Living Room Study

ACTS 25

“And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.  But I found that he had done nothing deserving death.  As he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.  But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him.  Therefore I have brought him before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we examined him, I may have something to write.”  Acts 25: 24-26

Have you ever tried to share the hope of Jesus with a stranger?  It can be really uncomfortable, because you never know how people are going to react.  Sometimes people get angry and other times they’re ready to accept Jesus on the spot.  Sadly, most believers aren’t prepared for either scenario.

Evangelism can be like shark fishing.  In shark fishing, there are two questions: 1) “What are we gonna do if we don’t catch and sharks?”  2) “What are gonna’ do with a shark in the boat?!!!”

Paul saw a wide variety of responses when he shared the gospel.  Many believed, and the church, as we know it, was born.  Others wanted to kill him.  The Roman Governor Felix protected Paul, but his real desire was for Paul’s money.  Enter Roman Governor, Festus.  Festus inherited the “problem of Paul” from his predecessor.  Stuck between politics and principles, Festus was such a weak leader that he needed a committee to tell him how to accuse Paul.   

The great message of today’s passage is that Festus never found anything wrong with Paul’s character, his politics, or his theology…could that be said of your character?

A few years back, I wrote a song that posed a question:  “If loving God was a crime, would you be an outlaw?”  Does your life honor God in such a way that your accusers couldn’t find any evidence of worldliness?

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins