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November 1928
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K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
pushed the case against Paul (25:1-2). They still stuck to the plan of assassina tion (v. 3). ■ Jerusalem was the hotbed of Judaism, the last place Paul might ex pect justice.* Festus expressed his determination to keep Paul at Caesarea, but suggested that Paul’s, accusers, go down with him to Caesarea and rehearse the case (25:5). To this they agreed, and many grievous complaints were laid against Paul “which they could not prove" (v. 7). It is a good rule—“Give no credence where there is no evidence.” Festus was willing to do the Jews one favor when he could make nothing of Paul’s case. lie asked Paul if he would be willing to have his case tried at Jeru salem. Paul readily saw their game, and stood upon his legal rights. “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat," he r e p l i e d , “where 1 ought to be judged” (v. 1 0 ). “To Caesar shalt thou go," said Festus. Thus,all their plots took Paulvnearer the place he wanted to reach—Rome. Jesus promised His disciples high-class audiences (Mk. 13:9). A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice were in Festus’ court. Festus, as a sort of entertainment, proposed that Agrippa hear Paul’s argu ment. Thus all the great officials of the empire heard, the Gospel through the at tacks o|§its. Jewish enemies: Great op portunities are sometimes created through human mistakes. When men think they are blocking the Gospel, they are opening the gates of opportunity. For the second time Paul goes, over the full statement of his conversion (cf. ch, 22). Of five discourses by Paul recorded, two have his., personal testimony as a basis. Outside the resurrection of Jesus, the Gospel histories have no evidence equaling the conversion of t Paul. Paul well knew :that the story of his conver sion was worth something to the world. God gave it proper emphasis in the New Testament. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so," says the . Psalmist. Thousands have been saved through personal testi monies. As Paul reached the’ climax, “Festus said with a loud voice/ Paul, thou art be side thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (26:24). When men cannot prove Christianity a ‘fake, the next move is to call its advocates “cracked.” They said it of Jesus (Mk. 3 :21; Jno. 10:20). The servant is not greater than his Lord. But calling the preacher crazy doesn’t change the truth nor annul the power of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). Why should a preacher get scared at this kind of talk and water down the Gospel ? Who is crazy? Let God say! (Lk. 12: 20; 24:25). .Who is the sane man? The one who rules God but of the universe and turns his back upon the cross of Cal vary? Or- the man who believes God has made known His will for man in His in spired Word which tells us deity has be come incarnate, dealt with our sins and risen for our justification? Paul’s sermon seemed wasted. “Almost," said Agrippa, “thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (v. 28). They went their wicked ways (vs. 30-32). None of them knew what a fateful moment had trans pired with them. There are many such moments in life. Men make decisions that influence all the future and reach into eternity. The man who goes away rejecting, after hearing Christ preached, does no trivial thing. To say the least, he has added one more stone to the bar
God can make men’s worldly' policies serve His purposes (25 :4'; cf. Psa. 76:10). All the loud talk of skeptics against the Bible doesn’t prove anything (25:7). We can be bold before men if we are humble before God (25 :10). ? A good rule to govern our private cen- ghres (25:16). C hapter 26 When you have a chance to speak for yourself, speak for the ■Master instead (26:1)-. . . . . ■The fighters of Christianity are the mad men (26:11). A man may be sincere and the biggest fool on earth at the same tim e'(26:9). No man will be a saint in heaven if he is not first a saint on earth (26:18). Therfe is no true repentance without fruit (26:20). You needn’t be ashamed of the Gospel in any company (26:22). Thb ¿Saddbist, word in the English lan guage-—“almost” (26:28). There is a measureless distance between “almost” and “altogether” if you’re jump ing across a chasm (26:29). —o— S criptural T houghts . The object of worship- —“God of my fa thers”—(24:14). The rule of worship ■ -“believing a l l things”—(24:14). The end of w o r s h ip jW m p e toward God”-H(24:15). ■—rO— : ¡(.aw/ reasoned of —(24:25): . What kind of righteousness? Gal. 3: 21-22>; Phil. 3:9; Titus 3:5;'", What kind fmmemOeranr.e? Titus 2:11- 12; 1 'Pet. 4:1-5. What kind of judgment? Jude 5:24; 2 Cor. 5':10||Eev. 20:11. Left Paul bound (24:27)—-BUT -Paul knew: 1. God’s eyes were upon him—Psa. 33: 18-19.' 2. God’s, ears were open to him Psa. 34:15. 3. God’s arms were about him—Pg® 89:13.
rier that will shut heaven to him for ever. Nevertheless, Paul’s serinon has been preached for 2 ,0 0 0 years and that word "almost” has stirred thousands of hearts to decision. The Revised Version gives v. 28: "With but little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me a 'Christian," —that sis, “In this little talk you think you can . convince me.” This version makes the statement a mockery of Paul for taking it for granted 'Agrippa was at all in agreement With him. This Jvybuld. imply that the king was not influenced in the least by Paul’s words. Thus it, may seem to the preacher that his breath has been wasted upon the congregation, yet God’s Word “shall not return unto Him void.” Some where, sometime, it shall accomplish that whereunto He sent it (Isa. 55 :11). C hapter 24 Two. striking thing® A bad man cred ited with good things he never did (24: 2-3) and a good man blamed for evil deeds of which he was innocent. , Big churchmen sometime’s own them- sfijyessworn enemies of the Gospel (24:1). Bitter'enemies love each .other fervent ly when it comes to opposing the Gos- pfel (24:3). t; Every-cafisglean find fellows of sharp wits to plead it (24:2). You can’t, always judge people’s affec tions by their applause (24:3),v.s The. truest kind of a life is no fence) against the-fratred of rejecters (24:5 ; cf. Jno. 15:18). Evil is always in haste to speak. Inno cence can wait its time (24:10), ;i It is nothing new for the right .way o'C Worship to be .called heresy. (24:14). : Twice in Caesarea, the man of God was .“sent ¡for”- (24e24) to explain the, Gospel ¡[contrast 10:7-33). Not all who are convicted by the Holy Spirit are converted (24:25); ' C hapter 25 ¡- Paid ,was jailed but his work went on. You can’t get rid of th®influence. of a man of God (25:2). P ith and P oint *
— V L A T i 0 T A H E A D J \ [O W ! To Make (^hristmas Count for (^hrist
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