The Pilgrim Path---Acts 24: 1 – 21

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia---they ought to be here before you and to make accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 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.’”

“A RESURRECTION OF BOTH THE JUST & UNJUST…”

---Parade: A literal “parade” of accusers from Jerusalem---to “lay it on” the Apostle Paul.

---Plague: “This man (Paul) is a Pandemic of heresy! Blasphemy! The whole Jewish World is on fire!” Talk about hyperbole---but when you hate someone---you really pour it on!

---Profane: “This man was going to desecrate the very Temple of God!” Well---he wasn’t---But that sounds like an awful charge before the Governor!

---Pharisee of the Pharisees: Paul had no peer as a member of Israel’s largest Jewish sect. Trained at the feet of Gamaliel--- unrivalled grasp of the Law---incredible awareness of culture---and now, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Council had “not” been able to deal with him---they would not deal with him now. It’s interesting that Paul alludes to the fact that the High Priest (Ananias) never challenged him publicly on his theological assertions!

---Proclamation: Paul has a powerful focus. In verses 15 & 21---he will not allow us to escape the resurrection. The judgment of the just and the unjust. Eternity is coming! Appearance before the HOLY ONE is coming---ALL will be involved! Only Jesus Christ can prepare you for this…

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5: 25-29

From John Bunyan: We will not change our nature, but our glory. Our earthly bodies without sin and infirmity shall inherit the kingdom of God. They will be raised with no weakness or sickness, but in glory…We will have the same human nature in every way though changed into a far more glorious state.

HYMN:

Day of judgment! Day of wonders! Hark the trumpet’s awful sound,

Louder than a thousand thunders, shakes the vast creation round.

How the summons will the sinner’s heart confound!

See the Judge, our nature wearing, clothed in majesty divine;

You who long for his appearing then shall say, “This God is mine!”

Gracious Savior, own me in that day as thine.

At his call the dead awaken, rise to life from earth and sea;

All the powers of nature, shaken by his looks, prepare to flee.

Careless sinner, what will then become of thee?

John Newton, 1774

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason