The resurrection divides
The resurrection covers the death and rise of Jesus, and the subsequent hope that He will raise us after death. This is deeply offensive to those who refuse to be accountable to a moral authority - Who rules over life and thereafter. No matter how we package the resurrection, it will be refused or distorted by those who refuse to humble themselves before Jesus Christ. What are we to do about that? We must not be disheartened, Jesus shows us how deeply he cares for our imperfect efforts and how He uses our testimony.
Scripture
Acts 22:30-23:11 ESV But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. [23:1] And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to 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 is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” [4] Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” [5] And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” [6] Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” [7] And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9] Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” [10] And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. [11] The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Through the Scripture
Decades haven’t changed the accusers
Paul is being attacked by a crowd that’s stirred up by religious elites. The leaders of Israel, under Roman rule. It’s the same organisation that persecuted Jesus to death and they haven’’t changed. Look at their approach in John 11 - they know God is working, but they don’t like what He’s doing because it doesn’t suit their goals. Do you encounter this kind of opposition to Jesus today?
Acts 22:30 ESV But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
Luke 22:66-67 ESV When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, [67] “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,
John 11:47-48 ESV So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. [48] If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
Good conscience offends bad conscience
At first glance, it’s difficult to see what’s so offensive about Paul’s approach to the council. Was it that he looked them in the eye, called them brothers or confidently voiced his innocence in relation to the charges. These may be factors, but the Bible also warns that just the desire for a godly life that comes from being a believer in Jesus Christ will cause deep offence.
Acts 23:1-2 ESV And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Responding to wicked opposition
There are a few parallels between these events and the way that the same sort of people charged and condemned Jesus. Jesus handled it very differently to Paul though. He knew they wouldn’t listen to His Words, and instead of retaliation, He calmly spoke the truth. What other difference in approach do you see between Paul and Jesus?
Acts 23:3-5 ESV Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” [4] Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” [5] And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
John 18:19-23 ESV The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. [20] Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. [21] Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” [22] When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
Looking for support or stirring dissension?
Paul had a deep passion for the Jewish nation, since they were his people. He would have had even more of a connection with the Pharisees - he had once belonged there. Whether he was seeking their support or just wanted a way out, we can see his words had the effect of polarising the opposition. He appears to be trying to share the Gospel with them.
Acts 23:6 ESV Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Romans 9:1-3 ESV I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— [2] that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. [3] 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.
The resurrection divides
Interestingly even though they turned against each other, and the Pharisees seemed to support Paul, they could still not accept his testimony about Jesus. For them Jesus meeting Paul may have been an angel or spirit. Just not the Son of God in the flesh.
Acts 23:7-9 ESV And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9] Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
Saved by gentiles again
It's ironic that even though Paul has tried to appeal to his former belonging with this group, they offer him no help or support. Instead his ife is once again in danger and once again he’s removed by the the gentiles to a place of safety. This is now the second time that Paul has failed to deliver the full Gospel message or his full testimony - and the second time he needs to be rescued from the audience.
Acts 23:10 ESV And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
Testifying to the facts
The final verse offers such a rich and powerful blessing to the Church. Jesus stands by his imperfect witnesses. He gives us courage, as we know, He’s been there in the flesh. He rewards the testifying of fact - He doesn’t pay commission on sales, only the Holy Spirit can convert someone, and enable them to receive the Gospel. Or job is to speak the truth. Finally, He assures Paul that the journey is not over!
Acts 23:11 ESV The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
Daily Devotions
Monday: Opposition That Never Changes
Scripture
John 11:47-48 ESV - So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Reflection
The council that condemned Paul was the same organization that had condemned Jesus decades earlier. Though individual members had changed, the spirit of opposition remained identical. These religious leaders fully acknowledged that Jesus performed miraculous signs—they could not deny the supernatural power they witnessed. Yet despite recognizing God's hand at work, they rejected Him because His purposes conflicted with their ambitions.
Listen to the arrogance in their words: "If we let him go on like this..." As if they had the power to stop God Himself. They knew that if people saw these miracles—the dead raised, the blind given sight, sins forgiven—they would believe in Jesus. And they were right. But rather than bowing before such overwhelming evidence, they chose to protect their position and power.
This reveals a sobering truth: opposition to Jesus is rarely about lack of evidence. It is about unwillingness to submit to His authority. People do not reject Jesus because the case for Him is weak; they reject Him because accepting Him would require surrendering control of their lives. The religious leaders saw the signs, understood their significance, and still chose rebellion over repentance. Their concern was not "Is this true?" but "What will this cost us?"
We encounter this same spirit today—people who acknowledge the historical evidence for Jesus, recognize the transformation He produces in lives, perhaps even admire His teachings, yet refuse to bow the knee because accepting His lordship would disrupt their autonomy, their plans, their power.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 22:30 - But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
Luke 22:66-67 - When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe."
John 12:37 - Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.
Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Application
When you encounter opposition to the gospel, do not be surprised when that opposition comes from those who have seen the evidence and still reject it. Some people will witness God's power, acknowledge His work, and still refuse to submit because they love their position more than they love truth. This should neither discourage you nor cause you to doubt the validity of your faith.
This week, examine your own heart honestly. Are there areas where you have recognized God's hand at work but resisted His leading because it threatened something you wanted to protect? Perhaps a relationship, a career path, a lifestyle choice, or a long-held plan? The religious leaders chose their place and power over truth. What might you be choosing over full surrender to Jesus?
Prayer Points
Ask God to reveal any areas where you have recognized His will but resisted it to protect your own plans.
Pray for those who oppose the gospel not from lack of evidence but from unwillingness to submit to Jesus' lordship.
Request wisdom to recognize when opposition is rooted in rebellion rather than genuine intellectual difficulty.
Ask for courage to continue testifying to Jesus even when people acknowledge the evidence yet still reject Him.
Thank God that your faith does not depend on human approval but on the unchanging truth of who Jesus is.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Tuesday: When Godliness Provokes Hostility
Scripture
2 Timothy 3:12-13 ESV - Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Reflection
Paul stood before the council and made a simple statement: "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." He looked them in the eye, addressed them with familial respect, and calmly asserted his innocence. The high priest's response was immediate and violent: he commanded that Paul be struck in the mouth.
What was so offensive about Paul's words? Perhaps it was his confidence, his refusal to cower, or his claim to a clear conscience. But Scripture reveals a deeper truth: the very desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus provokes persecution. It is not merely what we say that offends; it is who we are becoming in Christ. A good conscience confronts a bad conscience. A life lived in the light exposes those dwelling in darkness. Godliness is inherently convicting to those who are ungodly.
This is a difficult truth to accept. We want to believe that if we are kind enough, gracious enough, winsome enough, we can avoid hostility. But Paul's experience—and Jesus' clear teaching—tells us otherwise. Living faithfully for Jesus will provoke opposition not because we are doing something wrong, but precisely because we are doing something right. The light exposes darkness, and darkness hates the light.
This does not give us license to be unnecessarily offensive or judgmental. But it does free us from the burden of believing that all opposition means we have failed. Sometimes opposition is evidence that we are succeeding in representing Christ well.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:1-2 - And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
John 15:18-19 - If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
1 Peter 4:14 - If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Application
Have you experienced hostility simply for living faithfully for Jesus? Perhaps someone at work treats you differently because you will not participate in gossip or dishonest practices. Maybe family members mock your faith or exclude you from gatherings. It could be that neighbors or friends have become distant since you started following Christ more seriously.
Do not assume this opposition means you are doing something wrong. Examine your heart and your methods—are you being unnecessarily harsh or judgmental? Are you displaying the gentleness and respect that should characterize Christian witness? If so, recognize that the opposition may be provoked not by your failure but by your faithfulness. A clear conscience confronts those with guilty ones. Light exposes darkness. This week, ask God for the grace to remain faithful even when faithfulness provokes hostility.
Prayer Points
Thank God that opposition for righteousness' sake is actually a blessing and sign that His Spirit rests upon you.
Ask for wisdom to discern between opposition provoked by your faithfulness and opposition caused by your failures.
Pray for those who are hostile toward your faith—that they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and turn to Jesus.
Request courage to continue living godly lives even when it results in persecution or rejection.
Confess any ways you have compromised your witness to avoid hostility or maintain approval from others.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Wednesday: Imperfect Witnesses, Perfect Savior
Scripture
John 18:22-23 ESV - When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?"
Reflection
When struck unjustly, Paul responded with anger: "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!" Though he spoke truth—the high priest was indeed corrupt and hypocritical—his response lacked the grace Jesus demonstrated in an identical situation. When Jesus was struck, He responded with calm reasoning, inviting His accusers to demonstrate where He had spoken wrongly rather than lashing out in retaliation.
This passage is both humbling and encouraging. It is humbling because it reminds us that even Paul—the great apostle, the mighty missionary, the inspired writer of Scripture—responded imperfectly under pressure. He did not always handle opposition with Jesus' grace. He sometimes spoke in anger, made strategic decisions we cannot fully understand, and perhaps missed opportunities to witness more effectively.
But this passage is also deeply encouraging because of what happens next. Despite Paul's imperfect response, despite his apparent failure to deliver a full gospel presentation, despite the riot that resulted from his words, Jesus came to him that night and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." Jesus did not rebuke him. He did not criticize his methods. He commended him for testifying and promised that the mission would continue.
This reveals the beautiful truth that Jesus stands by His imperfect witnesses. He uses flawed people who sometimes say the wrong things, make questionable decisions, and respond with less grace than they should. Our job is not to be perfect; it is to be faithful. Our calling is not to execute flawless strategies; it is to testify to the truth about Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit with the results.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:3-5 - Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Peter 2:23 - 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.
Application
Do you beat yourself up over imperfect witness? Do you replay conversations where you said the wrong thing, became defensive when you should have been gentle, or missed opportunities to share Jesus clearly? This week, recognize that Jesus stands by imperfect witnesses. He is not waiting for you to achieve flawless execution before He uses you. He commends you for testifying to the facts about Him, even when you stumble in the delivery.
This does not mean we should be careless or excuse sinful responses. We should always strive to represent Jesus well, to speak with grace and truth, to respond with His gentleness and wisdom. But when we fail—and we will—we do not need to disqualify ourselves or give up. We confess, we learn, we continue. Jesus specializes in using imperfect people. If He waited for perfect witnesses, He would have no one to work with.
Prayer Points
Confess specific times when you have responded to opposition with less grace than Jesus would have shown.
Thank Jesus that He stands by imperfect witnesses and uses flawed people to accomplish His purposes.
Ask for increasing wisdom and self-control to respond to hostility with Jesus' grace rather than human anger.
Pray for freedom from the burden of believing you must be perfect before Jesus can use your witness.
Request the Holy Spirit's help to learn from your failures without being paralyzed by them.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Thursday: The Passion to See Others Saved
Scripture
Romans 9:1-3 ESV - I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 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.
Reflection
Why did Paul address the council as "brothers"? Why did he emphasize his Pharisaic background? Why did he attempt to find common ground with those who wanted him dead? Because he was passionate—desperately, achingly passionate—about seeing his people come to faith in Jesus. These were his kinsmen, his former colleagues, people who shared his heritage and education. He could not look at them with cold indifference, even as they sought his destruction.
Paul's passion for Jewish salvation was so intense that he wrote he would wish himself accursed and cut off from Christ if it would save them. This is not a statement of actual possibility—Paul understood the permanence of salvation—but an expression of the depth of his longing. He ached for them to know Jesus. Every encounter, even hostile ones, became an opportunity to testify, to find a bridge, to speak truth that might penetrate hardened hearts.
This passion drove everything Paul did in this encounter. Whether his tactics were perfectly executed or not, whether he succeeded in fully presenting the gospel or not, his heart was undeniable: he wanted them saved. And this passion is what Jesus commended. Not perfect strategy, not flawless execution, but faithful testimony driven by genuine love for the lost.
How many of us carry this kind of passion for those who oppose Jesus? Do we look at hostile unbelievers and ache for their salvation? Or do we write them off as beyond reach, unworthy of effort, hardened beyond hope? Paul's example challenges us to maintain burning hearts for those who seem most resistant to the gospel.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:6 - Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."
Romans 10:1 - Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:14 - For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.
Luke 19:41-42 - And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!"
Application
Who are the people in your life who seem most hostile to the gospel? Perhaps family members who mock your faith, colleagues who dismiss Christianity as foolishness, or neighbors who actively oppose Christian values. Do you look at them with Paul's passion for their salvation, or have you given up on them?
This week, ask God to give you Paul's heart—a passion so intense for the salvation of others that even their hostility cannot extinguish your longing to see them saved. Pray specifically for those who oppose Jesus most vigorously. Look for opportunities to build bridges, to testify to truth, to demonstrate love even when it is not returned. You may not see immediate results. Paul did not see the council fall to their knees in repentance. But faithfulness in testifying, driven by genuine love, is never wasted.
Prayer Points
Ask God to give you genuine, aching passion for the salvation of those who currently oppose Jesus.
Pray specifically and by name for hostile unbelievers in your life—family, friends, colleagues, neighbors.
Confess any ways you have written people off as beyond hope or unworthy of evangelistic effort.
Request wisdom to find bridges to hostile hearts without compromising gospel truth.
Thank God that He specializes in saving people who seem beyond reach—including you.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Friday: The Resurrection Always Divides
Scripture
Acts 23:7-9 ESV - And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"
Reflection
The moment Paul mentioned the resurrection, the assembly erupted. The Sadducees—the theological liberals of their day who denied all supernatural realities—immediately opposed him. The Pharisees—who believed in resurrection, angels, and spirits—offered tentative support. But notice what they did not say. They suggested that perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to Paul. They could not bring themselves to acknowledge that it might have been the risen Christ.
This reveals a profound truth: people are willing to acknowledge almost anything about Jesus except His deity and lordship. They will call Him a great teacher, a prophet, an enlightened soul, even an angel or spirit. But they will not bow before Him as God in the flesh, the risen Lord who has authority over life and death. The resurrection is the dividing line because it establishes Jesus' supreme authority. If He truly rose from the dead, He is who He claimed to be, and we are accountable to Him.
The resurrection makes people uncomfortable because it demands accountability. If there is resurrection, there is judgment. If Jesus conquered death, He has authority over the realm beyond death—and no human philosophy, scientific experiment, or religious system can inform us about that realm except Him. This is why the resurrection will always provoke division. It is the central claim that forces people to either submit to Jesus' authority or reject Him entirely.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:8 - For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
Acts 17:32 - Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."
1 Corinthians 15:14 - And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
John 11:25-26 - Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
Application
When you share the gospel, notice how people respond when you mention the resurrection. Many are comfortable discussing Jesus' teachings, admiring His compassion, or acknowledging Him as a wise teacher. But when you declare that He physically rose from the dead and therefore has authority over your life and destiny, watch the temperature change. The resurrection divides because it establishes Jesus' lordship, and lordship demands submission.
Do not be discouraged when mentioning the resurrection causes people to pull back, become defensive, or reject your message. This has always been the stumbling block. But also do not soften the message or avoid the resurrection to make it more palatable. The resurrection is the heart of the gospel. Without it, Christianity is merely another philosophy. With it, Christianity is the singular truth that demands a response. This week, when you have opportunity to share your faith, make sure the resurrection is central to your testimony. Let it divide as it must.
Prayer Points
Thank God for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christian hope and authority.
Pray for boldness to proclaim the resurrection even when it causes people to reject your message.
Ask for wisdom to help people understand why the resurrection matters and what it demands of them.
Confess any ways you have downplayed or avoided resurrection truth to make the gospel more acceptable.
Request that the Holy Spirit would use resurrection proclamation to convict hearts and bring people to saving faith.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Saturday: Jesus Stands By His Witnesses
Scripture
Acts 23:11 ESV - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
Reflection
After two failed attempts to present the gospel—once in the temple court and once before the council—Paul sat in his cell, likely feeling defeated. He had faced murderous crowds, corrupt leaders, and violent opposition. He had not been able to deliver a complete gospel presentation either time. Riots erupted before he could finish. For a man as passionate about preaching as Paul, this must have been crushing.
Then Jesus came. Not standing before him in judgment, not behind him in disappointment, not above him in distant authority, but by him—alongside him, with him. And rather than critique his methods or rebuke his failures, Jesus said, "Take courage. You have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem. Now you will testify in Rome."
This is one of the most encouraging moments in all of Scripture for those of us who feel inadequate in our witness. Jesus stands by imperfect witnesses. He comes alongside those who stumble, who do not say everything perfectly, who face opposition that prevents them from completing their presentations. He does not measure success by how many people believed or how smoothly the message was delivered. He commends the faithful act of testifying to truth, regardless of outcome.
Jesus' presence with Paul in that dark cell was not condemnation but encouragement, not criticism but commissioning. He assured Paul that his efforts mattered, that the journey was not over, and that God's purposes would prevail. This is the Savior who stands by every believer who faithfully testifies to Him, no matter how inadequate that testimony feels.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:10 - And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
Matthew 28:20 - Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Hebrews 13:5-6 - For he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
2 Timothy 4:17 - But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Application
Have you ever felt like you failed in witnessing? Perhaps you fumbled your words, became defensive when questioned, or were interrupted before you could finish sharing. Maybe you look back on conversations and think of all the things you should have said but did not. This week, receive the encouragement Jesus gave Paul: He stands by you. He does not condemn your imperfect efforts. He commends you for testifying to the facts about Him.
Stop replaying your failures and beating yourself up over what you did not say perfectly. Jesus is with you, not standing in judgment but standing by you in companionship and support. He sees your heart, knows your limitations, and uses your faithful testimony even when it feels inadequate. Take courage. The Lord who stood by Paul in that cell stands by you today.
Prayer Points
Thank Jesus that He stands by His witnesses even when their testimony is imperfect or incomplete.
Ask for the encouragement to continue witnessing despite past failures or feelings of inadequacy.
Confess the tendency to replay failures and beat yourself up rather than receiving Jesus' grace and encouragement.
Pray for fresh courage to testify to the facts about Jesus, trusting Him with the outcomes.
Thank God that He measures faithfulness, not perfection, and that He is always with you.
Full Sermon at Family Church Online
Sunday: Testifying to Facts, Not Selling a Product
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV - Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Jesus told Paul, "You have testified to the facts about me." This simple phrase carries profound implications for how we understand our role in evangelism. We are not salespeople trying to close deals. We are not persuaders responsible for convincing people. We are not marketers crafting strategies to manipulate decisions. We are witnesses testifying to facts.
What are the facts? God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect sinless life, and laid down His life as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He took upon Himself the punishment we deserve. He was killed, buried, and on the third day raised from the dead because sin could not hold Him and death had no claim on Him. He rose to prove His lordship over life and death, and He alone offers resurrection to all who believe in Him. These are not opinions, philosophies, or beliefs open to negotiation. These are facts.
Our job is simply to testify to these facts—to state what is true about Jesus and what He has done in our lives. The Holy Spirit's job is to open hearts, grant faith, and enable people to confess Jesus as Lord. We cannot make anyone believe. We cannot argue someone into the kingdom. We can only faithfully present the facts and trust the Spirit with the results. This takes enormous pressure off evangelism. We are not responsible for conversions; we are responsible for testimony.
Supporting Scriptures
Acts 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
John 15:26-27 - But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 - For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Application
How do you view your role in evangelism? Do you feel immense pressure to persuade people, to have all the right answers, to craft perfect arguments that will convince skeptics? Or do you understand that your calling is simply to testify to facts and trust the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do—open blind eyes and grant saving faith?
This week, practice the discipline of testimony rather than persuasion. When opportunities arise to speak about Jesus, simply state the facts: who He is, what He has done, and what He has done in your life. Do not take responsibility for results. Do not measure success by whether people believe. Measure faithfulness by whether you testified to truth. The Spirit will close the deal. Your job is to present the facts. His job is to grant faith. Rest in that division of labor.
Prayer Points
Thank God that your responsibility is testimony, not conversion—stating facts, not closing sales.
Ask for freedom from the pressure to persuade people through clever arguments or manipulation.
Pray for boldness to testify clearly to the facts about Jesus without apology or compromise.
Request the Holy Spirit's help to trust Him with results rather than measuring success by human response.
Thank Jesus that He commends faithful testimony regardless of whether people believe.