Standing on the Truth of God's Word

We often feel on trial. Judged by others. Misunderstood. When we take a stand for Jesus, we can feel like an outcast—isolated, put down, or mocked. Dave Connolly continued our journey through Acts with a challenging question: are we prepared to rise to the challenge of taking a stand on God's Word?

This isn't a talk about being argumentative or winning debates. It's about understanding what it looks like to stand for Jesus with confidence, clarity, and love—even when it costs us something. And it's about trusting God with the consequences when we do.

Paul Before Agrippa

The passage Dave unpacked was Acts 25, starting at verse 13—Paul's appearance before King Agrippa. By this point, Paul had been in custody for some time. The chief priests and leading men of Jerusalem had been complaining about him, even trying to set up an assassination attempt by requesting he be brought to Jerusalem for trial.

Paul appeals to Caesar. Shortly after, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrive, curious about what's been happening. They decide to see Paul for themselves.

Dave invited us to consider what must have been going through Paul's mind: "What's going to happen to me? Will God protect me again? What happens if I'm found guilty?" It must have been challenging to put his trust in God's plan and lay down his own anxiousness.

When Faith Steps Aren't Easy

Dave made an observation that resonates with anyone who's tried to follow Jesus: "Have you noticed that when we're called to take faith steps, it's not always easy to take those steps? Choice is always required."

We may never be in Paul's exact situation. But we often feel on trial. We feel judged by others. We feel misunderstood. We feel persecuted. When we take a stand for Jesus, we can feel like an outcast. We feel isolated. When we stand for the truth of God's Word over cultural ideology, we are put down often, or mocked.

The question Dave asked himself—and asked us—was: What can I learn from Paul and the way he handled himself?

Don't Rush to Defend Yourself

What stood out to Dave was this: not to rush to defend yourself, do what is right, and trust God with the consequences.

Paul didn't put up an elaborate defence of why he was innocent. He was honest and truthful, but he didn't go on and on. In verses 10-12, Paul simply states: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar."

Paul says if he's guilty, he would accept the consequences. He did not waver in his words or his actions. He stood in confidence because he trusted in the plan of God.

There's so much to learn from that. We can be confident in our stand for Jesus because it's Jesus we answer to.

Be Clear on What You're Standing For

Verse 19 reveals what Paul was actually standing for: "They had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul claimed to be alive."

When King Agrippa and Bernice arrived, there was no wondering about what Paul was standing for. They knew clearly—he was standing for Jesus. Not against their government. Not against their leadership. He was standing for Jesus and he had said this with great clarity.

Dave pointed out that we are known for the things we stand for and for what we're against. When we take a stand for Jesus, we should do it with clarity.

Open Doors Come from Standing Well

Here's the encouragement: when we stand well, it leads to open doors to share Jesus—open doors to share our story of how he has impacted our lives. It did for Paul, and we read about that in the following verses.

Dave's question for us: Will we rise up to the challenge of taking a stand? That means taking a stand with confidence, clarity, respect, honour, boldness, gentleness, kindness, and love.

"We will truly be shocked about how many doors open when we take a stand for Jesus," Dave said. "Even though people will disagree passionately with us, there is something about someone who takes a stand with these values."

Don't Expect to Be Loved by Everyone

Dave was realistic: "Don't expect to be loved by everyone. Jesus wasn't, so why should we? But be true to Jesus and stand in his redeeming love."

Today, more than any time in history, God's people need to take a stand on God's Word—and to take a stand in the power and the love of Jesus. We are called to take a stand amongst all those people where God has placed us. To take a stand with the message of Jesus, in the love of Jesus.

Conversation Street

What does "standing on God's Word" actually mean?

John Harding unpacked this phrase: "The one thing you won't find in your Bible is your opinion." He explained that standing on God's Word means measuring other people's perspectives—and our own—against Scripture as the foundation of truth. Jesus himself told the parable of the wise and foolish builders: "Whoever hears my words and puts my words into practice is a wise builder—their house will not be shaken in the storms of life."

How do we speak truth without being annoying?

John noted that the church isn't very good at pointing out to non-Christians how they ought to be living. "We just undermine our witness in doing that." The key is being wise as serpents and innocent as doves—making sure all our speech is grace and truth. If you're going to speak about Jesus in the workplace, make sure you're the best employee. If you're going to speak about Jesus in a community, make sure you're serving that community.

What about Paul's appeal to Caesar—should we use our rights?

John raised an interesting point about Paul using his Roman citizenship to appeal to the highest authority. There's a balance here. Sometimes God says yes, pursue justice. Sometimes he says let it go. The counsel of trusted friends and mentors is invaluable in making these decisions—especially because they're often emotionally charged situations.

How do we take steps of faith?

John challenged listeners to be "rapidly, instantly obedient in little things." When people say they can't hear God's voice, often it's because they've ignored the little nudges of the Spirit time after time. Take a real little step this week—say hi to that person, send an encouraging message, make someone a cup of tea. Practising that little bit of obedience aligns us to take bigger steps and bigger risks in God.

Matt shared a story from his university days about praying for batteries for his Walkman—and finding brand new Duracell batteries on the wall outside his house the next morning. "It's the little things, it's the simple little things."

Does God always provide?

John shared a powerful memory from his childhood. His father had died, they were in a mining town with no jobs, and his mum brought them up alone. On two occasions, there was no food in the house. His mum sat them at the table to pray, and there was a knock on the door—a bag of food on the doorstep.

But Matt added an important caveat: God doesn't always provide in the way you think he's going to. Faith is accepting that and trusting God anyway.

Your Next Step

Here are some practical ways to engage with this:

1. Clarify what you're standing for – Are you known for being against things, or for standing for Jesus? There's a difference that matters.

2. Check your delivery – Are you speaking truth with confidence, clarity, respect, honour, boldness, gentleness, kindness, and love? If any of those are missing, reconsider your approach.

3. Start with little obediences – This week, respond to the small nudges of the Spirit. Say hi to that person. Send that encouraging message. See what doors open.

4. Don't rush to defend yourself – When you feel attacked or misunderstood, resist the urge to elaborate. Be honest. Be truthful. Trust God with the consequences.

5. Find your community – Discerning big decisions is best done with trusted friends and mentors. Who are the people you're processing life with?

The Challenge

Dave closed with a prayer and a challenge: "My prayer is that we would be prepared to rise to the challenge. We are called to take a stand amongst all those people where God has placed us. To take a stand with the message of Jesus, in the love of Jesus."

Take your stand, wherever it is that God has placed you, with whoever God has placed you—and see the doors open for you to share his amazing love.