https://youtu.be/UUAbKclR_LI

The Terminator!                                                                                                                               Acts 25:1-22

Time line:

New governor FestusJews appeal to Festus against Paul They wanted Paul to be taken to Jerusalem – but not really, they just want to kill him on the way thereFestus refuses to send Paul to Jerusalem He requests the Jews (accusers) to come with him and state their casePaul makes his defense and is not afraid to diePaul appeals to Caesar King Agrippa and his sister Bernice request to hear him

This evening, I want to speak to you about Sin and the nature of Sin.

Acts 23 – we saw the Jews plotting to kill Paul …but their plan was frustrated by a small boy – Paul nephewIt’s been 2 years and the Jews still want to Kill Paul. With the new King, they are not using a new line,

Acts 25:1-3 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the [a]high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.”

The enemy does not create – but uses the same trick over and over. he just gets better at it as we fall prey to his schemes. I know that in my life, the struggles I have are the same, they are just dressed in a different way.I think I have overcome them and as soon as I let my guard down, boom! There it is again.We ought to be aware how our enemy -sin - works in order to guard ourselves

Who here has ever seen the movies sequels – The Terminator?

Dark future – an AI has destroyed the earth but in 2029 the humans lead by John Connor destroys Skynet (brain) and wins but the machines have a secret plan – the machine send a lone robot agent to kill John Connors mother before he is even born.Disguised as a human, to fit in (Sin)Look normal (Sin)To the outside it looks really good but on the inside it’s a soulless metal The enemy knows what you are capable of, and just like the terminator, he will try and destroy your dreams before you can even get started. (Steal, Kill and destroy)John 10:10 - The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.The terminator does not give up, no matter how much you think you have killed or destroyed it, it will find a way to regroup and come after you. Folks, that is how sin is.

Sin is relentlessoppressively constant; incessant ((of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption)

We see it clearly here, that no matter what Paul does, how long he stays away from the Jews, they still want to destroy him. They want to kill him.

Acts 25:4 -5 - But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”

Gills commentary:

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, Who are at leisure, can spare time, and to whom it will be convenient, without interrupting other business, to take such a journey; ( 24hr by foot – 110Km) and who are able to bear the expenses of it, without hurting their families, and whose health and age will admit of it; and above all, who are masters of this affair, and are capable of forming charges, and of supporting them with proper proofs and evidences: let such go down with me; from Jerusalem to Caesarea: and accuse this man: in proper form, according to the rules of law, of what he is guilty, and can be proved upon him: if there is any wickedness in him; or committed by him, anything that is absurd and unreasonable, notoriously flagitious and criminal; that is, contrary to the rules of reason, the common sense of mankind,