Let Jesus Be With You

Notes: Let Jesus Be With You

Valor

Acts 23

Pastor Adam Eaton

April 21, 2015

Harvest OC

Acts 22:30 NKJV

[30] The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Acts 23:1-5 NKJV

[1] Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. [3] Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" [4] And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" [5] Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

Paul made a mistake here. He recognized that. Even though he was being punished outside of the rules of the law.

Paul went there knowing exactly what he was doing before Christ.

He then called the high priest a "white washed wall", a fake.

How didn't Paul recognize the high priest? Some theories are, it was either, confusion, the priest not being dressed accordingly or most likely Paul was getting bad eye sight.

Acts 23:5 NKJV

[5] Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

We can all learn from this, recognize your error and apologize!

We will be confronted with our own failures.

We can't dismiss it, we have to realize our sin, confess it and repent.

The Bible tells us to respect the office.

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

[17] Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Acts 23:6-9 NKJV

[6] But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" [7] And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. [8] For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. [9] Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."

When we stand up and do what is right instead of us fighting for our own name and let the Lord fight for us today, we will see the Lord protect us.

We are to be obedient to the Lord and let Him fight for us.

Confess and repent for the sake of Jesus Christ because we bare His name as followers.

Acts 23:10-11 NKJV

[10] Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. [11] But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."

We may never see Jesus on this earth, but He has told us that He will be with us.

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

[20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

We may have a long trial to get through, but Jesus will be with us through it all.

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

[22] And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

John 15:18-19 NKJV

[18] "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

If there is sin in your life, confess it and let Jesus be with you.