Acts 23:23-35 

²³ Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. ²⁴ Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

²⁵ He wrote a letter as follows: ²⁶ Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. ²⁸ I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. ²⁹ I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. ³⁰ When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. ³² The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. ³³ When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. ³⁴ The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵ he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

Introduction

One thing that could hamper or hold back to advance in one’s career is the fear of the unknown. When a person is scared, and apprehensive of what might happen along the way, it promotes tentativeness and indecisiveness. What might possibly happen and impede or interfere on the success of a plan could cause discouragement and hesitation to move forward.

A young man may not dare to express his feeling to a girl if he is scared that he will be ignored or laughed at. A job applicant may be apprehensive to apply for a job for lack of confidence that he might be able to present his ideas convincingly.

Similarly, many believers are not sharing the gospel because they are very concerned that they might not be able to answer questions appropriately. What terrifies you in sharing the gospel? When one is frightened to share the gospel, it testifies to the absence of the Holy Spirit.

It says in 2 Timothy 1:7, ⁷For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Timidity limits us. There’s nothing to be scared of when the Holy Spirit empowers us. No fear of the unknown when filled with God’s Spirit. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit 24/7.

The life story of Paul is a biblical documentary of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Paul was very bold in testifying about his experience with Christ because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Sanhedrin prosecuted him but the commander saw nothing to charge Paul.

1.  No Charge

²⁵ He wrote a letter as follows: ²⁶ Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix:

Greetings.  ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. ²⁸ I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. ²⁹ I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. ³⁰ When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

Why was the commander so concerned of Paul’s safety? What benefits him to stake his authority and political connections just to make sure that Paul will be secured? Was it God’s way to teach us that He can use unlikely personalities to accomplish His purposes in the life of Paul?

The commander might have perceived a possible riot in Jerusalem. If that’s the case, it would be better to remove Paul in Jerusalem. It sure put him in a bad reputation if the commander cannot maintain peace and order in Jerusalem. In Caesarea, the Sanhedrin had lesser influence and followers than in Jerusalem.

Paul may have planned to testify about the Lord’s work in His life to the Jewish people in Jerusalem. The Lord has other plan. The commander, who was a Gentile, had benefited and learned from Paul’s testimony. The commander became curious why the Sanhedrin accused Paul when there was no charge against Paul that deserves death or even imprisonment.

When the Holy Spirit is at work in our life, there will always be oppositions to discredit our testimony. Take heart! The Holy Spirit would give us peace and courage and not regret anything when things seem to be not under control. But how about the disobedient like Jonah, you might ask.

Jonah

The story of Jonah tells us that Jonah ran away from the Lord when the Lord commanded him to preach repentance to the Ninevites. Jonah did not want the Ninevites to be saved. He wanted them to fall under the wrath of God.

Jonah thought that if he will disobey God, the Lord’s anger will destroy the great city of Nineveh. Jonah ran away but the plan of God for Jonah to preach in the city of Nineveh was still accomplished according to plan of God. God allowed Jonah to disobey Him because the Lord has good plan for the sailors of the ship that Jonah took on board in his escape from the Lord.

In Jonah 1:14-16, ¹⁴ Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” ¹⁵ Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. ¹⁶ At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

There are many Christians who run away from the command of the Lord. Like Jonah who experienced the worst nightmare inside the huge fish, those who disobey the Lord bring anxiety and worry in their life but God’s plan will still be accomplished with or without our participation.

It is no secret that even pastors, church leaders, or old-timers in faith turn their back from serving the Lord when frustration or burnout overtakes their life. The Holy Spirit produces patience not frustration. The Holy Spirit produces perseverance not burnout. No one is exempted from frustration and burnouts because we humans have limitations.

This is another reason that we need to rely upon the Spirit of God. Christianity is the most wonderful life if only the Holy Spirit prevails over us. We cannot save ourselves from frustration or burn out. Christ is the One and Only Saviour, even from frustration or burn out. Believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit would recognize the Lord Jesus as the Only Savior. Christ can save us not just from the penalty of sin. He can easily save our reputation or any threat.

 2.  No Threat

²³ Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. ²⁴ Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. ³² The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. ³³ When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. ³⁴ The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵ he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

Jerusalem to Caesarea is more or less 130 kilometers. Antipatris was approximately half of the distance. The cavalry or the 70 horsemen continued and brought Paul to Caesarea. The foot soldiers returned to Jerusalem. Why did the soldiers sacrificed just to keep one person safe? As Roman soldiers, they were trained to obey their commander without any question.

Soldiers are given the responsibility to promote peace and order. It is good to be reminded of our part to pray for police officers and the military personnel. We want to have peace and order in our city. We also have our duty to pray even for politicians and those who are working in the justice department.

Last Monday, Canada celebrated Thanksgiving Day. There are so much that we can be thankful for—abundance of food, freedom, and peace. Other countries have civil war, lack of basic necessities. Election is near. There are many issues that political candidates would address.

What is their plan about refugees? How would they address religious issues and citizen’s right? What is their plan about lack of employment opportunities?

Let’s pray that God would give wisdom to govern to whoever will be elected.

In the time of King Solomon, there was peace and abundance in Israel. Is it possible in Canada?

There was no problem about employment, everyone was living in abundance, and no one was stealing because everyone had more than enough. There was peace. Everything that the Israelites had indulged in during the time of King Solomon was granted by the Lord.

Solomon’s Prayer

In 2 Chronicle 1:7-15,  ⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

¹³ Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel. ¹⁴ Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

The name Solomon means peace. God gave peace to Israel in the time of King Solomon. Solomon never went to war. Other nations had respect or perhaps scared of King Solomon.

Pray that would God wisdom to our church leaders.

Let’s pray for the election that God let His chosen leaders to win. Pray for wisdom for all elected officials and also for police officers.

Make it a habit to pray regularly for our church leaders and government officials.

Someone said, “Christians have no right to complain about church leaders or government officials if they are not praying for them. The Christian who prays for church leaders and government officials have no time to complain about them.”

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