Accusations, Motivations, & Feelings – A Potentially Dangerous Combination

0:01 Okay, I'd like to invite Elderberry to come to the stage at this time. Ave Shama, our father in heaven. Lord, I thank you for Barry. Lord, I thank you for uh, his faithfulness to you here at em. Lord, I thank you for his dedication and his time that he spends studying your word and investigating you. Lord, I just ask that you would open up our ears that we can hear from you through Barry today and we bless you in Yeshua's name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. So Shabbat shalom again. So sometime I think it was in January, January, rabbi Ari asked me to speak on February 21st.

0:50 I didn't really have a topic in mind and I felt that maybe I should just take the passage that came up. This is something that's not easy for me. I do better with topics that are on my heart. However, before committing, I verified that the passage was the passage that was scheduled for this date. Rabbi already told me it was going to be Acts 24 verses 10 through 21. I looked it over and it seemed possible for me as there were several areas that I felt I could speak about the resurrection from the dead and a number of things. Well then we had the ice storm and the service was canceled and things shifted in the passage. Turns out now to be Acts 24 versus one through nine.

1:35 At first glance, it seemed like there was nothing in those verses except that of Paul being accused, not the most desirable topic in the world. However, I felt I should honor my word to Ari and see how it worked out. So sometime later I felt the Lord expressed to me to do some research in his word of others that were persecuted or accused falsely or even accused. The result is this message, the title of today's message is Accusations, motivations and Feelings of Potentially Dangerous Combination. They're handouts available. You've got them already and you can find the notes on the U version app.

2:21 Okay, today we'll we will begin by exploring Acts 24 verses one through nine. With a little background on the people, the location of the event. We will look at the accusations against Paul, possible motivations for those accusations along with feelings that those exp feelings experienced by those that believe the accusations. We will then look at other biblical figures that were accused and analyze those particular situation. You may see some interesting similarities and parallels with today's events. The accusations point out a war between the earthly kingdom and the heavenly kingdom. We live in a world where accusations are made all the time.

3:08 It's even a bit worse during election season. Just watch a few commercials. Some accusations are true, some are false and some are mixed with some little bit of truth in them. We will discuss the play on our emotions and how we should respond to accusations of others and even how we should respond should we be accused. While preparing for this message, it became clear to me that the way people behave has not changed in thousands of years. Some people will accuse others of anything to accomplish their goals. Our part is to guard our emotions. Carefully inquire judge with correct judgment, stay in the word of God, pray

3:54 and proceed as the Lord directs us. Now on to today's message. So today's passage Acts 24 verses one through nine And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman. One tuus. They laid before the Governor their case against Paul. And when he had been summoned, Tuus began to accuse him saying, since th through you, we enjoy much peace. And since by your foresight most excellent Felix reforms are being made for this nation in every way in everywhere. We accept this with all gratitude. But to detain you no further, I beg your kindness and hearing us briefly for we have found this man a plague.

4:41 One who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself, you would be able to find out from him about everything with which we accuse him. The Jews also joined in the charge affirming that all these things were so interesting thing you shared earlier, Ari. Yeah, right. So the main people, governor Felix, the high priest, an Ananias spokesman tur some Jewish leaders and then Rob Schul or the apostle Paul.

5:27 So let's start with Governor Felix, Marcus, San Antonio, Felix, Roman proc, cur procurator or governor of Judea from about 80 52 to 60. Felix is C characterized by ancient historians as a ruler who combined the power of a king with the mind of a slave. Felix became governor because his predecessor lost a case against Ananias. The high priest Felix political advancement is owed a lot of it, it's owed to his brother Marcus Antonius Pollis, who served as Secretary of the Treasury under Claudius. The governorship of Felix was defined by increasing social unrest, lawlessness

6:14 and brutal suppression. So interesting uh, gentleman that Paul's gonna stand before and be tried. So the high priest Ananias appointed to the high priesthood by Herod of Calsus served from about AD 48 to 58. According to Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. And Ananias was a man of immense wealth and influence, but he was also notorious for his ruthlessness and corruption. He was known to use his position to see ties intended for the lower priest, often using physical force or legal manipulation to enrich himself and his associates. He was deeply hated by the Jewish populace and was assassinated in 66 AD

7:04 the spokesman tuus professional or orator professional speaker and legal advocate from some study. Rabbi Ari lent me some commentaries, did some other study. Likely his oratory skills exceeded his legal expertise so he could speak well maybe he could be as a little bit right and um, and that's how he might have been successful. He was likely an Hellenistic Jew or less likely a gentile familiar with Roman law. I don't think we really know for sure. He was a spokesman, spokesman for Ananias and the elders and the use of orators was common during this period of time.

7:51 And then we have Jewish leaders, a high ranking group, elders representing the Sanhedrin, the supreme ju judicial and religious counsel of the Jewish people. And these gentlemen were likely there because they were intended to provide legal certification, political pressure and demonstrate a consensus against Paul. So you got a fair number of leaders, they all agree with the same thing. Paul must really be not a good guy. And then Rob Shoal or the apostle Paul Paul was born around five to 10 AD in Tarsus the capital of the Roman province of Seia. He was born of the tribe of Benjamin and described himself as a Hebrew of Hebrews. Paul was a Pharisee. He was educated under Rabbi Gamal.

8:40 He was a tent maker by trade and he was an an extreme persecutor of the messianic believers. We all know that, right? But then one day as he was going on a mission, the Lord knocked him off his horse. He had a revelation of Messiah Yeshua and he turned to Yeshua. And then, then, then his troubles and his, his blessing and his troubles began right? Okay, the setting. So after five days, the high priest and Anais came down with some elders in a spokesman. One told tutu they laid before the governor their case against Paul. And when he began, when he had been summoned, Tuus began to accuse him saying, So the location

9:25 Cesarea Maritima the Roman administrative capital of the province of Judea held in the Proctor a magnificent palace originally constructed by Herod the great. So we see on the map the location and if you look over to the right, this is a rendering of what it probably looked like at the time. And this is what it looks like today. Alright, we move on to verses uh, chapter 24 verses two through four, uh, flattery towards Felix. Since through you we enjoy much peace. And since by your foresight, most excellent Felix

10:12 reforms are being made for this nation and every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But to detain you no further, I beg your kindness to hear us briefly. Now does that sound like the introduction to somebody that we looked at that previous slide with what Felix was really like? No, but, but what, what's he trying to do? He's trying to win Felix's favor and he's also trying to make Paul look bad. So he ascribes peace security reforms to Felix and then he describes Paul as we'll see in a minute. But somebody that's the opposite of bringing peace, somebody that's a problem, potential problem to him. So church's butter buttering up Felix

10:58 the captio benevolent the Latin phrase means winning of good will or seizing favor. Although this flattery was not supported in facts, it was considered normal practice of orators. Now of interest is that he ascribes, I mentioned this piece to Felix and the opposite to Paul, likely a tactic cause Felix to see Paul as one who is undoing his efforts. Alright, let's move on to the accusations for we have found this man a plague. One who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is the ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him by examining him. You will be able to find out from him about everything

11:45 of which we accuse him. The Jews also joined into charge affirming these things were true. So those elders, those leaders in the Sanhedrin were saying, yeah, this guy's doing all that stuff. But if you kind of notice in here, there's nothing really concrete, right? It's a bunch of accusations, the one that might be closest to heaven, any, well, it doesn't really have any validity, but they saw him in the temple with trophy miss the Egyptian and they thought they brought him into the temple, right? That wasn't even a true accusation. But all of this is just kind of trying to paint Paul in a particular light. So a plague, a pest, a pestilence. So we remember COVID-19 that was caused a lot of problems, right?

12:32 So they're kind of acquainting Paul with something like a disease that could run rampant, a pest, a plague stirs up riots among all the Jews all over the world. Now note, and it's interesting, you could probably draw some parallels today, I probably not gonna say anything, but Paul did not stir up riots. The riots were the result of people not liking what Paul had to say or what Paul stood for. So, but they accused him of Stu stirring up the riots, right? He might have been a catalyst for them, but his intention was not to stir up riots ring ringleader of the sec of the nazarenes Jewish believers in Yeshua. That sounds pretty degradating if that's the right de Well anyway, that sounds pretty bad.

13:19 Um, but what's of interest here is that at that time the Jewish believers in Yeshua were still considered Jewish. They were just kind of like, uh, nazarenes, you know, but they're not, not the best Jewish people, but not like today, where a lot of times Messianic Jews aren't recognized right as Jewish. So believers he's the ringleader of the Jewish believers in Yeshua. And then he even tried to profane the temple. Now if they really had that charge, I think the Jewish leaders had the authority to execute somebody without even Roman permission if they really did profane the temple. So we might, but anyway, but that turned out not to be true. Okay? So we're gonna look at the accusations against Paul.

14:05 The plague stirs up riots, a ringleader tried to profane the temple. So if, if you were um, Felix, what feelings might that bring to you? You could be angry. He stirs up mobs, fearful maybe that he's gonna cause problems on your rulership, maybe averse to him. You know, it kind of disgusted that that he's doing these things. Paul was painted as an opponent of peace and dangerous to the government motivation for the accusation. Well I think it was concern that others would be drawn away. So they wanna stop Paul just like they tried to stop Yeshua. But it's a concern that others would be drawn away from their their thing.

14:52 So what's the negative result? Paul is kept in prison. Paul's attitude, he just keeps on going. And then what I'm thinking, some of this is kind of based on a Romans 8 28 verse that says God works all things for the good of those who are called according to his purpose. So it's not all things are good, but we're looking for the good that God brings in this particular situation. Okay, let's look at others accused Joseph. Joseph was accused by Potiphar's wife of basically trying to rape her. Neba was accused of cursing God and the king.

15:39 He was set up by the way, Daniel was accused of not following what the king's order was. Even God himself was accused by the serpent. Did God really say? Have you ever had that thought? Come in, did God really say the Jewish people in the book of Esther? We got Purim coming up here pretty quick. They were falsely accused as not being good for the government, Maybe even bad for the government. Paul and Silas studied earlier in in Acts. They were accused of advocating customs that weren't lawful for Romans to practice.

16:25 That probably kind of presented a fear of skies are causing problems and Yeshua was accused of blasphemy. So we'll go through each of these cases and kind of analyze the situations. Now, Joseph had been brought down to Egypt and Poter and officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the Guard and Egyptian had brought him from the Ishmaelites. The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance and after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, lie with me. But he refused. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?

17:11 And she spoke to Joseph Day after day. He would not listen to her to lie beside her or to be with her. So Joseph has a conviction that's governing how he behaves. But one day when he went into the house, she caught him by the garment saying Lie with me. But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. Then she laid up his garment by her until her, his master came home and she told him the same story saying the Hebrew servant whom you brought among us came in to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house. So what we find out is Joseph has a conviction in this case and the very conviction he has, he becomes, becomes accused

17:59 of doing that thing. As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, this is the way your servant treated me, his anger was kindled and Joseph's master took him and put him in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison and the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him and whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. So what's the accusation Joseph accused of attempting to sleep with Potiphar's wife? What feelings do you think that might bring in?

18:46 Potiphar Be angry, right? Might be averse to him. He disgusting person fear, right? He's gotta do something or this guy's gonna be near his wife. So Joseph painted as a womanizer or rapist a bad person. You'll notice that accusations here that we're gonna talk about and ones that we see in today's world are pretty much designed to make the one being accused look really bad, not worth anything. And pretty much whatever you do to them is okay because they are such a bad person. So what's the motivation for the accusation? Well, she was probably felt rejection, hurt, felt scorned.

19:32 And she last at Joseph by by uh, accusing him the negative result Joseph was thrown into prison. But what's Joseph's attitude? Joseph just keeps going and the Lord continues to bless the things he does. So instead of being in charge of Potiphar's house and doing all whatever that took, now he's in charge of the prison. So how did God work things for the good? Well we know that this positions Joseph in the exact right place to help his family later. So God worked through this even though it brought Joseph some hardship. So I wanna point out that Joseph was guided by a conviction and we'll talk about convictions a little later.

20:18 We should have convictions, we need to make sure they're biblically based or whatever. But sometimes having those convictions may cause us to have to do something that might cause some accusations to come. Let's talk about Naba. Now, NABA was a Gez Realite. He had a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, give me your vineyard that I may gi have it for a vegetable garden because it's near my house and I will give you a better vineyard for it. Or if it seems good to you, I will give you its value and money. Now this starts off fairly benign. Looks like Ahab just wants to get a vegetable garden. He wants something, maybe he's bored, he's gonna try growing some vegetables and he wants one near his house.

21:05 So he makes a request of Naboth. But Naboth said to Ahab, the Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my father's. So maybe Naboth even wanted to sell it, but his conviction would keep had kept him from being able to sell to sell that vineyard. And Ahab went into his house vexed and suen because of what Nebo the Jesu light had said to him. But Jezebel's wife came to him and said, why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food? And Jezebel's wife said to him, do you not govern Israel? Arise eat bread and let your heart be cheerful. I will give you the vineyard of Neba to Jere light. So what does she do? She writes letters and Ahab's name seals them with his seal sent the letters

21:51 to the elders and the leaders who lived in the city where Neba was and the men of the city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city did his Jezebel had sent word to them. They proclaimed the fast and sent Naboth at the head of the people. And two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people saying, Naboth curse God and the king. So what do they do? They take him outside and they stone him. As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the G light to take possession of it. So what's the accusation in this case? There's two false witnesses. This is a clear case of a false accusation.

22:38 Naboth gets accused of cursing God and the king. What feelings could that bring? You know, if somebody's really cursing God and the king that's gonna cause anger aversion, whatever, it's gonna cause pretty emotionally charged things to happen. So Nayath is painted as one who is opposed to God and opposed to the king. What's the motivation for the accusation? That's a desire to acquire his land as he would not sell because of his convictions. What's the negative result? Naboth is killed. And if we look at second King's 9 26, his sons were even killed and I'm sure that was done to keep them from having the inheritance of the vineyard. What's Nabas attitude doesn't say from the passage,

23:28 how does God work things for the good? Well what I could find it positions Elijah in a place where he goes to confront King Ahab. He actually goes to that vineyard at the same time Ahab is there. So again we have Neba, he's guided by a conviction he can't sell. And I'm gonna talk, we'll talk later about the two false witnesses and why you want to have two witnesses. In this case it didn't work. I'll give you a clue Now something I noticed in the later passage. So the Lord put something in place in Israel to keep false accusations and people from saying things. So you have, you know, two or three witnesses. And I always looked at the passage

24:13 and thought, okay well you just got two people that are saying that that probably means it's true. But if what we'll read farther down in that passage in a little bit and it says that the leaders must inquire diligently. So it's not just enough to have two witnesses, but the leaders must inquire diligently. In this case it wouldn't work because the leaders, the elders of that city were in on it and caused it. But in general, two or three witnesses should work assuming you have reasonably correct leaders and not not corrupt leaders. Alright, let's move on to Daniel. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 say traps to be throughout the whole kingdom and over them three presidents of whom Daniel was one

24:59 to whom these satraps should give account so that the king might suffer. No lost. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him and the king planned to set him over his whole kingdom. So he's one of got the king, then you got three guys under him. Daniel's one of those guys and then the king is gonna promote Daniel above the other guy. So that's the setup for what's happening. Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for a complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom. But they couldn't find any ground for a complaint or any fault because he was faithful and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, we shall not find any ground for complaint against Daniel unless we find it in connection with his God.

25:47 So they purposely looked to find something they could pin on Daniel, that Daniel because he's gonna be faithful to God. Daniel had to do it. So they're gonna try to pin something on him. So then these presidents and satraps come by agreement to the king and said to him, oh King Darius live forever. All the presidents of the kingdom. Now note that it says all the presidents of the kingdom. I don't think Daniel was there. So that was a lie in itself. But all the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction that whoever makes a petition to any God or man for 30 days except to you, o king shall be cast into a la den of lions.

26:33 Therefore, king Darius signed the document, an injunction, maybe he thought Daniel was for it, maybe didn't really think the whole thing through is what it kind of seems like now. Daniel, when he knew the document had been signed, he went to his house where his windows in the upper room open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he had done previously. So Daniel didn't change what he did, he still prayed and he didn't even kind of close the windows and do whatever. He just did what he normally did. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. Then they came near and said before the king concerning the injunction, oh king, did you not sign an injunction to anyone

27:18 who makes a petition to any God or man for 30 days except to you King shall be cast into the den of lions. The king answered and said, this thing stands fast according to the law of the Meads and the Persians, which cannot be revoked. Then they answered and said before, the king Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah pays no attention to you king or this injunction you have signed but makes his petition three times a day. So now Daniel's being accused, actually he, he really did violate the law in this case. These guys set him up for that. But Daniel is accused of not being a good steward to the king. He's doing things against the king now the king in this case as we'll see, he really knows that Daniel is not a problem.

28:05 Then the king when he heard these words was much distress and set his mind to deliver Daniel. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, no king, that is a alive of the means in the Persian, that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed. Then the king commanded and Daniel was brought and cast into a ent of lions. The king declared Daniel, may your God whom you serve continually, uh, deliver you and some time passes. The king, if I remember right, doesn't have any entertainment brought up before him. I don't think he eats. And at the break of day the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish, the king declared Daniel servant

28:51 of the living God has your God whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions. Then Daniel said to the king, oh king live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lion's mouths and they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before him and also before you. Oh king and have done no harm. Then the king was as exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken out of the den. So Daniel was taken up outta the den and no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God. So what do we see the president satraps were able to get the king to create a law that Daniel couldn't follow. Then they reported that they saw Daniel breaking that law.

29:37 What feelings could this bring? What were they probably trying to make the king feel? Anger aversion. This guy Daniel, he's bad. He's not following what the king, what the king commanded. So Daniel painted as one that was not loyal to the king. What's the motivation for the accusations? Well they were motivated by jealousy and did not, Daniel did not want Daniel to be in charge of the kingdom and probably, I mean they didn't want Daniel ruling over them. What's the negative result? The king was compelled to throw Daniel into the lion's dead Daniel's attitude remained steadfast and God delivered Daniel. So how does God work things for the good? Well it was demonstrated that Daniel's God is God.

30:24 So Daniel's conviction in this case was exploited. They purposely looked for something that Daniel would would have to go do because Daniel was guided by his convictions. Alright, now kind of different. I wouldn't have thought of this one, but here we have God Being accused by the serpent. Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? You shall not. And the woman said to the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, you shall not eat the fruit of the tree

31:10 that is in the midst of the garden. Neither shall you touch, at least you die. But the serpent said to the woman, you surely won't die for God knows that when you eat, your eyes will be open, you will be like God knowing good and evil. So now we've got a bad motivation being pinned on God, that God doesn't want you to do that 'cause you're gonna be like him. You're gonna be challenging him maybe. Um, so the woman saw the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise. She took of its fruit and ate. And she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate. And then the eyes of both were opened. So accusation, God is concerned, you'll become like him.

31:56 What feelings could this bring? Probably annoyance of confusion that we thought we could trust God, maybe we can't trust him. So God is painted as one that's not believable or trustable. Motivation for the accusation to drive a wedge between Adam Eve and God. What's the negative result? They ate the forbidden fruit and became separated from God. What was God's attitude? Well he's moving forward with his plan and how does he work things for the good? Well the second Adam, as we're told Messiah, Yeshua is the way of restoration. Alright, Purim is coming up

32:42 and then, so here we find the Jewish people of an AC of receiving an accusation. King has hasis promoted Haman, the aggregate, the son of Hala who and advanced him and sent him his throne above all the officials who were with him and all the king servants who were at the king's gate bowed down at page ho paid homage to Haman Woo for the king had soaked, commanded, but Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. The king servants who were at the king's gates at the Mordecai, why do you

33:27 transgress the king's command? They told Haman And order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand for he had told them he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or paid homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. So as they made it known to him, the people of Mordecai Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai throughout the whole kingdom of a hasis. That Haman, I hope we get that. I hope we still get the point out of this when we're done.

34:14 So then Haman Said to king of Hasis, there is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provides or provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people and they do not keep the king's laws so that it is not to the king's prophet to tolerate them. Okay? So we see here that the Jewish people are painted in such a way that it's at least difficult and a hardship if not that their problematic, if it pleases the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed. And I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hand of those who have charge of the king's business that they may put it up into the king's treasuries.

35:01 So the king took his sign ring and gave it to Haman to act guy to the son of Hamaha, the enemy of the Jews. And the king said to Haman, the money is given to you, the people also due to them. What seems good to you? So accusation The Jewish people have their own laws, they don't keep the king's laws. What feelings could that bring? Eh, maybe it just made him annoyed. Little bit angry, maybe fearful. You got this group of people that's got their own agenda, maybe they'd be a problem. So the Jewish people painted as those that were problematic to the kingdom. What's the motivation for the accusation? Well felt insulted Mordecai

35:49 Because Mordecai refused to bow to him. Alright, alright. Okay. So the negative result that a law was enacted to kill all the Jews and take their property. So what was the attitude? Of course they were concerned, but a fast was declared. So how did God work things for the good? He demonstrated protection for his people. Right? Because it's interesting, these, these civilizations that had these laws, it's like I make a law and then that law can't be revoked. There's no way to change it, right? You can't do it. So they had to come up with a opposite law that let the Jewish people take

36:34 retribution on their enemies. Anyway, it's um, but God works protection for his people. Amen. Alright, Paul and Silas, this was studied, not sure who had this passage, but it was studied probably a month or months ago. It so happened that as we were going to prayer, we met a slave girl. I think Ari had this, had a spirit of divination who was bringing his masters, much profit from her fortune telling, following after Paul and us, she kept shouting, saying These men are servants of Elion who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation. She kept doing this for many days, but Paul was irritated and turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Messiah, Yeshua come out of her. And it came out of her at that very moment When,

37:20 but when her masters saw that the hope for profit was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. And when they had brought them to the chief authorities, they said, these men are throwing our city into an uproar being Jewish. They advocate customs which are not permitted for us to practice or accept. So they're throwing the city in an uproar. There are a problem and they've got customs that are gonna basically contaminate us, is what he's saying. Then the crowd joined the attack on them. So the chief authorities ripped off their clothes from them and commanded them to be beaten with rods. After inflicting with many blows, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to guard them secure securely. Having received this charge, he threw them into the inner prison, fastened their feet in the stocks. So what do we see? Accusation, disturbing the city,

38:08 advocating customs that aren't lawful for Romans to accept your practice. What feelings could this bring? Again, fear aversion, anger. These guys are bad. Paul and Silas painted as if they were dangerous to the government motivation for the accusation in this case. They were losing money, they were upset with Paul and Silas. Negative result, Paul and Silas thrown into prison. What's their attitude? They're in prison and they enter prison with their feet in stocks and they sing praises to the Lord. So how does God work things for the good? Well the jailer and his family believed on the name of Yeshua Messiah and were saved Yeshua. Now those who had seized Yeshua led him away to Caap. PEs the Khe God do were the tourist scholars

38:53 and elders had gathered. Peter was following him from a distance as far as the courtyard of the kha God. And after going inside, he was sitting with the guards to see the outcome. Now the ruling Koine and all the Sanhedrin kept trying to get false testimony against Yeshua so they could put him to death. But they found none though many false witnesses came forward at last two came forward and said, this fellow said I'm able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. So they weren't, they tried, they tried to get lots of false witnesses, but none of the testimony stuck. However, the Kohe gal dol stood up and said to you, Yeshua, have you no answer. What's this? They're testifying against you. But Yeshua kept silent. The kohe God dol said to him,

39:38 I charge you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are maik Ben Elohim, as you have said, replied yeshua. Besides that I tell you soon after you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the coha got doll to his clothes and said, blasphemy, why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you've heard this blasphemy. What's your verdict? Guilty. They answered. He deserves death than they span a, than they spat in his face and pounded him with their fist. Others slapped him in demo more and demanded prophesy to us. You Messiah. Which one hit you? So they tried to find charges, then Yeshua basically says he is, he is the Messiah and they don't like that answer and they accuse him of blasphemy, accused blasphemy.

40:28 What feelings could that bring? What's gonna bring anger? It's gonna bring aversion. Yeshua has painted as one who committed blasphemy motivation for the accusation. While they were seeking false testimony, they wanted to put Yeshua to death. They wanted to end his ministry and I think they felt threatened. Negative result. Yeshua is crucified. What's Yeshua's attitude? Well, he submitted as this was part of the father's plan. He even asked forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. So how does God work things for the good? Well, Yeshua is raised from the dead. All that believe on him will have eternal life. That's why we're here today, right? Thank you Lord. Alright, let's look and summarize some of these accusations.

41:16 Paul was called the plague. One that stirred up riots, a profane of the temple. Joseph was attempting to sleep with Potiphar's wife, maybe was trying to rape her. Eth was accused of cursing God and the king Daniel was accused of not following the king's laws. God was accused of not being trustable. The Jewish people were accused of having their own laws and not keeping the king's laws in essence a problem to the kingdom. Paul and Silas were accused of disturbing the city and advocating dangerous customs. What's the resultant negative emotions and feelings? Well, I wrote 'em all down. Anger is a prevalent one. Fear aversion.

42:01 So again, think about today in society when you hear different accusations, you know it makes some people angry. It makes some people verse, these people are so bad or this person is so bad, we can do anything. We want to stop them. So what's the motivations for accusations? They're generally not pure. They could be. 'cause there are, we'll, we'll talk a little bit about that. But people will be drawn away from something being refused, being hurt, feeling insulted, wanting something that's not legally or morally obtainable. Concernable, loss of power, jealousy, wanting to limit another from receiving authority. Drive a wedge in a relationship with God, loss of revenue, a desire to stop a movement

42:47 or turn others from that movement. Negative results. Paul was kept in prison, Joseph was thrown in prison. They both was killed, his sons were killed. The king was compelled to throw Daniel into the lions dead. Even Adam ate the forbidden fruit and became separated from God. Allah was enacted to kill all the Jews and take their property. Paul and Silas were thrown into prison. Yeshua was crucified. What's the attitude of the accused? Paul just keeps on going. Joseph keeps on going. The Lord continues to bless the things he does. Daniel remains steadfast and God delivered Daniel.

43:35 God moves forward with his plan. Jewish people were concerned, they declared a fast. Paul and Silas sang hymns to God. Yeshua submitted as this was part of the father's plan. He even asked forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. So how did God work things for the good? The gospel spread positions Joseph for helping his family and the future positions Elijah to confront. King Ahab demonstrated that God's God. I mean that Daniel's God was, God demonstrates that God is holy and his plan stands. God's demonstrated his protection for his people. The jailer and his family believed on the name

44:20 of Yeshua and were saved. Yeshua was raised from the dead. All that believe in him will have eternal life. The accuser. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, now have come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his anointed. One for the accuser of our brothers and sisters, the one who accuses them before God, day and night has been thrown out. They overcame him by the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives even in the face of death. The one who accuses them before God day and night. Then he showed me, Joshua, the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse them.

45:08 It's been going on for a, for a long time. Then Satan answered the Lord and said, does job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. Okay, now it gets the little bit of preaching part consistency in our discernment. Now when I, when you look at this, I'd like us as individuals to reflect on this, but I also want you to think about society in general when we look at this. So are we consistent in our judgment, discerning of others? Do we focus on people or groups of which we are not aligned?

45:56 Noticing wrongs that confirm our position, supporting the law and punishing those we don't like, or those who support causes where we're not aligned. Do we ignore facts of people in groups where we are aligned, ignoring wrongs and excusing bad behavior? I think that happens a lot when you look at stuff. Um, happens a lot today. So are we consistent in our discernment? Accusations can be totally true. So this message is not to say that if something comes up or to ignore it or there's no problem, accusations can be true. They can be totally false and sometimes they're partially true and those might be more dangerous overall

46:42 because there's a little bit of truth in there and then a whole thing is blown out of whatever to get people to do something. And then accusations can be used to play on our emotions. Be watchful of your emotions. Repeated accusations have the effect of stirring people up. The accusations don't even need to be supported. In fact, the accusers may or may not believe in a particular cause. Stirring people up can be a means to a different goal, a smokescreen or deterrent to look over here when there's something going on over here. Potential overthrow of a system or a government. There are those that want to overthrow the government

47:28 of the United States, right? We can see they also wanna minimize Israel and cause Israel to have a problem. Accusations can be linked to real or perceived injustice. So to a real or perceived injustice that is portrayed as so vile that any means of stopping it is deemed okay. Interesting thing. People in a mob are less subject to restraint. A mob may, may demand absolute allegiance to their cause. Failing to demonstrate that allegiance can result in verbal or physical abuse. So I've seen some videos of stuff where it's not only, you're not one of the quote unquote bad guys of the day,

48:14 unless you're proclaiming and agreeing that these guys are bad. You could become the victim if you happen to be in the wrong city at the wrong, at the wrong time. So the accused, we have pastors, religious leaders over the last couple years, there's been not a few pastors that, uh, things have come to light and they've fallen. Um, that really bothered me when things were happening and I kind of looked at videos and read and tried to go see what was going on. And one thing I felt that was kind of disturbing. So we don't wanna minimize what was done by any of these leaders and if something's really true, it needs to come to light, right? And leaders here, even one of one of the jobs of good leaders is to protect the people in the midst.

49:01 So that's what you wanna do. So we don't wanna minimize accusations, but what I noticed is there was a lot of sentiment of let's take this guy and put his head on the pole and dance around because, or see, look, we knew this guy was really bad all along and this just proves it. And there was a lot of gossip and so forth. Now there was also groups like Koon that in a couple of the situations they did a super thorough job or aided in a super thorough job of interviewing people, trying to see what's true, trying to see what's not true. Not to go get somebody's head on a pole, but to bring things and make them as right as they could be. So we've had pastors and religious leaders, some accusations, true and probably some false we see with political leaders.

49:49 And then just everyday people might be accused of something. So how should we react to whether when others are accused? Do not believe everything inquired diligently. This was the passage I referred to previously. A single witness shall not suffice against the person for any crime or any wrong connection with any offense that he is committed only on the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses shall a charge be established. Now if a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to this dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days, the judges shall inquire diligently and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do

50:35 to him and he is meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst and the rest shall hear and fear and not commit anything like that again. So there was some checks and balances, two or three witnesses, but they also, those witnesses had to have some kind of scrutiny to their testimony applied. Avoid hypocrisy and judgment. Judge, not, you not be judged for a judgment you pronounce, you'll be judged. The measure you use, it will be measured to you. I think this just says that I think sometimes we can be riled up by something that we ourselves might do. Like, so if I'm extra critical of something, maybe I'm doing that same thing in a way, maybe not, but I think it that kind of applies. So we're just to get the log out of our own eye.

51:23 Make sure our motivations are are proper, uh, before discerning a situation. So do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. So here we said previous passage makes it like you can never judge, but in John 24, Yeshua says, do not judge by appearances but judge with right judgment. So be careful how you judge or discern situations in general. People are subject to noticing the evidence that supports their position and ignoring or minimizing evidence that is not in support of their position. I think it's just a normal human characteristic that we have. We notice things that that agree with us and we like don't really wanna notice if we've got a hypothesis on how something works.

52:08 We don't wanna look for the, I noticed that when I used to troubleshoot, I would notice things that supported a hypothesis or how I thought something was, and I had to be real careful to look at all the data. So be aware content creators derive their livelihood by the con volume of content consumed by others. So sensational headlines and all these different things, they make money, right? So everybody that's displaying everything and air and everything, they might have another motivation, right? Some are good, right? But we could have a, something a little impure there. So as best you can refer to the word of God to sort out issues. So from Acts 17, the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. And when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

52:56 Now these Jews were more noble than those intestinal laika. They received the word of God while eagerness examining the scriptures. So they looked things they were told, they looked into scriptures to see if they were true. Now I know that every situation, everything is not clearly portrayed in the word right? It's not as easy. We can go look up any situation. But there are principles, there are other things. And in general I think the word will, will, will be extremely useful in guiding us. So how should we react if we are falsely accused? And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you

53:44 and other all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for they so persecuted the prophets who were before you. Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will and trust their souls to a faithful creator while continuing to do good. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Alright, let's summarize. Many accusations are false. Not all, but many are false. The motivation of accusers may be impure, be on guard. The goal may be to manipulate your emotions, so be on guard.

54:33 The goal may be to manipulate your emotions. Test your convictions by the word of God. If sounds, stick to your convictions. But understand that convictions can be a catalyst for accusations. Be consistent in your discernment of those you aligned with and those you don't judge with. Right? Judgment and inquire diligently. I know that verse was for leaders, but I think if we're gonna entertain accusations, we should try to do some research. Are these things really true? And pray and stay in the word of God. Shabbat shalom Shabbat With The ironic benediction. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

55:18 May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

56:06 In the name of our Messiah, Yeshua.