Following Jesus Requires A Choice To Be Made Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 36

Following Jesus requires a Choice to be Made

Acts 24:20-27

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Last week: Bro Will did an outstanding job proclaiming the truth Paul lived by

-- Using question from Dave Fuller, he posed: “If it were against the Law to be a Christian, and you were arrested, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

-- It is a question we must all ponder, as it could be seen by Paul’s arrest in Rome

- Today, I want us to explore the cost & results of a believer’s testimony

-- It is important that we understand this truth: we WILL pay a price for ours

-- Whether it is rebuke, acceptance, persecution, or reward - we will pay a price

- BIG: God is paying attention to how we live our lives, even today

-- This is why it’s critical to have a testimony and be prepared to share it

- Read Acts 22:20-27 / Pray

- How you live is the story that you tell the world about what Jesus means to you

-- It is critical to understand this, because Felix did not realize that …

Point 1 – Our compromise produces hesitancy

- Felix was a man who was more familiar with Christianity than others realized

-- He understand the things of following Christ, except for submitting to Jesus

- This is a strong reason why he continued to visit Paul – for more info (v22-23)

-- Perhaps he was looking for a loophole to know Jesus but avoid repentance?

- However, there is something he continues to fail at for 2+ years

-- He continues to fail at doing the right thing, which would be setting Paul free

- Why? Because he knew the message that Paul preached was true!

-- However, he was more concerned with his own position!

-- See: There are four very simple reasons why he acts this way …

1. Felix could not risk upsetting the Jews further

• If he let Paul go, they may report him to Caesar

• This could lead to his removal from office (and his own power he loved)

2. Nero had just assumed power in Rome (Emperor)

• Meant that Felix no longer had an “in” in the government in Rome

• Felix’s brother, Pallus, no longer had any influence in Roman power

• Pallus was tied closely to Claudius (secretary), now replaced by Nero

3. Felix lacked the moral strength to do the right thing

• Simply: (overshadows msg) He preferred compromise to integrity

• Knew if he postponed this decision (ex, waiting for Lysias) he could delay

• However, back in Ch 23 we saw that he already had the proof he needed!

• Ref Acts 23:25:30 – Lysias’ letter to him proving Paul did no wrong!

4. Summed up: Felix was a man bent on feeding his own greed

• He was hoping for a bribe from Paul to be released from prison

• He felt Paul might have influence to scrape up some funds for him

• Even placing him in house arrest (not in a dungeon) was for this purpose

• It gave Paul freedom to come and go – again, hoping for favor

- For us today: How many of us might have (or do) lack moral strength?

-- EX: Do we try to play both sides of the fence and not do the right thing?

-- Felix was a government leader who knew right from wrong, and still failed

- Do we do the same hoping to play to Christ and the world at same time?

-- Jesus taught on this in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

- TR: So if compromise produces hesitancy, then it must be said that …

Point 2 – Indecision leads us to becoming dormant

- SEE: Felix wanted to hear about Christ, but not about repentance (vv24-25)

-- Even though he left and came back, his indecision to commit was evidenced

-- APP: Sometimes you have to step away to determine what God wants you to do

-- And even though he didn’t know it – God was calling him to understand!

- As soon as he returned, he sent for Paul to talk to him again

-- Interesting, this time he had his wife with him to also be part of the convo

- BUT KNOW THIS: There are 2 parts to their motive:

• Yes, Felix and Drusilla wanted to learn about Christ

• But Felix was hoping Paul would bribe him to be released