The Sermon That Paul Never Finished

THE SERMON THAT PAUL NEVER FINISHED

TEXT - Acts 24:24-27

INTRO. - Shortly before Jesus died on the Cross he told

his disciples in John 16:7-11 that he was going to send

them another Comforter -- the Holy Spirit. Jesus said

that when the Holy Spirit came, he would do three

things. He was going to reprove (convict) the world of

sin, righteousness, and judgment. This is because of the

love of God. God the Father so loved the world that he

sent his Son. The Son so loved the world that he sent

the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit loves us and tries to

get us to accept the free salvation provided at the

cross. To do this, the Holy Spirit must get us to see

our need of salvation. In our text we see the Holy

Spirit doing exactly what Jesus said he would do.

I. NOTICE THE PREACHING SERVICE AND THE CONGREGATION -

vs.24

The congregation did not go to church. They had the

church brought to them. The congregation was made up of

two people, Felix and Drusilla.

Felix - Felix was once a slave who by unusual

circumstances was made governor of Judea. He was a cruel

ruler and was guilty of many crimes against God and man.

Tacitus the Jewish historian says that Felix yielded the

power of a king with the mind of a slave. He was in his

60’s when he heard Paul.

Drusilla - Drusilla was a wife but she was not really

Felix’s wife. She was the wife of Azizus, the king of

Emesa. Azizus and Drusilla had one son who later

perished in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Felix had

wooed her into coming to live with him as his wife. She

was about 19 years of age at this time but she had

already come through such wickedness that at the age of

19 she was already destined to be stamped as one of the

worst women in human history. Her sister Bernice is

found in Acts 25:13

II. THE GREAT QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THESE TWO PEOPLE

WANT TO HEAR A SERMON ?

1. It may have been out of mere curiosity. He knew

of the gospel. Vs.22 indicates this. Many people

in our day often visit a Bible preaching church

out of curiosity. They see the life of one of

it’s members. They notice a change in the life

of a family member or old friend. They want to

know what happened.

2. It may have been out of boredom. It was

something new and different and would pass the

time away.

3. It may have been for material gain. Vs.26 seems

to indicate this possibility. Felix may have

thought that the early church would pay to get

Paul released. Many people in our day go to

church for material gain. It’s a place to meet

new business contacts, boost the character

reputation, etc..

4. It may have been due to a hungry heart. They may

have longed in their soul for a better and

higher way of life. They may have had thoughts

of God, eternity, judgment, heaven.

III. NOTICE THE MESSAGE OF GOD TO FELIX AND DRUSILLA -

vs.25a

God reasoned with them. Paul delivered a message from

the very heart of God to their souls. Our God is a

reasoning God. He appeals to the mind of man to make the

best choice for his soul. Isa. 1:18 - Come now and let

us reason together saith the Lord...

God loved these people just as he loves you and I.

God sought these people just as he is seeking you today.

IV. NOTICE THE EFFECT THE MESSAGE HAD ON FELIX - vs.25

"Felix trembled" He heard God and trembled. The Holy

Spirit is doing what Jesus said he would do and Felix

trembled. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t outright reject

it though he rejected it inwardly. He didn’t laugh. He

didn’t sneer. He trembled. He trembled with conviction.

God had spoken to his soul. Sin had found him out. He

stood that day in the valley of decision and trembled.

V. NOTICE THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO

GOD’S MESSAGE GIVEN THAT DAY - vs.25

He did not deny it or outwardly reject it. ALL HE DID

WAS PUT THE DECISION OFF UNTIL LATER. Why did he put it

off? No reason is given in the text. Let us consider

some possible reasons he put off salvation.

1. It may have been due to Drusilla’s presence. She

may have discouraged him. I have seen men and

women about to get saved and just a little pat

on the hand by their husbands or wives keep them

from it. Had she not been there it may have been

different.

2. People hate to make serious decisions in life.