050-Acts 24
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Be honest now, how many have a problem w/ procrastination? Me too, and I’m gonna work on that starting tomorrow [hey, that’s the same day my new exercise regimen begins!]
1 Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude.
Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight.
None of this is true of Felix.
Acts 24:1-2
Felix, the Governor of Judea. he can be best characterized by the words “cruel” and “covetous.”
The setting here in our text is Herod’s palace in Caesarea. The walls of this palace have witnessed many bloody scenes. It was here that Herod passed the sentence of death upon his own 2 sons. And many other Jews were brutalized in this place and the screams of believers have echoed often, only to be suddenly silenced.
The setting here in our text is Herod’s palace in Caesarea. The walls of this palace have witnessed many bloody scenes. It was here that Herod passed the sentence of death upon his own 2 sons. And many other Jews were brutalized in this place and the screams of believers have echoed often, only to be suddenly silenced.
Now these walls are about to hear a sermon like very few ears have ever heard. Let’s use our mind’s eye and picture this scene from inside as the front gates swing open, and in walks a man named Felix, the Governor of Judea. He’s wearing a royal red robe, and he can be best characterized by the words “cruel” and “covetous.”
From a worldly perspective his life is a success story: born a slave, later freed, and eventually worked his way up to Governor of Judea. The Roman historian Tacitus said, “He exercised the authority of a king, with the spirit of a slave.” He was cruel and covetous.
his wife Drusilla. She comes from a very wicked bloodline: daughter of Herod Agrippa I, the one who had the Apostle James put to death.
It was her great grandfather, another Herod, who attempted to kill the baby Jesus by having all the infants in Bethlehem slain in cold blood.
She was married first at the age of 14, and then one day the Governor Felix laid his eyes on her and had to have her…so he plotted, planned, and schemed to steal her away from her husband, whom she eventually divorced.
Then, in walks the Apostle Paul, surrounded by Roman soldiers. His body is stopped from all the beatings, whippings, and being stoned. His face must show a hard life lived. Chains bind him, and rattle as he moves across the stone floor. He knows what it is to suffer for Christ.
4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.
An irony: Paul stands bound before Felix, who appears free, but has chains on his soul. Paul may be in bonds, but inwardly he is free indeed! And on this day Paul reasoned w/ Felix about faith in Christ. And our faith is quite reasonable! Isaiah says, “Come, let us reason together…”
Plague, an agitator, a ringleader.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. 11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. 13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. 15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ”
Acts 24:4-
Acts 24:10-21
Verse 19: Paul knew that the people that has brought the charges were not the same people that were there that day. Law of the time required the ones that made the initial charges to be present.
Paul stands before the man who had the power to set him free, yet he didn’t beg for his life or freedom. He made no deals. He stood bold and tall and used the opportunity to preach to the Governor. The world would say, you’d better tone it down, Paul, or maybe slip him some money!
But Paul knew that the central issue that day was whether Felix was a believer in Christ!
Ill.—court case in England, a family traveled down a wrong road that was unfinished, and had an accident. The prosecution said the road was clearly marked with a bright red flag, but their defendant said no it wasn’t. He claimed that if they would go retrieve the flag they would see. They did, and it was pale pink, from being out in the weather so long.
Also if you brought false charges you would have been the one being punished.
Too many pulpits today are waving a flag alright, but it’s so weathered and watered down it doesn’t really get the right warning across! It’s a pale pink flag, weak and sissified, and ineffective!
Verse 20: he asked if they wanted to present new charges before Felix.
22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. 24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. 27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.
Paul raised the red flag this day. We aren’t told everything that Paul said, but just the basic outline, and it’s powerful. Like a good Baptist preacher Paul had 3 points:
Paul raised the red flag this day. We aren’t told everything that Paul said, but just the basic outline, and it’s powerful. Like a good Baptist preacher Paul had 3 points:
v. 25 Righteousness, Self-Control, and Judgment
He reasoned with Felix of:
1. A Righteousness he did not possess
1. A Righteousness he did not possess
God is righteous. Man is not. What appears as righteousness in human view is truly filthy rags compared to God.
6 All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
[That’s not God talking about our bad but our good!]
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
[That’s not God talking about our bad but our good!]
Ill.—if the President walked in those doors we’d all stand, and some would pass out! We’d stand out of respect. But if Jesus walked in we’d fall on our faces before Him!
Ill.—if the President walked in those doors we’d all stand, and some would pass out! We’d stand out of respect. But if Jesus walked in we’d fall on our faces before Him!
Paul put the fear of God in Felix, and v. 25 says he trembled. We need more preaching like that today. If we’d lift up our God to His rightful place, people would be under conviction and put in their place!
Thank God that Paul didn’t try to pull God down to Felix’ level. He preached of righteousness and the God who hates sin.
Thank God that Paul didn’t try to pull God down to Felix’ level. He preached of righteousness and the God who hates sin.
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,
We know that God loves sinners…this is the essence of the gospel. But let’s not forget that He hates sin.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
We know that God loves sinners…this is the essence of the gospel. But let’s not forget that He hates sin.
We see sin differently than God does:
We call it a weakness, but God calls it wickedness…
Accident / abomination
Chance / choice
Trifle / tragedy
I think Paul brought Felix face to face w/ God, and perhaps for the first time he began to understand his sinful condition in God’s sight.
Remember how the Sanhedrin addressed Felix. Paul was respectful of hi position but he did not sugar coated the need for Felix to repent.
19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.
13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace. 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, 18 and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.
Then I’m sure Paul shared the other side of hope, and God’s righteousness, and how He wants to give it to him!
Then I’m sure Paul shared the other side of hope, and God’s righteousness, and how He wants to give it to him!
Righteousness he did not possess…
Righteousness he did not possess…
2. A Self-Control he did not practice
2. A Self-Control he did not practice
Felix was already on his 3rd marriage. his wife Drusilla. She comes from a very wicked bloodline: daughter of Herod Agrippa I, the one who had the Apostle James put to death.
It was her great grandfather, another Herod, who attempted to kill the baby Jesus by having all the infants in Bethlehem slain in cold blood.
She was married first at the age of 14, and then one day the Governor Felix laid his eyes on her and had to have her…so he plotted, planned, and schemed to steal her away from her husband, whom she eventually divorced.
Not only here but He was also a politician who took bribes.
v. 26 One reason he held Paul so long was hoping the believers would raise some money and offer it. He was corrupt, and did not hesitate to lie, murder, and steal. He lived a life of orgies, parties, and luxury. And so, temperance / self control was not something he was familiar with.
26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
One reason he held Paul so long was hoping the believers would raise some money and offer it. He was corrupt, and did not hesitate to lie, murder, and steal. He lived a life of orgies, parties, and luxury. And so, temperance/self control was not something he was familiar with.
Many people have never been confronted with the truth about how God feels about their lifestyle. Now, this needs to be done wisely, as from God, and not just from the church or the opinions.
Then he may have looked to Drusilla and pointed out how she sold out what it means to be a young lady. She gave up her modesty, decency, and her purity. These are important qualities for our young ladies to protect. They should keep their bodies covered, only to be uncovered for the 1 man God has prepared for you, after marriage!
Many people have never been confronted with the truth about how God feels about their lifestyle. Now, this needs to be done wisely, as from God, and not just from the church or the opinions of some old fuddy duddies.
God still calls sin sin…and so should we. You change change the label and call it just a mistake, but God calls it sin.
God’s truth needs to preached…that’s it’s not a credibility gap, but a lie…not an affair, but adultery…not just a pre-marital indiscretion, but fornication!
A couple years ago the talk was about Jesse Jackson’s “youthful indiscretion”. [now a teenager w/ no daddy!]
We life in times where self-control is a crazy idea. Then I’m sure Paul shared the other side of hope, and said, “you may not be able to control your passions, but God can…He can temper you and empower you to overcome!
It’s drunkenness, not a disease. It’s sodomy, not just some alternate lifestyle / orientation. God still calls sin sin…and so should we. You change change the label and call it just a mistake, but God calls it sin. You can say you just have a weakness or a chemical dependence, but God calls it sin. You can say you have active hormones, but God calls it sin.
Then I’m sure Paul shared the other side of hope, and said, “you may not be able to control your passions, but God can…He can temper you and empower you to overcome!
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” - Oprah Winfrey
“Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.” —Jon Bon Jovi
By now, Felix has a lump in his throat. “What’s going on here? I called this guy in here to judge him, and he’s judging me!”
3. A Judgment he could not prevent
3. A Judgment he could not prevent
You need righteousness, and you don’t have it, but you can receive it as a gift.
Your conduct is out of control, you’re a sinner by birth, by nature, and by practice and choice, but God your creator can bring you into line.
3. A Judgment he could not prevent
v. 25 Very logically he says, here’s what God demands [righteousness], here’s what you are [wicked], and therefore, judgment is coming…it’s all cause and effect!
It’s very important for Felix to understand this…because here he sits on the throne… “high, wide, and handsome”. Money, power, a beautiful wife, food…and he could easily feel like he’s untouchable.
So, Paul lets him know that judgment may not be right now, but it’s coming!
Sure, there are natural consequences for any of us:
Have sex / get disease
Take drugs / destroy brain and organs
Jump off building / hit pavement
God’s judgment of sin hasn’t even arrived yet…but it’s coming!
5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
Why is Felix trembling? Paul is in chains! This is Holy Ghost conviction! He could have gotten saved in this moment, but didn’t. The Philippian jailer trembled w/ the same conviction, but responded differently, turning to Christ!
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath…
25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.”
v. 25 Why is Felix trembling? Paul is in chains! This is Holy Ghost conviction! He could have gotten saved in this moment, but didn’t. The Philippian jailer trembled w/ the same conviction, but responded differently, turning to Christ!
He gave the saddest reponse that one could possibly give.
v. 25b That’s all the devil wants you to do…not necessarily reject it, just to wait!
I hear you, I agree with what you are saying, I probably should surrender to Jesus but I’m not ready today. I’ll call you later if I change my mind.
Ever witnessed to someone who agreed w/ you, but procrastinated? They wanted more time? Wanted to think about it?
What did Felix gain by rejecting Christ? History tells us he died a miserable man. A few years after this event in our text, he committed suicide, drowning himself in a lake.
Dangers of waiting to be saved:
We must urge our loved ones and those we witness to at work or otherwise not to wait, because every day is a day we could be living for Jesus, but we’re not!
· You lose today. We say “do this before you die” as if eternity is the only thing at stake. We say, “get saved, you might die!” Let’s change it to this, “get saved, you might live!” There’s no better life than the Christian life. If there were no heaven, it would still be a much better life! Being a Christian is not a penalty or a fee we pay in order to go to heaven! There’s no great high than “the most High God!” What did Felix gain by rejecting Christ? History tells us he died a miserable man. A few years after this event in our text, he committed suicide, drowning himself in a lake. We must urge our loved ones and those we witness to at work or otherwise not to wait, because every day is a day we could be living for Jesus, but we’re not! Don’t suppose you can wait for a deathbed conversion…don’t burn your candle for Satan for years and then think you’ll blow smoke at your creator at the end of your life!
· You’re not promised tomorrow.
1 Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.
None has the promise of tomorrow. Listen to your watch tick…every second somebody dies on average, and one of those ticks is reserved for me and one for you!
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
None has the promise of tomorrow. Listen to your watch tick…every second somebody dies on average, and one of those ticks is reserved for me and one for you!
None of us are getting out of this world alive. In spite of medical marvels, the death rate is still 1 per person! And our loved ones are closer to their appointment now than they’ve ever been!
None of us are getting out of this world alive. In spite of medical marvels, the death rate is still 1 per person! And our loved ones are closer to their appointment now than they’ve ever been!
Joke—3 guys talked about how they wanted to be remembered when they died. 1st said, I want them to say he was a good father. 2nd said, a good husband. 3rd said, I want them to say ‘he’s moving!’
Ain’t gonna happen!
The Bible says our life is like a vapor, like a blade of grass!
· Jesus could return at any moment.
42 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Some may say, “I don’t think He’s coming today.” Well, that qualifies as a great moment for Him to come, if He comes as a thief, when least expected!
40 You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
God could stop knocking at any moment. Right now in our text, Felix is under conviction. But we have no record of him being convicted again. And every time we reject Christ, our heart gets a little harder. You can put it off until a day arrives in which you can’t hear God’s voice anymore at all…His knocking is over!
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
· God could stop knocking at any moment. Right now in our text, Felix is under conviction. But we have no record of him being convicted again. And every time we reject Christ, our heart gets a little harder. You can put it off until a day arrives in which you can’t hear God’s voice anymore at all…His knocking is over!
39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said:
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
3 X’s in it says “God gave them up” or “God gave them over.”
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
Therefore they could not believe…
No wonder the Bible says
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will freely forgive.
It’ll never be easier to be saved than it is today…why? Because, tomorrow you’ll have more sins to repent of, less time to repent in, and a harder heart to repent with.
It’ll never be easier to be saved than it is today…why? Because, tomorrow you’ll have more sins to repent of, less time to repent in, and a harder heart to repent with.
Ill.—demon convention / topic: how to keep people from getting saved. Ideas: Tell them there’s no heaven / no hell / or, “no hurry”!
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. We need to lovingly compel our loved ones to come to Christ!