I thought I heard music playing.
I hear the bass. Somebody's playing music. Must be across the street. Huh? Yeah. Yeah, I thought I heard... Acts chapter 24. We're going
to look at but one verse, but we'll start reading in verse
one just to kind of bring us up to the context, keep in context
what's going on. Paul is, of course, a prisoner,
and he's being accused by the Jews and Ananias, the high priest,
and Tertullus. who informed the governor against
Paul. Verse 1, after five days, Ananias, as the high priest, descended
with the elders and with a certain orator named Tutulis, who informed
the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth,
Tutulis began to accuse Paul, saying, seeing that by thee we
enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto
this nation by thy providence. We accept it always, and in all
places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding
that I be no further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou
wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. So he starts accusing
Paul of accusing sedition, raising, you know, getting riots, things
and stuff like that going. And then Paul makes a comment,
verse 10, then Paul, after the governor had hearkened unto him
to speak, answered, for as much as I know that thou hast been
of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully
answer for myself. And then in verse 14, Paul says,
but I confess unto thee that after the way which they call
heresy, so worship I, the God of my fathers, believing all
things that are written in the law and in the prophets. And
then let's go down to verse 22. And when Felix heard these things,
having more perfect knowledge of that way, that is of Christianity,
He deferred them and said, when Lysias, the chief captain, shall
come down, I will know the utmost of your matter. So he's pretty
smart in that respect. He's wanting to get all sides.
So there was a person there that knew of what was going on. Felix
said, let's wait till he comes, this chief captain. And he commanded
a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty. and
that he should forbid none of his acquaintance, his brethren,
those little brethren that he saw in the three taverns that
we looked at a couple weeks ago, of whom when Paul saw, he took
courage, and thank God. So he said, let none forbid none
of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain
days, when Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, which was a Jewish,
He sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
And as Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled and answered, go thy way for this time. When
I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Felix had hoped
also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might
loose him. Wherefore he sent for him the
offener and communed with Paul. But after two years, Portius
Festus came into Felix's room and Felix, willing to show the
Jews a pleasure, left Paul in prison, left Paul bound. So, We see there's three main characters
and there's more, I'm sure, that were present when Paul was preaching
and speaking the truth. But for our lesson, we're gonna
look at just three key persons involved. Paul, he's the redeemed
prisoner. Felix, he's the governor or the
procurator. And Drusilla, she's the Jewish
bride of Felix. So that's really the three we're
going to look at. Perhaps there was more folks
involved, but we don't really know. I'm certain that when Paul
is brought before the tribunal that there's more there. But
whether there is or not, but for our use and for our edification,
let's look at these three people involved. And may the Holy Spirit
teach us to imitate Paul only. To imitate Paul only. Not Drusilla and not Felix as
he imitates Christ. As he imitates Christ. So the
first point I got is Felix trembled but Paul did not. Felix trembled but Paul did not. You don't have to be a scholar
to see who is in charge of this meeting. It's Felix. But Paul
was the captive. Paul was the prisoner. Paul was
in chains. Paul was bound. Paul was looked
down upon, not only by those who followed him to try to bring
persecution to him. He looked down upon. I'm sure others did as well yet
in the eyes of our Holy Father Paul was innocent He's not guilty
It's just like our Lord. There was false charges brought
up against him. And this is what's going on here
with Paul Paul's conscience is void of offense He is suffering
For the best of all masters. He's suffering Paul is suffering
for the best of all masters therefore like Acts chapter 20 says, and
he says himself, none of these things moved him. He knew this
God was ordained this, he knew God was sovereign, that's why
I say we need to imitate Paul, as Paul imitates Christ. This
is who of the three people, Paul, Felix, and Drusilla, we desire
to imitate Paul. Because we know from the scriptures
that perfect love casts out fear, Maybe Paul, I'm assuming I would
be, have been nervous to speak in front of such a great crowd
or such high-ranking officials, human terms I'm using, a crowd,
those who are had in such reputation, the governor, the procurator,
the governor's wife, and these other folks. But those who have
fled for refuge to Jesus, the anointed one, need not fear anyone. We don't need to fear anyone.
Why did Felix tremble and why, we're looking at Paul, why did
Paul not tremble? Well, Hebrews 11 tells us that
he, not necessarily he, but Abraham endured as seeing him who is
invisible. Paul did the same thing. His
faith was strong. His faith was strong. William
Jay makes this comment about this particular passage is verse
20, 25. Creatures are all reduced to
their proper level when by faith we realize we stand in the presence
of God Almighty. I like how that's worded. Creatures
are all reduced to their proper level. There is hierarchy in
this. There's a mayor and there's governors
and there's presidents in our systems. But as far as God, no,
all creatures are reduced to their proper level. So that's
why Paul could stand. That's why Felix trembled and
Paul did not. He leaves all matters and consequences
in the hands of his sovereign king. God is for him and not
against him. Though all seem to be against
him, all seem to be against the gospel, and all seem to be against
his Redeemer. But Paul commends his life, liberty,
and way to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Look with
me at 2 Corinthians 4. 2 Corinthians 4. Verses 1 through 4. This is Paul
writing to the church of Corinth. Therefore, seeing we have this
ministry, As we have received mercy, we faint not. And I'd
say Paul was not fainting when he was talking to Felix. He's
on trial. But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty.
Felix didn't. Hierarchy in those days were
really given to bribery and they wanted that money. We have renounced
the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling of the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth,
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight
of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel
of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
That's exactly why Paul could stand and commend his conscience
towards all men. Also, turn with me to 1 Peter
2. 1 Peter 2. starting in verse 19. First Peter chapter two, starting
in verse 19. For this is thankworthy, if a
man for conscience towards God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Paul had done no wrong. For what
glory is it if, when you are buffeted for your fault, you
shall take it patiently? But if, when you do well and
suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. It may not be acceptable with
your neighbors, your friends, your acquaintances, your family.
It's acceptable with God. For even here unto where you
called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example
that you should follow his steps. Christ who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, reviled
not again. When he suffered, he threatened
not, but committed himself to him that judges righteously. That's what Paul was doing, because
that's what his master was doing. But I ask you this, and I ask
myself this, how so does Paul commend himself? How so does
Paul commend himself? How come Paul did not tremble
when, humanly, he should have? Well, let's look at verse 24,
the last part in 25, again, closely. 24, he sent for Paul, Felix sent
for Paul and heard him concerning the faith. He heard him. How
does faith come? How does faith come? Faith comes
by hearing the Word of God. So Paul's commending his conscience
towards all that are there, because he's going to tell him the gospel. He's going to preach the gospel.
This is the only way Felix... He doesn't know if he's going
to see Felix after this or not. He commends himself. Felix heard
Paul. concerning concerning Look at
the next verse and as he reasoned now that word reason I told the
men in the back that word reason means to Say thoroughly or in
three places in the Bible means to preach. That's the same word
to preach. Hmm Now he didn't have to stand
up because I'm sure he couldn't he's sitting down You don't have
to there's nothing to be a pulpit to preach You could do it to
grocery store, you could do it anywhere. Okay? And as Paul reasoned, look at
what he reasons. First of all, we go back up to
the previous verse. You've heard of him concerning
the faith in Christ. That is the origins of faith. That is the faith of God's elect
in Christ. It's the faith in Christ. So
anything he's speaking of is centered around Christ and Him
crucified. Not abortion, as much as that's evil. Not politics, as much as we want
to talk about that in this country is going on. Not these things. These things will not convert.
Not the doctrinal correct teaching of husbands and wives. No, everything
ties into Christ. So he heard him concerning the
faith, that's the origins of faith. By grace you save through
faith and that not of yourselves. Faith of God's elect, but he
also reasoned of righteousness. That's the word, literally justification. How does a man be just with God? How can God be just and yet justify
the ungodly? Through Jesus Christ. Okay, look
on temperance. This is important, because Felix
didn't have any. It's called self-control. Self-control,
because Drusilla wasn't his first wife. Self-control and judgment, that's
condemnation. That's condemnation. Any way
you slice it and dice it, it's the gospel. Christ must judge
for us, because we're all going to be judged. We're all guilty.
And temperance, self-control? We have none, but Christ did. As I read in Peter, He committed
Himself to him that judges righteously. Judges righteously. In short,
Paul spoke to all present the gospel of the grace of God. I could turn there, but I won't,
to Ezekiel 37, when the Lord showed that prophet that valley
full of dead, dry bones. And one thing he says, he says,
can these bones live? And the prophet said, Lord, you
know. Paul said, can Felix live? Maybe that passage came across
his mind. I don't know. But Lord, I'm going
to speak of your faith, the faith that one must have in order to
gain access to glory. I'm going to speak of your righteousness,
your justification, your self-control, and judgment, and leave it there.
And in Ezekiel 37, the Lord says, you go prophesy. Gotta have it. You go prophesy to these bones,
and what did Ezekiel do? The Lord commanded, he did it.
I'm going to talk about that in the
back room. These fishermen who knew their trade, they didn't
catch anything all night. And the Lord says, go back out
and cast. You may be the preacher, you
may be this and that, but I know more than you about fishing.
And Peter said, nevertheless at your word. That blesses anybody
when the word is preached. Do you believe it? Do the children
believe it? Do you believe it? How long have
we been sitting here? We'll get to that next. But that's how
Paul commended himself to every man's conscience. In short, he
preached the truth. Brethren, never underestimate
the importance of telling sinners, whether they're high sinners
like Felix, or low sinners like Paul, or noble sinners, or raggedy
sinners, the truth of God regarding themselves. God, our mediator,
Grace produces new life, new ways, new thoughts, new activities,
or else, if you don't believe that, judgment, condemnation
is right around the corner. It's certainly coming. We speak of Him who separates
the precious from the vile. He separates those who are under
the blood from those who are standing on their own supposed
goodness. Basically, Paul is trying to
tell him the truth and have the Lord strip him of his glory,
strip him of his ways, of his immorality, his imprudence. We have a responsibility here
at this place. Tell them, bring them in, compel
them to come. Your neighbors, your friends,
your co-workers. Tell them to flee from the wrath
to come. Tell them to look and live. May
God empty us in order to fill us. May He humble us in order
to exalt us. May we repent and believe in
Christ for lasting and true salvation. That's the first point. Felix
trembled. Paul did not. Paul. Secondly,
Felix trembled. Drusilla did not. That's his Jewish wife. She was
a Jew. which means a favored people,
a people who had seen many splendid things at God's hand. She wasn't
there at the Red Sea party, but she heard about it. She knew
about it. That's just a bewish instruction to their little children.
But she didn't tremble with the things that Paul said. She left
all the emotions and feelings to her husband, Felix. Was she
one in whom we find the root and branch are going to be severed
shortly? Was she spoken of, and you can turn there if you want,
was this speaking of her in Jeremiah chapter 7, verses 4 and 9 through 10? Jeremiah 7 verses 4, trusting
not in lying words, saying the temple of the Lord, the temple
of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are these. We will steal
and murder and commit adultery and swear falsely and burn incense
unto Baal and walk after other gods whom you know not and come
and stand before me, that is before God in this house, which
is called by my name and say, we are delivered. even though
we do all these abominations. Is that where she's at? Is she
gospel hardened? As we say, that's my concern
about everyone here is that we would come and come and listen
and listen, go out that door the same way we come in. Just
it doesn't affect you. Doesn't affect you. That's so
frightening. That frightens me. That concerns
me. Brethren, Fleshly familiarity
with the word of God, the preached word, the exercise of mere religious
duty often breeds contempt for God, for his ways, his truth,
his gospel. I'm sure she may have said, I'm
a child of Abraham. I don't need to hear this anymore.
That's what the Pharisee, that's what the religious folks did.
That's the ones who were persecuting Paul, killed Christ, and are
gonna kill him eventually. Perhaps that's what she said,
I'm a child of Abraham, and rejected Abraham's God, rejected the covenant
in Christ Jesus. Familiarity, and like I say,
I bring a couple examples. Myself as one and my wife, we
worked at this place called Sunny Hill Garden Center. We worked
there for a long time. And when we first walked in there,
the chemical smell, it was overwhelming. Well, after a couple years, I
couldn't smell it. It was still there. People would
come in, and they'd just say, Mortem and Lent, and they'd go,
how do you stand that? And what would you say? I don't
recognize it. That's what we do. That's how
it happens. Come Sunday, after Sunday, Wednesday,
after Wednesday, listen, and get up, and no different. Now,
I can't do anything. My conscience is commended to
God towards you. I've told the truth. Saved her
of life and life, her death and a death. I don't know if that
was her, but she didn't tremble. Felix did. She didn't. Lastly,
Felix. Felix trembled. Yes, he trembled. He thought hard on the truths
that were set forth by this chained, lowly preacher. But brethren,
let us be not like this man either. As far as we know, he never was
given true repentance. How do we know that? Well, verse
26, he had hoped that money should have been given him of Paul,
that he might loose him, wherefore he sent him the offener and communed
with him. But, okay, so he heard something. No, he didn't. Look at verse
27. But after two years, another fellow came into his stead, And
Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left this man bound. But Paul wasn't bound. He didn't
tremble. Felix trembled. He was not allowed to strike
while the iron is hot, so we say, and moldable. He was given
to greed and money, preferring this to actual godliness. Sounds like the stony ground
here to me, always hearing the gospel, but never truly believing
upon our sovereign God. Beware of starting this good
race, but pulling up short of the finish line. This is for
all of us. This is for me, it's for everybody.
Beware of starting and pulling up. Beware of coming and hearing
this word, and always deferring to a more convenient season. That word is another occasion
or another opportunity. I've told some folks this, you
may not have another opportunity. I told my older brother, he says,
I'll come when I'm ready. I says, then you'll never come
when you're ready. He never did the right thing.
He never trusted, believed, repented, and was baptized. And then in
Acts, or James, he saw his face, and the believer sees his face,
knows what person he is by the Gospel, the continual hearing
of the Gospel, knows what manner of person he is, and continues. And what does the Scripture say?
He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved. So Felix left this honest, not
guilty believer in jail. Or I could say he was so near
the kingdom, but not in the kingdom. And we do have this. So I close
and my desire for everyone here is to be like Paul, this Paul. Simply trusting in the goodness
and grace of God, which will lead us to repentance and faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ. Never to be ashamed, never to
be ashamed, but unashamedly speaking the truth when we have opportunity
as we can. Say, well, I don't, I don't,
I'm not a good speaker. I'm not really think I am either.
And that's why we got those cards or you can just say, well, just
come. We know every time we have a
preacher, every time we've had a conference, and we've had them
for 30-something years, spring and fall, we put that thing out
front and invite, try to catch some flies. We don't know people's motives,
but may we just be like Paul, who's like Christ, who committed
himself to him that judges righteously. And judgment and temperance,
And righteousness, we'll be soothed by that. It's like we talked
about last night, we're soothed by the gospel. Like we talked
about this morning, we want to hear. Peter said, to whom else
shall we go? You have the words of eternal
life. And I know we gotta raise our
children and do our jobs, but there truly is nothing more important
than this. May we not be found like Drusilla.
I've heard that before. I've heard that before. And leave
unaffected because we're not affected. We're either more like
Christ or we're hardened. Bruce, would you close us?