Sunday, October 20, 2024
Unstoppable Kingdom
Globally: Eternal Citizens in Temporary Houses
Acts 24:10-27

Embassies and Ambassadors have always intrigued me. These locations and people reside in countries outside the United States, but they exist for the interests of the United States. They facilitate relationships between the residents and governments of other nations with the United States. They have temporary housing in foreign lands, but their citizenship is here!

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”2 Corinthians 5:8-10

Main Idea: Kingdom Citizens dwell in Temporal Houses while living for an Eternal Home

Today, we will see how Paul managed his temporary house while living for his eternal home in his defense to the Roman official, Felix.

“And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: ‘Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 1You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 1and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 1Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 1But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 1having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’’ But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.’ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.’ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:10-27

3 Temporary Realities for Kingdom Citizens in Acts 24:10-27

I. Authority of the State

Multiple times in Acts, Paul is vindicated and exonerated by Roman officials because he hadn’t broken any Roman laws. In fact, Paul used his citizenship to advance the causes of the kingdom on more than one occasion. Notice how he did not flatter Felix (vs. 10) like Tertullus did (vs. 2-8). He was respectful and honoring to the governor, but also spoke the truth (vs. 25).

Election Day is coming and you may be wondering how to handle seasons like this one as a follower of Jesus. It’s important to understand that the New Testament was written under the authority of an Emperor, not a democratic republic like the USA. Contextualization is necessary. As Christians, we recognize the authority of the state, we pray for our elected leaders regardless of their party, and we participate in the democratic process based on Biblical principles (honest and moral) and NOT blind partisanships (blind, unreasoning allegiance). And, realizing that I may privately give my vote to a flawed politician based on prayerful and careful deliberation, I will not lend my voice, my influence, or my own character to any politician. Those belong to God, and God alone! So, I encourage you to vote as a principled follower of Jesus. When people ask me my affiliations and political positions, I boldly declare myself to be a KINGDOM INDEPENDENT. I make every effort to find the way of Christ in every issue and election, while trusting him with the outcome…

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

As citizens of the Unstoppable Kingdom, we should endeavor to live peacefully under the governance of our elected leaders as much as possible. We should resist the temptation to lose ourselves in matters of politics, and find a way to love, honor, pray for, and obey our governing leaders daily.

II. Institutions of the Times

Despite the claims of the Jewish leadership, Paul was not defiant of the Mosaic Law or guilty of desecrating the Jewish Temple. To the contrary, he honored the law (vs. 14) , was practicing charity (vs. 17) and was teaching in fulfillment of the Law and Prophets that the Jews revered with one caveat.

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.” Acts 24:14-15

“A devout man is one thing, a stickler is another. To be furious in religion is to be irreligiously religious. It were better to be of no church, than to be bitter for any.” William Penn - Do not be antagonistic to other faiths & cultures.

As followers of Jesus, we should make every effort to work with anyone toward a just, and worthy cause. But, be clear on where we disagree! Paul loved his Jewish brothers so much!

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:3

III. Persecution from the Enemy

There was no reason to detain Paul, but Felix left him in prison for two years and was waiting for a bribe that never came. It was awful. Paul was being mistreated on every level. Yet, he used this time in prison to write letters and share the gospel at every opportunity! It was Christlike…

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”1 Peter 2:21-23

Citizenship in the Unstoppable Kingdom does not guarantee that you won’t be persecuted, oppressed, or treated unjustly. In fact, it many times means the exact opposite. But, our heavenly citizenship helps us endure!

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12

If your house is like mine, you have two kinds of pipes in the walls. You have drain pipes, designed to take everything away and out of the house. And, you have radiator pipes designed to circulate warmth throughout the house. Now, I’m grateful for drain pipes and radiator pipes in my house, but when it comes to being a Kingdom Citizen in a Temporary House, we should all strive to be a radiator pipe that brings warmth to those temporary houses.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21- We are ambassadors, our churches are embassies!

If you are disgusted and disillusioned by all you see around you, I want to invite you to become a citizen of the Unstoppable Kingdom. In addition to having your sins forgiven, you will also gain incredible perspective on the issues and miseries of this life. Why? Because…

Kingdom Citizens dwell in Temporal Houses while living for an Eternal Home

Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
The New American Commentary: Acts – John B. Polhill (1992)
Acts: Bible Study Commentary – F.F. Bruce (2017)
Acts for Everyone – N.T. Wright (2008)
Acts: The Church Afire – Kent Hughes (1996)
Acts - John MacArthur (1994)
Acts – K.O. Gangle (1998)
The Kingdom of God – Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1992)
The Message of Acts – John Stott (1994)
Kingdom First – Jeff Christopherson (2015)