The Perilous Risks of Procrastination FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Pastor David Andersen / PO BoxBible 2020, Chesterfield, Study VA Title23832 / [email protected]

Acts 24:22-27 But Felix, having a more exact FOCUS ON FUTURE STUDIES: ➤ PAUL OVERTURNS THE knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, FEBRUARY 18: :1-12 CORRUPTION OF THE NEXT GOVERNOR “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23) And he gave orders to ➤ FEBRUARY 18: ACTS 25:13-22 THE GOVERNOR TRIES the centurion for him to be kept in custody and TO COVER HIS CORRUPTION yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any Paul, as the defendant (through the help of the Holy of his friends from ministering to him. 24) But Spirit) had refuted every charge presented against him, some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his proving them all to be false. Felix knew that Paul had done nothing wrong and that the charges were the result wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and of pure hatred against him by the leaders of the nation. heard him speak about faith in . 25) Not only had Paul proven his accusers were consistently And as he was discussing righteousness, self- lying, but he had demonstrated by his pursuit of a clear control and the judgment to come, Felix became conscience that he was a greater follower of true Judaism frightened and said, “Go away for the present, than them. The final nail driven in the coffin of their case was the fact that these false accusing leaders, for fear of and when I find time, I will summon you.” 26) individual perjury, were made witnesses to the innocence At the same time too, he was hoping that money of Paul with their silence. Their accusation of Paul trying would be given him by Paul; therefore he also to profane the temple was used against them because used to send for him quite often and converse they knowingly lacked the required witnesses and had not even rendered a guilty verdict before their own court. with him. 27) But after two years had passed,

Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the a favor, Felix left Paul “HE RESORTS TO THE COWARDLY EXPEDIENT OF DELAY, imprisoned. (NASB) EMBRACING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE SUGGESTION OFFERED BY TERTULLUS (SEE ABOVE, ON V. 8), THAT THE TRIBUNE SHOULD HIMSELF BE MADE TO TESTIFY.” “HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL OF MINE TO BEAR MY NAME J. A. BEFORE GENTILES, KINGS AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. FOR I WILL SHOW HIM HOW MANY THINGS HE I. THE CASE DELAYED :22-23 MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.” JESUS CHRIST (:15-16) Felix was in a dilemma, “having a more exact knowledge of the Way,” he was fully aware that the Christians were not insurrectionists. In the case before him it had just been Does “having a more exact knowledge of the Way” help Felix proven that Paul was an innocent Roman citizen and the render greater justice? Why does Felix procrastinate his case should be dismissed, giving him his freedom. But decision on Paul’s case? Is the Roman citizenship of Paul still Felix didn’t want to offend this high-powered legal team respected? How does the procrastination of Felix’s decision of the most influential leaders among the Jews. Trapped regarding his soul harden his heart? Is Paul only used as a between popularity and justice, he chose the former and pawn in Felix’s hand after his fearful procrastination? postponed the case, acting as if he had not already

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The Perilous Risks of Procrastination

received the letter from Lysius the commander, clearly “faith in Jesus Christ.” The power of the Holy Spirit was stating his opinion regarding Paul’s innocence and the so manifest in the life of Paul that “as he was discussing pre-meditated violence planned against Paul by the Jews righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix (23:29-30). Felix revealed that he did not believe any of became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present, and when their charges to be true by keeping Paul only in protective I find time, I will summon you.’” Felix had been given the “custody” and giving him “some freedom” and allowing his privilege of knowing the perfect righteousness of Jesus, “friends” to come to him anytime with anything. his own sin in lacking self-control, and the forgiveness that Christ offered through His payment upon the cross. Felix understood the judgment soon to come and “became “THE DIFFICULTY, AS LUKE SHOWS, IS THAT FELIX WAS NOT frightened,” but not enough to receive Jesus as his Lord MERELY POSTPONING HIS DECISION UNTIL THE CASE WAS and Savior. This delay would cost him his soul. Never is PRESENTED TO HIM, HOPING TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT AT he frightened again though continuing to meet with Paul. THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT. RATHER, DELAY AND COMPROMISE WERE CHARISTIC OF THIS MAN. HE HABITUALLY POSTPONED WHAT HE “THIS WAS THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE OF FELIX’S LIFE. IT KNEW HE NEEDED TO DO.” WAS TIME TO MAKE A CHOICE … THEN FELIX SAID, ‘THAT’S JAMES MONTGOMERY BOICE ENOUGH FOR NOW! YOU MAY LEAVE. WHEN I FIND IT CONVENIENT, I WILL SEND FOR YOU’ (V. 25B). IN A VERY REAL SENSE HIS SOUL DIED AT THAT MOMENT – A II. THE CONSCIENCE DELAYED ACTS 24:24-25 TRAGEDY OF INFINITE PROPORTIONS.” Drusilla was the third princess wife of Felix. His first wife KENT HUGHES was the granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra. His second wife was named Drusilla also. Drusilla in our passage was the great granddaughter of Herod who had III. THE CAPTIVE DELAYED ACTS 24:26-27 murdered all the children of Bethlehem in seeking to The true motives of Felix the governor now become destroy Jesus Christ (Mt 2:16). Her father, Herod manifest. He was only focused on money and popularity. Agrippa I, had killed the Apostle James, the brother of He had heard Paul mention his offering during the trial John (:2) and had tried to kill Peter (12:3-19), and and saw many minister to him in custody and “he was was “eaten by worms” (12:23). It was her great-uncle, hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.” Now he , who beheaded (Mt 14). At about six years old her father betrothed her to marry a sent for Paul for two long years only to open the door prince in Asia Minor, but he failed to fulfill his agreement for a bribe. When succeeded by the next governor, to become a Jew. At fourteen, her brother, King Agrippa against his conscience, he abandons Paul in chains. (), arranged her marriage to King Azizus of

Emesa in Syria. Felix loved her beauty and hired Atomas “HE LET THE OPPORTUNITY PASS, HEEDLESS OF THE from Cyprus to act as a magician to persuade her to leave TRUTH THAT ‘NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME, BEHOLD, her husband and marry him, which she did at sixteen. At NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION’ (2 COR. 6:2).” this time she is nineteen and some manuscripts say that JOHN MACARTHUR she persuaded Felix to meet with Paul after the trial. Paul was faithful to give this sordid couple the truth about Questions to Ponder: 1) As a leader are you more concerned about true justice or fleeting popularity? 2) If a believer, are you faithful to give the truth of the , no matter what the cost might be? 3) Is your life spiraling down in sin because you have delayed to repent and to put off your only hope of eternal life?