The Need For A Convenient Season

Needs for a Convenient Season

Acts 24:1-6 and 25

And after five days Ananias the high priest orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

Acts 24:25

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Summary:

Annanias and the Elders hired Tertullus, an orator, to being accusations against Paul. Note verses 5 and 6 for we have this man to be a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among the Jews throughout the world, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarene, who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took and would have judged according to our law.

1. A pestilent fellow: What they are saying is He gets in our hair every time he preaches, he exposes our sins, he aggravates us, he makes us uncomfortable, irritates us, disturbs our little programs and generally upsets our applecarts. A preacher of the gospel …… a promoter of sedition ….. They stated he was leading a rebellion against the government, but on the contrary, Paul, was a good law abiding citizen as long as the government stood for God, but when the choice came for Paul to choose the government over God, God always came first. A Good Choice Every Time.

2. A profaner of the temple: Paul loved and gave himself for the church, he organized churches, he established churches, he rooted and grounded churches, what they spoke of was that Paul had ripped away the camouflage, did away with the ceremonialism, and told them that he was determine to know nothing among them save Jesus Christ and him crucified. ( I Corinthians 2:2). If that is profaning the temple, then the temple needed to be profaned. But, Felix wasn’t so gullible, he decided to talk to Paul. Paul got his chance to talk to Felix, notice in verse 25 what Paul related to Felix, he reasoned righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled and answered, go thy way for this time and when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. What makes a convenient season? Every person under the sound of my voice should be interested in this question. Sinners ought to understand when a convenient season is established so you might receive Jesus as Lord of their life. But on the other hand every born again, washed in the blood saint should be interested in the question so they might be able to recognize when a convenient season is present and able to utilize it to lead others to Christ. What is needed to make a convenient season?

I. A Sincere Messenger….

A. Characteristics of a sincere messenger.

1. Verse 10 …. One who is cheerful you may say how can I be cheerful where I live, or work, or with my husband, or wife, or neighbor that I have to live with. I don’t believe anyone here faced any greater troubles than that of the Apostle Paul.

a. They said he was a pestilent fellow, he said I am cheerful.

b. The said he was a promoter of sedition, he said I am cheerful.

c. They said he was a profaner of the temple, he said I am cheerful.

I can’t understand how someone who looks like they have been winged on lemon juice and washed in vinegar will ever be used of God to cause a convenient season, you come to church looking like you have a case of the colette and act like you are trying to pass a kidney stone or have a bout with the gout. If any should be cheerful, it should be a Christian, knowing joy unspeakable, full of glory, knowing our sins have been washed away.

2. A sincere messenger is one who has conviction notice in verse 14 and 15 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: