2. 21. How to Investigate such Matters
Acts 25:1-22 p

3. Politics We are well acquainted with the antics of politicians
It is rare for them to do what is simply right
E.g. The wheeling & dealing over “Trumpcare”
It is not a recent phenomenon
Happens in the passage before us today

4. 1. Determination of Jewish Leaders
Felix replaced by Porcius Festus
Festus goes from Caesarea to Jerusalem (70 mi / 120 km)

5. 1. Determination of Jewish Leaders . . .
Caesarea Maritima

6. 1. Determination of Jewish Leaders . . .
Jewish leaders want Paul transferred to Jerusalem.
They want to ambush and kill him (v 3)
Why did they want Paul dead?
Said he was “against the people, Law, temple” (Ac 21:20)
Only part of the story:
Many thousands of Jews were believing in Jesus
Said Paul was turning people against the Law.

7. 1. Determination of Jewish Leaders . . .
Concern of the Jewish Leaders:
They did not want people becoming Christians
Did not want to give up traditions and observances
They would lose their authority and power
Wanted to get rid of one of the key leaders
(It’s the same thing they did with Jesus)

8. 1. Determination of Jewish Leaders . . .
They were the trustees of salvation
Supposed to recognize the Messiah – they crucified him
Doing everything in their power to oppose God
They were:
Committed to their own welfare
Entrenched in their own comfort and tradition
Desperate to hold onto their benefits and advantages
May we never be like that ! !

9. 2. Deviousness of the Romans
At first Festus seems reasonable and fair
Like Felix, he wants to do the Jews a favour
Jewish leadership had powerful lobbyists in Rome
Festus needs them on his side
He cannot violate Roman law with a Roman citizen
He tries to cover his back by involving King Agrippa

10. 2. Deviousness of the Romans . . .
Festus is playing the political game.
Consumed by his political ambitions
Desire to please his bosses
He cannot hear the message that is coming to him
A warning for us in our image, status, and consumer obsessed culture !

11. 3. Devotion of Paul
Since Acts 13, two things have stood out about Paul
Uncompromisingly presents the Gospel wherever he goes
He does not back off – he perseveres.
Another: He pursues the will of God.
He is not afraid of death (Ac 21:13, 25:11)
He uses every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel
He knows he must do the same in Rome (Ac 23:1)

12. He is utterly devoted to the will of God !
3. Devotion of Paul . . .
He needs to get to Rome.
He appeals to caesar.
Paul orchestrates it the only way he can
He is utterly devoted to the will of God !

13. Living It The Jewish leaders were trustees of God’s salvation
He chose them as the instrument of salvation
They failed to do what God intended
Too committed to their status, influence, traditions
Lived in opposition to God while thinking they were the protectors of his truth and doing his will.

14. Living It . . .
Roman leaders were such political players they couldn’t hear the message
We must hold our desires and ambitions lightly so that they never obstruct what God is doing.
Paul used the political system to advance the Gospel

15. Living It . . .
Focussed on God’s will, not the cost or his preferences
Paul is a rehabilitated persecutor of the church
He is remarkable in his complete devotion to
The will of God
Proclamation of the Gospel
Growth of all disciples
E.g. His words to the church at Philippi (Phil 1:21-26)