Where is your hope?  Is it in yourself or another?  Or is it in your circumstances?

God’s people, followers of Christ, are to hope in God and His promises.  That is the eternal reality!  It is also to be today’s reality for whatever our circumstances.

Paul stood accused before Festus the Roman governor and King Agrippa.  He was permitted to speak in his own defense.  Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.  (Acts 25:23-27)

Paul knew King Agrippa’s background concerning the Jews
(NASB) Acts 26:2-3 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today;   3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Paul was known by his accusers – the Jewish religious leaders
(NASB) Acts 26:4-5 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.”

Reason Paul was standing trial in Caesarea
(NASB) Acts 26:6-7 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;
7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day.  And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.”

The Jew’s hope: the promise of God that He would send His Messiah, His Anointed One!  Most of the Jews rejected their promised Messiah and His resurrection when they rejected Jesus Christ!

Have you accepted – or – rejected the true hope of God?

Paul’s question
(NASB) Acts 26:8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead?”

Paul was fully equipped to stand firm before his accusers.

Standing firm
Paul’s hope was in the promises of the living God for the reality of Messiah and resurrected life.  Where do you need to put on God’s full armor and stand firm?

Are you standing firm with God’s full armor consciously protecting You?  
God’s truth = the belt of truth.
A right relationship with God = breastplate of righteousness.
Know the Good News of Jesus Christ = gospel of peace.
Faith is your shield against the flaming arrows of accusations = shield of faith.
Saved through faith in the living Lord Jesus = salvation.
Use the sword of the Spirit = the Word of God.
(Ephesians 6:10-17)