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ACTS 23:11

"ON TO ROME"

I. PAUL'S DAY OF DEFEAT.
        A. He had a burning desire to preach Christ in Jerusalem.
                1. Soon after his conversion he came to Jerusalem, and the Lord told  him to
                   get out, for they would not receive his testimony.
                        a. Paul argued with the Lord.
                                1. If you ever find yourself arguing with the Lord, you're 
                                   wrong.
                                2. Have you ever thought the Lord was making a mistake?
        B. His great moment had finally come.
                1. He stood on the steps of the Antonio fortress.
                2. The crowd listened intently as he recounted his conversion.
                3. They, however, did not let him finish his message, but began to  riot.
        C. He had finally appeared before the Sanhedrin.
                1. Which also ended with a near riot.
                2. He started off bad, and things just got worse. 
                        a. He began saying, "I have lived in all good conscience before  God
                           until this day."
                                1. At this point, the High Priest ordered the fellow standing
                                   by Paul to hit him in the mouth.
                                2. Paul said to him, "God will hit you, you whitewashed  wall."
                        b. Paul then cried, "I am a Pharisee, and of the hope of the
                                resurrection I am called in question."
                                1. Some accuse Paul of cleverly dividing his foes Perhaps  so.
                                2. I  feel he wanted to preach the resurrection of Jesus to  
                                   them.
                        c. He had to be taken into protective custody once again.
        D. Paul's lifelong desire and dream ended in total disaster.

II. PAUL'S NIGHT OF DISCOURAGEMENT.
        A. Trip to Jerusalem seemed total waste.
                1. His reception by church less than enthusiastic.
                        a. No mention of any thanks for the gift he brought.
                        b. When Peter was in prison, the church prayed (no prayer
                                meetings with Paul..
                        c. The church through compromise had learned to live
                                comfortably with the world, Peaceful coexistence.
                                1. They begged Paul not to disturb this.
                                2. They called on him to compromise also.
                2. His reception by the Jews was. even worse.
        B. He no doubt was re-living his blunders.
                1. Why did I mention Gentiles to the crowd?
                2. Why did I lose my cool and call the High Priest
                        a. white-washed wall?
                3. Many people sink in the cess pool of the question why.
                4. Many spend weary nights trying to re-live the day. If' I had only said,
                   that if and why.

III. PAUL'S NIGHT OF VICTORY.
        A. Suddenly in that prison, Jesus was standing by him.
                1. First words, "Be of good cheer."
                        a. Same Greek phrase translated, "of good courage."
                        b. Signified he was discouraged or despondent.
                2. How quickly the awareness of the presence of Jesus can dispel our  fears,
                   sorrows.
        B. Jesus had no words of condemnation.
                1. He didn't say, "Paul, why did you blow it?"
                        a. Paul was being harder on himself than the Lord.
                        b. This is often the case. We are condemning ourselves. "Who is  he 
                           that condemneth?"
                        c. We often imagine the Lord condemning us.
        C. He commended him, "As you have testified of me in Jerusalem."
                1. Matters not that they rejected.
                2. Matters not that they rioted.
        D. He sets before him a new commission, "So must you also bear witness in  Rome".
                1. Desire of heart to be fulfilled, Acts 19:21.
                2. Matters not that 40 men have vowed to kill you.

"THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD"