2013 Acts #35: an exposition of Acts 23:12-25:12. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, February 23, 2014.
Intro:
It is a familiar character. The poor guy that can’t catch a break. The good-hearted soul who never seems to get ahead. He tries. But it seems the harder he works the worse it gets. It is the character in the comic strip that is always pictured with a rain cloud over his head. The sun is shining brightly all around him but this perpetual thundercloud never leaves him. Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever find yourself wondering why it always rains on your parade? Do you ever find yourself lashing out and crying, “God are you there? It’s me, one of your children…what’s going on here?” Do you ever get the feeling that someone’s dropped the ball? You can be honest this morning – it’s just us. Are you ever depressed or discouraged? Have you ever thought, “You know, it’s just not worth it?” You are not alone.
The Christian life is a difficult life. Too often sloppy, sentimental thinking and teaching has left the impression that if you just “trust Jesus” you will see nothing but blue skies the rest of your days. Only in fairy tales will you find dark and difficult days forever vanquished by the arrival of the hero. In fairy tales people may live happily ever after but Christianity is no fairy tale. The Gospel is the glorious message of the love and grace of God given to sinners that enable them to live in a loving relationship with their creator who supplies strength, courage, and grace sufficient to face the evil and corruption of a fallen world. Faith in Christ may not deliver you from a prison cell but it will place a song in your heart and grant you hope in the midst of your hopelessness. It may not keep cancer from ravaging your body but will enable your spirit to soar. You may feel every painful blow of your enemy but you will know the comforting presence of your God. Our hope is not only about that celestial city with streets of gold and gates of pearl but about a real God who supplies genuine grace in the midst of real pain enabling us to live as more than conquerors in this life. But understand life is often painful. Life can be discouraging. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “We are hard pressed on ever side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8). This from a man who knew both the pain and pleasure of serving his God. If you’ve ever grown weary in well doing. If you’ve ever found yourself on the verge of giving up – this message is for you. Our text this morning is found in Acts chapters 23, 24 and 25.
Text: Acts 23:12-25:12
Don’t panic. We are not going to do a verse-by-verse expositional study of this section. We are going to take a bird’s eye view. We are going to fly over this scene and point out some landmarks. Points of interest that will strengthen and encourage you in your struggle of faith.
Thesis: In the midst of discouragement, in the face of dark and difficult days, child of God take heart! God is at work.
As you read through these chapters it is extremely frustrating. Paul is not guilty. He hasn’t done any of the things he is accused of. And here is the disgusting part – everyone knows it! Paul knew it. The Jewish leadership knew it. Even the Gentile powers knew it. Yet Paul spends two years in a Caesarean prison. Trotted out before selected officials to tell his story once again only to be dismissed without action.
There are three great truths reflected in this passage that will strengthen and encourage you. Truths that can lift you from your despair. Truths that will renew your faith.
- God sovereignly controls all circumstances.
- God will fulfill His promise.
- Your responsibility is to trust God and serve Him regardless.