The Defender | Acts 25 & 26 | Pastor Keith

Open your Bibles. As we get into the back straight

of the Book of Acts chapter. 25 is where we are.

Paul is in. Caesarea 2 occasions.

I've tried to kill him, particularly the Jews that

arrived from Turkey. And they've now gone.

Back to Turkey, Paul under Roman escort.

Cavalry armies. Calvary cavalry soldiers.

And and Spearman, and he's in Caesarea, he's in prison there.

He's already had a. Powwow with.

Felix, Who's the governor? Felix, remember?

Was the first slave. And only.

Slave ever to. End up being a governor through.

Israel. Through the Roman Empire and we

come now to meet another chap called.

Festus Verse. 1 chapter 25 and now when Festus had come to the.

Province after three days. He went up from.

Caesarea to Jerusalem. You'll always read, you always

come. Down from Jerusalem and you

always go up to Jerusalem when you're in Israel.

When you're driving Jerusalem, you're going up to Jerusalem.

When you leave Jerusalem, you're always going.

Down Jerusalem, the Bible always says so as well.

Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed

him. Now this guy.

Felix a sorry Festus is going to take over.

From Felix, he's going to assume his position and they inform

him. Now listen to this.

It's been 2 years now that Paul has been.

In prison in Caesarea. Two whole years have.

Passed since. He was rescued.

From the mob. Taken up to.

The Antonio. Fortress there by the.

Roman Commander and then. Sent on to Caesarea 2.

Years since. 40 men had vowed to not eat or drink and kill Paul.

Two years have passed, yet we still.

Find they want. To kill him.

Hatred is is raging still against Paul.

And so they approached the the. New.

Governor. Festus and said they asked the.

Favour against him. Notice that he would summon him

to Jerusalem. Can you bring?

Paul back to Jerusalem. And you know, we need to talk,

we need to have a. Power out with him again.

He's already been there, gone through it.

While they lay. In ambush along the road to kill

Paul. That's the only reason they

wanted him. Get Paul to come back and on the

journey we'll kill him. Professus answered that.

Paul should be kept at Caesarea. That he himself was going to go.

There shortly. Back to Caesarea.

He's in Jerusalem at this time, therefore he said that.

Those who have authority among you, go down with me and accuse

this man to see if there's any. Fault in him.

You know. Each and every one of us have a

plan. We all know that God has a plan

for each and every one of us and.

Paul. Would never have planned that

this is going to be his life remember he grew up as a young

boy away from Israel and then at the age of 13 he had bar mitzvah

become a man and he from that age he went down to Jerusalem

and he there he started on the gamma leal 1 of.

The greatest of all? Rabbis at that time.

And then he was. Remember the?

Pharisee of the Pharisees of the Tribe of.

Benjamin of the law, he left nothing undone.

Here he is in. Caesarea in prison.

On charge False charges. And he's defending.

Jesus Christ, this would. Never have been his plan.

When you and I. Look at.

Where we are in Christ. And we look back where we are

today in Christ would never have been our original plan.

I remember when I was and I won't go.

Back. That's too much.

Rubbish to talk about that what I had hoped for, but anyway.

So God's. Will will be done.

Because back in Acts chapter. Nine turn back with me for a.

Quick moment. Acts Chapter. 9.

Verse 15 and 16 when Paul had met the Lord, and Anaias was

then sent by. The Lord to Paul and he told

Paul. Paul.

This. Is now your life verse 15 the

Lord said him go for he is a chosen vessel speaking to.

Ananias of mine, he will bear my name.

Before Gentiles Kings. And the children of.

Israel. For I will show him how many

things he must. Suffer for my sake.

Because Saul. Was going to become.

Paul, what has God? Changed you What is?

Your plan so. Often we make plans.

And you know only. When we come to.

Christ, do we find out our. Plans aren't his plans.

And so. Here.

It's two years. The.

Religious leaders are still. Angry.

They still want to kill Paul. And it says verse 6.

And when he had remained among them more than 10 days, this is.

Festus now Festus also. Is a secular leader.

He's a SEC. He's not interested in religions

at all. He's a secular thinker.

He in AD 60 became the governor, and he's going to be.

Dead in two years time. He doesn't know this two years.

He's going to be dead. Isn't it interesting how?

God. Is going to give this man the

opportunity to know. About Jesus Christ as.

God did with Felix. So he died in.

AD 62. So when the Jews who had come

down from. Jerusalem stood about.

And laid many serious complaints against.

Paul, which they could not prove.

Like that? While he answered for himself.

Neither against the. Law of the Jews.

They couldn't prove anything. Because he hadn't breached the

law at all. Nor against the temple.

Paul hadn't broken the laws of the temple.

Nor against Caesar. He hadn't breached.

The The Common Laws of the Day of Rome.

Have I? Offended in anything at all but

Festus wanting. To do the Jews a favour, this is

the. This is the.

Politician coming out in. Just like.

Felix Nero was. The one who appointed Festus to

this position? Cesar.

Nero and he's wanting to make sure now that I'm.

Here. Let's let's just let's.

Just do you know, do the right. Thing by everybody you know.

And so he's. Going to placate.

The Jews in his treatment of Paul not kill him, but he's not

going to set him free either. And so, Paul said, professors

wanting to do. The Jews a favour.

Answered Paul and said, are you willing?

To go to Jerusalem. Paul to go back, Paul said.

I ain't going back. There again.

This is This is. Not happening.

There be judged before me concerning these things.

No, been there, done that. Not going to, not going to do

that. Paul is speaking.

Up for himself. Christians, we can speak up for

ourselves. We we know.

Where, where where we can say things and we need to say things

and not just be. Pushed aside all the.

Time so, Paul said. Here's what I what I what I tell

you I. Stand at Caesar's judgement.

Seat where I ought. To be judged to the.

Jews, I've done no. Wrong as you.

Very well know. Festus, you know I'm innocent

because. Everything that's come up,

there's been no. And he did.

This and we have proved no evidence.

He's had two trials now. One with Felix.

Sorry with Festus Felix. And now Felix is.

Updated Festus as well. They know.

This guy's done nothing wrong. And so he says to the Jews, I

have done no wrong, as you very well know, for if I am an

offender or have. Committed anything deserving of.

Death Capital. Punishment I do not.

Object. To dying in other.

Words. People say no.

One in the Bible doesn't. Support capital punishment.

Actually, it's never been taken away.

Paul is saying here. If I've breached the.

Law of the Land. And deserve the death sentence.

Let it be on me, he says. I'm not.

Afraid to die if that's happened.

I do not object object to dying. So.

Paul. While he's in Caesarea before.

All these heavy. Lifters and heavy hitters from

Rome, plus the. The same old mob.

From Jerusalem coming up and lying about him is death

doesn't. Frighten me, that's not.

And that's. The thing for?

You and I. The thing that Jesus did so

wonderfully for us. Is he took?

Away from every believer. The.

Fear of death. I pray that you have that that.

Death now no longer has. This hold over you.

I do not object to dying. But if there is.

Nothing in these things of which these.

Men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them.

I as a Roman. Citizen, which was his.

Right, I appeal. To Caesar, Caesar.

Nero Paul is not. Afraid to die?

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council,

answered. You've appealed to Caesar.

OK, to Caesar. You.

Shall go. Paul says this.

Court. The Court, Jerusalem.

Not good enough. I.

Want and I demand the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court in

all of. Rome.

Was to. Stand before Caesar and so.

Here is Paul. Using his nails but also.

Isn't. This what the Lord.

Had promised. Paul back a few passages.

Back where was it? Acts.

I wrote it down here. Backs in acts. 23, Chapter 23,

verse 11. Paul for AS.

You have testified. Me for me in.

Jerusalem. So you must also bear witness at

where. Rome.

Paul's going to Rome. And you know who's paying?

The Romans, he's going to get an escort there.

So, Paul? In his mind is going, you know.

Just as the Lord. Said to me the other day, I'm on

my way to Rome. I'm going to give my testimony.

Before Cesar Nero, the. Craziest, wildest, angriest

leader. Of the world is known to this

time I'm going to tell him about Jesus Christ.

Isn't that what? God said he would do He would.

Testify before governors and. Kings.

And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice, every time you see

Agrippa, you'll see Bernice with him.

It's the duet. Came to Caesarea to greet

Festus. When are they had been there

many days? Festus late Paul's case before

the king, saying there's a certain guy I.

Left me a prisoner. By Felix, about whom the chief

priests and the elders of the Jews informed me.

When I was in Jerusalem asking for judgement against him, I

just want to kill him to them, I answered.

It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver.

Any man to destruction. Death before the accused meets

the accusers face to face and has.

Opportunity to answer for himself.

Concerning the charge. Against him.

Therefore, when they had come together without any delay, the

next. Day I sat on the judgement seat.

And commanded the man to be brought in when the.

Accuser stood up. They brought no accusation

against him of such things as I suppose they had no.

Evidence he's telling Agrippa, but had some questions.

About him, About their own religion.

That's what Felix is not interested.

In and about a, here it is. Is the heart of the matter a

certain Jesus? Why?

Who had died? And Paul affirmed.

To be alive. You see the message?

That Paul has gotten. Through to everyone in Rome, the

governors. Jesus died, but he rose.

Again, that's the sign. That Jesus said one sign.

Now. This fellow Agrippa, he is the.

Last of the Herods. Herod he knew.

All about. Jesus Christ in his.

Family and his bloodline, It was his.

Father, his dad, who had had. James.

Killed. And had.

Peter arrested and Peter. Broke out of the gaol, remember?

His grandfather killed. John the Baptist back.

And his great grandfather? Killed all the Jewish babies at

the birth of Jesus. When the wise men came.

The magic and so. A gripper, He's pretty savvy on

all this stuff. Now beneath it's interesting.

Beneath is actually Herod's. Sister.

His blood sister. That's his missus.

She went on later. When he dies to.

Hook up with. Caesar Vespasian.

And later Vespasian's son Titus. So she went from.

Father to son. And it was Titus.

Who in AD? 70 Who would lay siege to

Jerusalem? This is that beneath.

And so we have some questions. About him, About his own

religion, About assert. Jesus who had died, whom Paul

affirmed. To be alive.

So Jesus is the issue. There's no crime here.

And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether

he was. Willing to go to.

Jerusalem. And there be judged concerning

these matters, but when? Paul appealed.

To be reserved for the decision of Augustus.

I commanded him to be kept till I could.

Send him to Caesar. Nero then.

Agrippa said to Festus. Hey, I'd like to listen to this

guy. I know a bit about this Jesus

stuff, this rabbi. I'd like to hear from.

Paul myself tomorrow. He said you shall hear him.

So Paul is brought out of gaol again.

And what's? He going to do?

Let's read so the next day when Agrippa and Bernice.

Two of them together. It says had.

Come with great pomp. That is that word where we get

our word fantasy or Fantasia. In other words, and when we.

Go to Caesarea. Remember we, we.

We. Sit and we usually.

Have in that great. Amphitheatre.

There we sit and we we take a Bible.

Study there. This is where Paul would have

been brought. Out.

Facing all the governors, all the.

Roman generals and all. That sort of stuff.

Plus King Agrippa. Beneath, and it says they arrive

with great pomp. In other words, they've got

their crowns, their gowns, their their jewellery like.

The thing that. They just had the gala thing

they just had in Hollywood or wherever it.

Was they turned up and they're all done out and.

All their the best. And standing in front.

Of them is a guy best we know. He's about. 5 foot 2 he's bow.

Legged. He's bawling.

He's got a large. Hook nose and he can't see very

well because he's had trouble with his eyes.

And his name? Is Paul.

And he's standing there before them in chains.

Quite a distinct difference between the two parties.

Paul was brought in and fester. Said King Agrippa.

And all the men who are here present with us, you see this

man about. Whom the whole?

Assembly of the Jews. Petitioned me both at.

Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any

longer. Kill Paul.

Kill Paul. That's what the Jews he knew.

That's all that all the Jews. Wanted to do.

Kill him. But when I.

Found he had committed nothing deserving of death.

So why didn't you refer him? Notice that?

Because he's playing the politician.

But also. There's someone larger in

control here, isn't there? The Lord.

Is going to use this situation because he wants.

Paul to go to Rome. That he himself had appealed.

To Augustus, I decided. To send him.

I have nothing certain to write to my Lord concerning.

Him, in other words. I.

Can't send a prisoner. To season Nero.

And go, well, what's he done? Nothing.

Why are you sending? They're going.

To he's going to make him look like an idiot.

To do this so. This is what he's saying.

I've nothing certain to write to my Lord concerning Him,

therefore I've brought him out before you, and especially

before. You agrippa.

Because you know your family. And he is going to be the last

of the Herods after this. There's no more Herods.

After this fella so. After the examination has taken

place, I may have. Something to write.

For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to.

Specify the charges against him. Why can't they?

Specify the charges. He's innocent.

But why is he going to Rome? Because God said.

He's going to go to Rome. He's going to get it wrong

verse. Chapter 26.

So, Paul, here's where you. And I come into it in our.

Workplace when we face. Difficult.

Situations when things arise and something comes up.

About your faith the. Door is opened by God for you to

give your. Testimony.

Paul's going. To turn a trial into a

testimony, he's going to. Turn it into a church service.

A witnessing group. Has said to Paul, you're

permitted to speak for yourself. So Paul stretched out his hand

and answered for. Himself, Paul is ready.

Here's the problem today. When we ask.

People who attend. Church so much.

So why do you go to church? What is it about?

Jesus, that you know what makes you go and be.

Why do you believe in Christianity?

They have great band. They have a great programme for

the kids. They play golf on Sundays,

Sunday afternoons. Between church services.

They've got a great basketball team, they've got a great coffee

shop. No, no, no, no.

I'm talking about what? What is it you see?

You and I. Cannot go Oh.

I know we. Started the Bible.

But I don't know anything about the Bible.

That's a. That's an X.

Can't do that. We have.

To be ready in season. And out of season we are to be

able to give an answer. Because the very.

Person who's asking? You why do?

You go to church. Why do you?

Believe and act what? The way you do.

Why is this something perhaps in your workplace that is not sit

right with you? You say, well, I'm a person of

faith. Let me tell you, I once was

lost. I was a person.

Who'd lived for myself. I'm a I'm a Christian now, I

found. Christ.

I've changed the way that I think.

The way that I behave, it's now all.

Led by my Lord Jesus Christ, I. Believe in the Bible.

I believe that the Bible is God's word.

I believe salvation. I believe that there's judgement

facing everyone. And that not everyone's going to

go. To heaven.

I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross.

And he rose from the dead on the third day.

And then he's coming back, that he's alive.

And I believe that the Holy Spirit.

Lives in me now. And that I've.

Changed I'm a different. Person.

You see, you change. The situation.

You. Use that time.

But you. And I the.

Bible tells us. We are to be.

Ready to give an answer? Ready to give an answer?

How you got saved? How did you get saved?

Have you told your? Testimony to anybody.

Well, I just grew up in church. That's not a testimony.

You're going to have. A mouse mouse family run around

here and they grew up in church. So Paul says.

I think myself. Happy.

He's the guy, he's the prisoner, King Agrippa.

Because today. I shall answer for myself before

you concerning. All the things which I'm

accused. By the Jews especially, because.

And who's he homing? In on now King.

Agrippa. You know all about.

This. Your dad, your granddad, you.

You're an expert. In all the.

Customs questions which have. To do with the.

Jews you know all about. This.

All of a sudden. King of Griffiths got a little

bit uncomfortable, don't you think?

Therefore I beg you to hear. Me patiently now.

Paul is not. He's opening the door.

And he's. Wise.

As a serpent, but gentle as a dove.

My manner. Of life from.

Youth was spent from the beginning among my own nation at

Jerusalem, someone could have said.

What's this got to do with the? Trial now.

Paul's given his. Testimony.

He's taking control. God's running the show.

All the Jews know. They knew me from.

The first if they were willing to testify that, according to

the. Strictest sect of our.

Religion I lived a Pharisee and now I.

Stand and am judged. Why?

Why am I here? Paul's going to tell you.

This is the issue. King Agrippa.

For the hope. Of the religion of the promise.

Sorry for the hope of the promise made by God to our

fathers. Which promises.

That back in Deuteronomy chapter. 18 verse 15, Moses

said. There shall be a.

Prophet raised up. And you shall.

Hear him not like. Me.

Speaking of the coming. Of the Messiah to this promise,

our 12 tribes earnestly serving God.

Day and night. Hope to attain.

The whole of the Jewish. Nation, their whole hope.

Is based on. The Messiah to come.

For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused.

By the Jews. Why should it be thought?

Incredible by you that God raises the dead.

You know. About this stuff, King Agrippa.

You know the things that have happened in Israel.

Indeed I. Myself thought I must.

Do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, but

I. Was not originally like that.

This I also. Did in Jerusalem and many.

Of the Saints I. Shut up in prison, having

received authority from the chief priests, and when they

were. Put to death.

I cast my vote. Against them.

Stephen's death. And I punished them often in

every synagogue, compelled them to blasphemy, tortured.

Them. And being exceedingly enraged.

Against them I persecuted them even to.

Foreign cities I was on. My way to Damascus.

Paul is the impossible. Case Paul is.

Someone who said. A guy, Paul Saul getting saved.

Being come a Christian. No chance.

You and I, we look at members of our family.

Relatives, people, we talk. To our neighbours and we go.

No chance. Paul says ha ha.

I'm the chief. Of sinners.

If I can get saved. Anybody can, Paul.

Is the example Exhibit A of? It's not impossible for.

Anyone to come to Christ. No one is impossible.

Exhibit A While. Thus occupied as a.

Journey to Damascus with authority and Commission from

the chief priest at midday. At noon, O King.

On the hot. Road along the road.

I saw a light. Bazzled.

From heaven, brighter than the sun shining around me and.

Those who journeyed. With me when we had all.

Fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking.

To me and saying in the Hebrew language.

So. So why are you persecuting me?

It is. Hard for.

You to kick? Against the goads.

So I said. Who are you?

Lord and he said I am. Jesus, whom you're persecuting.

But rise. Stand on your feet.

For I have appeared to you for. This purpose.

To make you a minister and a witness both of the.

Things which you have. Seen.

And of the things? Which I will yet.

Reveal to you. I will deliver you from the.

Jewish people as well. As from the Gentiles.

To whom? I now send you.

To. Open.

Their eyes in order to turn them notice.

When someone's not. Saved to.

Turn them from darkness. They're living in the dark.

You and I, we're living in the dark.

To light and from the. Powers of Satan.

We were under the. Power of Satan Ephesians chapter

Ephesians 2 · chapter mention

2 says we were children of the devil.

Did you know that? He pulled the.

Strings and we we, we danced and we did exactly what what he

wanted. To, but we've been.

Taken out Christ broke that power over us now.

We're set free The book of. Galatians goes into that in

great. Detail and from the.

Power of Satan to God. That they may.

Receive what? The forgiveness of sins, that's

what's happened to us. And an inheritance we're.

Going to go to. Heaven among whom?

Those who are sanctified. That is set apart.

By faith in me. Therefore, King Agrippa.

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared.

1st to those in. Damascus and in Jerusalem, and

throughout all the region. Of Judea, and then to the

Gentiles. What what?

What should they do? Notice the message hasn't

changed today. The only way you get saved is

repent that. Means you need to know that you

need. To be saved.

That you're. Wrong that you're guilty and

then you. Call on God, God help me, save

me. And that's repentance.

That they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting

repentance. In other words, now that you've

repented. If you are a Christian, then

your life. Should be different if you're.

Living the same. You've been baptised, you come

to church, you carry a Bible, but you're.

Still the same person, living the same, thinking the same,

speaking the same. Then there's.

Hypocrisy there because there's. Got to be a change.

Saul became Paul. You and I are the same.

For these reasons, the Jews seized me in the Temple and

tried to. Kill me therefore, having

obtained help from. God, to this day I stand

witnessing both to small and great.

Saying no other things. Than those which the.

Prophets and Moses said. Would come that the.

Christ would suffer. That's what the Old Testament

said. The Lamb, John the.

Baptist Behold the Lamb of God, who's come to take the sins of

the world, that he. Would be the first to rise from

the dead. That he would not see death in

the in the sense of morbidity on himself.

He saw death, yes. But there would be no decay in

his body. Because he'll be raised.

From the dead. In a new.

Body. That the Christ would suffer.

That he would. Be the first to rise from the

dead, would proclaim light. To the Jewish people and to the

Gentiles. Now, as he had.

Thus made this defence, Festus said with.

A loud voice. And Festus interjects Paul.

You. You're crazy.

You're a nut case. Isn't that what happens when we

testify? You're mad?

What? Are you talking about much

learning has driven you mad? Religion has.

Made you go crazy. But he said I'm not mad.

Most noble Felix, but speak the words of truth and reason.

For the king before. Whom I speak freely knows these

things, for I'm convinced. That none of these.

Things escapes his attention. Since this thing was not done in

a corner, King Agrippa, do you believe in the prophets or?

Oh man, he's home. And you know King Agrippa, I

know that. You do believe?

He's pressed and Agrippa said to Paul.

Whoa. You almost persuade me to become

a Christian. Here's the choice.

A gripper could have. But now I've got man, I've got a

career I could penise. She's she's, she needs looking

after. She, she costs a lot of money.

I got to keep this job, Paul said.

I. Would to God that not only you,

but also those who hear me today.

Might become almost an altogether such as I am.

Except for these chains all standing there, he's the only

one that's actually. Free, he's not bound by sin.

When he had said these things, the king stood up.

As well as the. Governor and beneath and.

Those who sat. With them and when they.

Had gone aside. They talked among themselves

saying, you know what? This man is doing nothing

deserving of death or change. He's innocent.

He is. He's done nothing wrong.

And Agrippa. Said to Festus.

You know what? This man might have been set

free if he had not. Appealed to Caesar.

Why did he? Appeal to Caesar.

I'm going to run. God says I need to go to Rome.

I'm going to run. Paul.

Would go to Rome. He would arrive in Rome.

He'd be in. Prison for two years.

Under house arrest, people come and visit him.

But but still changed all day. Through a shift of.

Roman guards. Then he would be.

Released for a period. Under season Nero and then he

would have be arrested again this time.

Placed in. Prison and executed.

But Paul would be able to say this time when he was in Rome.

I've run my race. I've.

I've given my testimony to everyone that God sent.

Me to. That's what you and I are doing,

Jesus said. I command you, go into all the

world. Preach the gospel.

It's not a suggestion. You have people.

In your family. In your workplace.

And need to hear your testimony and to know.

Here's what's true Jesus. Died.

The tomb's empty. You know he died.

You know he lived. You know he died.

He rose again. The third day, just as he said.

And here's the other thing. We're living in tumultuous

times. Jesus said he's coming back.

These things are true. You need to think about how you

live. I used.

To be like you. I found Christ.

It's changed my life. Father I thank.

You for your word. And now as.

We pray. I pray now for your holy.

Spirit to lead us and to. Guide us.

Help us to be like Paul. Paul.

In chains prisoned 2. Years yet, he says happily.

I'll speak. I'm happy.

Why? Because he was in your will.

Help us to. Be in your will tonight.

In all that we do, Father, in Jesus name, we.

Pray Amen. Amen.

Just to know you my sweet his friend, my friend.