The WAY

SCRIPTURE Acts 24:10-15
10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

OBSERVATION
Paul was being accused of stirring up trouble and gathering crowds in the synagogues. This was not true but the charges were real. Even though Paul tried to spread the gospel in a non threatening way, the pharisees and high priest still were intimidated and upset that Paul was in their town. Sometimes when we are sent to speak to someone or minister to a certain area we are not going to have open arms or a red carpet. As Christians we sometimes think that everyone is going to accept our beliefs and treat us like royalty. This was not the case for Paul. They put him in jail and falsely accused him. One thing was sure, Paul knew that he was on the right path and he was following the Way. Paul was leading people to Christ and there was going to be no obstacle that would block the Way. We are serving Christ today because Paul had perseverance and did not give up.

APPLICATION
We are following the Way. The way to the Kingdom is through Jesus. John 14: 7 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus let his disciples know that if they wanted to go to the father they would have to go through him. Paul let others know and preached this gospel to everyone he came into contact. Paul did not hide the truth. He did not teach that you can get to the father through any means or anyone. Today's message that is being preached through talk show host and new age teachers is that there are several ways you can get to heaven. This is false and needs to be confronted by the church. We need to speak up and let people know that Jesus is the Way the truth and the life.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to be bold like Paul and tell people the good news. Lord you have made the way for us to come into your presence today. It is not through meditation or chanting prayers but it is through seeking after you that we can have access to the Kingdom of God. Thank you for going to the cross so we could go to the father. It is only through the remission of sin that we can stand pure and holy in the presence of God.