June 9, 2010, Acts 25

Key Verses:

“If I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if not, . . . I appeal to Ceasar . . . ."

(Acts 25:11)

"But when his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes expected . . . .and I find he has done nothing deserving of death.”

(Acts 25:18 and 25)

Central Truth:

God can take the worldly policies of those in authority to serve His gracious purposes, IF we recognize them as such. Christ expects His followers to submit to the governing authorities in their cultures, and see how that can witness of God’s authority in their lives.

WALK YOUR TALK

I greatly admire those whose "walk and talk" match, and I love it when Scripture gives us consistent examples of how to do this! But Acts 25 is a tough one to dig through! At first reading, I thought "there is not much transferable truth here." But on looking more deeply, I saw some wonderful "walk and talk" matches!!

Paul -- probably the greatest Christian man who ever lived, and the one to whom we, today, owe abundant thanks---- is the man who is the focus of this chapter. Because Paul obeyed God’s calling on his life (to be a"church planter"), the book of Acts escribes how the church grew and spread from Jerusalem (in Israel), to Asia Minor, and then to the Mediterranean area, Europe, Africa, nd eventually to us, here in America, and all over the world---WOW!

We today, in Macon, Georgia, and Piedmont Church stand on Paul’s shoulders—thanking him for enduring unmentionable hardships and imprisonments as a "church planter." He wrote more than half of the New Testament to new churches which were eing planted, and many writings were often from prisons. I am sooo thankful that he chose to be obedient to God’s purpose for IS life (and God has a purpose for EVERY Christ follower), and that he leaves clear instructions for Christ followers in every eneration since his time.

In Acts 25, we find him being presented to the "legal authorities" of his day, as mentioned in verses above. To me,the point of this chapter, historical though it is, is to show Christ followers that we have a responsibility to yield to the legal systems/governing authorities, in our cultures. During these experiences, we have the opportunity to speak of the faith that is in us. These "contacts" with "the law" may be opportunities in disguise, to show how our "walk and our talk" match.

I love some verses in Romans 13: (written by this same Paul) who learned these lessons well. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is NO authority except that which GOD has established….for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong….for he is GOD’S SERVANT to do you good…therefore it is NECESSARY to submit to authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience". (read through Romans 13:1-7 for more on "God’s servants".)

So next time you encounter "God’s servants"- when you see those blue lights flashing behind you (or your teenager), or a tax bill comes, or a subpoena arrives, or you are chosen for jury duty- remember as Paul did, that these are GOD’S SERVANTS! Submit to their authority and do what is RIGHT. Don’t try to "get out of it." These experiences with "God’s servants" can be God given opportunities to witness to what is inside of us…..our "walk matching our talk."