Acts 23:11-35 v.33  SEEK…HIS KINGDOM: I think the most important thing I could say about the kingdom of God that would help people make sense out of all the uses, is that the basic meaning of the word ‘kingdom’ in the Bible is God’s REIGN…He sits as king on his throne of the universe, and his kingly rule — his kingdom and his reign — governs all things. The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is God God’s kingly rule — his reign, his action, his lordship, his sovereign governance. John Piper th

Acts 23:11-35 Acts 23:11 ‘…the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”’ v.33  SEEK…HIS KINGDOM: I think the most important thing I could say about the kingdom of God that would help people make sense out of all the uses, is that the basic meaning of the word ‘kingdom’ in the Bible is God’s REIGN…He sits as king on his throne of the universe, and his kingly rule — his kingdom and his reign — governs all things. The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is God

Acts 23:11-35 Acts 23:11 ‘…the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”’ #1. God’s NEARNESS

Acts 23:11-35 Acts 23:11 ‘…the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”’ ‘immanent’ (a God nearby) ‘transcendent’ (a God far away) #1. God’s NEARNESS

Acts 23:11-35 Acts 23:11 ‘…the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”’ ‘immanent’ (a God nearby) ‘transcendent’ (a God far away) Psalm 139:1-4 You have searched me, Lord, and you KNOW ME. [2] You KNOW WHEN I sit and WHEN I rise; you perceive MY THOUGHTS from afar. [3] You DISCERN MY GOING out and MY LYING down; you are familiar with ALL MY WAYS. [4] Before a word is on my tongue YOU, LORD, KNOW it completely. #1. God’s NEARNESS

Acts 23:11-35 Moses - Called to Lead “And God said, “I will be with you…” Ex 3:12 David - Called to Fight “The Lord who rescued me…will rescue me from the hand of the Philistine” 1 Sam 17:37 Jeremiah - Called to Proclaim “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord” Jer 1:8 #1. God’s NEARNESS

“Take courage…your God is near” Acts 23:11-35 James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…   Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Matthew 10:30 [Hairs on your head numbered] Matthew 17:27 [knows what’s needed] “Take courage…your God is near” #1. God’s NEARNESS

“Take courage…your God is near” Acts 23:11-35 James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…   Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Matthew 10:30 [Hairs on your head numbered] Matthew 17:27 [knows what’s needed] “Take courage…your God is near” #1. God’s NEARNESS

“Take courage…your God is near” Acts 23:11-35 James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…   Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Matthew 10:30 [Hairs on your head numbered] Matthew 17:27 [knows what’s needed] “Take courage…your God is near” #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING

Acts 23:11-35 vs.12-15 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. [13] More than forty men were involved in this plot. [14] They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. [15] Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING

Acts 23:11-35 vs.12-15 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. [13] More than forty men were involved in this plot. [14] They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. [15] Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” Ephesians 6:12 1 Peter 5:8 #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING

Acts 23:11-35 vs.12-15 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. [13] More than forty men were involved in this plot. [14] They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. [15] Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” [16] But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING

Acts 23:11-35 Psalm 121:1-8 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING

Acts 23:11-35 #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING #3. God’s PROTECTION

Acts 23:11-35 # Paul's nephew has an audience with the commander, the one who can actually do something about it. (v.17-21) # the commander then sets up a security team 200 soldiers 70 horsemen 200 spearmen. (v.23) # transfer to a secure safe house in Caesarea (v.24) # official documentation to the governor Felix (v.25-30) #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING #3. God’s PROTECTION

Acts 23:11-35 vs.31-35 [31] So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. [32] The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. [33] When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. [34] The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, [35] he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace. #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING #3. God’s PROTECTION

Acts 23:11-35 #1. God’s NEARNESS #2. God’s WORKING #3. God’s PROTECTION