations against him.

 

The governor, Felix was quite familiar with the Way and ordered the proceedings to cease and had the guards take Paul away. Paul was given all the freedom he desired. Several days later Felix, with his wife Drusilla, came and talked to Paul and he began to speak about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come; all of which was making Felix very uncomfortable so he ordered Paul to stop. Felix told him that he would call for him another day, hoping that Paul would give him money. After two years Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus, however he did leave Paul in prison.

 

Paul might have been in a prison, physically, but it is very obvious that he was a free man in Christ. He was willing to suffer and even die for Jesus. I believe beyond the shadow of any doubt that Paul was, indeed, willing to suffer and die for his conviction. Do we have that kind of conviction? Do we have that level of faith? The Lord needs to know where we stand. He needs us to tell Him where we are. An example is found in Matthew 21: 29-34 when Jesus asked the two blind what they wanted. Don’t you think that Jesus knew what they wanted? Of course He did, but He wanted to hear it from them. If you consider further you will realize that Jesus didn’t just heal anyone, not at all, He healed those who had the level of faith necessary. The two blind men were convinced He could restore their sight, they had no doubt. BELIEF WITHOUT DOUBT. If your level of faith is 10%, then that is what you get back, 10% of what you pray for, if anything at all. God loves us and he wants the best for us, nothing less than the best. Another excellent example of this is our salvation. I’m sure you would all agree that spending eternity with God is the very best thing that could happen to us and all we had to do was believe in what Jesus did for us on the cross, 100%. If you have yet to make a decision for Jesus please pray this simple, but yet profound prayer; ‘Lord Jesus I am a sinner and lost, I believe you died for my sins, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior as I confess my sins to you. Amen.’ Remember John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

PRISON

 

ACTS 24: Five days later we find the high priest, Ananias and his lawyer, called Tertullus, presenting their case against Paul. They were falsely charging Paul with accusations that he was trying to destroy their religion and creating all kinds of disturbances. Paul responded by denying their allegations. However he did admit to following the Way and the God of their followers. He told him that he agreed with everything in the Jewish law and the resurrection of the dead, in particular. He

continued his defense explaining that he had been away from Jerusalem for quite some time and returned to bring gifts to the poor and to present offerings. He stated that there were some Jews who should be present to prove their accusations against him.

 

The governor, Felix was quite familiar with the Way and ordered the proceedings to cease and had the guards take Paul away. Paul was given all the freedom he desired. Several days later Felix, with his wife Drusilla, came and talked to Paul and he began to speak about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come; all of which was making Felix very uncomfortable so he ordered Paul to stop. Felix told him that he would call for him another day, hoping that Paul would give him money. After two years Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus, however he did leave Paul in prison.

 

Paul might have been in a prison, physically, but it is very obvious that he was a free man in Christ. He was willing to suffer and even die for Jesus. I believe beyond the shadow of any doubt that Paul was, indeed, willing to suffer and die for his conviction. Do we have that kind of conviction? Do we have that level of faith? The Lord needs to know where we stand. He needs us to tell Him where we are. An example is found in Matthew 21: 29-34 when Jesus asked the two blind what they wanted. Don’t you think that Jesus knew what they wanted? Of course He did, but He wanted to hear it from them. If you consider further you will realize that Jesus didn’t just heal anyone, not at all, He healed those who had the level of faith necessary. The two blind men were convinced He could restore their sight, they had no doubt. BELIEF WITHOUT DOUBT. If your level of faith is 10%, then that is what you get back, 10% of what you pray for, if anything at all. God loves us and he wants the best for us, nothing less than the best. Another excellent example of this is our salvation. I’m sure you would all agree that spending eternity with God is the very best thing that could happen to us and all we had to do was believe in what Jesus did for us on the cross, 100%. If you have yet to make a decision for Jesus please pray this simple, but yet profound prayer; ‘Lord Jesus I am a sinner and lost, I believe you died for my sins, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior as I confess my sins to you. Amen.’ Remember John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish.”

 

May the grace of Jesus and the love of the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.

 

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

 

 

THE CONSPIRACY

 

ACTS 23: Paul got up to speak to all those assembled and tried to explain his position, of fulfilling his obligation to spread the Good News of  Jesus. The high priest instructed someone to strike him, apparently he didn’t agree with him. Paul insulted him and when he found out he was the high priest he apologized, because Paul was aware of the law and respect of the high priest.

 

Paul continued and began to speak about the resurrection because he knew the Pharisees and the Sadducees disagreed on this point and this caused a great uproar. Some of the Pharisees got up and said they found nothing wrong with what Paul was saying. The dispute became so violent that the commander had to have his men retrieve Paul by force from them. The following night, the Lord told Paul not to be concerned because he would be testifying for Him in Rome as he did in Jerusalem.

 

The next day about 40 Jews conspired to kill Paul and made a solemn oath not to eat or drink anything until they did. Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and told him. Paul told him to go the commander and tell him of the plot. He did and when the commander heard the story he ordered his man to assemble 470 soldiers to escort Paul out of the City. He wrote a letter to be delivered to the Governor which explained the circumstances of Paul’s trip to Rome. The commander told the Governor that he could find no fault with Paul other than the fact  that their dispute had something to do with the Jewish law.

 

They delivered the letter and Paul and when the Governor had received them he told Paul he would hear his case upon the arrival of his accusers.

 

Again we see the power of God at work. God had His plans for Paul and nothing would or even could possibly interfere. All who have confessed Jesus as their Savior have the same assurance that the plans He has for us will never be changed or cancelled. We can live in the peace offered through Jesus that we will be with Him, as we are now, for eternity. God bless you all.

 

 

Sermon On the Net

 

 

SAUL…SAUL

 

 

ACTS 21&22: Paul continues his mission and now we find him in Caesarea where he stayed with Philip, the evangelist who had 4 daughters who prophesied. After several days a prophet named Agabus visited Paul and forewarned him of the persecution he would face in Jerusalem. They tried to change his planned visit to Jerusalem but he would have no part in it. He said he was not only ready to be chained, but to die, also, for the work of the lord.

 

When they arrived in Jerusalem they visited James and the elders and informed them of the past events to which they all responded joyously. They knew that thousands of Jews   believed Paul but at the same time certain factions were inciting the people against him. The suggestion was made that Paul take 4 brothers who had taken a vow and have their head shaved which was a sign of living under the law. And so he did.

 

When the seven days of purification were over the crowd seized Paul. Soon the commander of the troops came and put Paul in chains and arrested him. As the soldiers were about to put Paul in the barracks, he persuaded the commander to let him speak to the crowd. Paul was free to do so and he told the crowd in their language what had happened to him on the road to Damascus when the lord spoke directly to Paul and told him what was about to happen to him. When the Lord spoke a very bright light blinded Paul and the Lord directed him to the city where Ananias met him and restored his sight.

He told Paul that God had chosen him to do His work and he prevailed upon Paul to be baptized and wash his sins away which, of course, was merely symbolic of the true forgiveness through Grace. When Paul returned to Jerusalem he was told by the Lord to leave immediately because the people would not accept his testimony and He would send him far away to the Gentiles.

The crowd finally got so angry that the Roman commander was going to have Paul whipped until the commander discovered he was a Roman citizen which stopped him cold in his tracks. The next day the commander brought Paul to the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to try to get to the bottom of the reason why the Jews wanted to kill Paul.

 

We can’t imagine the turmoil created in the formation of the Church. It is indeed a miracle that they were successful. It is so obvious that divine intervention was the hand that dealt the cards, so to speak. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” When we look to Him and place our trust in Him, then, and only then are we victorious in Him. No matter what confronts us, as did Paul, prayerfully turn it over to God who so graciously wants to help. Ask and it will be. It is God’s wish for us to be content and live a fruitful life here on earth until we are with Him.