A Sinister Plot and A Sovereign Deliverer

Acts 23:11-30

May 3, 1998

 

I. The Promise That Sustains (v. 11)

 

1. A decided mind

    "Take courage"

 

2. A determined purpose

    "You shall be My witness"

 

Paul had a revelatory promise, addressed to him verbally.  We have the written promises of God to apply to all of life.  The Holy Spirit especially quickens these promises to us from time to time.  They are often the result of our prayerful reading and studying the Scriptures. 

 

Romans 15:4

 

II. The Plot to Destroy (vv. 12-15)

 

1. Made by ambitious men

 

     a. Wise in the ways of the world

    b. Determined - "under an oath"

    c. Purported to be spiritual

    d. Large group

 

2. Given religious motivation (vv. 14-15)

     The spiritual leaders joined with this plot. 

 

     a. Profession of spirituality means nothing without humble practice.

     b. Religious motivations, however sincere, are not to be joined if they lack a biblical and godly foundation.

 

The fact is, Paul had the Lord's promise, but he had working against him the best minds and sharpest wits in Israel.  It was Paul "against Israel" (Athanasius contra munda). 

 

III. The Sovereign Deliverer

 

1. God is never obligated to human plans for deliverance

 

     a. Here he uses a youth to protect His choicest servant (some say teenager, others, a pre-teen).

    b. Question:  Were Paul's nephew and his mom believers or were they at that time still unbelievers, 

        sympathizers, so that he was privy to the Jewish plot? 

    c. Out of the thousands in Jerusalem, the Lord appointed the right person to be in the right spot for His 

        purpose.   E.g. William Tyndale

 

2. God is not even obligated to use spiritual people for His purposes.

 

     a. We sometimes think that the Lord can do nothing unless we are in red-hot cooperation with Him.

    b. Here the Lord uses a young boy and a Roman commander, neither of whom as far as we know, were 

        believers.  E.g. Romans 8:28

     c. The important matter is not whom God uses, but the fact that HE IS AT WORK on behalf of His people.

        E.g. Henry VIII:  "Defender of the Faith" at one point then backs away from Roman Catholic church and   

        with this, ease in persecution plus authorized Bibles to be placed in every church for people to read. 

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