#soap # Acts 24 ## Title: Proclaim Your Allegiance ## Scripture: (Acts 24:14) “But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets.” (NET) ## Observation: Paul is standing before a leader who can have him put to death. The charge is that he follows Jesus. Paul admits that he follows Jesus and that Jesus fulfills the hope his enemies cling to in their hearts. The Jewish people wanted the Messiah to come. They just wanted Him to come on their terms, in their way, with their ideas. When Jesus came in a different way, they rejected Him. Paul stands and says he is guilty as charged. He follows Jesus. In our lives, there will constantly be moments when we will be asked who we serve. It will likely not be in front of a leader like Felix. It will likely be in how we respond to challenges, how we live our lives, and how we show Christ to others. Who will you declare you follow today? ## Application: Make it a point to live your faith out loud today. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being worth following.