Be of Good Cheer

Tallapoosa church of ChristSunday MorningJanuary 22, 2012

Acts 23:11-16

The Lord Stood by PaulActs 23:11 NKJV But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Paul Had A Good Conscience Before God

Acts 23:1 NKJV Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Paul Had A Good Conscience Before God

Acts 22:16 NKJV And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

A Good Conscience Toward God

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV (3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. (4) For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

A Good Conscience Toward God

Hebrews 10:21-22 NKJV and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

A Good Conscience Toward God1 Peter 3:20-21 NKJV who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (21) There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Paul Testified for Christ1 Peter 3:15-17 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Paul Testified for ChristActs 21:13-14 NKJV Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (14) So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The will of the Lord be done.”

Paul Testified for Christ

Acts 22:1 NKJV “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”

Paul was ready to give a defense!

Acts 23:11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

The Lord Stood by Paul!

Paul Testified for ChristWhat does it mean to testify?

Acts 23:11 NKJV But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” - ‘diamarturomai’ from ‘dia’ meaning “through” and ‘martureo’ meaning “to be a witness”

Testify

Paul Testified for Christ

Acts 4:20 NKJV For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Apostles told not to testify

Acts 5:32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.

We too are Witnesses

We must Testify for the Lord If we want the Lord to stand by us;We must with a good conscience be a witness for Christ! (Mt. 28:19-20)Acts 23:11 NKJV But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Paul Must Testify in Rome

Must – “dei” – lit. it is a necessity.

Paul would not be murdured

Titus 1:2 NKJV in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

Paul Must Testify in RomePaul had desired to go to RomeRomans 1:8-13 NKJV First, I thank my

God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. (9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, (10) making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

Paul Must Testify in RomePaul had desired to go to RomeRomans 1:8-13 continued (11) For I long

to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— (12) that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (13) Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

Paul Must Testify in RomeChristianity Requires:

Phil. 1:19-21 NKJV (19) For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20) according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul Must Testify in RomeLike Paul,God Gives us Good ThingsJames 1:17 NKJV Every good gift and every

perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Romans 8:28 NKJV And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Paul Must Testify in RomeWe must be steadfast

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.