Good morning church! A warm welcome in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to all who’ve joined us at the hall and online on Zoom today. Over the last month as our family has tried to settle down with our second child, it has been exciting and challenging at times.

And in different ways God has reminded us of how much we’ve missed and need fellowship and community life. We’ve been reminded how these are not just routine weekly spiritual activities, but God’s design to shepherd and care for our hearts.

And so we’re glad that we’re slowly getting back to our rhythms. This last Friday our whole family joined the Chandivali GC and it was great to not only introduce them to the newest member in our family but also resume gospel community life.

So that was a quick update from our family and now we’ll get straight into our text. As most of us might be aware, we have been going through a series titled God of Power from the book of Acts. And today we find ourselves in Acts 25 where the situation seems to be getting increasingly confusing and difficult for the apostle Paul. But before we go a

Imagine if all of us went to watch a play in one of the theaters in Mumbai (let’s say – Prithvi theater). While the play is going on, we are completely glued to the storyline because of how realistically the actors are playing their parts. In other words, it almost seems like the actors are solely responsible for running the show.

But what we don’t realize is in the background, behind the stage there is an extremely skilled director who is masterfully putting together all the pieces – sound, lights, script and even directing the actors on what expressions work best so that the storyline moves forward.

Similarly, what we see happening in Acts 25 on the surface seems like random events involving random people who are out to get Paul. But what we’ll look to discover today is how in the background there is our Sovereign God who is masterfully putting together all the pieces so that His redemptive purposes and His redemptive storyline moves forward. He is our Purposeful God. There is a divine purpose in all the mundane, insignificant details.

So how does this passage demonstrate that our God is Purposeful?

1. By God’s Protection (v1-5)

[1] Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. [2] And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, [3] asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. [4] Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. [5] “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

In v1 we are introduced to a person by the name of Festus. Now who is he? He was appointed to replace Felix as the Roman governor of Caesarea. This was the place where Paul was kept under house arrest without any formal charges for two years because Felix (who was a corrupt governor) wanted to do the Jews a favor. So between Acts 24 and Acts 25, two years had already passed. And Paul’s case was transferred to the next governor who was Porcius Festus.

And we see Festus get into action right from the get go. Within three days of taking charge, he goes to Jerusalem to meet the Jewish leaders possibly to develop a better working relationship with them. The Jewish leaders immediately ask for Paul to be sent to them for trial while secretly planning to assassinate Paul on the way. But Festus denies their request and instead invites them to Caesarea to begin a fresh trial.

Now on the surface this might seem like a mundane, insignificant discussion between the Jewish leaders and governor Festus but in the background, behind the scenes – there is our Sovereign Lord who was using an unbelieving Roman governor to protect Paul from harm.

I know for some of us, we may hear  this and ask “this seems kind of like a stretch. How can we come to the conclusion that a random insignificant, mundane denial of a request equals to God protecting Paul? Does God really work like that?”

When we turn to Matt 10:28-31, this is how Jesus addresses the topic of God’s sovereignty in the context of persecution:

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:28‭-‬31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[28] And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. [30] But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

It’s so interesting why Jesus would talk about sparrows because they were considered as the most insignificant among birds and yet none of them even fall to the ground apart from God’s will. And then Jesus says that the hairs on our head are numbered! What? If God cares for the most insignificant of birds, He definitely cares for and Sovereignly controls the lives of His people. Nothing is insignificant or mundane in the lives of His people. Not even a random conversation between Festus and the Jewish leaders.

2. By God’s Proclamation (v6-12)

[6] After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. [7] When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. [8] Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” [9] But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” [10] But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. [11] If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” [12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

When we look at a passage like this, what’s evident and plain to all is the political aspect – though Festus is the governor and has the last word in that place, he is still trying to appease the Jewish leaders by wishing to do them a favor with the hope of gaining some future benefits.

What’s also evident is the legal aspect – Jews come forward and make serious allegations without any proof. Paul makes his defense and when Festus indicates that he’s open to handing Paul over to the Jews to be tried in Jerusalem, Paul uses his legal recourse or right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. In our Indian system, it would be like appealing to Supreme Court.

So the political and legal aspects are pretty straight forward, but what if I told you that in the background, behind the scenes, in the backstage – our Sovereign Lord is masterfully using this situation to advance and push forward His storyline? Let’s look at a few passages from Acts to see if it helps us connect the dots:

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:15‭-‬16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[15] But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[11]  The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

What if God was using all this to bring the Gospel and put it before people who wouldn’t have had an opportunity to hear it any other way?

His ministry in Philippi or Thessalonica or Berea or Ephesus or Lystra or Iconium was fruitful and fulfilling for sure, but that wouldn’t have given him access to those who were ruling the land. So in God’s Sovereignty and wisdom – He assigned him a different mission field (kings and highest authorities) and a different pulpit (prison) so that through Paul’s words and His life He could demonstrate the power and provision of God’s grace in Jesus.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:12‭-‬13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[22] All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

3. By God’s Presence

As I tried placing myself in Paul’s shoes, I tried to imagine the atmosphere of hostility, threat, intimidation, imprisonment and accusations that he was surrounded by. And in all of this – it seems like he was doing it all alone. Unlike the Jewish leaders who have a group of lawyers and representatives, Paul was tasked to defend himself.

Let’s remember that this wasn’t an instant trial – this got stretched into at least two years where he was under house arrest without any formal charge or arrest warrant. And despite Paul being mentally tough, even for someone like him this whole experience would have broken him down. This is immense pressure and I kept wondering as to what explains his resilience?

And I think it’s because in reality He wasn’t left alone. His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was there with him every step of the way. When Jesus says in Matt 28:20 – I will be with you till the end of age – He means it literally.

After all the permanent presence of God was a result of the cross!

Jesus was forsaken and left alone on the cross when He bore our sins and our shame so that all who trusted Him would never experience being forsaken or left alone!

Which is why Paul could say this at the end of his life as he recounts the most lonely and anxious of moments that he went through:

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:16‭-‬18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

[16] At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! [17] But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. [18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Brothers and sisters, as I close I just want to remind you that our God is a Purposeful God. Just like in Paul’s life, our Sovereign Lord has orchestrated and coordinated every single moment in our lives (many of which we actually assume to be mundane and insignificant).

Just for example think about your work context – I’m aware that many of us are dreading tomorrow which is Monday – just thinking about facing our boss or the pending task list is already giving you a headache. If you were given an option, you’d probably opt to run away and live on an island far away from your office.

And now I want us to remember that our God is a Purposeful God. There’s nothing mundane, ordinary and insignificant in our lives because God has given it a purpose. Now ask yourself these questions:

• In my work context, what are some ways in which I’ve seen God’s protection? Physical or Spiritual or Mental or Professional?
• In my work context, what are some ways in which I’ve seen God’s proclamation? How is He using me to bring the good news to people who wouldn’t otherwise ever get to hear about the Gospel?
• In my work context, what are some ways in which I’ve experienced God’s presence? How has God’s presence been made real to me in my work life?

Similarly, think of other contexts of home, church and recreation. There is a purpose to all of that.

“All people Will Be Blessed Through You” Genesis 12:1-5

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.  “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and All Peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

“All The Nation Will Be Blessed Through You” Galatians 3:8-14

Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham:

“All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” “Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified

“The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written:

“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Seed (offspring → Jesus)

Abraham – Nations.

“… between your (The Serpent) offspring (sin) and hers (seed); he (Jesus) will crush your head, and you will strike his heel [on the tree].” Genesis 3:15

Isaiah 62:1-3

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication to be shown in the right shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow (to give).

You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Genesis 15:4-5

Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars-if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring seed be.”

Genesis 17:3-5

Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.  No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham [father of many), for I have made you a father of many nations.

Genesis 22:18

“and through your offspring(seed] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Hebrews 11:8

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

James 2:21-22

21 “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

1. Unveiling God’s Promise: Galatians 3:8-9

1) The scope of the promise: God’s promise to Abraham was not limited to his descendants alone but included all nations.

2) Understanding Church’s role: As believers, we are partakers of this promise and called to be channels of blessing to the nations.

3) Church’s responsibility: Recognizing that God’s plan involves us and requires our active participation in spreading His love and blessings.

2. The Liberating Power of Faith: Galatians 3:10-12

1) The curse of the law: Exploring the futility of relying solely on works of the law for salvation and blessing.

2) The power of faith: Understanding that faith in Jesus Christ is the key to experiencing the blessings of God.

3) Breaking free from bondage: Encouraging your family to let go of trust in the liberating power of faith.

The Great Nations is Wise & Understanding People.

It comes from Father’s eternal blessing (love & grace) in Jesus.

Deuteronomy 4:6-8

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”, What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Our Father desires to use His Church

as instruments of His blessings to impact all nations with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Good morning and a warm welcome to everyone in the hall and those watching on Zoom and Facebook Live.

The weather is getting more hot and humid now that we’re saying goodbye to the monsoon. Can’t wait for the November and December weather when it becomes nice.

Actually, we’re almost at the end of this year. In 2 and a half months we’ll enter 2024. This year time flew by. I mean, this monsoon season also passed by like a blur. And now it’s almost Two Thousand Twenty Four.

Now if there are any of you panicking at the thought of 2024 being just 2 and a half months away, wondering what am I doing with my life, I want to remind you that God has things in control and He’s fulfilling His purposes for you. Psalm 138:8 says “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” and in Psalm 57:2 it says “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”

And even in today’s passage we’ll be seeing how God is in control of your life and not only that but He has a unique plan for your life.

Let us say a word of prayer before diving in.

Today we’re back with our sermon series in the book of Acts titled “The God of Power” and we’re nearing the end of the book. Including today’s passage, there are only 7 chapters left.

And as we’re nearing the end we’re also nearing the end of the story of a certain man named Paul the Apostle. The last time I preached it was from chapter 20 and it was when Paul undertook his third missionary journey with the intention of finally landing in Jerusalem.

His journey took him to several places. One of the places he visits is Caesarea, mentioned in Acts 21:8, where he stays at a house belonging to Philip the Evangelist. While he is in Philip’s house, he gets a scary prophecy from a man named Agabus. It’s mentioned in Acts 21:10 and 11. I’ll read it. “While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews[c] at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

Now this prophecy is fulfilled in 21:27. The Jews see him in the Jerusalem temple, and they make false accusations against him. The people seize him and are about to kill him but the Roman authorities intervene. As soon as the people saw the Roman soldiers, they stopped beating Paul and let the soldiers take him away. But before Paul is taken away he requests the soldiers to allow him to speak to the Jews.

And that’s how we get to Acts 22. Paul is making a defense of his faith and also clearing his name because there were a few false accusations laid at his feet.

So Paul’s speech here is him recounting to his fellow Jews how he came to believe in Jesus Christ and how he started preaching to the Gentiles. As I read Paul’s conversion story again, it led me to consider his background, his life, and any other milestone apart from coming to faith of course.

Looking at Paul’s life and background it’s showed me that everything that happened before he came to faith and his life after he came to faith was so well planned. After you look at his life from what we have written about him in the Bible, you can see God had a unique plan for him.

And because God is the same God who cares about each one of us, He has a unique plan for you too.

Everything that happened to the point of our conversion, and after that, and now and the future is uniquely shaped by God.

Let’s see how that is from the passage.

1) Everything up till this point was God’s doing

Paul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia which was a Roman province. And he also spent time in Jerusalem learning the Jewish law from one of the best teachers of that time.

It says in verses 3 ““I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel[b] according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.”

Because Paul spent time between Tarsus and Jerusalem, he had proper exposure to both the Gentile and Jewish world. I read a commentary that said that in Tarsus because it was under Roman rule, he must’ve got the classical Roman education. So he learned what the Gentiles were learning and what the Jews were learning. This played an important role in his future. I also read somewhere that this prepared him in a special way to reach out to the Gentiles.

Paul not only shared his upbringing but also the evil he had done. Verse 4 and 5 says “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.”

All that happened to Paul before he came to faith was orchestrated by God. If not even a sparrow will fall to the ground with God knowing it, as it says in Mathew 10:29 then how much more did He plan major life events for Paul.

But also this was for a reason. It led him to a point where he came face-to-face with Jesus. It says in verses 6 to 8, ““As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’”

After this he goes to Damascus, blind because of the great light and there a disciple of Jesus, Ananias heals him of his physical blindness. Then Ananias makes a declaration that opens Paul’s spiritual eyes. It was an announcement of a new beginning, an unimaginable love that surpassed natural thinking and which brought a solid hope.

It says in Acts 22:14-15, “And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.”

Paul needed to experience what he experienced so that he could see Christ. If Paul wasn’t educated in Jewish law, how would he say that whatever he gained he counts it as loss as mentioned in mentioned in Philippians 3:7-8.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:7‭-‬8‬ ‭says “ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Everything that you’ve experienced till the point where you put your faith in Christ was important. Because it showed your need for Christ just like how it showed Paul.

Whether it was a dysfunctional family, where your mom and dad were fighting the whole time, or they often put their anger on you, or they had unreasonable expectations of you, or if they separated, or you had a bad breakup, or you faced a lot of addictions, or you had a bad illness or accident, or you were abused as a child, or you were taunted for your lack of apparent abilities or talent or looks or you had a financial problem, all of these things God used to bring you to a place where you understood your need for Christ. Even the worst sins you committed was allowed by God. All of this showed that you are nothing without God and only in Him is true life.

But at the appointed time God also finally revealed Himself to you, to know His will, to see Jesus, though not with our physical eyes and to hear His voice. It may not be His audible voice but you hear Him speak through the Bible. That’s the record of His voice.

Most of the things that took place in your life before you believed in Christ just happened to you. Some of it was planned but mostly it was you reacting to what was happening. But none of the things that happened were out of God’s control.

Just like Paul’s. His life in Tarsus, in Jerusalem, as a Pharisee, everything shaped his eventual conversion.

This brothers and sisters should comfort and encourage so much today. God cares about you, He made a way for you to come to Him. He planned everything that at the appointed time you hear the gospel and believe.

If you’re someone who’s not put your faith in Christ, then now is the appointed time for you to believe, everything that you’ve experienced till now would have left you broken and empty but believe in Christ and you will be filled with the joy of knowing Him, the peace that surpasses understanding and a hope that is eternal. Amen.

Everything up till this point was God’s doing and to take it further everything that is going to happen is planned by God too.

2) Everything that is going to happen is planned by God too

Now Paul got converted but it didn’t end there. God didn’t leave the picture. Like how you finish school and college and then it’s like okay now figure your career out. No, he even planned what Paul would do after he believed.

Verse 17 and 18 says, “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’” and in verse 21 ”And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

The interesting thing here is that Paul’s life and ministry after his conversion was way different from what he envisioned. In verses 19 and 20 it says “And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’”

Paul thought it was best to preach to the Jews because he thought that when the Jews see him preaching the gospel they will change. He thought the Jews will definitely think that something drastic would have happened that changed Paul. But that was not the case, God said that’s not going to happen. They’re not going to believe. God told him go the Gentiles.

And it worked. Probably Paul’s childhood in Tarsus, a city under Roman authority and influence, helped him preach to the Gentiles and relate with them. And his Jewish education helped explain how the law related to the Gentiles too.

Just like Paul, God even has a plan for you for the time after you’ve believed. It’s probably not going to look like Paul’s life but He’s got something for you. Some of you are maybe already seeing it play out in your life and maybe there’s more.

It’s the same for you and me. We may have plans for how our Christian life should pan out. What kind of ministry we want to do and how we want to do it. But it may not turn out like that. That’s not something to be sad about. Because whatever God has in store for you is the best, just like Paul’s life. Again, some of you may already be seeing the fruit of the experiences that God led you through in the past and most likely there’s more to come. Some may be in that phase where times are tough but God could be shaping you for something that’s coming.

And lastly, all the experiences you had before you believed, that also is important for your life now and how relate to other believers and non-believers. The things that happened in the past have a bearing on your Christian life and ministry today too.

Conclusion

So how does this impact your life now? If God has planned everything till the point you believed and if He’s planned everything that’s going to happen then what?

First, trust in the heavenly Father’s wisdom. He knows where He’s leading you. He knows what’s best for you.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night”.

Second, learn to say “Thy will be done”. This is the hardest. Not just to simply say the words like how we say it in the Lord’s prayer but to believe in it. Like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane saying in Mathew 26:39 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” In the face of immense pain he says let the Father’s will be done.

Things may look stagnant, hard, stuck inside the four walls of an office or home or school or hospital. Even in the midst of pain we should be able to say Your will be done because what He’s planned is best. Just look what He’s done for you till now. Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus like that He met you, He showed that died on the cross rose again so that