Religion and a Dead Man
Innocent Yet Guilty as Charged
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 25:18-19 NLT - But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.
OBSERVATION:
In Acts 25, Paul was both innocent and guilty.
He was innocent of the false accusations made against him. There was no evidence; only hearsay, rumors, and slander were used against him. However, he was guilty as charged, not because of what the Jews accused him of, but because of what Festus said about him.
“…It was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.”
He did not deny these accusations because they were not accusations but the truth.
Festus saw this whole spectacle about “religion” and “a man named Jesus.” Paul, however, saw it as about “relationship” with the “savior, named Jesus.” Although it might have seemed that Paul was on trial for defiling the temple, it was more about Jesus. Paul will have the opportunity to speak about this “religion” and “a man named Jesus” with many high officials and the Emperor Caesar Nero.
In his early years, Caesar Nero was influenced by good men around him and was regarded as a wise and just ruler. However, at some point, he began to oppose Christians and ordered their deaths in Rome.
Did God ordain the meeting between Paul and Nero? Yes! You could say that God sent Paul to preach the gospel to Nero once more. Unfortunately, Nero did not accept it; instead, he hardened his heart.
During this time, Paul preached the gospel to Felix, Drusilla, Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice. Also, don’t forget the Roman commander, the crowds, and the religious leaders. Still, Paul’s message never changed.
If Festus said it was about a man named Jesus who was dead and is alive, Paul preached the cross, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. Even though Festus had not heard of these things, Paul still preached the Gospel to him.
Acts 25:18-19 NLT - But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.
OBSERVATION:
In Acts 25, Paul was both innocent and guilty.
He was innocent of the false accusations made against him. There was no evidence; only hearsay, rumors, and slander were used against him. However, he was guilty as charged, not because of what the Jews accused him of, but because of what Festus said about him.
“…It was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.”
He did not deny these accusations because they were not accusations but the truth.
Festus saw this whole spectacle about “religion” and “a man named Jesus.” Paul, however, saw it as about “relationship” with the “savior, named Jesus.” Although it might have seemed that Paul was on trial for defiling the temple, it was more about Jesus. Paul will have the opportunity to speak about this “religion” and “a man named Jesus” with many high officials and the Emperor Caesar Nero.
In his early years, Caesar Nero was influenced by good men around him and was regarded as a wise and just ruler. However, at some point, he began to oppose Christians and ordered their deaths in Rome.
Did God ordain the meeting between Paul and Nero? Yes! You could say that God sent Paul to preach the gospel to Nero once more. Unfortunately, Nero did not accept it; instead, he hardened his heart.
During this time, Paul preached the gospel to Felix, Drusilla, Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice. Also, don’t forget the Roman commander, the crowds, and the religious leaders. Still, Paul’s message never changed.
If Festus said it was about a man named Jesus who was dead and is alive, Paul preached the cross, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. Even though Festus had not heard of these things, Paul still preached the Gospel to him.
The words “a certain Jesus” show that Festus didn’t know much about Jesus. It is good to remember that the great and important people of Paul’s day didn’t know much about Jesus, and they had to be told. – David Guzik.
Brethren, this is why we must keep on preaching Jesus Christ, because he is still so little known. The masses of this city are as ignorant of Jesus as Festus was. – Charles Spurgeon.
Brethren, this is why we must keep on preaching Jesus Christ, because he is still so little known. The masses of this city are as ignorant of Jesus as Festus was. – Charles Spurgeon.
APPLICATION:
Are we like Paul—innocent yet guilty?
Positionally in Christ, the answer is yes. We are declared innocent by the blood of Christ, which cleanses us, yet at the same time, we are guilty of sin.
Practically, if we stood before others and were accused of “religion” and of “a certain man named Jesus, whom you insist lives,” would we be found guilty?
Who is God placing in your path today? Men and women of great power and influence? Friends, family, and co-workers? They all need to hear the same message Paul delivered. He was not regarded as a powerful speaker or a charismatic figure. He had a simple yet impactful message – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT - When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
Let's consider Paul's example and apply it to our own lives. Many today have neither heard, like Festus, nor understood, like Agrippa, and may need another chance, like Nero.
Are we like Paul—innocent yet guilty?
Positionally in Christ, the answer is yes. We are declared innocent by the blood of Christ, which cleanses us, yet at the same time, we are guilty of sin.
Practically, if we stood before others and were accused of “religion” and of “a certain man named Jesus, whom you insist lives,” would we be found guilty?
Who is God placing in your path today? Men and women of great power and influence? Friends, family, and co-workers? They all need to hear the same message Paul delivered. He was not regarded as a powerful speaker or a charismatic figure. He had a simple yet impactful message – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT - When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
Let's consider Paul's example and apply it to our own lives. Many today have neither heard, like Festus, nor understood, like Agrippa, and may need another chance, like Nero.
Get them in sight of Calvary. Pause there… hushed and reverent; enable them to look, to see it, make it real to them, not just on an old tale (religion) that has lost its stab, but a tremendous awful fact. – A.J. Gossip.
PRAYER:
Jesus, give me the boldness and love you have for those I speak with. May my message never change. Like Paul, may I always preach Jesus—crucified, buried, and raised three days later. May people know me as the one who always talks about this man, Jesus.
Jesus, give me the boldness and love you have for those I speak with. May my message never change. Like Paul, may I always preach Jesus—crucified, buried, and raised three days later. May people know me as the one who always talks about this man, Jesus.
I determined to know nothing among you, but Jesus and Him crucified!
Posted in 06 - Acts
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