Let’s Be Guilty of Godliness
Let’s Be Guilty of Godliness
The Book of Acts - Part 82
Acts 24:1-21 (Read vs. 1-10)
Sermon by Rick Crandall
Grayson Baptist Church - May 10, 2015
BACKGROUND:
*In tonight's Scripture Paul the Apostle has become Paul the prisoner of Rome. It happened within days after Paul returned to Jerusalem to give a large offering to help the impoverished Christians in the city. But Paul was attacked by a murderous mob of Christ-rejecting Jews.
*Acts 21:30-36 gives this background:
30. . . All the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
31. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33. Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34. And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. And when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35. And when he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!''
*From that time on in the Book of Acts, Paul was under both the protection and the custody of Roman soldiers. The situation took a dangerous turn for the worse in Acts 23:12-13. There God's Word says:
12. And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
*Paul's courageous nephew got word to the apostle, and to the Roman Commander, Lysias, who then sent Paul to the safety of Caesarea under the protection of almost 500 Roman soldiers. There the Apostle was kept in custody by the Roman governor, Felix.
*And here in Acts 24, Paul appeared before the governor to answer his Jewish accusers. With this background in mind, let's begin by reading Acts 24:1-10.
INTRODUCTION:
*Author David Fuller asked an old but very good question: "If it were against the law to be a Christian, and you were arrested, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" (1)
*When Paul was on trial before the Roman governor, Felix, the only thing Paul pled guilty to was being a Christian. Paul was guilty of godliness, and that's the way God wants us to be. Paul's trial shows us how with four pieces of evidence that can prove we are Christians.
1. The first piece of evidence is being rejected by people who hate Jesus.
*One day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. But until that day there will be people in the world who hate Jesus, people who hate all that the Lord stands for, people who hate everyone who belongs to the Lord.
*We see an example of these hate-filled people in vs. 1: "Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul."
*Think about the people who hate Jesus today. Just as we see in tonight's Scripture, many of them are religious; many of them have power and prestige; many have great gifts and abilities. They could be super-stars in the entertainment business, and many of them are.
*After buttering-up the governor, the Christ-haters in Acts 24 brought some terrible accusations against Paul. In vs. 5-6, Tertullus said:
5. "For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law."
*In vs. 5, Tertullus called Paul a "plague," or "pestilent fellow." In other words: "Paul, you're a disease! You are causing strife and rebellion all over the world! You are profaning everything holy and good. And all our problems are your fault!"
*What horrible things to say, and much of the world feels the same way about believers today. Jesus told us that it would be this way. In John 15:17-25, the Lord said:
17. "These things I command you, that you love one another.
18. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
22. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23. He who hates Me hates My Father also.
24. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
25. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'
*Being rejected by those who hate Jesus is great evidence to prove we are Christians.
2. The second piece of evidence is living with great hope.
*Without a doubt, the Apostle Paul was living in great hope, and his hope shows up here in several great ways.
[1] First: Paul was cheerful under great stress.
*In vs. 10, he started his defense before the governor by saying, "Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself." Paul was cheerful under great stress.
[2] Next, Paul's hope led him to worship the Lord.
*In vs. 11, Paul told the governor, "You may ascertain, (or understand or find out for sure) that that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship."
*Paul surely went to Jerusalem to deliver financial help for the poverty-stricken Christians in that church. But in vs. 11, Paul tells us that he also went to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. There Paul used the most common New Testament word for worship, the word with the picture of a loving dog, licking his master's hand.
*Paul mentioned worship again in vs. 14. But there he used a different Greek word and said: "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers. . ." This word for worship is all about serving the Lord, worshiping God by doing the things He wants us to do. This word for worship is why we say we are having a "worship service." And our Christian hope helps us worship the Lord through faithful Christian service.
*The great preacher John Wesley was about 21 when he went to Oxford University. In those young years Wesley was a little snobbish and sarcastic, but one night something happened that changed Wesley's heart.
*While speaking with a doorman, Wesley discovered that the poor man only had one coat. And he lived in such poverty that he didn't even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God.
*Wesley inconsiderately began to joke about the man's misfortune. "What else do you thank God for?" he sarcastically asked. The doorman smiled, and joyfully replied, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!" (2)
*Wesley was deeply moved by that man's hope. It was the same kind of hope that Paul had, hope that helped him worship and serve the Lord.
[3] Church: Paul's hope was also rooted in God's Word.
*As Paul said in vs. 14, "This I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets."
*Max Lucado gave a short but great testimony about the Bible, and Max said: "Every day I have the honor of sitting down with a book that contains the words of the One who created me. Every day I have the opportunity to let Him give me a thought or two on how to live.
*If I don't do what He says, He doesn't burn the book or cancel my subscription. If I disagree with what He says, lightning doesn't split my swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my name off the holy list. If I don't understand what He says, He doesn't call me a dummy. In fact, He calls me 'Son,' and on a different page explains what I don't understand. Remarkable." (3)
*Yes! Our God is remarkable! And His Word is remarkable! It gives us hope. Paul had great Christian hope! It was rooted in the Word of God.
[4] And it reached beyond this current world.
*As Paul said in vs. 15, "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust."
*Believers, we have hope in God, real hope like Paul had. And we know that all of our hope comes through the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus took all of the guilt for our sins when He died on the cross for us. And when we trust in the Lord, our Risen Savior, then we have this sure hope that we will live forever in Heaven. Everybody in the world needs the hope that we have today, and everybody can have it.
*Terry Stout told a great story of Christian hope. His story happened in Atlanta, and was reported in 1993. Terry was the business manager for the Psychiatry Department at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
*One fall morning Terry was running a little late, but even though he was late, Terry passed by his regular slot in the parking deck. He decided to drive to the top floor of the parking garage, so he could look at the sky and enjoy the day for a moment or two.
*I am sure that the Lord was leading Terry that day, because when he got out of his car, he saw a woman. She was standing on a narrow beam that jutted out from the roof of the parking deck. There were only 2 inches of steel between her and the pavement 9 floors below.
*Terry quietly set down his bag and walked over to her. He asked her if he could help. She told him she wanted to be with Jesus. She said she was confused and had committed sins and never did anything right. Terry listened to her, and he talked to her about God's forgiveness, and the possibility of enjoying peace and happiness, if she put her faith in God.
*As they talked, a crowd began to gather, and among the newcomers was a psychiatrist, who joined Terry in speaking quietly with the girl. But the doctor's approach was psychiatric, and the girl wanted to talk about God, so Terry did most of the talking.
*He offered her a pin he was wearing. It was a gift from him to her, and it had two words on it: "There's Hope." Terry told her that Jesus would help fix her troubles, and that they would pray together, if she returned to the roof. -- And she did! (4)
*Church: That is the power of hope! And living with this hope in the Lord is great evidence to prove we are Christians.
3. The third piece of evidence is striving for the highest standards.
*As Paul said in vs. 15-16:
15. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
*Paul consistently strived to live by the highest standards. That's why in vs. 17-21, he could say:
17. Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18. in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude nor with tumult.
19. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21. unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.'''
*In short, Paul was saying: "The only thing I am guilty of is being a believer." That is something everybody ought to be able to say. And this is why Paul's letters stressed practical behavior along with doctrinal belief.
*For example, Romans 3:19-26 teaches us that faith in Jesus Christ is our only hope for righteousness before God. There Paul said:
19. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22. even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24. being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25. whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26. to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
*In the first 11 chapters of Romans, God gives us many more key doctrinal beliefs. But starting in Romans 12, He mainly focuses on our practical behavior as Christians, and Paul calls us to the highest standards of living.
*For example, in Romans 12:9-13, Paul said:
9. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11. not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12. rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13. distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
*Time after time, God calls us to the highest standards of behavior. And Paul consistently strived to live by these high standards. Paul wasn't perfect, and he would be the first to admit that. But he constantly strived to live by the highest standards, and God wants us to do the same.
*Pastor Charles Allen can help us with a story about one of his golfing buddies. According to others, this friend was very easily frustrated on the golf course. After bad shots, that man was often very foul-mouthed, but Pastor Allen never heard the man say a cuss word. (People don't cuss around the preacher, not usually anyway.)
*One day Pastor Allen asked his friend about it, and the man simply replied, "When I am with my preacher, I control myself." Pastor Allen thought about that and made this point: "Suppose we realized that we are in God's presence right now and all the time, on the golf course, at home and at work. What a marvelous difference that would make!" (5)
*There's no doubt about it. And it matters, because striving for the highest standards is great evidence to prove we are Christians.
4. The fourth evidence is giving with a generous heart.
*We see Paul's generosity back in vs. 17, where he said, "Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation." We all need a generous heart like Paul's. How hard he had worked to be a blessing to the believers in Jerusalem!
*But Paul had also been on the receiving end of blessings like that. Remember what the Apostle said in the last part of his letter to the Christians at Philippi. From Philippians 4:10-19:
10. . . I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
*God wants all of His people to be generous givers, and He will make sure that we are also receivers. God wants to make all of us a blessing to each other.
*Phillip Keller told about two missionaries who came to visit him for a couple of days. Then the two went off on a fishing trip together. But one of the missionaries couldn't find his hat. He said, "I must have left my hat behind at the Keller's," so they called the house.
*Phillip's wife searched the whole house, but the missionary's hat just wasn't there. Then she called the fishing camp and left this message on the answering machine: "I have searched this house everywhere, and I cannot find the hat. The only thing those two dear men left behind was a great blessing." (6)
CONCLUSION:
*That's the kind of life God wants us to live: Leaving blessings behind wherever we go. And they will be able to tell that we are Christians. The evidence will be overwhelming.
(1) Source: Online sermon "A Special New Year’s Resolution" by Dan Fowler - John 3:1-21 - Fort Bragg Presbyterian - Jan. 9, 2005
(2) Adapted from SermonCentral sermon "Praise Only" by Steve Shepherd - Psalm 103:1-14
(3) Source: SermonCentral sermon "When to Break the Law" by Steve Shepherd - Matthew 12:1-14
(4) From a story by Celestine Sibley, Wednesday, October 13, 1993; Contributed by Billy C. Foster, Jonesboro, GA - Source: Sermons.com sermon: “Advice for Soldiers at the Front” by King Duncan, Ephesians 6:10-20
(5) Charles Allen, THE MIRACLE OF LOVE - Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1972, p. 36 - Source: Morgan, Robert J.: NELSON'S COMPLETE BOOK OF STORIES, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND QUOTES - electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000, S. 376
(6) From Phillip Keller's book, A SHEPHERD LOOKS AT THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM - Source: Sermons.com sermon "Goodness and Mercy" by Eric Ritz - Psalm 23:1-6