When Life is Beyond Your Control
Acts 24
Background
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Paul went to Jerusalem compelled by the Spirit
He was in Jerusalem 7 days and he ended up being attacked by Jews trying to kill him
He was arrested by the Romans
While in prison Jesus appears to him to comfort him
Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in
Rome.
Acts 23:11
40 Jews took an oath to kill Paul
Paul was sent to Caesarea for his own protection with 470 Roman soldiers
Paul’s Lot (Acts 24)
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5 days after Paul arrived in Caesarea, he is tried before Felix
 Jews try to flatter Felix (vs. 2-4)
 Flatter = To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to
win favor.
 Jews accuse him of 4 things:
 Troublemaker
 Stirring up riots all over the world
 A ringleader of the Nazarene sect
 A derogatory name
 Trying to desecrate the Temple
 Paul defends himself respectfully
 He wasn’t arguing with anyone
 He did not stir up a crowd in anywhere
 He acknowledges that he is a follower of the Way, but also a full believer in the
Law & Prophets
 He was ceremonially clean when he was found in the Temple
 His real accusers are not here – Jews from Asia
 The only controversy those present can name is the one regarding the belief in
the resurrection of the dead
 Felix adjourns the proceedings
 He is acquainted with the Way
 He wants to hear from Lysias the commanding officer
 Then he will decide the case
It has been 6 days since Jesus spoke to him
 Things have been progressing quickly
 Paul was in Jerusalem
 He is now in Caesarea
 He is expecting to end up in Rome
Felix keeps Paul in prison in Caesarea for 2 years
How would you respond to this?
What Does Paul Do? (vs. 24 – 26)
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He shares the Gospel with Felix & his wife
 He has repeated conversations with Felix over the 2 years
Be very careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the
Lord's will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
 Paul lived wisely
 He avoided the temptation to get depressed & discouraged
 Paul made the most of his opportunity
 He spoke frequently with Felix
 Paul understood the Lord’s will
 God desires all men saved & to come to the knowledge of the truth
 He was willing to sacrifice his own comfort to accomplish the Lord’s will
How Can We Learn to Respond This Way?
Proverbs 3:5-6
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Trust in the Lord
 Put our hope & confidence in God
 Fully depend on Him
Don’t rely on your own understanding
 Resist your own thoughts & opinions
In all our ways acknowledge Him
 A we go about life, in everything we encounter
 Acknowledge – recognize His presence and seek His involvement
He will direct our path
 He will show us each step to take
Romans 12:1-2
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Offer our bodies as living sacrifices
 Present ourselves to God – for Him to use for His glory & purposes
 Living sacrifices is an oxymoron
 Living = alive to God
 Sacrifice = dead to ourselves
Don’t conform to the world
 Choose not to mimic the world’s example
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind
 Be changed by what you allow yourself to think or dwell on
Then you will be able to test & approve God’s will
Paul did this and so he was able to persevere over 2 yrs in jail and to make the most of his time
there.