I. The Setting
A. Paul’s Recent History
1. Paul had great love for his Jewish countrymen
Romans 9:1-3 1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh…
2. Goes to Jerusalem to visit the church Acts 21
3. Informed that the Jews thought he was a traitor against Mosaic Law
4. Encouraged to pay for three Jewish men who had taken a religious vow
5. Goes to the Temple, is wrongly accused & attacked. A riot breaks out
6. Arrested by Roman soldiers
7. Allowed to speak to Jews at the Temple, 2nd riot breaks out Acts 22
8. Bound by the Romans, almost scourged, then reveals Roman citizenship
9. Brought before Sanhedrin; struck on mouth for sarcasm, disrespect to High Priest
B. Paul’s Present Situation
1. Paul under arrest in a Roman garrison Acts 23:1-5
2. He is being questioned by the Jewish Sanhedrin- Israel’s Supreme Court
a. Sadducees- materialists; didn’t believe in life after death or angels. They were religious liberals. That’s why they were “sad, you see”. ☹
b. Pharisees- spiritualists; believed in resurrection, angels; “fundamentalists”
3. Paul makes a statement that divides the group V. 6-9
a. As a Pharisee and as a Christian-Paul believed in the resurrection
b. Paul gains the Pharisees as allies, for the moment
c. Paul’s statement divides the group and creates havoc. 3rd riot breaks out
4. Paul is taken back into the Roman barracks for his own safety V. 10
5. As Paul sits in jail again, Jesus appears to encourage him. V. 11
C. Events That Would Soon Take Place
1. Conspiracy made by 40+ Jews to kill Paul V. 12-15
2. Paul’s nephew hears of the plot and warns Paul and the Romans V. 16-22
3. Roman’s escort Paul out of Jerusalem by night V. 23-30
a. The assignation attempt is avoided
b. 470 Roman soldiers escort Paul out of town to Antipatris: 40 miles
4. They spend the night in Antipatris V. 31
a. 400 foot soldiers go back to Jerusalem; minimal danger after Antipatris
b. 70 horsemen deliver Paul to Felix in Caesarea, another 20 miles further
c. Felix succeeded Pilate as governor of Judea V. 32
i. A Roman slave who became a governor
ii. Tacitus re. Felix– `He executes the prerogatives of a king with the spirit of a slave’, for although he was in power as governor, Felix retained a slave’s mentality of getting back at the world for all the abuses it had heaped upon him.
d. Paul held as a prisoner @ Herod’s Praetorium in Caesarea V. 33-35
e. Acts 24:24-27 says that Felix was hoping to receive a bribe from Paul
II. Paul’s Encounter With Jesus
A. Paul’s Probable Condition
1. All opportunities of sharing Christ w/the Jews have ended in failure
2. He has tried to build bridges to the Jews, but has burned every one of them
3. He is at “rock bottom”. Utterly defeated and again sitting in jail
4. When we are worn out & defeated, we often hear the Lord w/more clarity
5. Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
B. Jesus Appeared To Paul V. 11a
1. The Lord manifests Himself to His followers
a. By visions, dreams, appearances
b. Through His Word, by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit
c. Through circumstances and events that coincide with His promises
C. The Attitude Paul Was Told To Have V. 11b
1. “Be of good cheer”. Literally- be of good courage and good cheer
2. Courage & encouragement was needed. Paul was discouraged
3. Courage & encouragement possible b/c Jesus was Lord over Paul’s life
4. Paul was not on his own during these difficult & sad times
5. Especially meaningful considering past and current events
D. Jesus’ Evaluation Of Paul’s Past V. 11c
1. Paul desired that his countrymen be saved
2. He must have felt like a failure b/c they refused him & then turned on him.
3. Notice Jesus’ evaluation of Paul’s efforts
a. “…you have testified of Me…”
b. The Christian’s job is to speak about Jesus, not save people
c. Paul had been successful; he had testified.
d. Jesus had told Paul that the Jews wouldn’t listen Acts 22:18
4. We wrongly measure our success by our expectations
5. Paul was more successful than he realized.
E. Jesus’ Plans For Paul’s Future V. 11d
1. Acts 19:21, Romans 1:9-12: Paul had desired to go to Rome after Jerusalem
2. Paul’s two great desires had been to minister both in Jerusalem & in Rome
Ps. 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
3. After Jerusalem, how easily Paul could have doubted his desires in ministry
4. This promise comforts regarding the present and the future
5. Guzik– The greatest words a faithful child of God can hear are “there is more for you to do”; but those words grieve the lazy servant of God
6. As Jesus had been with Paul, so He also would be with Paul.
7. This promise would carry Paul through to the end of his life.
8. Jesus re-affirms Paul’s calling and strengthens him in his heart’s desire
9. Bruce– “This assurance meant much to Paul during the delays & anxieties of the next two years, & goes far to account for the calm & dignified bearing which from now on marks him out as a master of events rather than their victim.”
10. No Jewish plot, Roman army, or corrupt official will stop God’s plans for Paul
11. It would not matter that Paul knew or didn’t know about any plots against him
12. He’ll survive plots, imprisonments, ship wrecks & snake bites until God is done
13. Paul will write Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians & Philemon from prison
14. Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”