October 26, 2021: SOAP #4345:  Job 17; Acts 24-26

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 25:22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

OBSERVATION:  During a trial under Festus, Paul had made an appeal to Caesar in Rome.  It was his right as a citizen of Rome to do so.  This caused Festus a problem, what charges would be needed to justify sending Paul to Rome?  So, when Agrippa and Bernice came to visit and wanted to hear Paul give his defense, Festus set up the meeting.  It was set up with all the ceremony for a visiting dignitary.  Key military people and community leaders were present. 

As a street preacher, Paul would have never been able to preach to high-ranking officers. As a teacher in a synagogue, Paul would have never had to opportunity to minister to King Agrippa. As the Apostle Paul speaking to the church gathered in the cities to which he traveled, he would have never had opportunity to minister to key leaders in the city. BUT AS A PRISONER…  yes, as a prisoner, these people came to see him! He did not advertise his meeting. He sent out no invitations. But there they were!

What a special ministry opportunity accompanied the humble title “prisoner.”

APPLICATION:  God has His ways of getting me to the people to whom I am to minister OR of getting them to me!  If I am willing and obedient, I will always have those to whom I can present Jesus!

As a pastor, as a school bus driver, as a neighbor, as a customer in the market, as a friend or relative—in all these ways and many more, God can use me to tell others about Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, your ways are so much higher than my ways. I can accomplish so much more when I walk in simple obedience to you. “Jesus, use me; and Oh Lord don’t refuse me.  Surely there’s a work that I can do.  And even if it’s humble, help my will to crumble.  Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you.”  (Glenn Calcote) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!