Sermon Tone Analysis

Three pointing back at ya

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).

When we falsely accuse others and point the finger, there are three pointing back at us

When we falsely accuse others and point the finger, there are three pointing back at us

Have you ever been unjustly accused by someone else? Someone accused you of doing something you didn’t do, or misjudged your heart or motives?

Or maybe you have accused someone else.

Why does this occur in our lives?

What is the right way to handle it?

This is exactly what happened to the apostle Paul here in our text.

Paul had been unjustly arrested and jailed.

He had stood trial once already.

But for a potential bribe and for political gain, the governor – Felix – kept Paul in prison.

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).

We read that there was a new governor by the name of Festus (24:27).

Festus traveled to Jerusalem where the Jews immediately informed him about Paul, and asked him to send Paul to Jerusalem.

Their purpose was to kill Paul.

vs. 1-3

4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon.

5 So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me.

If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

6 About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in.

6 About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in.

Have you ever been unjustly accused by someone else? Someone accused you of doing something you didn’t do, or misjudged your heart or motives?

Or maybe you have accused someone else.

Why does this occur in our lives?

What is the right way to handle it?

This is exactly what happened to the apostle Paul here in our text.

Paul had been unjustly arrested and jailed.

He had stood trial once already.

But for a potential bribe and for political gain, the governor – Felix – kept Paul in prison.

Festus refused, and so ten days later Paul stood in the courtroom of Festus.

vs. 4-6

7 When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove.

8 Paul denied the charges.

“I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.

9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”

8 Paul denied the charges.

“I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.

9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”

Paul’s enemies proceeded to blast him, lying about him and accusing him.

vs. 7

10 But Paul replied, “No!

This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here.

You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews.

11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die.

But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me.

I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well!

You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well!

You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

we are many times prone to believe an accusation about someone else without ever checking out the facts or talking to the accused.

5. Paul’s enemies proceeded to blast him, lying about him and accusing him.

vs. 5, 7

Paul’s enemies proceeded to blast him, lying about him and accusing him.

vs. 7

If you have ever been unjustly accused, or unjustly accused someone you care for, you know what a difficult thing this is.

Maybe you are going through some of this right now.

Accusations can come at us from coworkers, family members, friends, unsaved people, and yes – fellow Christians.

Can a righteous person that loves God encounter unjust accusations?

Notice verse 7. “…laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.”

This is a reminder that living a godly life does not exempt you from being accused of much evil.

Some of the godliest men that ever walked the earth have been accused of much evil.

Illustration: Joseph ( Potiphar’s wife,

Why does this occur in our lives?

What is the right way to handle it?

Of course, the Bible has the answer to these questions.

1.

We Resent someones success

 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord.

45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

2. Anger that someone is not doing it the way we would do it

: 14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again.

Pretend you want to examine his case more fully.

We will kill him on the way.”

14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again.

Pretend you want to examine his case more fully.

We will kill him on the way.”

3. Jealousy because we do not agree who your working with

 The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him.

They grabbed him, 28 yelling, “Men of Israel, help us!

This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws.

He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.”

29 (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

WHAT TO DO IN THESE TIMES?

Search your heart and tell the truth

tell the truth

proverbs 28:13

Don’t catch a resentment yourself

2 Timothy 4:16