Sharing God’s Transformation

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 26:1-32

 

Acts 26:24-25

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” ²⁵ But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.

(ESV)

 

The Apostle Paul has a passion to share Christ in whatever situation he finds himself in. When in prison, he would write letters to the Churches he established as a way of staying in touch that would become the epistles in the New Testament today. Now, imprisoned in Caesarea for his protection, the Apostle Paul could speak with King Agrippa.

 

While Paul Is in protective custody due to a plot to kill him (Acts 23:12-22), king Agrippa comes to Caesarea. Governor Festus takes the opportunity of the king’s visit to inform him of a prisoner he inherited from his predecessor, Felix (Acts 25:13-22). After king Agrippa agrees to hear Paul, Acts 26:1-32 is the account of Paul’s testimony before the king and shows us how one can share God’s transformation in their life without the need to have vast theological knowledge. 

 

Paul begins by telling the king he feels fortunate to share his defense with king Agrippa based on his familiarity with the customs and controversies of the Jews (Acts 26:1-3). He begins his defense by telling the king about his former manner of life before his conversion and how it is known by all the Jews (Acts 26:4). As a Pharisee, during his former manner of life, it would have been Paul making accusations and not the accused in the current situation (Acts 26:5-8). Formerly Paul was the persecutor, locking Christians up in jail, trying to get them to blaspheme (Acts 26:9-11).

 

However, a miraculous transformation has occurred in the life of Paul that began on his trip to Damascus to arrest believers in Christ, bringing them to Jerusalem for trial. Paul tells the king how he saw a light brighter than the sun and heard a voice that asked him why he was persecuting the Lord (Acts 26:12-14). Paul then asks the Lord for his ID and is told it is Jesus, the one he has been persecuting (Acts 26:15).  Scripture does not tell us how Paul may have felt at this time but he most likely felt as Peter did after denying Christ three times, wanting to weep bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). Paul may have felt God would reject him and that he would live out the remainder of his life in misery over what he had done but instead, Paul  received his calling from God (Acts 26:16-18). 

 

In light of the mercy he received from God, Paul is obedient to the vision God has given him, beginning his ministry for Christ in Damascus, then Jerusalem, then Judea, and then to the Gentiles urging people to repent and turn to God (Acts 26:19-20). It is this transformation from one persecuting believers in Jesus, and thus Jesus himself, to one following Jesus that led the Jews to seize Paul in the Temple (Acts 26:21).  Paul then tells the king all he has done is share what the prophets and Moses have said regarding how Christ must suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 26:22-23; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22).

 

At this Festus tells Paul he has lost his mind with Paul telling him that he has not lost his mind but speaks rational words because the king knows about what Paul speaks (Acts 26:24-26). Paul then boldly asks the king if he believes with the king asking Paul if in such a short time he would persuade King Agrippa to become a Christian (Acts 26:27-28). Paul then tells the king he hopes that all hearing him might become believers (Acts 26:29). Paul’s defense ends with king Agrippa, Governor Festus, and Bernice deciding that Paul has done nothing deserving death and that he could have gone free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:30-32).

 

Paul offers a defense to King Agrippa by testifying about the miraculous conversion he experienced on the road to Damascus. Paul could have offered the defense that he was obeying Jewish customs by fulfilling a vow in the Temple when seized by the Jews (Acts 21:27). Paul could have told the king that the Jews are just jealous of his popularity since receiving Christ but instead shares the very message of the Gospel that has placed the Jews at odds with him, claiming Jesus is the Christ. No matter what the circumstances Paul faces, he maintains his focus on sharing Christ and bring glory to his name.

 

Like the Apostle Paul, the Church must have a missional focus on its mission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Paul’s life after his conversion was a life lived with one purpose, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples. I pray the Church will catch the passion and vision of Paul, bringing Christ to a world in chaos. May God bless and challenge those reading this post. 

God Preserves His People

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 22:1-10

 

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(ESV)

 

The mission of the Church has not changed but how the Church shares the Gospel message of the death burial and resurrection of Christ has. During the time of Jesus giving the Church the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), people had to spread messages through word of mouth and written letters. Modern technology has made it possible to spread the Gospel message through television, radio, email, the internet, and social media. However, the message has not, and must not change.

 

In Jeremiah 22:1-10, the Lord is stating for a second time His message to the king of Judah in Jeremiah 21:11-14, to protect the innocent who has been robbed by the invading army invading Jerusalem.  These innocents consist of those robbed of their possessions, resident aliens or those living peacefully in the land, the fatherless, and widows (Jeremiah 22:3). While scripture does not mention the name of the king of Judah in this passage, it is most likely Shallum, one of Josiah’s sons. This is because he is the king who went away into captivity with the remnant in Judah and who died in captivity, never to return to Judah (Jeremiah 22:11-12).  While he was among those that disobeyed God, he also went with the exiles and may have been used by God to protect them in captivity, evidenced by the house of Judah and the throne of David not becoming a desolation.

 

This is a second message from the Lord to the king of Judah to deliver from the hand of the oppressor those who have been robbed, and to do no wrong or violence to the resident aliens, fatherless, widows, or to shed innocent blood (Jeremiah 21:11-14; 22:1-10). God restates this message to reinforce the need for the king of Judah to protect the remnant of Jews who will go into exile and from whom a generation will emerge who will return to the land and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1).  Just as a generation emerged from those wandering in the wilderness that entered the Promised Land, a generation will emerge from those in exile from whom Messiah will come. The Lord is calling the king of Judah to protect this remnant.

 

The Church has a calling from God to share the Gospel message and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). God does not want anyone to die in sin (2 Peter 3:9), so this calling is the Church acting as the hands and feet of God to point people to Christ. Unfortunately, the Church can become sidetracked by management responsibilities like managing programs or facilities and lose sight of why these programs and facilities are needed, to facilitate spreading the Gospel message. The Church can also become sidetracked by political and cultural issues and attempt to correct them secularly through elections and government. While the Church should speak out on cultural and political issues, to attempt to fix them through changing the culture secularly is to attempt to fix things through the supply side, making these activities illegal. Instead, the great commission calls for the Church to reduce the demand for anti-God political and cultural activities. The Church must focus on reducing the demand for sin by pointing people to Jesus instead of condemning or judging them (John 3:16-18). 

 

If you are reading this and never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage those that just prayed to share their decision with others, especially those praying for them. I also encourage you to share this post with friends so they too can make a profession of faith in Jesus as their Savior. You are also encouraged to find a Church teaching from the Bible where you can learn more about God. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post,

Paul, a Political Football

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 25:13-27

 

Acts 25:26-27

“But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

(ESV)

 

In the game of American football, the objective is taking the ball across the goal line for a touchdown, or kicking it through the goalposts for a field goal. To accomplish this, the players pass the ball around beginning with the center snapping the ball, usually to the quarterback. The quarterback then has the option of carrying the ball himself, handing it off to another player, or passing the ball either laterally or through a forward pass. In Acts 25:13-27, Paul may have felt like a football as he goes from arrest by Felix, continued confinement by Festus, and not appearing before king Agrippa.

 

The passage begins with king Agrippa and Bernice arriving in Caesarea (Acts 25:13). Why King Agrippa has come to Caesarea is unclear but after he is there many days, Festus lays Paul’s case out before the king (Acts 25:14). Festus tells the king how the Jewish leaders laid out their case in Jerusalem asking for a sentence of condemnation but would not pass sentence until Paul had a chance to face his accusers as was the Roman custom (Acts 25:15-16). Festus tells the king he did not delay but took his seat in the tribunal as soon as Paul and the Jewish leaders came together in Caesarea. However, the case was not as Festus thought with no charges deserving death levied against Paul but rather a religious dispute regarding Jesus (Acts 25:17-19).  Festus offers Paul the opportunity for trial in Jerusalem since the issues are religious but Paul refuses and instead opts to remain in Caesarea under protective custody until he could go to Caesar (Acts 25:20-21).  Upon hearing this king Agrippa asks to hear from Paul himself (Acts 25:22)

 

The next day the king and Bernice enter the audience hall with great pomp with Paul brought in at the order of Festus (Acts 25:23). Festus now states his current dilemma and why he needs help from King Agrippa. With no formal charges worthy of death as the people asked, Festus has no charges providing a reason for Paul to appear before Caesar (Acts 25:24-25). Rather than do the unreasonable thing of sending a non-condemned man to Caesar, Festus hopes King Agrippa can provide something for Paul to write when sending Paul to Caesar (Acts 25:26-27). 

 

The charges against Paul have no basis in truth and are a continuation of the rejection of Jesus, and anyone following Him, by the Jewish religious leaders. With two previous plots to kill Paul foiled (Acts 23:12-22; 25:1-5), the chief priests and elders resort to employing the same tactic used on Jesus, having the Romans perform the execution.  Festus wants to rid himself of a problem left to him by Felix by sending Paul off to Caesar but must have some charge to levy against Paul before sending him to Caesar. Paul has become a political football passed on from Felix, to Festus, to King Agrippa, and then to Caesar.

 

The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants the Church religious liberty with the government not allowed to prevent the practice of Christianity. This can place the Church in the position of a political football as it takes a biblical stand against ungodly cultural practices like abortion, gay marriage, and transgenderism supported by some in government. Those holding political office supporting these practices would like to tell the Church to cease and desist but to do so would violate the Constitution. However, the Church cannot simply rest on its constitutional protection for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but spiritual forces in high places (Ephesians 6:12). These forces have one purpose, separating people from a relationship with God and have no regard for earthly laws like the Constitution. This is why we must put on the whole armor of God and never take it off (Ephesians 6:13-18). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Deliverance into Conformity to God and His Word.

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 21:1-14

 

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(ESV)

 

As the government of the United States continues to spend, spend, spend to fund its giveaway programs like free education, childcare, and unemployment benefits that take away the incentive to work, it is ignoring the laws of economics.  While government officials can ignore the laws of economics for a time, the consequences of ignoring these laws do not exempt falling prey to the consequences of violating them.  The main law of economics is the law of supply and demand.  Products with limited supply become more valuable with their prices going up while products with an overabundance of supply go down in value. 

 

A recent example was the toilet paper shortage during the beginning of the pandemic.  As the demand for toilet paper increased due to panic, store shelves went bare, and the price of toilet paper increased due to demand exceeding supply.  Similarly, if the government floods the economy with money through giving out stimulus checks, child tax credit checks, and offering free health care and education, people have more money, and demand for products increases.  This increased demand makes it necessary for suppliers to make more products but, if there is a shortage of workers due to people choosing to remain on unemployment instead of working, the result is shortages and inflation.  Adding to the problem is the reduction of the supply of crude oil, causing a reduction in the supply of fuel and an increase in gas prices which increases the cost of delivering products to stores, fueling more inflation.  Ignoring the basic economic law of supply and demand has the consequences of inflation, something beginning to happen in the United States. 

 

Judah has continued to rebel against God, intending to continue in the sin of worshipping other gods (Jeremiah 16:10-13).  This rebellion has the consequence of expulsion from the Promised Land into exile in a foreign land (Deuteronomy 28).  Instead of realizing their sin and repenting of it, the people of Jerusalem and Judah believe they are an exception to this law and that God will deliver them just like He delivered them from the army of Egypt at the Red Sea (Exodus 14).  It is this belief that led king Zedekiah to send Pashhur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah asking for deliverance from the army of the King of Babylon who is making war with them (Jeremiah 21:1-2).  However, instead of praying for deliverance for Judah and the people of Jerusalem, Jeremiah reminds them of their rebellion against God and its consequences (Jeremiah 21:3-10).  Jeremiah then gives a word from the Lord to the House of David to execute justice, delivering from the hands of the oppressor so God’s wrath does not annihilate Judah and the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 21:11-14). 

 

The men sent to Jeremiah by king Zedekiah have an arrogancy that since they are the chosen of God, God will not allow harm to come from them by the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 21:2).  They believe that God will deliver them from their enemies just like he did with the army of Egypt at the Red Sea.  While it is true God did deliver his children at the Red Sea, he was delivering them from slavery towards freedom in the Promised Land.  They are right in believing God will deliver them this time as well, but the path of deliverance is different and will come through a period of exile in Babylon where the people can reflect on and repent of their rebellion.  God is not going to deliver Judah back into their rebellion but wants to deliver them from their rebellion towards freedom from their sin. 

 

Today, we live under the dispensation of God’s grace with our salvation dependent on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:8).  However, this does not mean we are to continue in sin knowing our salvation is secure in Christ (Romans 6:1-4).  Instead, we are to lose conformity to the world and its sin and seek conformity to God through the renewing of our minds through God’s Word (Romans 12:1-2).  Sin has consequences in one’s life even if they received salvation through professing Jesus as their Savior.  The finished work of Jesus on the cross delivered us from sin but not the consequences of continuing in sin after our profession of faith and why we must be students of God’s Word, losing conformity to the world and gaining conformity to God.  A world in chaos must see God’s people living lives of conformity to God’s Word and the order, peace, and joy it brings in life.  I pray God challenges and blesses everyone reading this post.  

Paul Appeals to Caesar

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 25:1-12

 

Acts 25:10-11.

But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. ¹¹ If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 

(ESV)

 

Liberty is the foundation of the founding documents of the United States, but it is just a word on a page without commitment by political leaders, members of the military, and law enforcement to protect the precious and fragile liberties given to people by God.  This is why these individuals take an oath, promising and pledge to defend the Constitution of the United States.  However, the sad fact is that many political leaders utter their words of promise to defend the constitution and govern in a manner that usurps the constitution they promised to protect.  Sadly, these usurping political leaders are working to dismantle the military and law enforcement, leaving the innocent without the protection of their liberties.  This places the freedom and liberty to practice our Christian faith in jeopardy and why God’s people must remain diligent in prayer and focused on their mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). 

 

Acts 25:1-12 begins with another plot by the Jews to kill the Apostle Paul (Acts 25:1-3), but since it is not yet Paul’s time to die for the Lord, the plan is foiled (Acts 25:4-5).  Paul is in Caesarea under protective custody due to a previous plot to kill him (Acts 23:12-22).  In each of these accounts, Paul receives assistance from the unexpected source of a Roman official. 

 

With their plan foiled once again, the Jews must accompany Festus to Caesarea and present their case there where Paul is in protective custody.  After eight or ten days, the Jews accompany Festus to Caesarea with Festus taking his seat at the tribunal, and Paul brought in (Acts 25:6).  The tribunal begins with the Jews levying serious, but unprovable, charges against Paul (Acts 25:7).  In his defense, Paul argues he has not broken any Jewish law, laws of the temple, or laws of Caesar (Acts 25:8).  In response, Festus asks Paul if he wants to go to Jerusalem for trial because he wants to do the Jews a favor (Acts 25:9). 

 

Perhaps aware that while in Caesarea he is in protective custody or purposefully attempting to lay a pathway to Rome, Paul appeals to Caesar (Acts 25:10).  Paul is also more comfortable testifying in Rome before Caesar than his fellow Jews who have twice devised a plot to kill him.  The Jews have a vile hatred of Paul and see nothing wrong with killing him to silence the Gospel message he preaches but the Roman officials are interested in maintaining order with Festus believing keeping Paul in protectivity custody and sending him to Rome the best way to accomplish this. 

 

God’s protection can come from unexpected sources (i.e., King Cyrus) with that protection part of God’s plan for us individually and His bigger plan.  According to the word of the Lord uttered by Jeremiah, Israel and Judah are in exile due to their worship of foreign gods, but God has not forgotten them.  However, their help comes from an unexpected source, King Cyrus of Persia (Ezra 1).  Paul also receives help from an unexpected source Festus, who rescues him from a plot to kill him on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 25:3-5).  This allows Paul to speak to the Roman tribunal convened in Caesarea and make his appeal to Caesar, opening up a pathway to speak to Caesar as God promised (Acts 23:11). 

 

God will protect us so He can fulfill His plan for our lives and the Church.  The Church has a mission to share the message of Salvation in the Gospel and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  When individuals or the Church come under attack for their message, they have two choices.  They can back off and compromise the message so as not to offend those not in the church or they can continue on mission, trusting God for protection.  The challenge for Christians reading this is will they be like Paul who did not understand the word compromise and instead focused on running his race of serving the Lord (2 Timothy 4:7) or compromise.  Hebrews 12:1 encourages each of us to run the race God has set before us with endurance.  I pray everyone reading this post takes up that challenge.  

An Open Heart

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 20:1-18

 

Jeremiah 20:13

Sing to the Lord;
    praise the Lord!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
    from the hand of evildoers.

(ESV)

 

It is easy to praise the Lord when things are going good for it is a celebration of good times in our lives but to praise the Lord when in a struggle is a true sign of one who has dedicated their life to serving God.  Jeremiah 20:13 almost seems out of place contextually in the text of Jeremiah 20:1-18 for it occurs in the middle of a lament by Jeremiah after spending a night in stocks for what he was saying.  However, the verse is not out of place but Jeremiah acknowledging that God is in control and that the struggles he is currently going through will not lead to his destruction but is part of God’s plan (Jeremiah 29:11). 

 

Jeremiah 20 begins with Pashhur the priest beating Jeremiah and placing him in stocks for what he heard from his prophecy.  Pashhur is a priest who knows Israel is to have no other Gods (Exodus 20:1-3) and the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68), but instead of repenting and obeying God, he chooses to beat the messenger (Jeremiah 20:1-2).  The passage does not provide a reason for Pashhur’s actions, but it is safe to assume he had conviction in his heart by Jeremiah’s prophesy and wanted to shut Jeremiah up.  However, if Pashhur wanted to shut Jeremiah up, he failed for immediately after freeing Jeremiah from the stocks, Jeremiah told him his fate.  Pashhur would bring terror to himself and his friends with his friends falling by the sword as he watched.  The king of Babylon will capture Judah and carry the people off into exile.  The wealth of Judah will be plundered by their enemies, and Pashhur would also be carried off into exile, die, and be buried in Babylon (Jeremiah 20:3-6).   

 

While Jeremiah has obediently done all that the Lord commanded him to do, the rejection, persecution, and now a night in captivity have taken a toll on Jeremiah’s heart.  While Jeremiah could have tried to suppress the feelings of his heart, he chooses to make a lament to the Lord (Jeremiah 20:7-18).  Interestingly the lament begins with Jeremiah accusing the Lord of deceiving him (Jeremiah 20:7).  Jeremiah does soften his accusation by acknowledging the Lord is stronger and has prevailed and then tells the Lord that he has become a laughingstock with everyone mocking him, the real reason for his complaint. 

 

Jeremiah’s complaint continues with him complaining that the only words the Lord gives him to speak are about violence and destruction with the word of the Lord becoming a reproach to him (Jeremiah 20:8).  However, Jeremiah cannot be silent for the word of the Lord in his heart is like a burning fire, making him weary when he holds it in (Jeremiah 20:9).  The complaint continues with Jeremiah telling the Lord he hears those whispering calling for his destruction, hoping he will be deceived (Jeremiah 20:10) but Jeremiah knows the Lord is with him (Jeremiah 20:11).  Jeremiah then asks the Lord to allow him to see God’s vengeance come upon those calling for his destruction, offering praise to the Lord (Jeremiah 20:12-13). 

 

Jeremiah then continues by cursing the day he was born and even cursing the messenger bringing his father news of his birth (Jeremiah 20:14-15).  Jeremiah even calls for the destruction of the messenger of his birth, lamenting that he did not kill Jeremiah in his mother’s womb (Jeremiah 20:16-17).  Jeremiah’s lament ends with him questioning God on why he allowed him to be born into a life of toil, sorrow, and shame (Jeremiah 20:18).  The rejection and threats against Jeremiah have taken a toll on his heart but rather than complaining publicly, Jeremiah complains to God who has the power to protect him and take vengeance on his persecutors.  He does the wise thing, allowing God to take vengeance for vengeance does belong to the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19). 

 

The threats against Jeremiah have now become real with Pashhur the priest placing him in stocks for the night (Jeremiah 20:1-2), but this does not silence Jeremiah.  After his release from the stocks, Jeremiah once again announces what is about to happen in Judah, this time making it personal with Pashhur having to look at the murder of his friends and dying in Babylon (Jeremiah 20:3-6).  However, the continual rejection has taken a toll on Jeremiah’s heart but instead of keeping his feelings to himself, he shares them with the Lord (Jeremiah 20:7-18).  Jeremiah does not waiver in his ministry as a prophet because of persecution, oppression, and threats but is honest with the Lord about the feelings of his heart.  Jeremiah practices separation of feelings from ministry, reserving the expression of feelings to his alone time with the Lord. 

 

Each of us must learn to separate our feelings from our occupational or ministerial mission from God.  Jesus demonstrated this separation when praying in the Garden where he honestly expressed his feelings to God asking for the cup of wrath to pass from him while surrendering to God’s will and going to the cross (Matthew 26:36-46).  Jeremiah 20 is Jeremiah’s Gethsemane moment with Jeremiah 29:11 indicating his willingness to surrender to the will of God for his life.  As we approach the end times, we can expect the persecution of God’s people to increase (John 16:33).  We must guard our hearts against giving in to feelings of fear which are not from God and a trap (Proverbs 29:25; 2 Timothy 1:7) and instead express our feelings to God as Jeremiah and Jesus did.  May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.  

Guilty, but not as Charged

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 24:1-27

 

Acts 24:18-21.

While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— ¹⁹ they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

(ESV)

 

Fake news, false accusations, lies, and distortion of truth are sadly becoming normal in our culture.  Churches have a divine mission to share the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  The question we must ask is if the Church were on trial and accused of giving Glory to God, would the court find it guilty?

 

The high priest and elders present a set of false accusations against Paul.  Let us take a moment to act as a juror to assess the validity of the charges. 

 

1)      A plague – Paul performed extraordinary miracles with even handkerchiefs and aprons touching his skin providing healing for the sick and driving out evil spirits (Acts 19:11-12).  This hardly sounds like one who is a plague and instead one bringing healing from diseases, plaguing people.  If Paul were guilty of being a plague, it could be his plaguing the Pharisees and Sadducees with the truth about Jesus as Messiah. 

2)      Rioter – While riots followed Paul, he was not the instigator of these riots with those plagued by the truth of Paul’s teaching exposing their hypocrisy usually instigating the riots.  The instigator of the riot in Ephesus was not Paul but Demetrius, a silversmith whose saw his business of making silver shrines to Artemis, threatened by Paul’s teaching (Acts 19:21-42).  The only riot Paul is guilty of is a righteous invasion of truth that freed people from placing their faith in gods made by the hands of men who could not save them. 

3)      A leader of a sect – If Paul was guilty of leading a sect, it was a sect of teaching that plagued the religious leaders of his time by exposing their hypocrisy and failure to realize Jesus was the Messiah from scripture (Acts 24:14).  While the Pharisees in the group agree with Paul’s teaching about a resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:6-10), this is not enough to persuade them that Paul is not leading a sect but instead teaching the truth that Jesus is Messiah. 

 

If the Apostle Paul is guilty of anything, it is obedience to Jesus’ calling to the church to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  If I were a member of the jury in the hearing of Paul in Acts 24:1-27, I would find Paul innocent of the charges brought upon him by his accusers and guilty of giving glory to God by pointing people to Jesus.  This is something all believers in Christ and Churches should be guilty of. 

 

With their plan to kill Paul foiled and Paul in protective custody in Caesarea, the High Priest, and some elders journey to Caesarea to make their accusations against Paul to Governor Felix.  Their accusations against Paul are personal attacks calling Paul a plague, rioter, and leader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:2-5).  They then levy a false accusation of attempting to profane the Temple when all Paul was doing in the Temple was fulfilling a vow (Acts 21:23-24, 27).  This is a weak case and since Governor Felix is knowledgeable in the Way (Christianity), he does not fall for their scheme.  Felix shows a desire to know more about Jesus by bringing his Jewish wife with him to reason with Paul but when confronted by Paul’s teaching on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment (Acts 24:24-25), Felix is alarmed and convicted sending Paul away.  However, looking for money, Felix would often call for Paul and after the replacement of Felix as governor, Felix keeps Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews. 

 

This trial of Paul is similar to the trial of Jesus except, it is not Paul’s time to die for he has not testified in Rome (Acts 23:11).  Any persecution, rejection, legal proceedings, or physical harm occurring, occurs because God allows it.  Like the troubles incurred by Paul in this passage that are paving the path for Paul to speak in Rome, our struggles are part of God’s plan.  The shutting down of Churches due to Covid 19 was a struggle for many Churches and as Churches begin to gather again, my prayer is they understand the need to make the purpose of their times of gathering together to glorify God and spread the Gospel. 

 

It is time for the Church to be guilty of pointing people to Jesus Christ.  While the Church should speak out at cultural sins like abortion and gay marriage, it should do so not to score political points but in the context of lifting up Christ so people are drawn to him (John 12:32).  May God bless and challenge those reading this post. 

A Broken Flask

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 19:1-15

 

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

(ESV)

 

Happy Fourth of July everyone.  To those reading this that live outside of the United States, this may be just another day but for those living in the United States, the day has historical significance.  The day commemorates the intention of the colonies to separate from British rule due to a set of grievances listed in the document.  However, what most remember from the document is its preamble saying, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.”  The document goes on to say these rights are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Words like those in the U.S. Declaration of Independence are just ink on a page unless they are adhered to and defended, something that has occurred numerous times through war in the United States.    

 

For the nation of Judah, the situation has become dire and is about to result in the destruction of Judah beginning in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, making void the plans of Judah and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 19:7).  In Jeremiah 18:12,15-16 the people tell God they intend to follow their plans which are the worship of other gods.  God’s promise of destruction for Judah is God punishing His people for their disobedience to the first commandment (Exodus 20:1-3) and defending His word in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. 

 

Jeremiah 19 provides two prophetic illustrations symbolizing the plight of Judah and Jerusalem’s forsaking of God. 

 

1)      A siege (Jeremiah 19:1-9) – The Valley of the Son of Hinnom is about to come under siege from invaders from the north.  Ancient cities typically did not need to fear an aerial attack from an enemy because there were no airplanes and missiles yet.  To defend themselves, these cities would build high walls to keep an invading army out but walls keeping invaders out can also keep people in.  A siege was a military tactic where the invaders would surround a city, keeping the people trapped inside and preventing the flow of needed supplies and food.  The plan was to cause the people of the city to surrender due to starvation.  This symbolizes the hold of sin in one’s life keeping them enslaved to sin and causing them to die, separated from God their creator for eternity (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

2)      The broken flask (Jeremiah 19:10-15) – In Jeremiah 19:1, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house again and this time to purchase an earthen flask.  In the context of the writing of this text, flasks typically held oil or wine.  The oil was used for cooking or for lamps to bring light at night but was also used in anointing someone like when Samuel anointed David as king (1 Samuel 16:1-13).  Flasks could also hold wine symbolizing joy (Isaiah 24:11).  In this context, we gain an understanding of the significance of Jeremiah breaking this flask in front of the men that went with him.  The breaking of the flask means God’s presence and joy have left Judah and Jerusalem. 

 

The siege of Jerusalem is symbolic of the hold sin has on the lives of all people for all have sinned (Romans 3:23).  This siege of sin has serious consequences for it brings a sentence of death (Romans 6:23).  The flask symbolizes our hearts which can either be filled with God’s presence through accepting Jesus as our savior or broken by choosing to remain under the siege of sin (John 3:16-18).  If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your savior freeing you from the siege of sin, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Happy fourth of July everyone and may everyone reading this post experience liberation from sin on this Independence Day.