What in our minds might be a crime what is worthy of “death”?

Are you willing to die for Jesus?

If we say we are willing to DIE for Jesus, 

are we also courageous enough to LIVE for Him as well?

1. Serious Charges demand Serious Evidence

Acts 25:1-12

Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 The chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed, 3 asking for a favor against Paul, that Festus summon him to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, preparing an ambush along the road to kill him. 4 Festus, however, answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those of you who have authority go down with me and accuse him, if he has done anything wrong.” 6 When he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought in.

7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove. 8 Then Paul made his defense: “Neither against the Jewish law, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned in any way.” 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges?” 10 Paul replied, “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you yourself know very well.

11 If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”

Charges demand evidence!

Acts 23:11

Have courage, you have testified about me, its necessary to testify in Rome

2. Spreading of Jesus by people who dont believe in Jesus

Acts 25:13-22

None of us can fully give out what we dont possess.

V18-19 The accusers stood up but brought no charge against him of the evils I was expecting. 19 Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive.

Discipleship Challenge/Question for us all:

If the people around you who are not believers had a moment to talk about Jesus from what they’ve learned from you, what would they say?

V22 Agrippa said to Fesus, “I would like to hear the man myself…” 

3. Unreasonable circumstances is always an opportunity 

Acts 25:23-27

23 So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the military commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has appealed to me concerning him, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer. 25 I found that he had not done anything deserving of death, but when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination is over, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”

a Plague, an agitator, a ringleader, and a desecrater of the temple

You are innocent until proven guilty. 

No Defense Required: 

An accused person does not have to testify, speak, or present any evidence.

Sometimes the most unreasonable circumstances may sound and feel like a death sentence, but in all reality for a believer, its furthermore opportunity to talk about Jesus.

FINAL THOUGHT

Where have you been turning in those circumstances?

Where does your help come from?  

Where do you find your answers? 

Who/What do you rely on?