Avoiding Costly Mistakes at All Costs - Procrastination
Acts 26:28
Pastor Don Jones
West Glendale Baptist Church
Last night I got a wild hair around 7:00 P.M. I wanted to fix a mechanical pencil that was broken and refill a ball point pen. These had been broken for the past 6 years but at that moment they were all that I had on my mind. I finished a good 45 minutes later victorious and filled with pride at my accomplishment. I even picked something off the floor with my left hand. No small feat when your hand only makes a claw on most days.
The trouble was that the message wasn’t typed. It was in my mind, outlined on paper, illustrations selected, but not typed. Deb was waiting to do the Power Point and again I had put myself under the gun and unfortunately, her. I had perfectly good reasons. I had spent hours counseling individuals this week. It is something that I don’t normally do but considering the problems were of a life and death nature, I needed to take the time.
We are going to finish the series, "Avoiding Costly Mistakes At All Costs". The final message will center on the costly mistake of procrastination. I am sure that most of us are aware of this in our own lives to some extent. I lost 45 minutes doing something I really didn’t need to do. It cost me and my wife valuable time. My concern this morning is that you not allow this costly mistake of procrastination, cost you an eternity with God.
I am also 400 years behind the Reverend Anthoney Walker who used the term for the first time in his sermon on the "sin" of procrastination. The word itself comes from the Latin word procrastinatus: pro- (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow). It is by definition the deferment or avoidance of an action or task which requires completion by focusing on some other action or task.
For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, the creation of crisis, and the chagrin of others for not fulfilling one’s responsibilities or commitments. The psychological causes of procrastination vary greatly, but generally surround issues of anxiety, low sense of self-worth, a self-defeating mentality or laziness. Procrastination can be a persistent and debilitating disorder in some people, causing significant psychological disability and dysfunction.
Traditionally, procrastination has been associated with perfectionism. There are different types of procrastinators including the relaxed type, the tense-afraid type, and others. Today we are going to look at scriptures dealing with spiritual procrastination. Open your Bibles to Acts 26.
Cue slide - The Accusations
The apostle Paul had been accused by the Jewish leaders of spreading all kinds of sedition. He had been preaching in Jerusalem. A riot broke out and the Jews wanted to kill Paul. The centurion in charge sent Paul to Caesarea for his own protection guarded by 200 spearmen. Chapter 24 starts with,
Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix:
The charges leveled against Paul are found in 24:5-8. These charges were going to follow him throughout his journey to Rome. The Jewish leaders said,
We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
Cue slide - Felix
Felix, who was ruler at the time heard from Paul. He was familiar with Christianity, or the "Way" as it was called, and after hearing Paul’s account he decided he wanted to hear more. Something happened to Felix in the next conversation with Paul as he and Drusilla listened. It says,
As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
We are not really sure what Felix thought of Paul or his message. We do know that he was a man of power, knew a little about the "Way", and even though he was fearful at one time, he continued to listen to Paul for two more years until he was replaced by Festus. All we know is he left Caesarea having rejected Christ and leaving Festus with the problem of Paul.
Cue slide - Festus (not of Gunsmoke)
Porcius Festus (not of Gunsmoke fame) takes a different approach to Paul and the predicament he brings. First, the Jewish leaders wanted Paul transferred to Jerusalem. Festus knew that this would have simply made it easier for them to kill him. Festus convenes a court and asks Paul if he would like to be transferred to Jerusalem. Paul asks Festus if he has done anything deserving of death and if so that he be put to death. He declares to Festus that no one had the right to hand a Roman citizen over to the Jews. Paul then, to the ruler’s relief, appeals to Caesar.
Cue slide - King Agrippa
Before he is sent to Rome on appeal, King Agrippa comes to town to pay his respects to Festus, the new ruler. Verse 13-15 says,
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.
Scripture gives us an insight as to what Festus thought about the problem as he and Agrippa talk with one another. Verse 18 says,
When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Agrippa responds to the account of Paul’s story thus far by saying he wanted to hear from Paul directly. Again Paul is called on to give testimony to a ruler about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In other words he told these men the gospel in hopes they would respond by receiving Jesus as Lord. Paul tells about his encounter on the road and then what he was preaching. Paul says in verses 19-20,
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.
Festus responds in a most unusual manner to Paul. He says,
At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
Wow! Barnes points out, "Festus regarded, probably, the whole story of the vision that Paul said had appeared to him as the effect of an inflamed and excited imagination, and as a proof of delirium. This is not an uncommon charge against those who are Christians, and especially when they evidence unusual zeal." His closing comment is most amusing, "The tenants of a madhouse often think all others deranged but themselves".
Paul held his composure and continued to talk with Agrippa.
I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
The response to the question is already known...."Almost"
Cue slide - Why Put It Off - Procrastinate?
Why did each of these men put off, procrastinate in accepting the gospel? We know that Paul was a persuasive preacher. I doubt it was him since each gave a response of sorts. So what was it that kept these men, and possibly some in this room from following Jesus as Lord?
First, Felix never did accept what Paul had told him. Most commentators agree the fear that gripped Felix was brought about by his sense of sin and his reluctance to commit his life to following Christ. Judgment was coming. He had no place to go or hide but he was unwilling to give up his sinful lifestyle in order to follow Jesus. Are you holding on to the temporal pleasure of sin instead of accepting the absolute joy and peace that comes from knowing Christ? If so, why not give Jesus a try. If you are unsatisfied you can always return to your old life.
Festus was a Greek heathen. He was pagan in every sense of the word and thought Paul was a nut. Festus wanted to please the troublemaking Jewish leaders so he could get credit in Rome. He wanted to ignore Paul, wash his hands like Pontius Pilot, and ignore this petty dispute. After all, he was a man of importance. He loved his power and authority and didn’t want to give any of it up. Festus refused because he simply didn’t want to accept the testimony of another. He was God and there were no others. Are you unwilling to give up control of your life? Like taking the credit and getting the praise?
Agrippa was going to put it off. His response to Paul was,
Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
What was included in the “almost”; what prevented his being quite persuaded, we know not. It may have been that the evidence was not so clear to his mind as he would profess to desire; or that he was not willing to give up his sins; or that he was too proud to rank himself with the followers of Jesus of Nazareth; or that he was willing to defer it to a more convenient season. There is every reason to believe that he was never quite persuaded to embrace the Lord Jesus, and that he was never nearer the kingdom of heaven than at this moment. It was the crisis, the turning-point in Agrippa’s life, and in his eternal destiny; and, like thousands of others; he neglected or refused to allow the full conviction of the truth on his mind, and died in his sins.
Have you made this costly mistake of procrastination? If so, let me share some reasons why you shouldn’t put off a decision for Christ today.
Proverbs 27:1 says,
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
James 4:13-14 says,
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Cue slide - The Remedy
The one and only remedy to procrastination is to make your decision today.
Outline
Avoiding Costly Mistakes - Procrastination
Acts 26:28 10-15-2006
1. Accusations against Paul
Troublemaker & instigating riots everywhere
Cult/Sect ringleader & Desecrated the Temple
2. Felix (Drusilla) - Provincial ruler in Caesarea
Knew of the Way
Listened for 2 years
Was "afraid"
Replaced by Festus
3. Festus
Paul appealed to Caesar
Was angered & silenced Paul
4. King Agrippa (Bernice)
A Jew
Knew OT & Paul was right
"Almost" persuaded but left
5. Reasons for Procrastination
Felix held on to sin lifestyle
Festus held on to lordship of his life
Agrippa wouldn’t be rushed
All three procrastinated and perished
