Fishkill Baptist Church
Sunday March 15, 2026

      • Isaiah 1:18KJV1900

      • Psalm 145:1–6ESV

  • A Thousand Tongues
  • Jesus, Only Jesus

      • Psalm 37:30–34NIV2011

      • Titus 3:4–7NIV2011

  • In Christ Alone
  • His Mercy Is More
  • Doxology
  • Intro: Theme/Topic (What’s the problem, the question, etc.)
    Have you ever noticed what happens when something gets squeezed?
    If you take a tube of toothpaste and apply pressure, what comes out?
    Whatever was already inside.
    The squeeze doesn’t create it.
    It reveals it.
    This is true of our lives as well. When we are squeezed…
    If anger comes out, anger was there.
    If patience comes out, patience was there.
    Pressure doesn’t create what’s inside you — it reveals it.
    Engineers understand this principle too.
    When they build a bridge, they don’t just assume it’s strong.
    They pressure-test it.
    They add weight.
    They simulate stress.
    They expose it to strain.
    Because pressure doesn’t make a bridge weak —
    it reveals how strong it truly is.
    And the same is true in our lives.
    You don’t really know what rules your heart until pressure comes.
    You don’t know how much you value approval
    until telling the truth might cost you popularity.
    You don’t know how much you value comfort
    until obedience threatens your security.
    You don’t know how much you trust God
    until the diagnosis comes…
    or the job is on the line…
    or your reputation is questioned…
    or you find yourself backed into a corner with no easy options.
    Pressure doesn’t create our values —
    it reveals them.
    And often that pressure doesn’t come from within.
    It comes from experiencing evil around us.
    It comes from being impacted by the compromise of leaders.
    It comes from being caught in systems that feel unjust.
    It comes when righteousness seems costly
    and compromise seems convenient.
    So here’s the question we need to ask:
    What is God doing when evil and compromise push us into a corner?
    Let’s turn to Acts 25:1–12
    and see how God answers that question.
    Scripture
    If you need to use a pew Bible, you’ll find today’s text on page _________. Once you’re there, please stand with me if you are able and follow along with me as I read...
    Acts 25:1–12 ESV
    Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
    This God’s Word!
    Prayer
    Father as we look into Your Word today may it confront us where we need to be challenged. May it give us strength where we need to be comforted. And may it open our eyes to see and delight in the beauty of Christ. — AMEN!
    Intro: Formal (give context to passage, setting the scene, big idea)
    Now before we walk carefully through this scene, let me briefly set the stage — especially for those who may be newer with us or who haven’t been here in recent weeks.
    The book of Acts tells the story of:
    The risen Christ continuing His work Through His church By the power of the Holy Spirit.
    The gospel begins in Jerusalem… spreads to Judea and Samaria… and moves outward toward the ends of the earth.
    And for several chapters now, we’ve been following the apostle Paul.
    He returned to Jerusalem knowing chains awaited him.
    He was falsely accused in the temple.
    A mob tried to kill him.
    He was arrested and put in chains by Roman soldiers.
    A plot was formed to assassinate him.
    For this reason he was transferred to Caesarea under heavy military guard.
    He was put on trial before Governor Felix.
    And then left in prison for two years — not because he was guilty, but because it was politically convenient.
    Now in Acts 25, a new governor — Festus — takes office.
    But the hostility hasn’t cooled.
    The injustice hasn’t been corrected.
    The political pressure hasn’t eased.
    And if we’re honest, it looks like Paul is running out of options.
    It looks like evil is hardening.
    Leadership is compromising.
    And Paul is being pushed into a corner.
    Which brings us back to the question we asked before:
    What is God doing when evil and compromise push us into a corner?
    Here is the answer this passage gives us:
    God advances His saving purposes through evil and compromise — and our response reveals what rules our hearts.
    So as this passage unfolds we’ll see that:
    God uses pressure to push His purposes forward.
    And under pressure we’ll see:
    Three different hearts exposed.
    And those three responses will guide us through this passage:
    Revenge Above Righteousness.
    Approval Above Justice.
    Christ Above All.
    This is the pressure test.
    And as we walk through it, we won’t just be observing ancient history.
    We’ll be confronted by this question:
    What rules our hearts when the pressure comes?
    Let’s begin with the first response revealed under pressure:

    Revenge Above Righteousness

    Notice what happens the moment Festus arrives.
    The ink is barely dry on his appointment, and the Jewish leaders waste no time.
    Verse 2 says they “urged” him.
    That word carries urgency. Intensity.
    They don’t ask politely.
    They press him.
    “Bring Paul back to Jerusalem.”
    Not for a retrial.
    Not for reconciliation.
    But for an ambush.
    Two years have passed.
    Two years since their last assassination plot failed.
    Two years since Felix left Paul sitting in prison.
    And in those two years, they have not cooled off.
    They’ve been stewing.
    Time hasn’t healed anything.
    Time has hardened everything.
    Last time, the assassination plot was brought to them by zealots — and they merely consented.
    Now?
    This is their plan.
    That’s what unchecked pride does.
    It doesn’t soften.
    It calcifies.
    These are men who claim to love the Law of God —
    but are now orchestrating murder.
    Those zealous for righteousness
    have become ruthless in revenge.
    And verse 7 tells us something almost tragic. When making their case to Festus in Caesarea:
    They bring “many and serious charges”…
    but they cannot prove them!
    Two years —
    and they still have nothing.
    No witnesses
    No evidence
    Nothing.
    This shows us that:
    While sin makes you ruthless.
    It also makes you foolish.
    Now feel the pressure in their hearts.
    They failed before.
    Their authority has been challenged.
    Paul is still alive.
    Jesus’ church continues to grow.
    And perhaps — though Luke doesn’t say explicitly — there was social pressure too.
    “How could you let Rome protect him?”
    “Why is this heretic still breathing?”
    “Can’t you religious leaders do anything right?”
    Whether external or internal, the pressure is real.
    And what does it reveal?
    The valued revenge above righteousness.
    They would rather break God’s law
    than lose their pride.
    And here is where we must let the pressure test come close to us.
    What is it that you have wanted — deeply wanted — and been denied?
    Maybe it’s something sinful.
    But maybe it’s something good.
    A promotion.
    Recognition.
    A relationship.
    That acceptance letter.
    Approval.
    Vindication.
    The longer you are denied it, the more the pressure rises.
    And that pressure reveals what rules your heart.
    Do you value doing what is right?
    Or is the pressure showing you that what really rules your heart is slowly justifying compromise?
    Cutting corners?
    Crossing ethical lines?
    Telling lies to cover your tracks?
    It is frightening how quickly not getting what we want
    can twist us into someone we never thought we’d become.
    That’s what’s happened here.
    Under pressure, revenge has replaced righteousness.
    But don’t miss this — even here…
    God’s purposes are not stalled or derailed.
    Their escalating evil does not hinder the mission.
    In fact…
    God uses pressure to push His purposes forward.
    Jerusalem is becoming a dead end.
    And that matters.
    But before we see how God moves even through these hardened hearts, we need to see what happens when pressure meets political power in my second point.

    Approval Above Justice

    Let’s talk about governor Festus
    He’s brand new on the job.
    Felix’s rule before him ended badly. Nero fired him because the region was so unstable and chaotic.
    Tensions between Rome and the Jews was incredibly high.
    So Festus steps into a volatile situation.
    Verse 1 tells us he’s only been in office three days before traveling to Jerusalem.
    Three days.
    He knows he needs to build goodwill.
    He needs stability.
    He needs cooperation.
    He needs political capital.
    Verse 6 tells us he stays there more than a week.
    He is working the room.
    Now to his credit, he initially refuses their request to send Paul back to Jerusalem because that would have violated Roman procedure.
    But don’t confuse procedural caution with moral courage.
    When the formal hearing happens in Caesarea, the Jews bring serious accusations — they still can’t prove.
    Then Paul makes his defense saying he has not committed any offense:
    Not against Jewish law
    Not against the temple
    And not against Caesar
    And Festus knows this!
    But then verse 9 reveals what’s really going on:
    “Wishing to do the Jews a favor…”
    There it is.
    Not justice.
    Not truth.
    Not righteousness.
    Approval.
    Festus asks Paul if he would like to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there. And the only reason he doesn’t force this issue is probably because he knew Paul was a Roman citizen.
    Now we aren’t told everything Festus knew about the assassination plot. We don’t need to speculate beyond the text.
    But we do know this:
    He most likely knew about the first attempt on Paul’s life.
    He is willing to risk injustice in order to win favor.
    Because he wants stability more than integrity.
    And that is how compromise begins.
    Not with villainy.
    But with calculation.
    Not with hatred.
    But with career preservation.
    So, under pressure, Festus is careful, strategic, measured…
    But he is not courageous.
    And as the pressure builds and he is squeezed,
    The pressure reveals what rules his heart.
    Approval above justice.
    He is not driven by hatred like the Jews.
    He is driven by optics.
    And that can be just as dangerous.
    Now let’s bring this pressure test closer to home.
    What approval do you crave so badly that you would bend your convictions to have it and keep it?
    Your boss’s approval?
    Your professor’s?
    Your coach’s?
    Your parents’?
    Your kids’?
    Your friends’?
    Your social media following?
    Approval itself is not sinful.
    But when approval becomes ultimate,
    integrity becomes negotiable.
    And once integrity becomes negotiable,
    justice becomes optional.
    Now, when the pressure is on — to perform, to succeed, to be liked — what gets squeezed out of you?
    Is it courage?
    Or compromise?
    Because pressure reveals what rules our hearts.
    And yet — don’t miss this —
    Festus’ compromise does not derail God’s mission.
    In fact, it helps tightens the corner.
    Jerusalem is unsafe.
    Caesarea is unjust.
    Paul’s options are shrinking.
    But God is not scrambling.
    Because God uses pressure to push His purposes forward.
    And now we’re about to see what happens when the pressure falls not on hardened pride…
    not on political ambition…
    but on a man whose heart is ruled by Christ.

    Christ Above All

    Now look at Paul.
    Feel the pressure closing in.
    Jerusalem is a dead end — literally.
    Caesarea is a bureaucratic trap.
    Festus can’t release him without angering the Jews.
    The Jews won’t stop until he’s dead.
    Do you see what’s happening?
    The options are narrowing.
    And when options narrow, temptation rises.
    This is the moment where most people panic.
    And compromise.
    But what comes out of Paul when he is squeezed?
    Not panic.
    Not bitterness.
    Not self-preservation.
    Conviction.
    He knows what the Lord told him in Acts 23:11 —
    Acts 23:11 ESV
    “You must testify also in Rome.”
    So when every other door closes, Paul uses the one lawful means God had already placed in his life:
    His Roman citizenship.
    And Paul says to Festus, “I appeal to Caesar.”
    This is not desperation.
    It is discernment.
    But don’t miss what else comes out.
    Acts 25:11 ESV
    If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death.
    He doesn’t believe he’s guilty.
    But he is willing to die.
    That is not the language of a man clinging to life.
    That is the language of a man clinging to Christ.
    Under pressure, what rules Paul’s heart is unmistakable:
    Christ above safety.
    Christ above freedom.
    Christ above reputation.
    Christ above life.
    Christ above all.
    And pressure reveals what rules our hearts too.
    If you want to follow Christ in a hostile world, you will face pressure.
    And the only way you will stand when the pressure comes
    is if Christ rules your heart above all else.
    Jesus said in Luke 9:23
    Luke 9:23 ESV
    “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
    A cross is not jewelry.
    It is an instrument of death.
    And to follow Christ is to die daily:
    To your pride.
    To your need for approval.
    To your reputation.
    To your plans.
    To your version of the future.
    Many believers throughout history have literally laid down their lives for their faith in Christ!
    In Rome believers were fed to wild beasts for entertainment.
    Many were burned alive.
    Most of us likely won’t die like this…
    But every follower of Christ must die to themselves — daily.
    Now some of you already know what pressure reveals in your heart — and you don’t like what you see.
    Maybe you see pride.
    Fear.
    Approval-seeking.
    Compromise.
    And you feel shame.
    If this is you, then hear this good news:
    Romans 8:1 ESV
    There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
    Because Christ was condemned so you don’t have to be!
    So, when ugliness comes out under pressure…
    That is not the end — it is an invitation.
    1 John 1:9 ESV
    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    It is in this way that pressure can become a gift…
    because it drives you to Christ.
    So here is the real question:
    Are you in Christ?
    Have you surrendered to Him?
    Not admired Him.
    Not agreed with Him.
    Have you surrendered to Him?
    Trusting His death and resurrection to forgive your sin and rule your life?
    If not, let today be the day.
    Lay down your life.
    Stop clinging to control.
    Turn from your sin.
    Trust in Christ.
    He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith.
    Conclusion/Response (Gospel & Repent/Believe)
    Now let’s zoom out and remember we started.
    A tube of toothpaste under pressure.
    A bridge under stress testing.
    Pressure doesn’t create what’s inside — it reveals it.
    And Acts 25 is a pressure test.
    The chief priests were squeezed.
    And what came out of their hearts was…
    Revenge above righteousness.
    Festus was squeezed.
    And what came out of his heart was…
    Approval above justice.
    And Paul was squeezed.
    And what we saw was that…
    Christ ruled his heart above all.
    And through it all — don’t miss this —
    God was not scrambling.
    God’s purposes were not stalled.
    Instead we saw that…
    God using pressure to push His purposes forward.
    Remember Joseph…
    Who was sold into slavery by his brothers
    Falsely accused and imprisoned.
    But all this led to him being right where God wanted him…
    Second in command over all the land of Egypt
    Where he would use his wisdom and power to save his people from a severe famine.
    And looking back on all the evil he endured throughout his life, he said to his brothers in Genesis 50…
    Genesis 50:20 ESV
    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
    In a similar way, Paul’s circumstance looked like he was losing.
    Falsely accused
    Imprisoned unfairly
    And Paul’s appeal to Caesar looked like desperation…
    But it was the road to Rome…
    Right where God wanted him.
    And it was from Rome where Paul would witness to Christ before Caesar.
    And from Rome Paul would write several of his New Testament letters that would be circulated around the globe many times over and lead untold numbers of souls to Christ!
    But even this was a mere echo of the cross…
    Where again, it looked like evil winning.
    But in reality, it was salvation unfolding.
    And maybe right now you feel backed into a corner.
    Maybe the pressure feels overwhelming.
    Maybe you’re afraid that something has derailed God’s plan in your life.
    If this is you — Hear this:
    When you are cornered, God is not.
    Because: God advances His saving purposes even through evil and compromise — and our response reveals what rules our hearts.
    So here’s your pressure test:
    What rules your heart?
    Revenge?
    Approval?
    Comfort?
    Control?
    Or Christ?
    Because true life is not found in preserving yourself.
    It is found in surrendering to Christ…
    Who surrendered His life to be the Savior of the world.
    And now He calls you:
    Lay down your life.
    Follow Me.
    Let Me rule your heart.
    Pressure will come.
    Don’t waste it.
    Let it push you to Christ.
    Because when Christ rules your heart above all —
    that is when you are finally free.
    Prayer
    Father, We confess that pressure often reveals things in us we wish were not there.
    Pride.
    Fear.
    Approval-seeking.
    Self-preservation.
    Forgive us for the ways we have valued lesser things above You.
    Thank You that You are never stalled by evil or compromise.
    Thank You that You use pressure to push Your purposes forward — even in our lives.
    Father, may it be Christ who rules our hearts above all.
    And when pressures come, let Christ be what rises from our hearts.
    Give us courage like Paul.
    Give us humility to confess when we fail.
    Give us faith to trust that You are working even when we feel cornered.
    And for those who need to surrender to You today, draw them by Your Spirit.
    And open their eyes to the beauty of Christ above all — And their need for Him to be their Savior.
    We ask all this In Jesus’ name — Amen.
    Closing Song: How Firm A Foundation
    Closing Words:
    “How Firm a Foundation”
    Church, what a fitting song to end on.
    “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie…
    My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.”
    That is exactly what we’ve seen this morning.
    Pressures will come.
    And trials will come.
    But our foundation is not our strength — It’s Christ.
    And the pressure test is not meant to crush you —
    it is meant to refine you.
    So, what is your next step of obedience?
    For some of you, the next step is surrender.
    You’ve heard the gospel.
    You’ve seen Christ above all.
    And today you need to stop clinging to control and trust Him as your Savior and Lord.
    He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him in faith.
    For others, your next step is baptism —
    publicly declaring that Christ rules your heart.
    For others, it’s church membership —
    planting yourself in the body where you can grow and serve.
    For others, it’s repentance.
    A course correction.
    A decision to put Christ above approval, above pride, and above comfort.
    If you need help taking your next step, we want to help you. There will be people available up front after the service that would love to talk and pray with you and help you take your next step.
    If you can’t come forward after the service, fill out a Next Steps card and drop it off at the Welcome Counter in the foyer. And someone will reach out to you to help you take your next step.
    And church — as you go into this week, remember:
    You will face pressure.
    At work.
    At school.
    In your home.
    In conversations.
    Don’t fear it.
    God uses pressure to push His purposes forward.
    And that pressure reveals what rules our hearts.
    So let Christ rule your heart above all.
    And when the opportunity comes —
    Speak of Christ.
    Stand for Him.
    Share Him.
    Because someone around you this week is facing their own pressure test —
    and they need to see what it looks like when Christ rules your heart.
    So now, go as firm-foundation people.
    Go as Christ-ruled people.
    Go as witnesses to Christ.
    BENEDICTION: Romans 8:38–39
    May you know deep in your soul that… “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

      • Acts 25:1–12KJV1900

      • Acts 23:11KJV1900

      • Acts 25:11KJV1900

      • Luke 9:23KJV1900

      • Romans 8:1KJV1900

      • 1 John 1:9KJV1900

      • Genesis 50:20KJV1900

  • How Firm A Foundation
Fishkill Baptist Church
lori@fishkillbaptist.org
845-896-9386
http://fishkillbaptist.net
15 members