July 17, 2020
Live Like Paul!
Acts 25:1-12
Kristen Kedersha
Central Truth
Throughout Scripture, we see Paul unashamed of the gospel, unafraid of false charges, and willing to give his life for the sake of Jesus' name. He lives above reproach and on mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
Key Verse | Acts 25:11
"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."
Acts 25:1-12
Paul Appeals to Caesar
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 1 25:3 Greek him 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.”
Dive Deeper | Acts 25:1-12
I'm nervous for Paul. Another trial for the same false charges. Paul asks to go to Rome to be tried as a Roman citizen. Paul says, "To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death." (Acts 25:10b-11a)
Paul's response really makes me think. He is confident that he has done NO wrong. He knows the charges are religious (directed against him for proclaiming the gospel and not for violating Roman law). He knows with great confidence that he has lived above reproach; that if there is anything he has done, it was in standing for Christ; and he is willing to die. Could I answer so confidently that I have done no wrong, and if I have, am I willing to die?
In his blog titled The Character of the Christian: Above Reproach, Tim Challies describes "above reproach" as a kind of innocence—living in such a way that no one can make any charges against us that will stick; living in a way in which we do not make the gospel look fake by teaching one thing while doing another. When we live above reproach, others see Christ in us. We have a trust in God that is bigger than our circumstances. This is Paul, and this should be everyone who follows Christ.
We can only live this way when we spend time with God. He helps us remain guiltless before Him and blameless before the world.
As my husband and I parent in this world, we encourage our boys to not be of this world. We remind them that we are called to be above reproach. Each day, I have to watch my words so that I don’t gossip or tear others down. My young boys struggle to respond to friends with kindness, and my older boys to not be alone with a girl. We can watch the world around us and see leaders who live without regard to a moral or ethical code, let alone a biblical standard. We all fall short and need to daily examine our heart and abide with Christ so we can live above reproach like Paul.
Discussion Questions
1. What area of your life do you need to examine so that you can live above reproach? Who are the people in your life that will help you see these areas?
2. Where in Scripture do you see living "above reproach" mentioned? (E.g., Colossians 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6.)
3. This is not a call to a sinless life, but a life modeling high standards out of the overflow of your heart and because you spend time with Him. What habits could you begin to help you love Jesus more deeply and desire to live a blameless life? Prayer, Scripture memory, asking others for accountability?
4. Do others see your life and notice that you are above reproach or blameless? Do you live a consistent and reputable life that others would want to follow? In what ways?