If you brought a Bible with you this morning, I invite you to join me in Acts 25, as was just corporately read a moment ago. Acts chapter number 25, as we continue our journey to the Book of Acts, we're nearing the end. And racing through some large portions of the narrative here, so we come to understand some experiences, circumstances in the Apostle Paul's life. It was Saul of Tarsus. who made havoc of the church, entering every house, dragging off men and women and committing them to prison. Chapter eight. It was Saul of Tarsus who breathed threats and murders against the disciples of the Lord, who traveled all the way to Damascus to bring those of the way bound to Jerusalem. Chapter nine. But, of course, it was also Saul of Tarsus who was confronted by the Lord with a light from heaven and a voice saying, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? And while Saul of Tarsus had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and insolent man, Saul of Tarsus obtained mercy and the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant so that the Lord enabled him, putting him into the gospel ministry. Saul of Tarsus was converted. Saul of Tarsus was commissioned. and called to be an apostle. We, of course, know Saul of Tarsus as the Apostle Paul. And all of this transpired in the life of Saul of Tarsus, Paul of the Apostle, Paul the Apostle, because God had a purpose for Paul and God made a promise to Paul. In fact, that's the title of our study this morning. My message, God's purpose, God's promise. And by way of introduction, I would like to remind you of God's purpose for Paul, God's promise to Paul. And I've printed two specific verses at the top of your notes there. I want us to be mindful of these verses, for they highlight a very definite theme in Paul's life and they prepare us for our study of Acts 25. First, you'll see I've printed there in your notes provided for you there in your worship folder or your church bulletin. Acts chapter 9 verse 15. God says of Saul of Tarsus. God says of Paul, the apostle, he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles. Kings and the children of Israel. Now it is clear to us that Paul took the glorious gospel of the blessed God to Gentiles. We have read of his missionary journeys here in the Book of Acts, his journeys through Asia Minor and Macedonia and Greece. In fact, that may explain much of the reason for his name change from Saul to Paul, Saul being his Hebrew name, Paul being his Roman name. Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles. as God had purposed for Paul to do, and as God had promised Paul to do in Acts 9 verse 15. It's also clear that Paul was a witness to the children of Israel or the Jews. You see it there in Acts 9 verse 15. In every city that Paul went, he went into the synagogue and preached Jesus. For Paul's heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel was that they might be saved. But looking at Acts 9 verse 15, what of going to kings? Did Paul go to any king or if you look at chapter twenty three verse eleven also printed there for you on your notes at twenty three verse eleven. Paul, as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, you also will bear witness in Rome. What of going to Rome? I submit to you this morning that Acts 9 verse 15 and Acts 23 verse 11 explain for us God's purpose for Paul and God's promises to Paul. And now this morning, as we've come to the latter chapters of the book of Acts, we read how that God fulfilled his purpose and he kept his promise to Paul, even though we might find ourselves frustrated at the means by which God worked his will in Paul's life. Now, follow me in this. All of this is introductory. Before we unpack the narrative in Acts 25, Luke has recorded the unbelief and the opposition of the Jews to Paul's message and to Paul's witness. We've discovered that in the book of Acts. I submit to you that God can and will use the wicked to work his will in our lives. We've discovered that. Also, Luke is recorded how that the commander of the garrison sent Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea. I submit to you that God will and God can. He can and he will use civil government to work his will in our lives. Luke is recorded how that the spineless Roman governor in Caesarea, Felix, kept Paul in prison for two years simply because he didn't know what to do, that's Acts chapter 24. But I submit to you that God can and will use pathetic people to work His will in our lives. And now here in Acts 25, Luke records how another Roman governor, not Felix this time, it's Festus this time, would unwittingly contribute to God's purpose and promise to Paul by giving Paul an audience, catch this, by giving Paul an audience before kings, That's Chapter 9, verse 15 that I printed for you and by sending Paul to Rome. That was God's purpose and promise in Chapter 23, verse 11, and I submit to you that God can and will use any circumstance to work his will in our lives. So as we approach Acts 25, we find another occasion. Another step. in the outworking of God's purposes and promises his plans for Paul. And I submit to you this morning, dear friend, that that God has a purpose and a plan for your life as well. And he will complete that. From your perspective, it may not be clear. In fact, from your perspective, it may be quite cloudy or confusing or convoluted, but God will accomplish and complete his purposes and promises to you. And I can assure you of that based on the authority of God's word as we witness that very, that very thing in the Apostle Paul's life in Acts 25. Let's pause briefly for prayer. And we'll look at the text God above. It is with eager anticipation that we come to the holy scripture just now to read of your sovereignty and providence in Paul's life, fulfilling the purposes that you had for Paul and completing the promises that you made to Paul. Well, I pray that you would encourage us with these things. And that we, too, might know that you have a purpose and a plan, promises that you will fulfill to us as well. We commit our study to you now in Jesus name, I pray. Amen. If you have been with us for the last number of weeks, specifically last week, you might remember at the end of Acts, chapter 24, verse 27, there Nero replaced Felix with Festus. as the Roman governor in Israel, Acts 24 verse 27 said after two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. Now, Felix was an old pro. Back in Chapter 24 verse 10, if you're looking there, the Bible tells us that Felix had been an authority in the region for many years. Acts 24 verse 22, if you look there, tells us the Bible tells us that Felix knew a lot about Christianity. He had an accurate knowledge of the way. But now Festus, his replacement Festus, who is Felix's replacement, was green. Festus was inexperienced and Festus was new to the area, had no idea how complex religion was or how complicated religion, religious issues would be. Of course, I could mention that things in the Middle East are as they have always been very complicated, very complex. In fact, while the world has always sought for peace in the Middle East, there will not be peace in the Middle East until Jesus Christ returns again. But nonetheless, to Festus's credit, He didn't stay at his desk, but rather he knew that while his Roman headquarters were in Caesarea, The people were centered in Jerusalem and the headquarters for the people of the region was centered in Jerusalem. And so look at what Festus did in Acts 25, verse number one. Now, when Festus had come to the province after three days, only after three days, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. After three days on the job, he went out to the people. And no sooner had he arrived there in Jerusalem that he was introduced to a problem versus two and three. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they petitioned him asking a favor against him, that he that is fastest would summon him. That's Paul to Jerusalem while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. Okay, so not only has Festus inherited a corrupt administration in a region of unrest, but Festus has now inherited a corrupt constituency who are still conspiring against Paul. You might fill in your notes. Number one, the ambush by the Jews. The ambush by the Jews, and may I remind you that it has now been two years since the Jews had bound themselves to an oath that they would kill Paul back in chapter 23 verses 12 and 14. The text there says that the Jews anathematized themselves, invoking God's judgment upon themselves if they didn't kill Paul. Remember the vernacular I explained to you. It went something like this. May God kill us if we don't first kill Paul. But two years have now passed, and the Jews have carried the grudge, the hatred, the bitterness and the anger against Paul for two years, while Paul remained there bound and jailed in Caesarea. Acts 25, verse three now tells us of their intent, gives us insight as to the Jews intent. They had no intention of putting Paul on trial in Jerusalem. They only wanted Festus to mobilize Paul so that they could lynch him on the road. That's why I call this number one, the ambush by the Jews. Look at verse number four. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, not brought to Jerusalem, and that he himself was going there shortly. Therefore, he said, Let those who have authority among you go down with me from Jerusalem to Caesarea and accuse this man to see if there is any fault in him. Infestus is performing well at this point. He's in control. He's calling the shots. He's the Roman governor. Paul is the Roman prisoner. And if there was going to be a trial, it should be at the Roman headquarters in Caesarea. Infestus would take care of the matter in an orderly fashion. After all, Proverbs says that a wise man withholds judgment until he hears the matter. Infestus wants everyone to convene there in Caesarea at the Roman headquarters and to hear the matter. And this was most certainly the first matter of attention for this newly seated governor. It's important that he handles the matter well. We'll get verse number six. and when he had remained among them more than ten days in Jerusalem, that is, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem with Festus stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. That's a very important qualifier there. While he answered for himself, neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all. Now look at verse number eight. There were three charges that the Jews brought against Paul that we identified last week from chapter 24, and they were the charges that Paul had violated Jewish law, God's law, and Roman law. Verse number eight speaks to each of those, and Paul maintains his innocence. But I would call here, verses four through eight in your notes, number two, the accusation against Paul. the accusation against Paul, and I think at this point now, the newly seated Roman governor in Caesarea and that region discerned that this was not a Roman issue, but a Jewish issue. This was not a civil or a criminal matter, but a religious matter. And so being a politician, of course, Festus wanted to satisfy his constituents, of course. And so look at what Festus does in verse number nine. But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem? Remember, that's what the Jews want. Bring him to Jerusalem. Why should they bring him to Jerusalem? So they can lynch him, so they can ambush him on the way. And so Festus suggests this possibility. Um, that in verse number nine, that that Paul would go to Jerusalem to there be judged before Festus concerning these, these things. Paul, are you willing to surrender your Roman rights and submit yourself to the Jewish courts in Jerusalem? Verse 10. So Paul said, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat where I ought to be judged to the Jews. I've done no wrong, as you very well know, for if I'm an offender or committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying, if that's just. But if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar, you must go. That's number three in your notes. The appeal to Caesar. Now, these are some quick moving developments in the text and the narrative. And we've worked through this narrative very quickly. I hope you can track with me here. But what I did this week is I spent a little bit of time in doing some homework on Paul's appeal to Caesar. And of course, I'm not an expert in ancient Roman law. For that matter, I'm not an expert in modern American law either. And so I found this a bit confusing and how, in fact, this works. But the best thing I can liken it to would be the appeals process here in the US. I hope that you can understand some of the progression of what's happening here. The point is that after two years of waiting for Paul, he was finally going to get somewhere. It wasn't to go back to Jerusalem to stand before the Jewish courts, but the apostle Paul, as a Roman citizen, was appealing to Rome, specifically Caesar, to render judgment on the matter. Now, Look at your notes. Look at the top of your notes. Acts 23 verse 11. God's purpose for Paul. God's promise to Paul is that Paul would go to Rome. And this is, in fact, what is about to happen now. Festus would have been initially relieved to defer this problem to Rome to let Caesar handle this one after, however, some some reflection. I suspect that that Festus might have spent some nights awake. worrying about sending Paul to Rome, because in sending Paul to Rome, Festus was required to file a full report about Paul, listing the charges against Paul and what Festus had done about it. But, of course, there were no charges against Paul, and Festus hadn't done anything about it. Consequently, this situation would really only serve to embarrass Festus as the new governor in Caesarea, the Roman headquarters for the region. And it would show Caesar that Festus couldn't handle things on the ground. After only two weeks in office, Festus needed Caesar to clean up a mess in the region. But while Festus is stewing about the situation, something happened again in the providence of God. Look at verse 13. Some important people came to visit after some days. King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus, probably to congratulate Festus on his new appointment in the region. And this is what I would call number four, the arrival of the king. The arrival of the king, King Agrippa and his wife came to Caesarea to congratulate Festus on his new promotion, his appointment as the Roman governor in Israel. And Agrippa here was the last in the line of the Herods. Now, think with me about King Herod or King Herod, the Herod family that you might know. His great grandfather was Herod the Great, who ruled at the time of Jesus' birth. the one who murdered children in Bethlehem. His great uncle was Herod Antipas, who executed John the Baptist and tried Jesus. His father was the one who killed James and arrested Peter. So, the corruption of the Herods rivals anything that we might witness in modern times. Furthermore, if I've lost you now, this will get your attention. King Herod Agrippa and Bernice were not only husband and wife, they were also brother and sister. But Festus was thrilled to have King Agrippa and Caesarea for Agrippa and the Herod family were experts. in Jewish affairs with generations of experience, so Festus took the opportunity of Agrippa's visit to lay Paul's case before him to get some advice. Let's read the text, beginning in verse 14. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix. So this isn't my problem. This is really something I inherited, right? It's all George Bush's fault, we might say. About whom the chief priest and the elders of the Jews informed me when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, it is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him. This is the mode of operation, the M.O. of the Romans and in how they would find justice. Therefore, when they come together without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accuser stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I suppose. But instead, they had questions about him, about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died evidently whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus Caesar, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said about this, I also would like to hear the man myself tomorrow. He said, You shall hear him. And so finally, now, number four or five in your in your notes there, the appearance before Agrippa. The appearance before Agrippa, there's an ambush by the Jews, accusation against Paul, appeal to Caesar, arrival of the king, and now the appearance before Agrippa. And this would not be a formal trial. No verdict could be rendered because Paul had already appealed to the Supreme Court in Rome, the Supreme Court of the world, in fact, before Caesar in Rome. Verse 22, then Agrippa said, Ephesus, I would also like to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, he said, you shall hear him. So, the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with a great pump and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city at Festus' command, Paul was brought in, if you can picture this in your mind's eye, and Festus said, King Agrippa and all the men who were here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer, calling for his head, if you will. But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, That Caesar, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to my Lord concerning him. See, this is Festus's problem. I don't know what I'm going to write to Caesar. Dear Caesar, here's a guy named Paul. I don't know what to tell you. I don't know what to write. There's nothing that I have against him. Therefore, I have brought him out before you and especially before you. And I'm in verse 26, King Agrippa, so that after the examination is taking place, I may have something to write. Help me draft this letter that will accompany Paul to Rome to Caesar, for it seems to be unreasonable to send a prisoner and not specify the charges against him. So, as Chapter 25 here is very preparatory and explanatory to the occasion of Paul preaching the gospel in Chapter 26. And we're going to get there soon. In fact, next week. But perhaps at this point we feel like we're left hanging and there's no conclusion and we're eager to read chapter 26 and chapter 27 to hear the rest of the story and to understand the fulfillment of God's purpose and promise to Paul. Because God's purpose for Paul and God's promises to Paul is that he would be a witness before kings and that he would testify of Jesus Christ in the city of Rome. The top of your notes, Acts 9, 15, Acts 23, verse 11, it is coming to fruition as God works his sovereign plan in Paul's life. Now, this is a fascinating narrative for us to read, and there's some drama and there's some suspense. And if we were curled up by the fire, we might continue reading. But I want us to pause here this morning for a specific point of application in our lives is a pestilence. What do we do with these stories, these narratives, these records of of circumstances in Paul's life? I believe there are points of application. Lessons that we might learn from this narrative for all scripture is profitable. And that is number six in your notes, the application of the text, the application. Of the text, and as we have studied these events over these last few chapters, we might interpret Paul's experience. If you're able in your mind's eye and your sanctified imagination to walk and in Paul's shoes, we might interpret these these experiences as the consequence of ignorance. For you see, Paul was wrongly charged. The facts were not even right. Or maybe these things are the consequence of prejudice. It appears that the Jews didn't like Paul because the Jews didn't like Jesus and Paul was promoting Jesus. Or we might say that these things are the consequence of self-interest. Remember the commander of the garrison? Remember Felix in both cases these men did what was politically expedient for them. Not really in the interest of justice for Paul. And we might interpret these events as bad luck or as wasted time. But by the time we finish Luke's record here, we will see clearly how that God has orchestrated everything in Paul's life to fulfill his purposes for Paul and to keep his promises. To Paul, as outlined in Acts 915 and Acts 23, verse 11. And so here are some lessons for us. This is what I want to want you to take with you this morning. Are you ready? First, a point of application letter, a God always fulfills his purpose and keeps his promise. God always fulfills his purposes and keeps his promises. And God's purpose for Paul and God's promise to Paul was that he would bear witness of Jesus Christ before Kings X nine, verse 15. And the audience that God assembled here in Acts 25 is beyond coincidence. King Agrippa and his sister wife, Bernice, came and Paul was able to stand before a king. Furthermore, God's promise for Paul purpose and his promise for Paul was that he would bear witness in Rome, Acts 23, verse 11. And folks, not only is Paul now going to Rome, You know how he's going to get there? A free ride. A free ride for Paul to go to Rome. And there are many scripture references that I could have included for you there in your notes, but they come to my mind. I think of the Proverbs. Proverbs 16, 9. A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. I also think of second Peter three verse nine, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise in that context of the promise of the Lord's return. But folks, I am here to assure you that if God has a purpose for you, he will fulfill it. If God has made a promise to us in the Holy Scripture, he will keep it. In fact, isn't that after all what our faith is fixed upon? The purposes and the promises of God, and if we can trust God with our eternal lives. Why can't we trust him with our daily lives? It's a point of comfort and assurance to me, a point of application for you. God always fulfills his purposes and keeps his promises. There's a second point of application. Letter B. God uses human injustice for our good. God uses human injustice for our good. Romans 828 sometimes sounds trite, but it's so true. All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. And while we affirm that technically or theologically, it's hard sometimes to see that practically when circumstances are bad. Or we suffer injustice. And sometimes we are wronged and slighted. And sometimes people sin against us. And we suffer the injustices of the world. And we complain that we didn't get the grade. Or we didn't get the award that we were due. Or we complain that we've been betrayed by the only friend whom we thought we could trust. Or we complain that we are victims of dirty politics on the job. But you listen to me. If, in fact, the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord, we must trust the hand of the Lord, even when that king or that authority or that friend commits injustice against us. But sometimes it's hard to trust the hand of the Lord because we can't see that. I think one of the reasons that we struggle with understanding the injustices that we suffer Even among one another in this place. Is that we can't see the hand of God? After all, wasn't that the experience of Job? And all that he suffered. He couldn't. See the hand of God. And so there was confusion and there was consternation and his friends misinterpreted the circumstances in jobs life. Because they couldn't see God's hand. And why can't we always see his hand at work? Because let her see. Let her see. Because God's ways. Are not man's ways. Let her see God's ways are not man's ways. Isaiah 55, verse nine, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, says the Lord. God's way of of putting Paul before Kings and sending Paul to Rome was different than Paul's way. Someone has once wisely said that God's will is not. A map. but a compass. God's will is not a map, but a compass, meaning that God gives us direction. He points us in the way in which we must go, but he doesn't necessarily lay it all out before us from the beginning to end like a map. He doesn't necessarily show us every obstacle or turn in the road. And although we would desire that, we would ask that God would spell out every step of the way That isn't always how God works. In fact, it's the great patriarch of the faith, Father Abraham, who the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 11, that Abraham obeyed God when he was called to go out to a place where he would receive an inheritance. And he went out. Not knowing where he was going. You see, Father Abraham couldn't see God's hand. The Apostle Paul couldn't see God's hand. And neither can we. So where does that leave us? It leaves us to trust the unseen hand of God, knowing that he will fulfill his purposes and he will keep his promises to us. And that is the faith walk. And as we read Acts 25 and we read of these circumstances and perhaps our attention is captured by some of the details in the narrative, I hope that you can see the hand of God. Because Acts 25 isn't so much about Festus or Agrippa or Paul, but it's in fact about God. And it's not even so much about God, it's just about God's hand. And God is fulfilling his purposes to Paul. He's keeping his promises to Paul. And we are left to live our life of faith, trusting him in the same way that Paul did. Let's pray. God above, we confess to you that we are faithless people. So often we fear the future And we are frustrated at the present because we cannot see. Your hand leading us. But Lord, as we read these narratives in the Holy Scripture, we come to understand that you are sovereignly orchestrating every matter you are providentially putting circumstances in place to fulfill. The purposes and the promises that you have for us, I thank you for the work that you wrought in Paul's life. in having him to stand before Gentiles, before Jews, before kings, and even sending him to Rome to be a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lord, this very day, this very week, I pray that you would help the men, the women, the children of Fourth Baptist Church to trust you. For I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.