How to Stand for Jesus & Find Him Standing with You!
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What do you stand for? Bob Dylan sang, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. This passage alla bout what you stand for, and based on what you stand for what you can expect to happen before God and man. But ht eproblem is that the ain character here is have trouble standing? Can you relate to him? Probably not directly, Paul had just been beaten within an inch of his life by Jewish mob who thought he was descrating the temple, then he was apprehended by Roman authroities who came rushing out of that Anatonian Fortreess - and they streched him out for flagelluem - get a confession of what really was his deal. But Paul revealed to the centurion who had to tell it to the Chiliarch - I was born a Roman citizen - treated as equal, removes bonds at some point - more protective custody, but what’s this Romand offcial goign to do with Pual. Keeps himin the slammer - but only hold him if he has a charge, Morning comes and he summons the Jewish council, to meet him down stairs - he hiself non Jews present their beside Paul - and the question f the hour is what do you stand for Paul, how will you stand?
Key Truth: Those who testify to the facts of Jesus in their lives can be filed with courage as Jesus Himself stands with them!
Sense the tension of this moment, probably early morning torch lit lower chamber of this fortress, barracks upstairs, just spent lonely uncertain night. But now who is Paul before, from 20 years ealerier - Pharisees SAducees , priets who had hired him to perseecute Jews - And they had just heard th day before of His radical covnersion - what turns a man imprisoning and even standing by as Christain’s are killed into missionary - They had heard the rumoours - accusations - that he was no longer a jew, told people to apostasize the faith, that he defies the temple. But they know how much He loves the Torah, how careefully he lifted up those promises - what will this man says!
And its in imformal gathering, no presiding highpriest front in centre with ceremonianl robes, no Sanhediren speaking firs or givg charges. Most of the Saducees not even seated, buut standing. And contrary to official proceedings, Paul addresses them no Brothers and Fathers, NOt Hig Pirest, no fofical titles, but Brothers! And now here the first part of Paul’s testiony and ask yourself whtehr you could say the same.
And its in imformal gathering, no presiding highpriest front in centre with ceremonianl robes, no Sanhediren speaking firs or givg charges. Most of the Saducees not even seated, buut standing. And contrary to official proceedings, Paul addresses them no Brothers and Fathers, NOt Hig Pirest, no fofical titles, but Brothers! And now here the first part of Paul’s testiony and ask yourself whtehr you could say the same.
A. Testify to Jesus with a life of Integrity
Paul begins not by claiming perfection, (he will even admit that he sins and isn't perfect in the next few moments. To be godly is not to have sinless life in this world. To be godly , to have your life back up your testimony to Jesus , is for Paul about two things.
Paul begins not by claiming perfection, (he will even admit that he sins and iisn’t perfect in the next few moments. To be godly is not to have sinless life in this world. To be godly , to have your life back up your testiony to Jesus , is for Paul about two things.
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
For many religious people in Isreal they had been taught that integrity was keeping the 627 laws, and even more the oral tradition. Jesus had taught them taht they keep the traditions of man but neglect the law of God. Keep the little technicalities but leave weightier matters undone. Paul uses this word “lived my life” - it is the same word for conduct, way of life. It is actually a political word - for the way of life a people belonging to a ceratin king and kingdom. I conduct my self as a citizen.
Paul would have been expected to say - Look a keep the rules just lik you as his defense. But the life that backs up his witness is basedo n rule keeping- My citizienship is a way of life - living before the living GOd - CORAM DEO The only other time Paul uses this word is when he says: in
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Philippi was a Roman colony that prided itself with way of life of Rome, privileges of citizen responsibility leading Roan city. Paul is saying that the big deal of my life - as follower of Jesus - you know I walk in His ways - don’t trust my own righteouness but found new way of life that upohlds the Law and teh Temple.
“Your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks, louder than your talk talks!”
Like Martin luther later did, he is standing before people, boldly saying, witha sound conscience I’m innocent of all these false rumours, and I really walk with integrity.
And when you understand that this One who claims to have herad and seen the Risen Lord Jesus is floolwoing God’s ways - not violtaig them, the High Priest blows a gasket! Follower of Jesus must be a fanatic who distorts all truth and imorral rebel rouser.
By way of application, what does your life speak to this world - conscientious live before God according to his will - something attractive to most people, but upsetting to those who are only concerned about following traditions! The NT speaks of those who have an evil conscience - it accuses them and they deaden it, and it distorts God’s moral compass - and they need their heart cleansed. Understand let you consicence be your guide dangerous instruction, Until your conscience is cleansed.... we are just living in dead acts and can’t really serve God out of love and in His acceptance:
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The NT also speaks of those who have a weak conscience - live in fear and not the bold approach - But in Christ turning to him - clear and conscience, and testimony of our words are back up with this testimony of our lives!
We are to have a life-record, a conduct, - in our dealing with outsiders, with how we treat each other, with how we walk with God - that enables us to stand.
But look what happens when Paul’s testimony confronts someone who conduct can’t stand, here too we learn something about standing for Jesus!
B. Testify with Bold Confrontation and Humble Respect
Aninias orders those standing beside Paul to strike him on the mouth.
And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
And you can just see those fellow Sadducees hesitating, looking at the chiliarch and then back at the high priest. The chiliarch already in hot water for having bound a Roman ciitizen who is his equal, do you think he’d let him be beaten while under his protection, without a trial. He just wants to find out what the offense is and whetehr their is grounds for an aresst and trial. No one strikes. But now Paul is almost blowing a gasket!
He swiftly turns to the one who had issued the command, whether realizing him to be the high priest or not, he forgets that because he has not a charge but a dreadful and prphetic warning to give in such circumstances! And it is one the whole counsel would know well - it is from the Lord:
I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. So I will spend my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it,
was used at this time as a kind of curse and warning. There God said to servatns that God set up oin Israel who twisted his message and proimsed a false peace tot he people - you are tottering stone wall that is only held together by whitewash - Paul is aiming not so much at the person of the high pirest but the whoel system he represetned - and in his testimony to Jesus he dares to confront the problem. He asys look at your manner of life what a hypocrisitcal constrast:
b
Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
You claim to have the right way of living from God’s law - that you are judges of others on this, yet this very law , and hear Paul quotes directly from Exodus 22 says that you can’t strike or punish your fellow man before gviing him a trial. You are called to judge by the law, yet your conduct in doing so is exactly against that law with your own life. Do you see Paul’s confrontation , and efven more do you see his boldness in not exposing the inconsitatency but in saing that God is about to strike him down. That he is in that kind of danger!
Would you dare confront someone’s inconsitency in living life. While not the whole gospel would you dare boldly say that when we fail to live up to even our own standards, let alone Gods’ - we’ve got a big rpoblem with our way of life, with our religion - and need another solution. Before therir is good news in Jesus, abiblical testiony requres that we come to terms with the badness about our hypocisicy and self-righteousnss that doesn’t work!
Paul is not wrong in using such strong Language. Jesus himself called Herod a fox. Jesus hismelf had said in the face of such hyspicisy YOuare whitewashed tombs. Jews had a practice of whiewashing tombstones, reminding peopel that the stone defiles, touchd by death. And both Paul and Jesus then are saying hat kind of citizenship to religion, that kind of way of life - smear of whitewash - but rotten and about not only to fall but be punsihed by God !
As it turns out Anaianias eally needed this warning. Had already extroted the tithes that priests were to live off of, and left them destitute 5 years aelrier. Had to goto Romer, but friend got him off. Reutrned in burtal power hungry manner, thenationalist Jews hated him for caving in to everything Rome, IN the Jewish Wars was ascicnated by zealots. This divided house of Phrisees and Saduccess whitewashed, but without integirty of embracing God’s Way and His Savior - it did come crashin down never to be raised up again@!
But look what happens next, Paul in his passion had made a mistake and comitted a sin, whether out of ingroance or out oversight. Those around Paul, say, wow - that’s the leader appointed for Gods’ eople there, pliticial authroity establsihed by God - God hadn’t removed the sanhedrin , yet, nor this high priest, worthy of respoect for his office. That’s in God’s law too. And Paul quickly and I think sincerely repents. No claim to pefection, but a lcliami to this new way of life in Jesus That has both boldness, but humble respect.
And isn’t that what our year’s
Theme Verse: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
I think of Ken Smith Pastor in Syracus … responded to letter to edittor of LGBTQ advocate Rosaria Butterfield, head on confrtonation of claim and ideas, but warmth and calm love of her as a person. Remarkable so that she continued to engage in conversation, not plying her to come to church pray a prayer, but really wrestle with the issues and eventually with claims of the gospel! THink of Jesus confronting the rich young ruler who knew the law and kept some of it so well, but had made his ossessions his treasure and iodl of life - Jesus boldly confronts, but we read as that man walked away from Jesus - Jesus loved him!
What is it thtism ornign God is calling you to grow in in your witness boldness or the gentle love and respect?
Well, after Paul confession and repentance, you can imagine the examination went to the claims of the day before about Paul, and Claudius Lysias this chiliarc is tying to follow the discussion on Resurrection , Messianic Kingdom, the Tmeple descearation Jews and Gentiles, - and he sees while the hate Paul and this Jesus, they are very deivied about why Saducees as Paul records didn’t belive in spirtis angels or the resurrection. They were basically the liebrrals of the day, materialists, who didn thave a suprneratural view of life or the world. Our Soul died with our bodies, No angels or spirits in heavenly realm. Only God and GOd has no cerne about what we do good or evil ther is no judgment. No resurrection at the last day and a Messiah’s kigndom for those who taste resurrection.
And what Paul does next gets us to the heart of testifying for Jesus. In the middle of the clamour between the Saduceecs and Phariseess he’s almost forgotten, so he has to cry out. And everyone stops to listen. He cries out the heart of his testimony about Jesus to them.
Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Acts 23:6
C. Testify to the Resurrection as our Present & Future Hope
To understand his claim here and especially why the Pharisees actually agreed with him and started to defend him, you need to get one thing out of your head. And that is the simple and false equation that
Pharisee = hypocrite. True or False.
That is a later characterization that happened when some with their background said you had to keep the law to earn or keep your salvation. But when Paul says he’s a Pharisee he is saying that with them - he actually stands for something and even the same thing as them! What is it? What is the HOPE of Israel?
That this world has angels, place called heaven where spirits of those forgiven and redeemed by God go after death. But the hope of Israel not just ideas about reality. Most importantly that there is something called the Resurrection of the Dead - that has to happen for the Age of the World Saviour to begin - physical resurrection of our bodies and the establishment of a Golden Age of the Messiah on Earth!
Now from what I said about Saducees and the Pharisees what would you say you are today! When you put together what Luke summarizes here, but what is spelled out more fully in his formal trial before FElix and then Agrippa - you get what Paul is standing for here. That He is not trying to get Jews to apostasize and taht h has violated niether Jewish nor Romans laws, but the only reason He is on trial is for the Resurrection of Jesus.
Declaring that the Torah and the Temple the hwole purpose for them is for the teaching of the Resurrection. And taht Jesus has fulfilled them, that the resurrectio f Jesus is the OT hope fo the Otrah and the Temple.
What do you say Dead is Dead? Or do you say, Maybe Jesus rose from the dead, and far far away I amy rise too? Or with Paul do you belive and have you experienced that Jesus resurrection is a present reality - its the first fruits of the general resurrectio n of the dead that will happen at the end of the time, - but it is beleif in Jesus resurrection that brings slavation blessing to you, it Jesus death and reuesstion that restore broken down walls of religion to a people of God a living temple from all nations! Hope of new spiritual life out of spiritual deadness…
Paul had just said in the temple courts that after seeing and hearing the Risen Jesus from heaven, Aninias explained
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
and this Risen Jesus was sending him as a witness - testifier to the Gentiles, that all who call on him experience forgiveness and cleansing and power of the Holy Spirit.
At the heart of your testimony - not just rules, or outward behviours - singing makes me feel good, fellolwship - but at te hear tof it do you see sent to testify to otehrs that Resurrection is here in Jesus. he is alive and he brings the first fruits of redurrection life - spiritually into our lives, he raising up a lving temple, not with totetering whtiewashed walls, not a house thats divided an d will fall.
Remember their initial claim before the riot: said
crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
Paul is now testifying that the Key to the people of Israel and now the Gentiles, the key to the Law, now to be written on peoples’ hearts, the ky to the temple now to be the living temple of the Hly SPirit in, the church - the fellowhsip and communio of Spirit filled belivers - the key to it all Jesus adn the Reality of His resurrection power!
One day every other house will fall, no unity, no one day your bdoy too will fall - but in Christ alone is the answer - and Jesus says - sending you to tell others!
Well congregation, mayhem breaks lose again, and this poor chiliarch no closer to getting any charge. And think of the irony the same guy who was about to strectch Pual out to torutre for answer, would have left Paul cripppled for life, he know saves pull from the Council ripping him apart. He shouts up for the milita iin the barracks of the fortrees to come, Paul is rushed away, . He is not having the best day of his life, another lonely night in prison. But what of his testimony - what of your testmimoy and mine when at times it may feel like falls on deaf ears, and peol emore concerned with arguing and carrying on with their present life. Well listen to what Luke recorded so we don’t give up on witness:
But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
The resurrection of Jesus is the mystery hidden for ages, but now revealed and people who kind of felt neciessity of it, here this witness - and they become Christans. And what of those Roman soldiers trying to make heads or tails out of this big part of Paul’s life? Do you remember the first one to Confess Christ as the Son of God at the Crosss - Romans soldier. We read in
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
There are Saducees around our lives, no ope of spiritual world or heaven, or life after death, there ae those with avague sense of this but mystery of Christ not yet revealed, there are those liek the Roman soliders - kind of curious what is the big deal about church and jesus and ffaith in your life - And God has revealed Christ and HIs resurrection power to us - not only so we will take part in heaven and raised up a final harvest of the reussurction, so that the prsent reality of Jesus alive, and alive in us by his PSirit that we would tstify of that to them.
But like you and me who must return to present realities of this life, Paul must return to the barracks and is going to live over two years under arrest waiting trial. Seems like his opproutnity for tesminy cut off He has stood up to testify but doesn’t see any results yet. Perhaps that may be you or me as we rtuern to our home today, to wrk or school tomorrow. But look at the greatst encouragement Jesus gives to all who will stand up and make their lives count for Jesus.
D. Those Who Stand for Jesus will Stand With Jesus.
And those who Witness for Jesus will Witness with Him.
Now this should not surprise us for Jesus is not dead and far away. He promised even though he ascends into heaven, it would be better for us. He would not leave one of his followers as a spiritual orphan but would come to each and everyone who claims him in faith and repentance. And Paul had experienced that even in hard times, a vision a dream, especially reassuring him as he he wentinto hard times in Jerusaelm, mistreated by his country men and handed over to Gentiles. And we are to expect this too: Jesus had said:
And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Now when the circumstances of his earhtly life looked bleakest and he felt so alone, look at God’s heart for Paul:
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
This was no night vision or dream, the real Lord Jesus stood by Him. And what was His message spoken heart to hear soul to soul - Take courage! Do you ned that message today - Jesus had said it to a bed ridden paralytic - take courage your sins are forgiven, To woman sick with issue of blood 12 y - Take courage your faith ahs healed you. To frightened disciples in storm tossed sea - Take Courage. On the night of the Crucifixion in the Upper Room: Take courage for I ahve overcome the world! Do you see it is is Christ’s word to all who serve Him, no moatter how feeble they may feel - And it is his word to all who would stand up for him in testimoy to resurrection - Don’t live in fear of what others thik. Don’t live in fear of death, or of nothingness that gapes before, Don’t fear that your house , community going to fall down like a deck of cards, or whiteashed wall - DOn’t live out of fear. Live and tstiyin my resurrection power IN my resurrection love. And Jesus is saying, I’ve got more work, more witnessing for you to do, and until that is done, you are immortal - don’t worry Paul.
What does it mean that Jesus Spirit lives in you, that You abide in Jesus through Him? That as you stand for HIm, he stands for you. Confidence!
Paderewski, the famous composer-pianist, was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America. It was an evening to remember - a black-tux-long-evening-dress, high-society extravaganza. In the audience that evening sat a mother with her fidgety nine-year-old son. Weary of waiting for the concert to begin, the lad squirmed constantly in his seat. His mother hoped her boy would be encouraged to practice the piano once he heard the immortal Padereweski. That is why, against his wishes, he was there.
When his mother turned to talk with some friends, the impatient boy could stay seated no longer. He slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the ebony concert grand Steinway and its leather-tufted stool on the huge stage flooded with brilliant lights. Largely ignored by the sophisticated audience, the boy sat down at the stool, staring wide-eyed at the black and white keys. He placed his small, trembling fingers in the right location and began to play "Chopsticks." The roar of the crowd quickly ceased as hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to shout at the bold youngster.
Backstage the master, overhearing the sounds, hurriedly grabbed his coat and rushed toward the stage, where he stood behind the boy and began to improvise a countermelody to harmonize with and enhance "Chopsticks." As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy's ears, "Keep going. Do not quit, son. Keep on playing. Do not stop. Do not quit." What a gracious genius!
We have been called to play a spiritual tune for Christ. Though we have generally wanted to do our best, we have occasionally said the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time. Perhaps we have not lived up to our own expectations, not to mention his standards of service. Perhaps our best service is sometimes more like "Chopsticks" than Swan Lake. Maybe some in the galleries are trying to yell us off the stage. We know we have a heavenly calling, and we want to keep playing for God, but we desperately need encouragement.
At such times Christ stands beside us, his presence vivid and sustaining. He tells us, "Have courage, my dear servant. I have more work for you to do. Keep playing . . . Keep going . . . Do not stop . . . Do not quit." He adds his amazing and superior countermelody to ours, making the result something that honors him and is beautiful.
Hear Jesus saying it you even today, DOn’t give up on me, don’t give up on others, don’t give on testifying of my resurrection - because I have promsed I won’t giv up on YOu. I will stand by you!