Sermon: Acts 25:1-22; "Boldly Standing for Truth"
Date: November 6, 2016
Pastor: Michael Howard


Scriptures: Acts 25:1-22 (ESV)

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.”

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.”

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king,
saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against
him.
16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone
before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make
his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took
my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such
evils as I supposed.
19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he
wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the
emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”


Cowboy Church of Ennis Texas
A Church of the Western Heritage Culture
Committed to serving people with the Good News of Jesus Christ

website: http://www.cowboychurchofennis.com