Steve PetchSunday 7th July 2013

Part 2: Faithful Under PressureActs 23 – 26

Steve PetchSunday 7th July 2013

Trial 1: Acts 22v30 – 23v10

JUDGE:

VENUE:

ACCUSERS:

ACCUSATION:

DEFENCE:

RESULT:

JUDICIAL OPINION:

Claudius Lysias

Jerusalem

Jewish Council – Pharisees/Sadducees

Gentiles in the temple/taught against the lawPaul deliberately starts an argument

Paul is locked up for his own safety

“Nothing deserving of death or imprisonment”

Trial 2: Acts 24v1 – 27

JUDGE:

VENUE:

ACCUSERS:

ACCUSATION:

DEFENCE:

RESULT:

JUDICIAL OPINION:

Felix – Governor of Judea

Caesarea

Ananias; Jewish Elders; Tertullus

Stirring up riots; a Christian leader; profaned the templeStates the truth; denies the lies; points out that his real accusers are not present

Paul is kept in prison … with some liberty

Not given

Trial 3: Acts 25v1 – 12 JUDGE:

VENUE:

ACCUSERS:

ACCUSATION:

DEFENCE:

RESULT:

LEGAL MOVE:

NEW RESULT:

JUDICIAL OPINION:

Porcius Festus – Governor of Judea

Caesarea

Chief Priests and ‘Principal Jewish men’

“Many and serious charges”

Total denial

Festus asks to move the trial to Jerusalem

Paul appeals to Caesar

Paul is to be sent to Rome

“Nothing deserving death”

Trial 4: Acts 26v1 – 32

JUDGE:

VENUE:

ACCUSERS:

ACCUSATION:

DEFENCE:

RESULT:

JUDICIAL OPINION:

Herod Agrippa II

Caesarea

The whole Jewish nation (not represented)

Unclear

Full on testimony with gospel presentation

Porcius Festus: “You are mad”Agrippa: “You are trying to convert me”

He is innocent but cannot be freed

Faithful Under Pressure

Pressure can come in lots of different ways…•Financial Pressure•Work Pressure•Relationship Pressure•Time Pressure•Persecution•Accusation•Ill health•Loneliness•Fill in the blank

Faithful Under Pressure

1. Paul kept his moral integrity

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you

have received”Ephesians 4 v 1

Faithful Under Pressure

2. Paul served God in every situation

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through

him”Colossians 3 v 17

Faithful Under Pressure

3. Paul was secure in God’s providence

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who

have been called according to his purposes”

Romans 8 v 28

Faithful Under Pressure

4. Paul knew how to handle accusation

“When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we

are slandered, we answer kindly”1 Corinthians 4 v 12-13

Faithful Under Pressure

5. Paul was ready to share his faith

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know

how you ought to answer each person”Colossians 4 v 6

Faithful Under Pressure

6. Paul was obedient to God’s call

“The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept

the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day,

and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing”2 Timothy 4 v 6 – 8

Faithful Under Pressure

1. Paul kept his moral integrity

2. Paul served God in every situation

3. Paul was secure in God’s providence

4. Paul knew how to handle accusation

5. Paul was ready to share his faith

6. Paul was obedient to God’s call

Part 2: Faithful Under PressureActs 23 – 26

Steve PetchSunday 7th July 2013