MPC, 8th December 2002.Acts 22-24 - "In Jesus' Name"
Phil Campbell MPC, 8th December 2002.
This is the week that Bono, the lead singer of the band U2, put a challenge to Christians all round the world. The challenge, he says, is to awaken to the AIDS crisis in Africa.
It is, he says, the new leprosy. And he's right. Millions in Africa are HIV positive. And without the drugs they need, they'll die. Leaving millions of African children orphaned. In absolute poverty.
Which should soften the hearts of all of us. And make us keen to help.
But Bono goes further than that. He said, The church is a sleeping giant. If it wakes up to what's really going on in the African AIDS crisis, it has a real role to play. If it doesn't… it will be irrelevant.
I wonder though, whether the relevance of Christianity is really tied to that? I mean, there are plenty of people saying Christianity's irrelevant. I wonder if waking up to the African AIDS Crisis is the thing that's going to make the difference? I wonder if waking up to the African AIDS Crisis is suddenly going to change anything? About the world's perception of what we're on about?
Can I say at the outset, I'm really moved by what people like Bono are telling us about the African AIDS crisis. And if you're looking for ways to do something practical, I've got friends in South Africa who are involved in hands on ways. Who we could certainly support in their work.
But the point I want to focus on is what is it that makes us relevant… as Christians. Or irrelevant.
Because there's a deeper issue which maybe we've lost touch with. That's far closer to the core.
And so this morning as we watch the apostle Paul at work, I want you to see if you can notice what it is that he's doing.
We're going to move through some of the highlights of Paul's trials in Acts 22 to 24. But before we do that, let's focus our minds on how Paul describes his mission. And his message. How Paul cuts right to the chase… on what it's all about.
Because I want to suggest to you the radical idea that the more we get back to our core business, the more we'll be relevant. And Paul spells out his core business back in Acts 20 verse 21. Here's what he's been doing so far. And here's what he's going to keep doing.
Acts 20, verse 21. "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks," he says, "that they must turn to God in repentance, and have faith in our Lord Jesus."
As simple as that. The core business of the Christian Gospel is to call people to turn back to God. And put their confidence in the Lord Jesus. Whether you're a Jew. Whether you're a Gentile. Whether you're a black African with AIDS or a white Australian businessman. Turn to God in repentance. And have faith in our Lord Jesus.
And chapter 21… when he's warned what lies ahead in Jerusalem. That he'll be bound and handed over to the Gentiles. He sums it up like this. He says, I don't care what happens. He says I'm ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem… it's verse 13 in chapter 21… for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul has committed his very life… to proclaiming the name of the Lord Jesus. Repentance towards God. Faith in the Lord Jesus. And let me suggest to you that as you stand back and look at what the church is on about on a world scale, maybe there'd be more relevance if we were clearer first and foremost about doing that.
And so it's no surprise to see that proclaiming repentance and faith in Jesus is exactly what Paul's doing. Everywhere he goes. No matter the audience. No matter the cost.
He's been arrested in Jerusalem. On false charges. He's been dragged into the Roman Garrison. For his own protection. And chapter 22, he asks permission to speak to the crowd. The Jewish crowd that's calling for his blood.
What's he going to talk about? Well, it's his testimony. Of how in spite of the fact he used to want to kill Christians as well, he was confronted by the Lord Jesus. The righteous one. And his life was turned around. And how the Christian Ananias had said to him, verse 16, get up, be baptised… and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
Now do you see what he's doing? Not defending himself at all. But taking the opportunity… to tell the crowd what they need to do if they want their sins forgiven. That repentance means turning around like he's turned around… that trusting in the name of Jesus is the way to have your sins washed away.
You know, Carmen Lawrence through the week resigned from the Labor front bench, because she said their policies are always formulated with one eye on the media and the other eye on the opinion polls. Trying to gear the message to what's popular. I wonder if Christians are so often guilty of the same thing? Not Paul. Because the crowd listens… and then in verse 22, they raise their voices and shout rid the earth of him. He's not fit to live.
So the Romans take him to the barracks, they stretch him out and he's about to be flogged. When he plays his ace. He's a Roman Citizen. Who's entitled to a fair trial.
So Chapter 23, the Roman Commander calls together the Sanhedrin… to find out exactly what Paul's done wrong. The Sanhedrin council meeting opens with the high priest ordering that they strike him across the mouth... and closes in verse 10 with a dispute so violent that the commander is afraid Paul's going to be torn to pieces. And sends in the troops to bring him out.
And so he spends the night in his cell. Maybe wondering whether in the end it's all worth it. Wondering maybe whether it was all true. Wondering if maybe it wouldn't be easier just to keep quiet about Jesus. Talk more generically, maybe. Say some nice things about God and keep out of trouble. When there's a word of encouragement. Chapter 23 verse 11. Which again makes the same point.
The following night, the Lord Jesus stands near Paul… and says "take courage. As you've testified about me in Jerusalem… so you must also testify in Rome."
See, what's the very essence of Paul's message? The essence of his message is Jesus. And Jesus says, in spite of what it looks like, in spite of the opposition, you're doing a great job. Take courage. And keep going. Because the same message he's preached to the Jews in Jerusalem, he's going to be preaching to the Romans in Rome.
And from this point on in the book of Acts, that's where he's headed.
We're in chapter 23. And you'll notice from the very next morning, the stakes are raised. As he's waking up rubbing his eyes wondering whether the personal appearance from Jesus was real or just a dream, the Jews are plotting. There's a conspiracy. Forty men, pledging not to eat or drink… until Paul's dead. Planning an ambush on the road. Which is undone when Paul's young nephew overhears. And reports it to the Romans.
And so under heavy guard, Paul's delivered to Governor Felix.
There's the official letter from Lysias, the commander. To Felix. The Governor. From verse 26 to 30.
Felix. Who's left his mark on the history books. As a ruthless dictator. A self made man. A former slave. Who made it to the top by killing his opponents. And marrying the right people. And now he's governor of Judea, he's publicly known for his tyranny. Doesn't hesitate to end a peaceful demonstration by sending in soldiers to cut down the protestors. Doesn't hesitate to send in the assassination squad. To get rid of detractors.
In the end, a couple of years from this point, he's recalled to rome. To answer for his atrocities. But at this point, he's in his prime.
And Paul's standing in front of him.
Now what's on your mind… if this is you? I mean, are you looking for a way out? Excuses you can make? I mean, Sorry sir, it's all a big mistake.
Verse 2, Tertullus the prosecuting lawyer opens the case. With flattery. Governor Felix, we know you're a great guy. "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude."
Classic case of lawyering, isn't it?
And on he goes. Verse 5. Paul's a trouble maker. Stirs up riots among Jews all over the world. A ringleader of the Nazarene sect. Even tried to desecrate the temple. So we seized him.
And as he's speaking, the Jews are joining in the accusations around him. Saying, yes, that's right.
And then Paul states his defense. And then proceedings are adjourned. And he's placed under guard. In prison.
And somehow, there's been something in what Paul says that's sparked the Governor's curiosity. Because a few days later, verse 24, Felix comes visiting with his wife Drusilla, who's Jewish. Come on dear, here's something you'll be interested in. Come and listen to this guy. And they call Paul out, And they listen to him in private. And will you notice what he's on about. See, Paul's unstoppable.
Read what it says. Verse 24. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. And the need to repent. About righteousness. And what it looks like. About self control. Which Felix of all people was famous for lacking. About judgement to come. Which only Jesus can save us from.
And you notice this tough talking Roman Judge of everyone in Judea, this cruel and ambitious and bloodthirsty Roman Governor, he's afraid. And says, "That's enough. You can go. And when it's convenient, I'll send for you again."
Which he does, from time to time. As Paul's kept in prison two years. At the governor's pleasure. As Felix toys with Paul's message. And secretly hopes for a bribe.
Now I guess if you're a courageous Christian, the sort of Christian who even now faces up to the butterflies in your stomach and actually speaks up when you've got an opportunity, you'll know it's a dangerously politically incorrect to speak the name of Jesus.
Have you noticed? The funny thing is, God's okay. Because God's so sort of non-specific, and people tend to think they can make him up to suit themselves. But it's not just some sort of vague belief in God that we're on about, is it? It's faith in the Lord Jesus. Who very specifically lived and died and rose again. And very specifically calls on people to change their alignment. To repent.
And so somehow, the name of Jesus is the unsayable name.
Franklin Graham delivered the opening prayer at the inauguration of George Bush in 2001.
And there was a huge public outcry and a lawsuit… because he prayed in Jesus' name. And so alienated millions of Americans from other faiths. And there was an enquiry. Just to make sure that he wasn't paid for his services with government funds. That his hotel accommodation and transport to the ceremony hadn't been paid from public funds. Because he said in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Paul says, I'm prepared not just to be bound, but to die… for the name of the Lord Jesus.
And so far, he's facing allegations that are absolute lies; allegations that he caused riots. That he somehow desecrated the temple, when he didn't. That he's to blame. And yet he keeps going. Physical abuse. Two years in Prison. I wonder how far we'd be prepared to go. Because not much has changed.
Being Christian is just not politically correct.
Two weeks ago, American missionary Bonnie Whiterall was shot dead at the door of the Christian clinic in Lebanon. The night before, she asked her friends to pray that she'd find creative ways to tell the Palestinian refugees she was caring for about Jesus.
And the stunning thing is, New York Times as it reported the story… said that the killing highlighted the bad feeling between Muslims and Christians. And implied that the missionaries were asking for trouble. By speaking on behalf of Christ.
It's a scary world. And we're seen as irrelevant, we're seen as politically incorrect, we're falsely accused and we're martyred. But that's our core business. And we'll only ever be what we're meant to be if we keep hold of it.
The Lord Jesus stood beside Paul and said, take courage, as you've testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. And that's what he's going to do. Same simple message. Repentance towards God. Faith in Jesus Christ. And same message for us.