Happy Father’s Day! Dads, there are too few good fathers around. Dads, I want to speak to encourage you to deepen your commitment to living a life of integrity in Christ.
To know Jesus is to have a story of how you came to know Jesus. This story is often referred to as your “testimony.” In fact, if you are saved you have a testimony or a story. Your personal story matters. The personal details of how you came to Christ matter – your children need to hear your story OFTEN. The change Christ makes in your life matters. Over the next few weeks, I want everyone to be able to tell their story with greater confidence. Again, your testimony is your story of how you became a Christian.
Luke, the author of Acts, describes five trials for Paul beginning in Acts 22. These five trials include speeches from Paul. In all, these stories occupy around 200 verses or six chapters in your Bibles. I want you to carefully watch how Paul shares his story. Notice how he is able to use his story to tell the story of Jesus. My prayer is that you and I will use our story to tell His story.
Today, we’re going to looking inside a first century Roman courtroom this morning. The scene is tense as forty men vow not to eat or drink until they have killed the Apostle Paul (Acts 23:12-15). Paul is soon before Felix as he was transported by 470 Roman soldiers after 9 pm to ensure his safety from reported death threats (Acts 23:23). Did you hear me when I said 470 soldiers? WOW! They didn’t send him with a couple of police cruisers sitting in front of his house overnight. They sent a battalion!
I want to tell you an intriguing story which will deepen your commitment to Christ’s and living a life of integrity. Now, I love a good legal drama as much as anyone. As you’ll see everything culminates in the aftermath of today’s legal drama as we eavesdrop on the private conversation between the ruling couple and their prisoner. For our story will culminate in a private conversation that Paul mentions three things that alarm the judge: “righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment…” (Acts 24:25b).
Let me first introduce you to …
1. Prosecutor Tertullus
Tertullus, a Roman lawyer, represents the interests of the Jewish leaders and he offers the prosecution's speech. You could think of Tertullus as the “legal gun” for the Jewish people who include the high priest at the time, Ananias. Tertullus brings the formal legal complaint on behalf of Jewish leadership in verse one. In verses two through six, we see a summary of Tertullus' speech: “And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: ‘Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.’ 9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so” (Acts 24:1-9).
We know that the Jewish hierarchy wants to rid themselves of Paul because they have gone to the trouble to hire this “legal gun.” And the fact that the high priest himself made the 60-mile trip for the trial reinforces this fact. After the perfunctory flatteries (appropriate when speaking before Roman authorities), Tertullus cites three charges against Paul:
1) Paul sought to stir up riots among the people in verse 5;
2) He is a ringleader of the Nazarenes also in verse 5);
3) He sought to profane the Temple in verse 6.
These were very serious political charges and had Paul been found guilty, it would lead to his death. Tertullus calls Paul “a plague” where we might say in our day that such a person is a cancer that needs to be stopped. “This ‘disease’ has to be stopped,” is the essence of the lawyer’s argument. Now, the prosecutor sits down and it’s time to hear from the defense.
1. Prosecutor Tertullus
2. Paul on the Stand
By human calculations, Paul was merely a “butterfly before a steamroller.” For both Jerusalem and Rome were the two enormously strong power blocs of the day. The rule of Rome, represented in Felix, was some three million square miles round the Mediterranean Sea. The combined might of the two was overwhelming. Now this is real story as the entire scene plays out around circa 57 AD as Felix served as governor for about five years.
“And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs” (Acts 24:10-23).
Here was this solitary dissident of the emerging Christian faith that stood alone in front of them. As Paul defended both himself and the Christian religion, Christians were possibly outnumbered by about 30,000 to one at this time. Again, by human calculations, Paul was no more than a “butterfly before a steamroller.”
2.1 Paul’s Defense
Paul says in effect that the prosecution’s words were a bald face lie. The truth is the opposite of what Tertullus had just said. It’s important to note that no witnesses are brought before Felix to substantiate the case against Paul. After refuting much of the prosecutor’s allegations, Paul tells Felix shares four things about his life. Paul tells his story in order to tell Jesus’ story.
1) He worships “the God of our fathers,” or Israel (Acts 24:14).
2) He follows everything “laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,” or what we refer to as the Old Testament (Acts 24:14).
3) He possesses “a hope in God,” similar to the prosecution (Acts 24:15).
4) He “always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man” (Acts 24:16).
If you were to visit Oxford today, you would see a cross in the road of Oxford’s Board Street. It was there that Christian pastor Hugh Latimer had actually been burned at the stake during Queen Mary’s reign on October 16, 1555. Earlier, Latimer was asked to apologize to King Henry VIII for what Henry found offensive in Latimer’s message. Rather than changing his views to please the king, Latimer read the same text again and then proceeded reaffirmed the very same message he had told others. The courage of keeping one’s convictions despite pressure is a powerful force inside believers. We cannot cave into the whims of society’s pressures.
2.2 Paul’s Drive
You see, the gospel is not just something you hold onto but the gospel has its hold on you. The power of the Gospel on a person is most evident when you see its hold on a person. When the Gospel entered into Paul’s life, he was introduced to all kinds of trouble, persecution and sorrow. Yet, despite this, none of these things could drive the love of Christ out of him. Paul knew that it was the resurrection of Christ that caused him to be in prison: “It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day” (Acts 24:21). When you are truly convinced Jesus rose from the dead you can withstand the pressure society places on you to change your message.
All this reminds me of John Bunyan. John Bunyan was placed into prison for preaching the Gospel. The Gospel was so important to him he said, “If you let me out of prison today, I will preach the gospel again tomorrow…” As believers we tell our story in order to tell His story. But we often need His strength to tell His story.
2.3 Paul Anderson
In the 1955 there was a competition held in Moscow to decide who was the world’s strongest man. This was just after the start of the Cold War and the two super powers of the world, The United States and the Soviet Union, were the main competitors. The designated sport was weight lifting. The American was an unknown 22-year-old boy from the hills of North Georgia. He was 5’9” and unknown in the world competition as he was a substitute. He stepped onto the outdoor stage in front of 15,000 curious Russians. And when the announcer told the crowd that Paul Anderson's first lift would be twenty pounds over the world record, they began to laugh. He had no team uniform and he was a jolly little giant compared to the well-muscled ironmen around him. This was the young man’s first international competition and there was no way he was going to lift 20 pounds more than the world record on his first try. But, when the 5'9' barrel-chested 340-pound Anderson chalked his hands and strode to the platform, the crowd got quiet. And when he pulled the bar to his shoulders and pressed it easily over his head, they were so stunned that for a minute they made no sound at all. But then they leapt to their feet and shouted, calling Paul Anderson, “Wonder of Nature.”
Anderson later went to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, with a severe inner-ear infection and a 103-degree fever. The weakened Anderson fell far behind the frontrunners. His only chance for the gold medal was to set a new Olympic record in the clean and jerk at 413.5 pounds. His first two attempts missed the mark. Before his third and final attempt, Paul Anderson called on God for extra help and strength. Later he would say, “It wasn’t making a bargain, I needed help.” As those tree-trunk legs and massive arms moved into motion with renewed strength he hoisted the bar high over his head. In June of 1957, he lifted a table loaded with 6,270 pounds of weights off the ground, a feat that's never been duplicated. The 1985 Guinness Book of World Records said Anderson’s lift was “the greatest weight ever raised by a human being.” He was known as the world's strongest man. Anderson always drove this thought into the hearts of his hearers: “If the strongest man in the world can’t get through one day without the power of Jesus Christ — where does that leave you?”
But he the best thing about Paul Anderson is that he started the Paul Anderson Youth Home that has helped hundreds of troubled young men: “Paul Anderson Youth Home exists to offer the grace of Jesus Christ to hurting young men and their families by planting God’s Word in their lives and discipling them in a relationship with Him.” If the strongest man in the world needs Jesus — don’t you need help from God to tell your story as well?
Back to our story… You’ve heard from the prosecutor and the defense, now let’s meet the judge.
1. Prosecutor Tertullus
2. Paul on the Stand
3. Cross-Examined by Felix and Drusilla
It’s the conversation outside the courtroom that most interests me. Now this is where the story gets interesting. It’s here that we get a glimpse in the personal life as the judge takes off the black robe.
3.1 The Aftermath: Paul & Felix in Private
We eavesdrop in on the private conversation between the prisoner, Paul, and the ruling couple, Felix and Drusilla: “After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.’ 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison” (Acts 24:24-27).
Felix once was a slave and he made for a brutal governor. A Roman historian tells us that because Felix’s brother was influential in Rome. Because of this, Felix felt he had carte blanche authority to do what he wanted. Eventually, he was so brutal that even the Roman emperor Nero replaced him. And when Nero thinks your evil, you’re at a whole other level!
Paul’s private conversation with Felix and Drusilla hinges upon something about the governing couple that you may not know. Felix had by his side, Drusilla. Historians tell us Drusilla was so beautiful that Felix left his marriage to the granddaughter of Mark Antony and Cleopatra to marry this 16-year-old girl. Although she was another man's wife, Felix had managed to steal this teenage bride before she was even twenty. Now, she was Felix's third wife. Living together in sin and shame, it was these two that sat together on the throne awaiting the words of the prisoner, Paul.
3.2 Righteousness and Self-Control
“And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you” (Acts 24:25). Now Paul could have said, “Jesus loves you and will give you purpose in your life.” Why righteousness, self-control, and judgment? Why did Paul take this tract with Felix? The gospel demands a changed life. Paul made sure that Felix and Drusilla knew that Christianity had ethical implications. Paul’s speech takes a personal turn into the interior lives of Felix and Drusilla. He knew Felix needed to hear about self-control. Felix was living with a girl he stole who wasn’t even twenty years old. And Felix had earlier enlisted the help of robbers to kill off Jonathan, the former high priest. He didn’t exactly have his passions under control. You see, the Gospel isn’t just facts to believe; it’s also demands a changed life.
3.3 Your Sin Will Find You Out
In the life of our church, a group had taken a mission trip to South Korea years ago where they were holding a church service there. Only the Korean translator failed to show up and a last-minute substitute was called for. Everything proceeded just fine and as many as fifty people came forward to receive Christ at the end of the service. After the church service, the group went out to eat and invite the translator along with my friend. At dinner, my friend complemented this young lady’s ability to translate for the team. She indicated she had learned some of her English skills during her studies in the states. “Where did you study?” she was asked. “In Texas,” was her reply. “Where in Texas?” “At a junior college in Fort Worth,” she replied. That’s when my friend said, “We’re from Fort Worth. You didn’t study at Tarrant Country Junior College, did you?” “Yes, she replied and I worked at Diamond Oaks Country Club during my studies as a bar tender.” Then she lifted her finger and pointed to a man across the table who wasn’t listening but was a part of the mission team and said, “And that man ‘hit on’ me.” Your Sin Will Find You Out. You cannot play around with Jesus living one way on Sunday and like the rest of population during the week.
3.4 Felix’s Fear
Back to our judge, Acts 24:25 says he was “alarmed.” The word means much more than a casual reading would suggest for it has connotations of being “frightened” or “terrified.” Felix was terrified of Paul’s words by the thought of the very resurrection that so motivated Paul. Now in private conversation with him, Paul speaks of “the coming judgment” (Acts 24:25). Paul made Felix see the coming God’s White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Though Paul’s hands were in chains, it was Felix that saw the books opened and himself arraigned before the Judge of the Universe. He nailed him to his seat that day and Felix was petrified. If only Felix had looked by faith at the one who was nailed to the cross for Him. The Bible says secret sin on earth will be public in Heaven one day but confessed sin on Earth will be secret sin in Heaven.
CONCLUSION / INVITATION
Point to Jesus, the Cross...
Do you have sin to confess? Do you have a story to tell? Have you encountered Jesus? Do you know how to tell your story? Do you need the courage to tell your story?
