“Sovereign Rule and Secular Kings"
Acts 24:1-27
And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” [Acts 24:24-25]
When it comes to Sovereign Rule and Secular Kings, you have to know the kings will bow, all of them. It only stands to reason, for who can fight against God? And yet, so many try. “…but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” [Acts 5:39]
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [Php 2:9-11]
When it comes to sovereign rule and secular kings, kings will bow, and that is displayed in our passage this morning.
Paul was brought before Felix, a Roman governor, “having more accurate knowledge of the Way” [v.22]. By the time he finished preaching Jesus and the resurrection of the dead, this powerful Roman governor “was afraid.” It was the same when Jesus was brought before Pilate, another Roman governor. So many parallels. Who was fearful? It wasn’t Jesus. It wasn’t Paul.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. [John 15:18-21]
Worldly positions of power are brief. God’s sovereign rule is everlasting! When it comes to the two you want to be on the side of God. And though Paul in this chapter is under it, it was brief compared to the crown of glory that awaited.
Paul’s hope was in his resurrection life. That gave him living power in this life of faith. He was not the one who feared, because God’s Sovereign Rule is higher than secular kings. And nothing has changed.
