Guilty Conscience Series

GUILTY CONSCIOUS

Text: Acts 24:22-27

Introduction

1. Oswald Chambers said, "Conviction of sin is one of the rarest things that ever strikes a man. It is the threshold of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came, He would convict of sin, and when the Holy Spirit rouses the conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not his relationship with men that bothers him, but his relationship with God."

2. One of the biggest obstacles of people coming to Christ is a guilty conscious. They come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but there is that draw of their sin of which they don’t want to let go.

3. They feel guilty of their sins, but their sin still has a hold on them.

4. Acts 24:22-27

Transition: A classic example of being guilty but not willing to let go of sin is Felix. Here’s his story…

I. When It is More Convenient

A. Last week we heard Paul defense of the false accusations against him.

1. He vehemently denied all of the charges brought against him and showed that his accusers had no tangible proof that he had done any of the things of which they were accusing him.

2. He also declared that he was a follower of “the Way,” but that it was certainly not a cult, but rather a fulfillment of the Jewish faith.

B. As the story continues, Luke tells us in vv. 22-23, “At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.”

1. Felix had been governor for over six years at this point and would have been very familiar with Christianity.

2. From the day of Pentecost, thousands and thousands of people were coming to faith in Christ, and this certainly would have created a buzz in the area.

3. Furthermore, the calm and peaceful lifestyles that the followers of Jesus were showing would have been proof to the Romans that Christians didn’t go around starting trouble.

4. Luke would want his readers to have solid proof that found Christian’s innocent, especially because persecution against them was growing at this time all over the Roman empire.

5. That’s clearly the reason he spent so much time describing in detail Roman court decisions in chapters 18, and 24-26.

6. Felix decided to delay the decision until Lysias, the Roman commander came to give his testimony about what had happened in Jerusalem.

7. It seems that Felix didn’t want to decide, so he kept delaying the proceedings.

8. In the meantime, he kept Paul in custody and allowed his friends to visit him and bring him things to take care of his personal needs.

C. Next, Luke tells us in vv. 24-26, “A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.”

1. As time went on, Paul spoke privately with Felix and his wife Drusilla about his faith in Jesus.

2. Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II, which makes her part Jewish.

3. She was about 20 years old at this time, and she had left her previous husband to marry Felix, which was against Jewish law since he was Gentile.

4. It’s interesting that the things Paul discussed with them were righteousness, self-control, and the judgment, since they were both living in sin.

5. Considering the things they had done, especially Felix, it’s understandable that the topics made them a little uncomfortable.

6. Like so many folks today, Felix wanted to keep God at a distance so that he could continue his sinful lifestyle.

7. Notice how he responds to Paul, “I’ll call for you when it is more convenient.”

8. Isn’t that how people respond in our day? They say things like, “I’ll get right with God when I’m done having fun,” or “I’ll come to church when I don’t have anything better to do.”

9. In fact, there are some self-professed Christians who say that last one.

10. We can also see the lack of character of Felix in the fact that he would frequently call for Paul, not because he was interested in what Paul had to say, but rather, he was hoping Paul would try to bribe him. If ever there was someone who needed Jesus it was Felix.