The Peril of Inconvenience

Acts 24:24-27 KJV And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he 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. [26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. [27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

I. INTRODUCTION -- CONVENIENCE

-We live in an age that thrives on convenience. The high demand for convenience is largely due to the fact that we live under the tyranny of the urgent and the rapid hustle and bustle of life.

-Convenience is defined as a fitness or suitability for performing an action or fulfilling a requirement; something (as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort or ease; and lastly as the freedom from discomfort; Something to create ease.

Hesiod -- The man who procrastinates struggles with ruin.

Young -- Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform, and mortal men lay hold on heaven. Procrastination is the thief of time; year after year it steals, till all are fled, and to the mercies of a moment leaves the vast concerns of an eternal state. At thirty, a man suspects himself a fool; knows it at forty, and reforms his plan; at fifty chides his infamous delay, pushes his prudent purpose to resolve; and in all the height of thought, resolves, and re-resolves, then dies the same.

-If today has slain its thousands, then tomorrow has slain its ten thousands. A fatal mistake, this thing of not today, maybe tomorrow. Felix could simply tremble at the weighty words of the message that Paul fearlessly declared.

-He trembled and said tomorrow, when God speaking through the voice of the great Apostle, said, Today.

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

-Many will say in that day, “Lord, Lord, we accomplished things in your Name.” But they will not be saved because they were victims of tomorrow. It was always:

• Tomorrow, I will pray.
• Tomorrow, I will fast.
• Tomorrow, I will find a talent to devote to God.
• Tomorrow, I will allow God to use my life in the way that he wants.
• Tomorrow, when I am older and more mature, I will find time for God.
• Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow.

-We hear sermons that convict us toward prayer, toward a burden for others, for a hunger for God, and a desire for spiritual maturity. . . . but it is always the call of the convenient and the difficulty of inconvenience that renders all that we hear to be ineffective and useless. A lot of great spiritual attainments have been lost and silenced when we call for the convenient season.


-I believe that many honestly intend to change, to do better, but the inconvenience of change causes us to say:

• When we have a new set of circumstances. . .
• When our finances are finally straight. . .
• When I get out of school. . .
• When school gets started. . .
• When we finally have all of