The Door Of Opportunity Can Be Missed

Subject: "Opportunity Missed"

Text: Acts 24:22-27

“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.” He ordered an officer[d] to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. 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. 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.” He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 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.

Introduction: An opportunity is a convenient season; a time or an occasion that is right for taking action; some say, it is a good chance for success with least resistance. Every now and then God will bring people across our paths that have the potential to change and alter the course of our lives in a positive way so that we will never be the same. We are given an opportunity of a lifetime. One of the most important things is to be able to sense the moment. So it is in our lesson today, Apostle Paul by an act of God is spared from certain death at Jerusalem and sent to a place called Caesarea, Philippi. There Paul encountered a man named Felix who was procurator of Rome. Felix was one of the most unlikely candidates for salvation, yet God affords him a golden opportunity. The Scriptures are filled with persons whose lives were altered and changed forever because of a God-directed encounter. What about Abraham meeting Melchizedek who became the Father of many nations; Jacob meeting with Laban his uncle who became a wealthy man as a result; Ruth met Naomi and her life was changed forever; What about Rahab meeting the Jewish spies and she and her household were saved. God's divine opportunities can change your life forever. The right word or revelation, the right location, being in the right place at the right time under the right leadership can move your life in a powerful way.

Many people fail to properly respond to great opportunities waiting a convenient season. This lesson occurs during the latter part of Paul's ministry. He had already established many churches in Asia Minor and on this occasion had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. There he was falsely accused of polluting the temple and was arrested for his own safety. After being warned of an attempt on Paul's life, the chief captain sent Paul under an armed escort to Caesarea, Philippi. There Paul was in the custody of Felix, a Roman Procurator. For more than 3 years, Paul gave his personal testimony and Christ centered preaching before Felix with no success.

Felix was appointed procurator by Claudius Caesar in A.D.53. Although Felix was born a slave with no royal connection, He was a close friend of the slave of Caesar’s mother that gave a vital connection with Claudius Caesar. Through that connection he was able to meet the beautiful Drusilla the daughter of King Herod Aggrippa. The Historian Josepheus records that Felix used a magician to persuade and convince the 20 year old, Drusilla to leave her husband and become his third wife. After his marriage to Drusilla, Claudius Caesar chose to make him procurator and assigned him to the outpost at Caesarea, Philippi. Once in power, Josepheus describes Felix’s leadership style, as one who ruled with a slave’s mind. He ruled with an iron hand. He was a very cruel, devious and deceitful man. History records that he used death squads to put down any and all opposition. His administration was full of trouble and sedition. For two years, Felix had the opportunity to sit down with Apostle Paul on a regular basis but to no avail. Hearing God’s word and feeling God’s presence is an awesome privilege. To sit at Paul’s feet must have been overwhelming. Listen again to the text: Acts 24:22-27

“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.” 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. 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. 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.” He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 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."