Here are some examples of bad leadership and good

This man is on trial in a courtroom in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea and is facing an injustice after another. "Unfair! Unfair!" What should we do if we experience injustice?

Turn that scene in the New Testament, in Acts chapter 24, where we see what was happening to an innocent man - innocent of the charges and allegations against him.

What was happening to Paul at Caesarea?

Let me briefly give you the background, to feel something of the movement and activity, and the atmosphere, and the attitudes of various people.

Take time to review what happened, remembering that the recapitulation is an essential part of teaching. Paul, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ had been put on trial again, this time in Caesarea. Tertullus is the counsel prosecuting and Governor Felix is ​​the judge.

Paul is a prisoner in the dock - falsely accused - and Felix knows the judge. Paul talks about important issues, when invited to respond. It keeps to the facts, and explains how each of these accusations are false.

Paul was a worshiper. Yes, he belongs to the Way, that these Pharisees regarded as a sect. But Paul is in agreement with everything that is written in the Word of God and Paul is going to say, that if you brought me here today because I spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then this is true.

Things just get a little 'close to Felix. Fear creeps in. He becomes uncomfortable, and his decision is to delay, and to our knowledge has never come to believe in Jesus Christ - a man who was so close - that close.

There are three men in this chapter - very important - all important - and all very different.

There Tertullus, the attorney confident, with a successful career, of course - but a dead man with a conscience, who is openly falsely accuse a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. One day will be processed before the Throne of God

We should never be deceived or jealous of those who seem to have a successful career.

Then there is Felix - a very troubled man with a conscience - a people pleaser - wondering what the people around him thought of him. It was in an elevated position - but a weak man - to be shaped by the opinions of others. Paul wanted to hear time and again - but looking for a bribe, and it was so close to the door of the Kingdom of God, but turned and walked away from that door - close your ears and hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.

And there is Paul - verse 16 - able to stand before God and men with a clear conscience. Able to present his case effectively and calmly, and without fear of saying the truth. Father Paul was-pleaser. He had experienced the forgiving love of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was Born Again. He belonged to another realm - the realm of light. It has different standards - values ​​- goals - and he knows he has to be a witness of Jesus Christ in Rome.

Here we see images of good and bad leadership!

While in prison, he has strength and hope for the future.

Jesus gave him a word. Paul knew that Jesus Christ not only deal with our past, but He guides our today, and promises to lead us tomorrow, and we can trust him to do this.

As we move into Chapter 25, we become very aware not only of the legal process, but the process that has to endure, of any kind imaginable. It is left in a hot wet steam Caesarean imprisonment for 2 years. I was at Caesarea on several occasions and I know how hot and humid it is.

The prison should not have happened. He should have been released - released. "Unfair! Unfair! You can cry." This may be part of our experience of following Jesus Christ carrying the Cross. Suffering can take many forms, and not always as obvious as hanging from a tree.

How do you react and respond? Or how you react and respond - if you suffer for your faith in Jesus Christ becomes a real problem in your spiritual experience? Remember that there are many people in the world today that are unjustly suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Sandy Shaw ...