Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

February 25, 2019

by Pastor Hawtree

BIBLE READING: ACTS 24

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Ananias the high priest, and others, were desperate to silence Paul. They came to Felix the governor, and they called up a so called “orator” named Tertullus. He begin to try to accuse Paul, and convince Felix that Paul was dangerous. You can imagine the ridiculous, unfair scene as it all unfolds. What I found interesting is what Tertullus said about Paul:

“WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN A PESTILENT FELLOW”
What a complement. Paul had made a pest of himself to those who had perverted religion, twisted the spiritual Law, and manipulated people. This word “pestilent” literally carries the connotation of a swarm of locusts. It seemed that Paul was everywhere. Always busy serving the Lord. Always giving it his best. Always sharing the gospel. If only you and I would make a pest of ourselves. If only we would agitate evil doers.

“WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN……A MOVER”
In our day and time, we brag on businessman, celebrities, and politicians as the “movers and shakers” of society. Tertullus accused Paul of being a “mover”. This means that Paul changed things. He had changed the minds of those with the changed hearts. He had created quite a stir among the Jews and Gentiles. He was not a “sitter”, or a “complainer”, or a “compromiser”, he was a “mover”. Are you a “mover”? The religious leaders did not like what he was doing, but thankfully Paul was doing something.

“WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN………A RINGLEADER”
Paul was a leader. Paul was a thermostat, while others were a thermometer. It is amazing to me how many people can be leaders in so many areas of their life, but when it comes to spiritual things, they seem to become shy. They are a leader at the Little League game, a leader at work, a leader at the club, a leader at the school PTA, a leader of the blog, a leader at Mary K, a leader at the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, but for some reason are not able to be a leader at church. When the Lord saved Paul, Paul determined to give God everything he had. Paul became a “ringleader” for Christ. Have people found us to be a leader in spiritual things?