We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES IN DIFFICULT PLACES

Scripture References: ACTS 24-26

Paul’s destination is Rome, but first God has a plan for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be presented to the political leaders of that day. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. And who better to represent the message of Christ (outside of Christ) than Paul, who had a radical encounter with and changed by Jesus. Paul will defend himself in a trial before Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa. Have you ever recognized you are living in the middle of God's will? It’s a powerful and praiseworthy moment. I have felt those times and have seen with my own eyes where I can tell I'm walking and going through the will of God. What I thought was a distraction, an interruption, a trial, or a detour, in the end it wasn't. It was an opportunity to make Jesus and his love known to a world desperately in need of Him.

Notes:

Acts 24:1-27

V. 22-27 Paul preaches the truth in love to Felix and Drusilla

Paul had been the defender in his own case but now he had become the preacher.
Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa 1, who at the age of 14 had married Aziz, king of the small Syrian state Emesa. Two years later she was induced by Felix to abandon her first husband. -FLBC, pg 667
Paul didn’t pull any punches and preached the truth. Felix was a cruel tyrannical and unjust ruler. He did not practice “self-control” but had given himself to unbridled lust. Felix was also guilty of enticing Drusilla away from her first husband. If he does not repent he will stand under condemnation in the judgment to come.
**There was enough conscience left in Felix that he was frightened. He didn’t want to hear anything else because he knew of his guilt. The truth revealed his guilt and even though he is frightened he does not repent and turn from his evil ways…he smothers his conscience and fails to believe the gospel that offers the forgiveness of sins. It doesn’t appear that felix has a genuine interest in the messages of Paul. In the end, he’s hoping for a bribe but does not realize who he is speaking to…Paul lived with integrity and never bribed Felix. Two years of prison time as an innocent man. Perhaps, though, this prison time was still God’s way of protecting Paul from the jews who wanted to kill him.

Application point: This is what we’ll do today, when we hear truth and conviction we’ll close our ears literally or walk away from the truth because it cuts to the heart and exposes the truth in our own lives. The truth that cuts deep is good for us though. We need wake up calls and we shouldn’t suppress the truth with pride or ongoing wickedness we should confess our sins and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins made possible by His death on the cross. If we do we are forgiven and have peace with God.

Summarize Chapter 25

In Acts 25, the Roman governor Festus succeeds Felix and inherits Paul's case around AD 59. Festus was a wise and just governor in comparison to Felix. He died in office in AD 62 (FLBC, pg. 668) The Jewish leaders ask Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem, planning to ambush him along the way, but Festus refuses, insisting that Paul will be tried in Caesarea. When Paul is brought before Festus, he defends himself, asserting that he has committed no crime against the Jewish law or the Roman authorities. After hearing both sides, Festus should have declared Paul innocent and released unconditionally. But like Felix, Festus takes Paul’s case as an opportunity to gain the favor of the Jews and asks Paul go to Jerusalem for trial but Paul appeals to Caesar, asserting his innocence and rights as a Roman citizen. Festus agrees to send Paul to Rome, and he discusses the situation with King Agrippa, who expresses interest in hearing Paul’s case. Festus needs help determining a just reason Paul goes to Caesar and hopes King Agrippa can help so Festus schedules a hearing the next day.
Through this legal procedure God’s plan for Paul to be a witness in Rome is being carried out. God’s hand is directing the course of the events.

Acts 26:1-32 Paul's defense before King Agrippa

V.1-3 Introductions

Herod Agrippa II is the most important figure Paul would address in Acts. Agrippa II is the only son of Herod Agrippa I, who had murdered the Apostle James (12:1-2) and imprisoned the Apostle Peter to put him to death (12:1-9) but was rescued.

V. 4-11 Paul's past life

The messianic promise, the Messiah, the anointed one, the Christ, who would come from the line of Abraham to set all things right. He had come, He is Jesus Christ. He died on the cross but rose to life on the 3rd day. Paul is convinced Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise and it was proven further when Jesus rose again.
Paul once opposed those who believed and preached about the risen Lord but now Paul can't deny this reality and he can't deny his own encounter with the risen Jesus. Paul is not crazy and not delusional but convinced! And he can't help but testify to the truth.
Application point: I feel the same way. I have encountered Jesus and I have seen His work in others. I can't deny evidence and the power of God demonstrated in my life. To deny Christ would be to deny reality for me or take away something as necessary as blood in my body or oxygen in the air. There's no turning back, I can't, I won't,

V . 12-23 Paul's radical conversion and call to ministry

V 14 kicking against the goad's (a sharp pole to move oxen) Paul wrote later that in spite of his blaspheming, violence, and persecution of the church he was shown mercy because he was acting in ignorance and unbelief (1 Tim. 1:13). Kicking the goads evidently referred to the futility of his persecuting the church. Toussaint, S. D. (1985). Acts. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

Verses 18-20 are key. Paul makes clear his call to serve God and the message of His call.

Christian conversion involves two aspects: 1) Turning away from darkness and the power of Satan, and 2) turning to light and God. The coming out of darkness into light requires a change of lords. At conversion, a person under the lordship of Satan comes under the lordship of God. -FLBC, pg. 675
Application: True faith leads to a changed life. Faith is more than belief in a new piece of knowledge. It is a belief that results in repenting or the changing of one's mind and way of life. This should result in living proof by the way you live.

V. 24-30 Pauls's exchanges with Festus, Agrippa, and judgment call

Paul appeals to Agrippa as one who knows the events were not done in a corner. Agrippa himself was a Jew and would know the events surrounding the cross and resurrection of Jesus because they were public knowledge. The Christian movement did not grow in a secret corner but in the public. Agrippa would know about the resurrection of Jesus and he would know about Pentecost where the church was born.
No one knows what Festus eventually wrote to Caesar but he most likely wrote Paul was innocent. Since Paul appealed to Caesar this technicality kept him in chains, but it also kept Paul in God’s will to get to Rome!

Application:

Look for divine opportunities in difficult places

Look at Paul’s heart… He was unjustly held for over two years for no crime committed and he fights for their eternal destiny. Oh God, give us this kind of heart that will not live and fight only for ourselves but will live to proclaim and testify of your truth and grace for us to a lost world. Paul isn't just defending himself before political figures and leaders in court, Paul sees this opportunity to preach His heart out for their souls! This required Paul to rest his own anxious heart, look beyond his physical situation, and see the eternal opportunity to hopefully lead these figures to put their trust in Jesus Christ. Because even if Paul was the one in chains, he was still the one in a better position than anyone else in the room.
Are you going through a difficult season? Keep your eyes open. Nothing is wasted when we use every situation as an opportunity to glorify God.
What about your work place? What about your supervisors? What about your co-workers? They need Jesus. Do they know the truth about Jesus, the cross, the resurrection, and gift of eternal life? Do they know about your relationship with Jesus and what He has done in and through your life?
Are you a spouse or parent who is exhausted physically and emotionally? You should certainly rest and take care for yourself. You must be with Jesus and approach each day knowing Jesus dwells in so you can keep pouring out. But becareful that you don’t miss out on opportunities to speak Jesus into your family or those around you.

Be a witness for Christ in all circumstances

When Jesus told the church in Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses” He didn’t specify the circumstances. Jesus did warn them though in the gospels and the apostles quickly learned they would get opportunities to witness and testify about Jesus in peaceful and hostile circumstances.

The reassuring peace of God’s presence will eclipse your difficult circumstance

We can be confident as witnesses because we know the message to be true and when we know it’s true the circumstances don’t matter. We can be confident too because Jesus promised: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Jesus was with them and is with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be their advocate, standby, helper, and counselor. God was with them and God is with us.

We take the light of Christ to those in darkness to lead them into life in Christ.

Discussion:

What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of God’s will? Could you share what that moment was like and how you could tell?
What divine opportunities have you found in your difficult circumstances?
Are you going through a difficult season? How can we pray for you or someone in your life, today?

The most important decision you will ever make!

If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!

We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Ryan Coon

DIVINE OPPORTUNITIES IN DIFFICULT PLACES