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 God that we need. . .

• When I get a little older. . .

• When I get a little more spiritual. . .

-Always looking forward. Caught up in the dilemma of delay. Trapped in the lounge of looking for a better tomorrow, a more convenient time, a better opportunity.

-Men who live in the confines of tomorrow always tremble when conviction strikes at their heart they have no power to respond.

-Men who live in the hopes of tomorrow often have their sun set while it is still day.

• Tomorrow has the capability to silence the voice of God.

• Tomorrow has the capability to shrugging off the call of the preacher.

• Tomorrow reduces men to worms.

-The great dilemma for spiritual progress to have to overcome is usually procrastination and compromise.

• The five foolish virgins.

• The guests who refused the feast because of worldly commitments.

• The people the Lord called but first they wanted to fix things in their world.

Genesis 19:15-18 KJV And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. [16] And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. [17] And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. [18] And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: