When Opportunity Knocks
Acts 24
24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @ Sunday, February 18, 2024
Hello NewDay Friends,
This week, we begin the season of Lent. This is a time for reflection and intentionality in the ways we practice following Jesus.
As I have been reading the book Practicing The Way, by John Mark Comer, one of the things I have appreciated is the idea of making God a habit in my life.
My own work, and prayer for us all, is that we will use this time of Lent to make relationship with God a habit and something we look forward to, and begin to prioritize more, throughout the day, practicing the presence of God, as the monk Brother Lawrence named it.
I was challenged by this idea when I realized that oftentimes we make relationship with God a box to be checked off or something we have to do- not something or someone we are excited to spend time with or invest our energy or thoughts, emotions and priorities with. I want to encourage you to consider ways you can practice relationship intentionally with Jesus, especially during this time of year.
What I do understand about habits is that we are successful at change when new habits are introduced as they replace other habits.
Sunday we also will be studying and learning from the book of Acts. This Sunday, in Acts 24 and 25, the apostle Paul finds himself on trial before 2 different governors over a span of several years. One thing to consider about Paul's time in prison is that he used his space and time to grow closer to Jesus, and also to see every opportunity as a chance to testify about Jesus and the resurrection.
The conversation that will be focused on this week is the one in which Paul is before governor Felix and challenges him on some practices and ideas that produce noticeable fear and discomfort in Felix.
The connection point for me with Lent is that we often eliminate practices or add in practices that could draw us closer to God, and help us be more intentional in our lives, in our spirituality, and also examine areas in our life that do not reflect our values and beliefs as followers of Jesus.
The topics that Paul spoke about with Felix were about self-control, righteousness, and the judgment to come. None of these are very popular topics today either! They do matter though, as how we live reflects what is going on inside our hearts and minds, our beliefs and values.
I hope that as you have been reading in the book of Acts, you are encouraged by Paul's life, and how the early church followed Jesus together and continued to testify about Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. This is the Easter message, 24/7!
May we do likewise. May we keep using every opportunity to examine our own walk, use every conversation as an opportunity to show God's love with gentleness and respect and live a life that is intentional, reflecting Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Kari
We'll discuss Acts 24-25 this Sunday, then you are encouraged to read Acts 26 throughout the week. An Acts Reading Plan can be found below.