Acts 27:1,9-11

Acts 27:1,9-11 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. After Paul had appealed to Caesar, he was turned over to a Roman captain named Julius. Julius was kind to Paul, but didn’t want to hang around waiting for good sailing conditions. He wanted to get back home to Rome, where he was stationed. Paul warned Julius not to sail so late in the season, but Julius ignored Paul. Instead, Julius listened to the ship captain, who said what Julius wanted to hear. The master and owner of the ship wanted to get his stuff to Rome to sell it for a handsome profit. Tomorrow we’ll see how this worked out for Paul, Julius, and the ship captain. Who do you think was right? Tomorrow, we’ll see.

Acts 26:28-32

Acts 26:28-32 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.  And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. Paul was very convincing when he spoke to Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice. He was convincing because the Holy Spirit was with him. As Paul spoke, the Holy Spirit was quietly speaking to the hearts of Festus and Agrippa. But isn’t it interesting, each of these kings had a different reaction. As we saw yesterday, King Festus spoke up loudly and told Paul that he was crazy! But today we heard that King Agrippa was almost convinced to become a Christian. That is just what happens today. When someone talks about Jesus and becoming a Christian, some people outright reject Jesus, but others consider if Jesus is really the Son of God. Before I speak about Jesus, I say a quick, quiet prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts and minds of those who I am speaking to. God, the Holy Spirit can do much more to convince people than I can!

Acts 26:24-28

Acts 26:24-28 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Paul testified to Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice very persuasively. But King Agrippa just couldn’t believe. The Holy Spirit was talking with Agrippa’s soul, but he just couldn’t let go of his pride and sin. He just couldn’t turn his life over to Jesus Christ. How sad. As far as we know, Agrippa never accepted the grace of God. He was never saved – as far as we know. I hope he accepted Jesus before it was too late. Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? I hope you have.

Acts 25:9-12

Acts 25:9-12 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. When Festus became the governor of Caesarea in Felix’ place, he was more agreeable to the Jews than Felix had been. So when the Jewish leaders wanted Paul back in Jerusalem where they could ambush him, Festus went along with them. But Paul knew what was going to happen and he wasn’t going to let the Jews win. He was a Roman citizen so he appealed directly to Caesar for justice. Paul knew that Caesar probably would not like his worship of Jesus Christ, but he had to get to Rome to testify for Jesus, and this was his only way to get there. And he was going to take it. Paul was focused on doing the will of Jesus. I wonder if we are as focused on Jesus as Paul was?

Acts 24:24,25

Acts 24:24,25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. When The Chief Captain whisked Paul away to Caesarea and safety, he was under Felix’s jurisdiction. That means that the governor, Felix was in charge of the area where Paul was from. Paul was given a reasonable amount of freedom in the governor’s palace where he was being held. Frequently, Governor Felix would call for Paul and they would discuss the claims of Jesus Christ. On one occasion, here in our verses for today, the Holy Spirit was speaking to Felix so much that he actually trembled! But Felix just did not accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The Bible doesn’t tell us why. Perhaps Felix was scared of what other people would say  like Nicodemus was in John chapter 3. Perhaps Felix just couldn’t bring himself to accept the simplicity of the Gospel. Christ said that we must come to Him as a little child. Perhaps it was too simple for an important man like Felix. But whatever the reason, we never hear that Felix became a Christian. We do know that he was replaced by Governor Festus two years later. And Paul was still there as a prisoner! God had many more important people for Paul to speak to. And all the while Paul was writing many of the books of the New Testament, which we read today! What a blessing! And, what a testimony!

Acts 23:16,17,17,22,23,24

Acts 23:16,17,19,22,23,24 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. The forty Jews who bound themselves to kill the old apostle, Paul did not know that God would protect him. Their evil plot was overheard by Paul’s nephew, who told Paul, who told the centurion, who told the chief captain. The Chief Captain whisked Paul away to Felix in Caesarea up in Galilee. Then the Jews had to go up there to accuse Paul, where he was more protected. I wonder what happened to those forty assassins who swore that they would neither eat nor drink until Paul was dead? Paul lived another few years. I wonder if they kept their evil vow? Probably not. But God was watching over his chosen preacher. And Paul went to preach in Rome just like God had told him he would – and Caesar paid for the trip! Never forget: God takes care of His own!