The Procrastinating Governor

Paul went to Jerusalem against the advice of his friends and the prophet Agabus. He was warned hardship and prison awaited him there. Compelled by the Spirit. Paul says, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Nazirite Vow–Falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple, Beaten and almost killed, rescued and arrested by the romans, double chained. Requested to speak to the people. They listened (TESTIMONY) until he said: GO, I’LL SEND YOU TO THE GENTILES. They become angry and want to stone Paul. Saved by Roman

Roman orders Paul to be flogged, but Paul is a roman citizen and the roman lets him go. Last week standing before the Sanhedrin spoke about the resurrection of the dead and they became so violent the commander had to remove Paul because he feared they would tear him to pieces. Conscience-Comfort-Control. There was an assassination attempt on Paul’s life (40MEN) so under heavy guard he was moved in the night to Caesarea, where Paul was being kept under guard at Herod’s palace.    (last time in Jerusalem)   (he loved city and people)

Acts 24:1-23

Vs24-26 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

Anyone here today have a problem w/procrastination? Me too, and I’m gonna start working on that next week.

Governor Felix after the initial hearing, asks to have a private meeting with Paul. Not one to be corrupted by a bribe to get a free pass from prison, Paul did what he always did when he had the chance: he preached the Gospel to Felix and his wife.

The setting here is Herod’s palace in Caesarea. The walls of this palace have witnessed many bloody scenes. It was here that Herod passed judgement on his own 2 sons. And many Jews were brutalized in this place and the screams of believers have echoed often, only to be suddenly silenced.

Let’s use our mind’s eye and picture this scene from inside as the front doors swing open, and in walks Felix, the Governor of Judaea. He’s wearing a royal robe, and he can be best characterized by the words “CRUEL, CORRUPT, COVETOUS.”

He takes his place on the judgment seat. Walking in behind him is 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 by the sword in Acts 12. It was her great grandfather, Herod the Great, 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 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.

Then, in walks the Apostle Paul, surrounded by Roman soldiers. His body bears the scars from the beatings, whippings, and being stoned. Chains bind him, and rattle as he moves across the stone floor. He knows what it is to suffer for Christ.

AN IRONY: Paul stands bound before Felix, who appears free, but has chains on his soul. Paul may be in chains, but Paul is actually the one with the most freedom!

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.

Because Paul knew that the central issue that day and why he was there was to deliver the gospel to Felix and Drusilla and give them an opportunity to be saved.

We aren’t told everything that Paul said, but just the basic outline, and it’s powerful. FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, SELF-CONTROL AND THE JUDGMENT TO COME

Paul here first gave the gospel message.

Felix and his wife were wicked and morally bankrupt, so Paul got right to the matter of the sin in their lives. They desperately needed salvation from their sin through faith Jesus Christ.

He reasoned with Felix about Righteousness: A RIGHTEOUSNESS PAUL KNEW HE DID NOT POSSESS But a righteousness that was attainable through faith in Jesus Christ.

PRAISE GOD that Paul didn’t try to pull God down to Felix’ level. He preached of righteousness and the God who hates sin.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Righteous for the Unrighteous

I believe Paul brought Felix and Drusilla face to face with the righteous God, and perhaps for the first time he began to understand his sinful condition in God’s sight.

Paul put the fear of God in Felix, and v. 25 says he was afraid\ trembled. We need more preaching like this today. Because when God is lifted up to His rightful place, and we understand God’s holiness and righteousness, that’s the only way we will ever truly see our own wickedness and depravity.

 He reasoned with Felix about Self Control: A SELF-CONTROL PAUL KNEW HE DID NOT PRACTICE

I already told you how he got his wife…his 3rd, by the way! He was also a politician who took bribes. Felix was corrupt, and didn’t hesitate to lie, murder, and steal. He lived a life of orgies, parties, and luxury. And so, self-control was not something Felix was familiar with.

But watch this: When we put our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, He imputes to us His Righteousness and at that very moment we receive the Holy Spirit. And do you know what the fruit of the Spirit is? Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and SELF-CONTROL. 

I’m sure Felix had never been confronted like this, with the truth about how God feels about his lifestyle.

But listen when we put our faith in Jesus and receive His righteousness and receive the Holy Spirit, He can and will empower us to overcome!

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Paul was very logical, like a lawyer, in his presentation and laying out of the facts. He said:

You need righteousness, and you don’t have it, but you can receive it as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. Your conduct is out of control, you’re a sinner by birth, by nature, by practice and by choice, but God your creator can, will and wants to change your life.

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!”       (the word is the judge)

He reasoned with Felix about Judgement: A JUDGMENT THAT IS TO COME

Paul says, here’s what God demands (Faith in Christ, Righteousness, Self Control), here’s what you are (wicked and you possess none of these), and therefore, judgment is coming…

It’s was very important for Felix to understand this…because here he sits on the throne… “high, mighty”. 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 judgement is coming!

Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Why is Felix afraid/trembling? Paul is in chains. This is Holy Spirit conviction!  He could have gotten saved in this moment, but didn’t.

I’m sorry Felix didn’t turn to the Lord and become a believer that day. He should have done it when the Lord was working in his heart. He should have responded when the Holy Spirit had brought him to the place of conviction and fear before a Holy God.

But Felix DIDN’T trust the Lord that day, and there’s no evidence he every did.           He said to Paul, Vs25 “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

But you know what?-It’s never convenient to trust the Lord. The enemy and this flesh will always give us an excuse to put off our most important spiritual decisions.

Today in the pit of hades, Felix is awaiting his day of judgment BEFORE THE HOLY RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, I promise you Felix is wishing he had responded to God when he had a chance.

The writer of Hebrews asked this question Hebrews 2:3a “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation.” The truth is we won’t!

 Vs15 ..there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 

The righteous: 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Wicked: Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.