On Trial (2023 Sermon) Series

On Trial (2023 Sermon)

SERMON OUTLINE:

(A). Tertullus: False Accusations (vs 1-9)

(B). Paul: Faithful Answers (vs 10-21)

(C). Felix: Fo0lish Attitude (vs 22-27)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• In one of Charles Schultz’s Peanuts comic strip,

• He shows a conversation between Lucy and Charlie Brown.

• Lucy said that life is like a deck chair.

• Some place it so they can see where they are going.

• Some place it so they can see where they have been.

• And some place it so they can see where they are at present.

• Charlie Brown’s reply is brilliant:

• “I can’t even get mine unfolded.”

Traditionally:

• January gives each of us to, ‘see where they have been,’

• To ‘see where they are at present.’

• To ‘see where are going,’

Question: Are you excited about the future?

Answer: Well, you should be!

• The encouraging thing about new days, new weeks, new months, even new year,

• Is the word ‘new’.

• Webster’s dictionary:

• ‘Refreshed, different from one of the same that has existed previously, unfamiliar’.

When you scan the Bible, you soon discover God likes new things:

• He talks about doing ‘A New Thing’,

• (Isaiah chapter 43 verse 19)

• In the lives of each believer, he places ‘A New Song’,

• (Psalm 40 verse 3)

• He uses ‘A New Morning’ as an illustration of his daily goodness to us.

• (Lamentations chapter 3 verse 22)

• He has given his people ‘A New Commandment’,

• (John chapter 13 verse 34)

• He promised and implemented ‘A New Covenant’,

• (Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 31-34 & Luke chapter 22 verse 20)

• Life in Christ (conversion) is called, ‘A New Creation’,

• (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17)

• And he gives us all hope, as he promises us ‘A New Future’

• (Revelation chapter 21 verse 1)

TRANSITION:

• For us we have the opportunity

• To, ‘see where we have been,’

• To ‘see we are at in the present.’

• To ‘see where we are hoping to be going,’

• The apostle Paul would respond to those three points this way.,

• To, ‘see where we have been,’ – on three possibly four mission trips.

• To ‘see we are at in the present.’

• In prison and on trial.

• To ‘see where we are hoping to be going,’

• Rome is the destination he is striving for,

• The capitol of the Roman Empire and maybe an audience with Nero.

Remember:

• The book of Acts is a history book, it is the history of the early Church,

• i.e., how the Church was born and how it spread and grew.

• In chapter 9 onwards we encounter Paul (in those days Saul).

• We read about his dramatic conversion from persecutor to preacher,

• And we follow him on three, possibly four missionary journeys.

• And in the final few chapters of the book of Acts,

• The apostle Paul will have to give six defences for the faith he professes.

• (First defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 22 verses 1-30.

• Location: Jerusalem.

• Audience: Jewish public and Roman commander.

• (Second defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 23 verses 1-10

• Location: Jerusalem.

• Audience: Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious ruling council).

• (Third defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 24 verses 10-23

• Location: Caesarea (Herod’s Praetorium - this was the residence of a city's governor)

• Audience: Felix Governor of Judea.

• (Fourth defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 24 verses 24-27.

• Location: Caesarea.

• Audience: Felix and Drusilla.

• (Fifth defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 25 verses 8-12.

• Location: Caesarea (The court of law)

• Audience: Porcius Festus Governor of Judea.

• (Sixth defence):

• Scripture: Acts chapter 26 verses 1-32

• Location: Caesarea (The auditorium)

• Audience: Festus, Bernice, Agrippa II and also a large audience)

• Over the next few weeks will complete our studies in the book of Acts,

• But today, we are looking at his third and fourth trial and defence:

Ill:

• I came across these stupid questions or answers that were actually given in court.

• And I thought you would enjoy listening to them!

• ?Lawyer: "Now, Mrs. Johnson, how was your first marriage terminated?"

• ?Witness: "By death."

• ?Lawyer: "And by whose death was it terminated?"

• ?Lawyer: "What is your date of birth?"

• ?Witness: "July 15th."

• ?Lawyer: "What year?"

• ?Witness: "Every year."

• ?Lawyer: "What gear were you in when the car crashed?"

• ?Witness: "Nike T-shirt & Reebok trainers."

• ?Lawyer: "What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke that morning?"

• ?Witness: "He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?'"

• ?Lawyer: "And why did that upset you?"