THE SERMON THAT PAUL NEVER FINISHED
TEXT - Acts 24:24-27
INTRO. - Shortly before Jesus died on the Cross he told
his disciples in John 16:7-11 that he was going to send
them another Comforter -- the Holy Spirit. Jesus said
that when the Holy Spirit came, he would do three
things. He was going to reprove (convict) the world of
sin, righteousness, and judgment. This is because of the
love of God. God the Father so loved the world that he
sent his Son. The Son so loved the world that he sent
the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit loves us and tries to
get us to accept the free salvation provided at the
cross. To do this, the Holy Spirit must get us to see
our need of salvation. In our text we see the Holy
Spirit doing exactly what Jesus said he would do.
I. NOTICE THE PREACHING SERVICE AND THE CONGREGATION -
vs.24
The congregation did not go to church. They had the
church brought to them. The congregation was made up of
two people, Felix and Drusilla.
Felix - Felix was once a slave who by unusual
circumstances was made governor of Judea. He was a cruel
ruler and was guilty of many crimes against God and man.
Tacitus the Jewish historian says that Felix yielded the
power of a king with the mind of a slave. He was in his
60’s when he heard Paul.
Drusilla - Drusilla was a wife but she was not really
Felix’s wife. She was the wife of Azizus, the king of
Emesa. Azizus and Drusilla had one son who later
perished in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Felix had
wooed her into coming to live with him as his wife. She
was about 19 years of age at this time but she had
already come through such wickedness that at the age of
19 she was already destined to be stamped as one of the
worst women in human history. Her sister Bernice is
found in Acts 25:13
II. THE GREAT QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THESE TWO PEOPLE
WANT TO HEAR A SERMON ?
1. It may have been out of mere curiosity. He knew
of the gospel. Vs.22 indicates this. Many people
in our day often visit a Bible preaching church
out of curiosity. They see the life of one of
it’s members. They notice a change in the life
of a family member or old friend. They want to
know what happened.
2. It may have been out of boredom. It was
something new and different and would pass the
time away.
3. It may have been for material gain. Vs.26 seems
to indicate this possibility. Felix may have
thought that the early church would pay to get
Paul released. Many people in our day go to
church for material gain. It’s a place to meet
new business contacts, boost the character
reputation, etc..
4. It may have been due to a hungry heart. They may
have longed in their soul for a better and
higher way of life. They may have had thoughts
of God, eternity, judgment, heaven.
III. NOTICE THE MESSAGE OF GOD TO FELIX AND DRUSILLA -
vs.25a
God reasoned with them. Paul delivered a message from
the very heart of God to their souls. Our God is a
reasoning God. He appeals to the mind of man to make the
best choice for his soul. Isa. 1:18 - Come now and let
us reason together saith the Lord...
God loved these people just as he loves you and I.
God sought these people just as he is seeking you today.
IV. NOTICE THE EFFECT THE MESSAGE HAD ON FELIX - vs.25
"Felix trembled" He heard God and trembled. The Holy
Spirit is doing what Jesus said he would do and Felix
trembled. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t outright reject
it though he rejected it inwardly. He didn’t laugh. He
didn’t sneer. He trembled. He trembled with conviction.
God had spoken to his soul. Sin had found him out. He
stood that day in the valley of decision and trembled.
V. NOTICE THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO
GOD’S MESSAGE GIVEN THAT DAY - vs.25
He did not deny it or outwardly reject it. ALL HE DID
WAS PUT THE DECISION OFF UNTIL LATER. Why did he put it
off? No reason is given in the text. Let us consider
some possible reasons he put off salvation.
1. It may have been due to Drusilla’s presence. She
may have discouraged him. I have seen men and
women about to get saved and just a little pat
on the hand by their husbands or wives keep them
from it. Had she not been there it may have been
different.
2. People hate to make serious decisions in life.
He knew he would have to be clean and honest. He
knew to hold his job he could not be a
Christian. He knew salvation was free but there
would be a cost to pay in surrender.
3. People hate to give up the course that they have
set for their lives. He, like Pilate and many
others, had set courses for their lives which
they did not want to change. People who set
fame, riches, pleasure, etc. as goals for their
lives often find it hard to accept Christ.
4. The gospel brings a sense of failure when God
convicts the sinner and there is always a desire
to get rid of a disagreeable subject.
Felix belongs to that vast group of people that come
very near to doing something worthwhile and yet come
short. Many like Felix feel the power of Jesus yet never
dare to rise and follow him. He almost became a
Christian. He knew, he heard, yet turned away. God
reasoned with him yet he turned away. Many through the
centuries have followed him
VI. THE TRAGEDY IS THERE IS NO RECORD OF FELIX EVER
HAVING A CONVENIENT SEASON - vs.27
He risked it all and lost. He did not gain the whole
world but he did lose his own soul. In 2 years he lost
his position as governor of Judea. Many people have
rejected salvation and held onto something, someone,
some sin and then lose that thing they put so much value
on.
IN CLOSE ---- There will never be a convenient day to
get saved. Satan will always fight it. If you are
waiting for a good day to get saved it will not come. So
why not get saved today. NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, NOW
IS THE DAY OF SALVATION - 2 Cor. 6:2
