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For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:30-31)
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“…and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’” (Key Verse: Acts 27:24)

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We are almost at the end of the book of Acts. Many times through the book of Acts we saw how God promised Apostle Paul that he would testify about Jesus in Rome. Finally, in today’s passage Paul is beginning that journey. But before he arrives in Rome, Paul experiences the most terrifying event thus far, a storm and a shipwreck. Through these events God was preparing Paul for when he got to Rome. In Rome, Paul and the church was going to face the worst persecution that had been seen; the persecution of Nero, where Christians would be fed to the lions and many more unspeakable events were going to take place. Within a few years both Paul and Peter, the two pillars of the church would be dead at Nero’s hands and the Church would have to somehow survive. God was training Paul to stand firm through terrible events like these and to help God’s flock to listen to God’s Word, to see God’s grace through all these storms. God’s grace was with Paul during these events and it was God’s grace that saw Paul through to the end, even though those under his care did not listen at first. May God help us to hold onto God’s grace and vision for our lives to serve His purpose to the very end.

Part I – Paul’s advice ignored (1-12)

Look at verses 1-2. “1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.” Here we see that on this journey Paul was in the care of a centurion named Julius. Along with Paul there were some other prisoners, as well as Luke and Aristarchus, who Paul called a fellow prisoner and fellow coworker of Christ. They set sail from Adramyttium and sailed along the coast of the province of Asia.
Look at verses 3-8. “3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.” The next day they arrived at Sidon. While there the centurion, Julius, allowed Paul to go and visit his friends who provided for his needs. Even though Paul was a prisoner under Julius’ care; Julius treated Paul with kindness.

They soon set sail again and landed at Myra in Lycia. From there they boarded an Egyptian grain ship bound for Italy. But along the way the weather worsened and only with much difficulty did they arrive off Cnidus. From there, they wanted to sail due west to the Greek peninsula, but the wind would not allow them to. They were forced almost due south and ended up on Crete in a place called Fair Havens.
Until now the journey had been difficult and the weather had not been with them. It was winter time and the seas were treacherous to sail during this time of year. It was here that Paul gave them his warning. Look at verse 10, “10Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Paul was not a sailor, he was a prisoner. Because of this Julius, the centurion, did not heed his warning. Instead, he listened to the pilot and to the owner of the vessel. The pilot had traveled on these seas for a long time. He was an expert. And the owner had a vested interest in getting his cargo safely and quickly to Italy so he could get his grain to market. Also the harbor at Fair Havens was not a suitable harbor to winter in. The sailors did not want to stay in such a boring port of call for the whole of winter time. So Julius ignored Paul’s warning and decided to push on.

It looks understandable that Julius wouldn’t listen to Paul and instead listen to the ‘experts’ and those who had a vested interest in arriving in Italy. Also it was only a short 34 miles away. It was only a short distance to travel. What could possibly happen on such a short distance, it wouldn’t even take them more than a day to get there. Yet, even though Paul was a prisoner he was God’s servant. Paul was no sailor, he made tents. Paul did not know how to navigate the ocean or how to weather a storm. But he was God’s servant and his advice was not his own; in reality his advice was the advice of God. God did not want them to suffer great loss. God did not want them to lose their lives. In reality Paul’s advice was God’s grace to them. But we see that God’s servant was ignored, while worldly wisdom was heeded and listened to. The decision that was made was popular with most of the crew; but even still it was a wrong decision. Here we can learn that it is more important to listen to one man who is on God’s side, than to the majority who are caught in their sin; who follow their own natural instincts.

Part II – “We finally gave up all hope of being saved” (13-20).

Look at verse 13. “13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.” At first it appeared as though the majority had made the correct decision. Everything looked to be smooth sailing. But looks are sometimes deceiving. Most people follow a favorable situation only. They lack the spiritual insight and moral courage to follow the truth. They trust their senses. However, the situation can change suddenly.

Look at verses 14-15. “14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.” This hurricane ripped apart the false illusion that men control their own destiny and live however they choose. The truth is that the sailors had to ‘give way’ to the storm and ‘were driven along’ wherever it led them. They were not the captains of their boat, the storm was. They couldn’t even travel the small distance of 34 miles from Fair Havens to Phoenix. Not only that the storm grew in intensity and threatened to rip apart their ship and everyone drown. But the crew did not give up hope. They continued to try their best in order to save themselves. They secured the lifeboat; tied ropes around the hull of the ship; they put their anchor into the sea to slow them down; they even threw the cargo overboard, when their lives were in great jeopardy, they got rid of even the valuable cargo if it could have helped them to save their lives; but nothing worked.

Look at verse 20. “20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” They finally gave up all hope of being saved. The pilot and owner and overconfident sailors reached their human limits. After doing everything they could, they finally gave up all hope. This is the destiny of man without God.

Because they had not listened to Paul, they now found themselves in the very position that Paul told them would happen. They stubbornly refused to listen to Paul and then when the storm came they stubbornly tried to cling to their ship as though it would see them through to the end. But finally they gave up all hope, they finally realized that they had made a big mistake and all was lost.

I don’t know that we truly understand the condition that these men found themselves in. They were battling against forces that they had no control over. The waves were massive and the winds and cold and dark clouds overhead were matters they had no control over. All of Paul’s difficulties and challenges and persecutions up till now had been by men. But now even nature was trying to kill him. How do you resist that?

Many people try to follow their own way at their own peril, thinking nothing will go wrong. But God says, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” He tells us to “Leave our life of sin.” He says, “Follow Me.” God tells us, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
I know one man who clings to worthless idols, video games to his own detriment. Many people have told him again and again, that it is an idol in his life, but he stubbornly refused to listen. It is dragging his life down. He sometimes spends all night playing video games. He has no job and yet, even though he has no money he continues to spend what little money he has on buying the next new game. He spends more time playing video games than he does looking for a job. He is miserable and fearful. So what does he do? He continues to try to cling on to the worthless idols to comfort and rescue him. But it wont help him. He is losing all hope for his life.

Part III – God’s angel visit’s Paul. (21-26)

Look at verse 21. “21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.” The crew did not eat for a long time because their fear caused them to lose their appetite. Finally, Paul stood before them and told them that they should have listened to him. Paul told them this out of a shepherd’s heart for them; he rebuked them so that they would realize that they should have listened to him the first time, because he was giving them God’s direction. Paul wanted them to listen to what God had told him.

Look at verses 22-26. “22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Even Paul was afraid that because of this storm, he would end up as fish food.

God did not send His angel to Paul UNTIL everyone had “finally gave up all hope of being saved.” It was only AFTER they FINALLY gave up all hope that He visited them. God had allowed them to try everything humanly possible to try and save themselves, but nothing had worked. God did not even say one Word to them during this long torturous time. It wasn’t until all of them had given up complete hope to be saved, that God then visited Paul.
This was really the grace of God upon them. Until now they had stubbornly went their own way and would not listen to His Word’s through His servant Apostle Paul. And even after they were in the storm they tried their very best to save themselves, but nothing worked. They refused to turn to God or to listen to Him. So God waited and waited, until their hearts were finally ready, when they had lost all hope.

Sometimes I give some good advice to my sons, but often times they think they know better and they disregard what I say. So what do I do? I often try to force them to listen to me, because I have the power and authority to force them to listen; but they really don’t like it and they never appreciate what I say when I do force them. But I learn from this passage that God never forced them to listen to Him, even when it was for their own good. Instead God waited and waited patiently until they had lost all hope to be saved and then He sent His angel to Paul to again encourage and give them hope and to heed His Word.

God’s angel also reminded Paul of God’s plan for him to stand trial before Caesar. God had given Paul the vision to go to Rome. God had promised him that he must testify in Rome (Ac 23:11). God had not changed his plan. God reminded Paul of his unchanging purpose for him. In the midst of storms, God reminds us of our purpose of life. Many young people struggle with desires of the flesh. Sometimes these desires are so strong that they seem to be the driving force of life. But this is not so. God’s calling and God’s purpose is the driving force of one’s life. We must listen to God’s Word. We did not choose God, but God chose us as members of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Even when the struggle seems to be futile, we must remember God’s purpose for choosing us. God who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Php 1:6).

Then the angel said to Paul, “…and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” This was God’s great grace upon these men. These men did not deserve to be saved from the storm. They had ignored the word of God’s servant. They were bent on pursuing their own sinful pleasure. They were proud. They should have died in the storm, as Paul had foretold. But God wanted to spare Paul. And in His grace, God also decided to spare the men sailing with him. Because of Paul’s life of mission, the grace of God came to these undeserving men. 

Look at verse 25. “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” Here we see that Paul combined the angel’s message with faith. Paul took hold of God’s promise and said, “Amen.” When God gives us His Word of promise, we must accept it and begin to act on it. Paul’s faith in God’s promise was the power source that made him strong and courageous. During storms we must listen to God’s Word and combine it with faith.

Fourth, Paul’s good influence and spiritual leadership (27-44). 

Paul’s words of faith and courage brought hope to all on board. Probably, they didn’t mind his rebuking because they tasted hope in his words. Shortly, they sensed that land was near. But then the sailors construed a plot. They pretended to be lowering an anchor, but in reality they were lowering the lifeboat in order to get away. They planned to jump into it, abandoning the ship. It was a selfish and irresponsible plan. Paul was alert to the problem. So he warned the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” This was in reality the chance for the centurion to repent of his earlier sin of not listening to God’s Word through Paul. This time, the centurion listened to Paul. The soldiers cut the ropes and let the lifeboat fall into the sea.

To ‘cut’ the ropes was a very practical way in order to remove their sin of disobedience and lack of trust in God. Repentance is a very practical matter. It means to ‘cut’ off; to die to oneself. A good example of this was Joseph who fled from the adulterous wife of Potiphor. For the young man I know, it means to cut off video games completely.

Though a prisoner in chains, Paul was the true leader in the time of crisis. It was because of his faith. Paul saw what needed to be done. Paul also had a shepherd’s heart to think about the men. They had not eaten for a long time. They needed strength to swim ashore. So Paul encouraged them to eat and promised, “Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” This was an absolute promise. It was the expression of Paul’s faith in God. Actually, it is an incredible promise. Even when we take a shower, we lose many hairs from our heads. But Paul promised that even though they had to go through the waters not one hair from their heads would be lost. His faith in God’s promise was absolute.

Until now all of the sufferings that Paul suffered were personal; they were directed against him. But now he was being trained by God to have a true shepherd’s heart for the flock of God, especially those in Rome, who were going to suffer greatly under Nero’s persecutions. He needed to teach them to have faith in God. To listen to God’s Word and put their hope and faith in Him; to ‘cut’ off all their false hopes and flesh desires, so that they could stand firm to the end and be saved.

Look at verse 35. “After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.” Paul’s act of thanksgiving to God was another expression of his faith. Paul gave thanks to God in front of all the other travelers. He was thankful for God’s word. He was thankful for God’s world salvation work. He was thankful because he loved God. He made it very clear to everyone that it was God who would deliver them from the storm. Verse 36 says, “They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.” After being encouraged, they could eat well for the first time in many days.

When daylight came, they saw a bay with a sandy beach. Finally, when they listened to Paul, daylight came. No longer did the terrors of the storm hold them. They cut loose the anchors and made a run for it. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. It was broken to pieces, just as Paul had foretold. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape. Otherwise they had to forfeit their own lives. But the centurion stopped them in order to spare Paul. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and get to land. The rest used planks and pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety. As Paul promised, they were all saved. 

In this passage we learn that God was with Paul. God made Paul’s words come true, both words of warning and words of salvation. Finally, even a Roman centurion was obedient to him. This encouraged Paul as he approached Rome. Whatever might happen, Paul knew that God is the sovereign Ruler of the world. Paul knew that God was fulfilling His world mission purpose. This event also encouraged the Christian church. Persecution was about to come upon them. But God would be with them as He had been with Paul. Paul was their shepherd and would give them a good example to follow; his personal faith would be good influence on them. The storms of life are times of God’s mysterious good work. God uses them for His world salvation plans. God is gracious in the storms of life. Times are becoming increasingly more difficult; especially as our Lord’s return gets ever nearer. May God help each one of us to listen to His Word, put our faith in His promises, and experience His grace.

One Word: God’s grace in the storm’s that we bring upon ourselves.

“17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18)

[Click here for bible study materials based on this message.]

The title of today’s message is “To Open Their Eyes.” The holiday season is a good time for us to open our eyes. As we have just finished thanksgiving, we could review what God has done among us this year and what he is doing and give thanks to him. But if our eyes remained closed to all the good things God has done and is doing, we would miss out on all of the blessings and not give thanks to him, and end up going the wrong way. Put another way, it is like saying that you can get home safely although your eyes are closed.

In the key verses for today, we find that the eyes of all people in this world are closed to what is most, Important, that is, the Lord Jesus, and so go the wrong way. But thankfully, the Lord Jesus sends his servants, like the Apostle Paul, to open their eyes. Even as Paul stood on trial for his life, he used it as an opportunity to open the eyes of those in attendance, especially the king Agrippa. When our eyes are opened to the knowledge of Jesus, it is the beginning of the power of God to work in our lives to give us hope and eternal life.

As we look at this passage closely, I pray that God may reveal Jesus to us who is the lord and set us on the right path.

Look at verses 1-3. This passage continues Paul’s trials before the Roman rulers Here he stood before King Agrippa. But to Paul, Agrippa was standing before him. Agrippa did not know Jesus. He did know a lot about the Jewish customs and controversies. And so Paul was glad to speak to him. He saw Agrippa’s background as a good basis to witness of Jesus and open his eyes. He saw this time as an opportunity not to save himself, but to open Agrippa’s eyes.

Look at verses 4-5. “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. [5] They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

Paul was a well known Jew. He knew that any of those Jews could testify to how Jewish Paul was.

Look again at the expressions he uses.

“ever since I was a child”
“from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem”
“they have known me for a long time”
“according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee”

In fact, Paul had a reputation for being the most Jewish man. From the beginning of his life he grew up under the strictest sect of their religion as a Pharisee. He became a pharisee of pharisees, the son of a Pharisee. It means he was so well trained and disciplined and knowledgeable of the Bible and all the Jewish ways. Especially, he learned from the Scripture about the hope God had promised to his people. It became his hope as well.

Look at verses 6-8. “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. [7] This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. [8] Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?”

To Paul, it was because of this hope that God had promised that he was trial on that day. Yet here there seems to be a contradiction. How can the Jewish people–the twelve tribes–be earnestly serving god day and night to see this hope and yet persecute Paul who had the same hope? What made the difference between the two?

Look again at verse 8. “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” he is referring he to Jesus. The defining point was how they knew Jesus. Although Paul was referring specifically to Jesus, his question strikes the heart deeply. It shows how dark their hearts had become that they could not even see the power of God to raise the dead. When it came down to it, their belief in God was only theoretical. Although many of them were also Pharisees who claimed to believe in the resurrection, when it finally happened they refused to believe it. Suddenly, it was too incredible of a thing to believe. They went to synagogue every Sabbath and shook their heads that God is he Almighty and that God is the Creator of all things, and that God raised the dead even in the Old testament through his prophets Elijah and Elisha. But their belief didn’t penetrate into reality. Actually, they were in darkness. When they refused to believe in Jesus, saying that he was dead. So their eyes remained closed. They didn’t see that he is the fulfillment of all God has promised his people, such as the Messiah and king, the kingdom of God, and being a people of God forgiven of their sins.

But Paul’s point was not to condemn them. In fact, Paul had been just like them in this regard as well. Look at verse 9. “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” I don’t know who convinced him, but somehow he got duped. He was earnestly serving God, and yet zealously opposing Jesus. What did he do? Look at verses 10-11. “And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. [11] Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.”

But one day Jesus appeared to Paul and opened his eyes to who he is. Lets look at verses 12-15. “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. [13] About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. [14] We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, `Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ [15] “Then I asked, `Who are you, Lord?’ ” `I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.”

When Jesus appeared to Paul, Paul realized that it was the Lord. But he also realized that he did not know who the Lord really is. He had only one question during this encounter, “Who are you, Lord?” the Lord knew who Paul was, but Paul did not know who the Lord is.

This is so striking and embarrassing for Paul because he thought he was serving God. He said that he was “convinced” that he was supposed to do all that was possible to oppose Jesus. Somehow he got duped and was convinced to do the wrong thing. How could a man with a background like Paul’s go in such the wrong way while being convinced he was going in the right way? If even Paul was like this who knew he bible so well, how about others like the non Pharisee Jews and gentiles?

Look at verse 14. Jesus described what he was doing as kicking against the goads. A goad is a tool used to prod animals who are being stubborn and going the wrong way. Jesus made this very clear by saying it twice to Paul. “Why do you persecute me?” and “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” To say kicking against the goads also shows that the Lord had tried to help Paul. Paul had the benefit of a life’s training and discipline in the scripture. Paul also witnessed the lords work when he participated in murdering Stephen.

Paul’s question to the Lord exposed his problem: he did not know who the Lord is, that is, Jesus. Of course, the Lord knew his problem and in his mercy appeared to Paul and revealed himself. And the revelation of who Jesus is solved Paul’s problem. In 1 Timothy 1:13, Paul confessed, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.”

Jesus’ mercy and revelation also came with apostleship, that is, a mission. Look at verse 16. “`Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.”

First, he told Paul to “get up and stand on your feet.” Paul must have been so embarrassed and ashamed of his sin. But Jesus told him to get up and stand up and take his position as a servant of God. Jesus helped Paul to get out of the mud and into a new life as a servant of God. As of first importance, in view of Jesus’ mercy, we have to get up and stand up as his servants. As we do, it is the way to begin walking in the new life in him. When we get up, we show his mercy. We show that I am a sinner, but Jesus showed mercy to me and gave me a new life. The position then as a servant of God means that my view of myself, others, the purpose of life and death, all changes to have meaning in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the right path of life. He is life. So Paul braved hardships and persecutions, isolation, mocking, all to follow Jesus. Paul was not accepted at first by his family, peers, even some members of the church. But he stood as a servant of Jesus according to his word, and he set the right example.

To stand as a servant of Jesus and show his mercy will definitely bring conflict from our family members, peers at school, at work, etc. all places. And the pressure is very high, even from our past sin to bother us. But Jesus words call us to him and obedience to this word sets us free.

The words, “I have appeared to you…” are the foundation for us to get up and stand up for Jesus. He appeared to us and showed mercy, which we cannot deny. So we have to put all other things out, and stand because of the truth that Jesus appeared and showed mercy.

What was the mission Jesus gave him? It was to be a “servant and witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.” The content of Paul’s witnessing is Jesus, that is, what Paul had seen and what Jesus would show him further. This is because fundamentally, Paul’s problem was not unique to him, it is the problem of all people, and the solution is the same: beginning with opening one’s eyes to who Jesus is.

Let’s look at verses 17-18. “[17] I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them [18] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Here Jesus mentions the condition of people very clearly. Closed eyes, in darkness, under the power of Satan, condemned in sin, and having no place with God. Those who are not in Jesus are under the power of Satan. It’s a real power that deceives many and leads them to hell.

But as one’s eyes are opened to Jesus, Jesus sets him free to come out of darkness and into his wonderful light, to the power of God and to receive forgiveness of sins and a place with God the Father. Opening one’s eyes to Jesus’ is the beginning for the work of salvation. These are the contents of Paul’s mission. And we can see now why he labored so much for his flock. He wasn’t just a preacher or information booth, but a shepherd who helped his flock to know all these things and receive the forgiveness of sins and secure a place in Jesus. And we too have to pray to help our flock as well to the end.

So we see the importance of the mission to open people’s eyes to who Jesus is. Look again at verse 16. “witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.” In one moment, Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” And just a moment later, the Lord told him to witness of “what you have seen of me and what I will show.” So we can say that Paul knew little about the Lord at that moment. But still it was enough for him to witness of. And Jesus would reveal himself more and more to Paul as Paul obeyed him.

Even if you know a little about Jesus, that is enough for you to witness of. Because of that knowledge of Jesus, you could receive mercy and calling to a new life, and that is what you need to witness of. As we witness, Jesus reveals himself more and more. So that people in Jesus for along time have a lot of revelation to witness of.

In my case, I grew up in a several churches, but didn’t know Jesus. I looked at a statue of Jesus hanging on a cross every Sunday at the altar, but I didn’t know what it meant. However, one day at the Summer Bible conference, I heard the message on Matthew 9:12-13, and I learned a little bit about Jesus. My eyes were opened to who Jesus is. The verse read, “On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” I learned that I’m sick because of sin, but Jesus came to heal me and he died on a cross to heal me. The next day I began college. And I was compelled to tell about Jesus. But I didn’t know anything except: he heals because he died on the cross for our sins. So I told my fellow students, “You’re sick!” And through that I invited many to Bible study. Now more than 10 years have gone by and I have learned much more about Jesus. He faithfully revealed himself more and more. There are many people who have been in Jesus for a long time and have much revelation to share with us.

Let’s pray together to invite many to our Christmas Worship Service at Cal Poly Pomona on Dec. 19 that they may know Jesus who came as a lowly child in a manger to be the shepherd of his people. This is a very, very important event to invite people to so that they may know about Jesus who came as our shepherd.

Look at verse 19 again. Paul was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. He stood firm in Jesus’ mercy and followed the Lord’s direction obediently. God gives great vision in Jesus. But vision is not like fortune telling. Vision from God is something we must obey, it requires obedience. and Paul was so active to remain obedient to the vision and struggle against his sinful nature, especially for the world mission command. He did not sit back idly, but obeyed no matter what, braving all kinds of hardships and persecutions. Obedience to the Lord’s direction and word is the key to growing as his servant.

Verses 20-23 tell us how Paul practically helped people to know Jesus. He taught the bible and preached repentance, a genuine repentance which is shown through our deeds not just our words. And God helped him to that very day. God didn’t help him by keeping him out of trouble or poverty. But he helped him to keep on witnessing about who Jesus is. But in fact Paul was not alone. Jesus was with him. All the Bible talks about Jesus and reveals that he is the first to rise from the dead and then he would problem light to his people and to the Gentiles. So Paul was coworking with Jesus in proclaiming light to all people. And he picked up the hope of resurrection to follow just as Jesus had been resurrected. So we need to seek God’s help in our Bible studies remembering that the point of the Scriptures is Jesus Christ who died for the our sins and rose again to secure a position before God for all who believe in him. It means that he is leading us home to our father in heaven.

This then tells us the importance of repentance. Repentance before the word of God is the key to having a working and growing knowledge of Jesus. And so Paul taught all people to prove their repentance by their deeds. We have to show it outwardly.

The problem is that we are so adverse to repentance. The Jews had seized Paul and tried to kill him because of his preaching repentance. 2,000 years later and people have not changed. Still today people are most easily offended by the message of repentance and obedience. but repentance is the way to a working relationship with Jesus.

When Festus interrupted, Paul used it to help Agrippa make a personal decision regarding Jesus. Look at verses 25-27. Paul asked Agrippa, “do you believe the prophets?” But he didn’t wait for Agrippa to answer. He answered for him, “I know you do.” but Agrippa avoided the question by responding, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” It seems that he was more concerned about how he would be classified, that is, as a Christian, rather than opening his heart to who Jesus is. Paul didn’t use the word “Christian”, he only said, “those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Many today are also concerned about how they will be classified by others, rather than how they will be viewed by God and thus remain with closed eyes and under the power of Satan. Christians are easily categorized or written off as uneducated people or closed minded people or ignorant. But today’s passage reveals that it is those who are in Jesus, who know him, who are truly enlightened and they will be viewed by God as sanctified in Jesus and he will secure a place in his house for them. And those who are not in Jesus are outside and not included.

Look at verse 29. Paul shared that the time is not the point. It was his prayer for Agrippa and all people to become a Christian. But still Agrippa closed his heart and eyes and the officials got up and left. Then they sent Paul to Rome.

We thank God for showing mercy to us by sending Jesus Christ. We thank God for today’s passage which teaches us the importance of knowing Jesus and living of life of sincere repentance and obedience before his word. May God also use us as his servants to witness of Jesus and bring many from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.

One Word: Witness of me

I Appeal to Caesar! from UBF Downey on Vimeo.

I Appeal to Caesar! (Acts 25:1-27)

“If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:11)

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In the previous passage Paul set a good example as a Bible teacher before Governor Felix. Today he had to go through continuous trials before the new Governor Festus. But we can see his spirit from his defense. Let’s pray that we may follow his good example.

PART I. THE TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS(1-12)

Chapter 24:27 says, “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.” Felix clearly knew that Paul was innocent, but he did not release him because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. So Paul ended up remaining in prison for two consecutive years. What would happen to his heart during this period? He had passion and vision to go to Rome after the successful ministry in Ephesus. But he was now stuck in prison. Humanly speaking it was a very frustrating thing.

Look at verse 1. “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” The governor Festus was smart. He knew his priority as a politician. Although his main office was in Caesarea, he was in a hurry to visit Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. He wanted to make friends with them so that he made his job easier and he could be a good governor and ultimately gain favor from Caesar. The Jewish leaders saw an opportunity to use him to kill Paul. Look at verse 3. “They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were planning an ambush to kill him along the way.” This verse shows us that the Jewish religious leaders had become completely evil. Though they were the servants of God, they were not doing the work of God. They abandoned their mission to lead God’s flocks. Rather they were desperate to kill Paul. However in reality they wanted to remove the gospel message from the earth. It was the very rejection of God. What was Festus’ response? Look at verses 4-5. “Festus answered, ‘Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong.’” Interestingly the governor declined their request. It’s ironical that the Jews tried to kill Paul while the Gentile governor tried to protect Paul. But in all this God’s hands were working powerfully behind the scenes to protect him from their murderous intention.

According to v. 8, after a week, in Caesarea Paul had a chance to defend himself, saying, “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar”. Paul’s defense came up with his declaration of his innocence. He denied having committed any offense. His conscience was clear before God and man. He stood firm in his defense. How did Festus respond? Look at verse 9. “Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” Just one week ago he didn’t want to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem. But now he changed and was even willing to do so. Basically he was a mere politician. When his job security was on the line, he was ready to change his decision to his convenience anytime. He must have known that Paul could not get a fair trial in Jerusalem. But he was no longer concerned with justice. He wanted to please the Jews. He became a man of compromise who was ready to send an innocent man to death just like Pilate who’d sent Jesus to death. Now no one seemed to defend Paul’s case. There was no help in sight. Paul’s defense was ignored by Festus for he had finally sided with the Jews. He was hopeless and helpless. What was Paul’s answer? Paul could answer, “Yes” or “No” to go to Jerusalem. Of course he should answer “No” and he could stay in Caesarea and set free eventually. But Paul did not say “yes” or “no.”

Look at verses 10-11. Let’s read these verses all together. “Paul answered, ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’” Caesar Augustus, the first emperor, established a good judicial system to rule the vast empire. One merit of the Roman law was the appeal process. All Roman citizens were entitled to appeal to Caesar’s court when they disagreed with the local court. Paul focused on Caesar’s court. He said with the conclusion, “I appeal to Caesar!” Why? Paul figured it out at this critical moment about how to say. The Holy Spirit was with him and gave him wisdom about how to answer. Actually Paul had three choices; go to Jerusalem for another trial, or stay in Caesarea until he set free, or appeal to Caesar and go to Rome. If I were him, I would choose the second by staying in Caesarea and set free. And another time and another way I would go to Rome. In fact no body suggested the third choice. But Apostle Paul came up with the third and he appealed to Caesar. On the surface he was insane because he was asking for further trouble. What was the reason? If you were Paul, what would you do in this case? Here we learn four things from him.

First, we can learn His deep spiritual desire. The Roman Emperor at this specific time was Nero, who later became crazy for his notorious behavior of persecuting the Christians. Nero ruled the world from A.D. 54-68. He was a good and humble learner during the first five years of his reign because he had excellent mentors like Seneca. Later however he fired him and killed his mother and wife and became a violent and mad emperor who indulged excessive drinking and unlimited pleasures. He intentionally burned the slum sections of Rome and blamed Christians for the fire and persecuted Christians. Therefore, in reality Paul’s appeal to Caesar around AD60 meant a greater risk. It was uncertain for his future. Humanly speaking his choice was not an intelligent one. There might be an alternative way. It was much like committing suicide. Did he become an extremist just as he had done before meeting Jesus? It was not. According to the flow of this book of Acts, he made a vow before God to serve the Lord with a single focus. God was leading him into the best way accordingly. Can you remember the previous chapter verses14 &15? He personally accepted his imprisonment as the worship of God. Paul understood the fundamental reason of his sufferings. Because he had been chosen, he was now suffering. His suffering was in the foreknowledge of God. His suffering resulted in the sanctifying work of the Spirit in him. In the trials from Chap. 24 through 26, the words “hope” or “resurrection” were repeated several times. It indicates that Paul was holding the hope of resurrection. What then is the hope of resurrection? His rationale was that without knowing the resurrection he could not say that he knew Jesus really. Without death, no resurrection. No suffering, no death. From this time Paul wrote several epistles such as Philippians. Compared with his earlier books that were mainly dealing with problems with the pioneered churches to help them, but his prison letters demonstrated his deep personal desire about Jesus himself. For example in Philippians 3:10-11 says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” So his real hope was not freedom itself. It was to know who Jesus is. In fact it was his long cherished prayer topic in his life. Because he did not know Jesus personally he used to be a violent persecutor. But thanks to risen Jesus who appeared to him in person gradually he came to know Jesus. His journey continued to procure complete knowledge about him. In his super human effort or success as a missionary still he couldn’t stop his journey to know him deeper. For the last two years for Paul, Christ appeared more clearly when Paul was accused and imprisoned with no hope humanly or no miracles. Christ appeared to him more intimately when he worshiped God and testified himself as a prisoner for Jesus’ name sake. He learned Jesus’ unfathomable love to sacrifice himself to enrich others. So now he was filled with spirit and burning desire and said clearly, “I appeal to Caesar!” It was not a mere strategic claim as a missionary. But it was his shout from the bottom of his heart. Through participating in Jesus’ remained suffering, he wanted to glorify Jesus.
Second, Paul understood God’s unique way of working and sought His guidance. Paul was known for a man of passion. Before meeting Jesus he was passionate to persecute Jesus’ disciples. After meeting Jesus, he became passionate for the mission. For instance he was eager to pioneer the Asia Minor. But God showed him a different way through a clear vision of a Macedonian man. And then he learned how to deny himself and obey the new direction of the Holy Spirit. On his third missionary journey, he carefully followed the direction of the Holy Spirit and focused on Ephesus. As a result he experienced the great victory. He decided to go to Rome to raise up powerful disciples. But now in a couple of years later, he ended up being stuck in prison and in continuous trials. He was like a dead dog being tossed here and there among wild animals. He might have been discouraged a lot because he was a human being like us. Also he was a man of action. He was like a Jaguar having a mighty 12 cylinder engine with over 650 horse power. Just like him he had to keep moving as a missionary. But in prison Paul was very limited. Maybe he didn’t like the situation at all. But gradually he started to think about God’s clear guidance. Especially he had had quality personal time with the Lord. He used to be a full time speaker but now he became a full time listener. He came back to the basic and fundamental questions such as “Who is my Lord?” “What does he really want?” “Who am I?” He must have wrestled with God newly through writing his personal life testimony. He must have struggled to remind of Jesus’ words of promise. Ch. 9:15b says, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” Ch. 23:11b says, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” The more he meditated Jesus’ words of promise the more he convinced by overcoming himself despite hardship. He was able to give his heart fully to Jesus according to Jesus’ promise, not his own way(his passion, his action). So it was the truly blessed time and best guidance to find himself newly in the Lord and humbled himself and accepted the way of the Lord. He was filled with the Spirit not only in the successful time but also at this seemingly depressed time. After two year prison, he gained God’s glory because he knew the God of history and he knew himself as God’s mere instrument. Most importantly he was being led into the vision of the grand scale work of God which has been from eternity to eternity especially when he fully surrendered himself to Jesus. He had full confidence. Although he was now standing in the extended Caesar’s court, but in reality he fully subjected to Jesus’ jurisdiction. His thought, his action, his plan, and his life goal were exclusively under Jesus’ Lordship. So he poured out himself as a drink offering willingly any situation. That’s why he appealed to Caesar although nobody asked him to do so.

Third, Paul was wholeheartedly obedient to Jesus’ command. He wanted to obey Jesus’ command by any means. Prison, hardship, persecutions, or trials did not deter his commitment to obey Jesus. He said in Acts 26:19, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” Obedience is a key in our mission life. World mission is not a mere idea but it requires our act of obedience. Why is it so important to obey? It is because God is the sovereign Lord of history. God could have done his salvation work all by himself. But he is looking for those whose heart is obedient to him. May the Lord bless our ministry to raise up many obedient servants to serve his will in this rugged individualistic society. One time he confessed(Acts 20:24), “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me-the task of testifying the gospel of God’s grace.” Now was a testing ground for him to stick to his faith at this difficult time. It is easier said than done. But now he considered his task more important than his very own life and proved his loyalty to his Lord Jesus. Rev. 2:10b says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Paul was able to be faithful to Jesus even to the point of death. Personally I received much grace from our senior missionaries. When they had chance to come back Korea to resume their original professions and careers, they stayed at their mission field despite suffering and obeyed to the Lord to the end. Even some of them were volunteer to go as silver missionaries to third world countries although nobody asked them to do so. In Uganda, missionary Joseph Jung set a good example in his old age, the ministry became double up by God’s blessing. Likewise they left their spiritual legacy and examples for us to follow. Among us, I was also encouraged by Sh. Nathan for his willing obedience to world mission. I never saw such a case from a new sheep to be a permanent missionary less than two years. I wish that there were a Guinness world record book in a kingdom of God. Otherwise it will be boring. God will richly bless his obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be fruitful and increase in number spiritually and physically. When I was brought up in a christian family, I did not know Jesus personally and had no idea about how to serve the Lord. But thanks to personal Genesis Bible study, I came to know Jesus. Through Genesis 12:2, God called me to be a source of blessing among campus students. God also blessed me to be a missionary in America. I was filled with great vision. But contrary to my expectation, the situation was not favorable all the time. I was tempted to go back Korea. To be honest, at this economic downturn, I was tempted again. But through this passage I learned apostle Paul’s good example and had chance to renew my heart. I learned how to value this seemingly depressed time to gain God’s glory. How miserable could have been for me if I had not been able to know him personally after becoming a shepherd, and even leaving my career to become a missionary? But thank God for blessing me and granting me the same desire to know him better and obey the world mission command and serve him in his way to the end. If I were only successful according to my wish and calculation, I wouldn’t know my Lord at all. Like apostle Paul, I may know Him better and deeper. May the Lord help me to obey to Jesus wholeheartedly. Amen.

Fourth, He also wanted to use his Roman citizenship for the world mission. When Paul remembered God’s purpose for world mission, he knew he must go to Rome. Paul was not a victim in an evil scheme. He saw God’s mighty hands and his good purpose beyond all the evil of the world. He knew that God was in ultimate control of his life and future. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When Paul decided to obey God’s will, of course he was enable to pull together all his resources for the glory of God. God gave him sparkling wisdom. He remembered his Roman citizenship. He remembered Roman law. Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar from anywhere in the Roman Empire. Based on this appeal, the Roman citizen would be brought to Rome for trial. Paul saw God’s opportunity in this situation to go to Rome because he had been mindful of God and God’s core desire with the Holy Spirit. Paul must have said to himself, “Yes! That’s it!” “Just do it!” Then he pronounced clearly in Roman, “I appeal to Caesar!” In doing so he committed his life and future into the hand of God. Look at verse 12. “After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: ‘You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!’” From Paul we learn that the time of adversity is the time to deepen our relationship and commitment to God. God honored his decision to appeal to Caesar. In this way God sent Paul to Rome amazingly under the protection of the best Roman army and with the provision of Roman empire. So far God blessed our mission life abundantly. Many missionaries got the U.S. citizenship and bought houses and have good jobs. How can we use all our blessings? They are God given resources for the advancement of gospel as the citizens of the kingdom of God. God may use us in such a way to glorify God’s name. Also in our growing children, may the Lord raise up mighty shepherds and missionaries instead of mere successful Americans. Amen.

PART II. FESTUS CONSULTS KING AGRIPPA(13-27).

A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay respects to the new governor, Festus. King Agrippa was familiar with the Jewish customs and laws. Festus hoped that Agrippa could help him out. Actually, Festus had a big problem. He had to send Paul to Rome to appear before Caesar’s court, but there was no charge against him. The only charge that Festus could find is stated in verses 19-20a. They say, “Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters….” In fact, Paul was on trial because he believed in the resurrection of Christ. But it could not be a serious crime. To send him to Caesar in this way was political suicide for the new governor Festus. It was comical that the governor was sending his prisoner without any charge. Look at verse 27. We see his deep agony. He tried to manufacture charges against Paul with the help of king Agrippa. The author historian Luke recorded the conversation between Festus and Agrippa in detail to show that God was working in their fabricated charges. God used Festus to send Paul to Rome safely. Once again God’s sovereign will was behind this event. Throughout this passage God shows his clear intention to pioneer Rome. Because Rome was the capital city of the Gentile world, Rome was vital in the mission strategy to spread the gospel message to the end. In fact God raised the Rome as the superpower nation. The Roman empire is reaching its height in power at the time of Apostle Paul. Behind the scene God was planning on evangelizing the whole world in three ways. First, a unifying Roman language and culture. Second, Pax Romana, so called Roman peace. In this way missionaries could travel safely. Third, Jewish diaspora, scattered Jewish Christians throughout the vast world of Roman empire to spread the gospel. So Rome must be pioneered and conquered with the power of the gospel. Paul had burning desire to teach the Bible with vision. It is Rome that needed him most to lay deeper gospel foundation. Now he was willing to go there as the ambassador of Christ in chains. In less than 300 years Rome became the world mission center and played a pivotal role to carry the gospel to the West and later to America. We live in modern day Rome. The gospel must be preached here and must go out to the end of the earth. It is the focus of our Lord Jesus Christ at the present time. May the Lord bless America to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In conclusion, despite hardship Paul chose to go to Rome. He boldly said, “I appeal to Caesar!” May God help us to follow his good example. Then God will give us great victory to carry out his world mission successfully. May the Lord help us to stand in the mainstream of God’s salvation work with a clear sense of history.

One word; I appeal to Caesar!