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.
D. Luke concludes this section by telling us, “After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.”
1. Apparently, this went on for two years. Finally, a new governor came to power name Porcius Festus.
2. So, Felix never did decide about Paul or Jesus. He just pushed it off on the next man.
3. But he kept Paul in prison to make the Jews happy. Isn’t it funny how we try to make everybody happy but God?
Transition: Now, what do we learn from Felix and Drusilla?
II. Three Things About a Guilty Conscious
A. People know that they are guilty before God.
1. “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.” (John 16:8)
2. Here’s something that we as followers of Jesus struggle with; we think we need to tell people that they are sinners.
3. But we don’t, because the Holy Spirit has already told them.
4. Jesus said it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict people of sin. And, by the way, the word “convict” just means to “convince” people of sin.
5. People already know that they are sinners and stand guilty before a Holy God.
6. This is something that they struggle with on a daily basis. They feel that guilt deep in their hearts and they can’t get away from it because the Holy Spirit, the Hound of Heaven, reminds them on a consistent basis.
7. However, we don’t need to do that because it’s not our job. Our job is just to live out our faith in front of them and wait for the opportunity to tell them about Jesus.
B. However, the problem is they are slaves to their sin.
1. “These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Pet. 2:17-19).
2. When I was in high school, I was trying to witness to an old partying friend of mine. I knew his parents were Christians, so, I know he knew about Jesus (we’ll get to that one in a minute), but he needed to surrender to Jesus. His response to me was, “Mark, I know you’re right, but I’m having too much fun now. I’ve got more time later to think about Jesus.” It was a short time after graduation that I learn he had started selling drugs for the mob, and he had been skimming money from them, and they found out. So, he knew what they would do to him, so he committed suicide. His words rang in my ears, “I’ve got more time later…”
3. Lost people have convinced themselves that this lifestyle is fun, and they don’t want to give it up.
4. But I’ve lived that lifestyle and trust me it’s not fun at all. Waking up in the morning after a night of excessive drinking and sticking your face in a place that wasn’t designed for your face is no fun!
5. But the truth is that they are slaves to their sin, and the only way to be set free is to surrender to Jesus.
C. Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus personally.
1. “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:1-6).
2. You can tell me that you believe in Jesus, and that’s not going to get you anywhere but hell.
3. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19).
4. Believing in Jesus is not enough! What is needed is receiving Him.
5. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12).
6. In addition to believing not being enough, going to church is not enough! You can sleep in a garage and that doesn’t make you a car!
7. What is necessary is believing AND RECEIVING.
8. That is how you know Jesus and how you become one of His followers.
Conclusion
What’s the point preacher? We are all sinners, and with that brings conviction by the Holy Spirit and the guilt that sin brings. The way to be set free from both the sin and the guilt is believing and receiving Jesus as your Savior.
