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Acts 24: 22 -27 “And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. (23) And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. ”

(24) And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. (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. ”

(26) He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. (27) But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. ”

Paul Imprisoned FActs 21 – In Jerusalem, Jews from Asia start trouble, Romans intervene. FActs 22 – Paul speaks (preaches) from the stairs of the soldier’s barracks. FActs 23 – brought before the council Sadducees and Pharisees get into it over the resurrection. Plot against Paul’s life is discovered Claudius Lysias sends Paul to Caesarea.

Acts 24 v. 1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. “emphanizo” “kata” rhe to r – advocate, where we declare / down get our word rhetoric Literally – talk down on Paul

Acts 24: 2 -4 “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, (3) We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. (4) Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto

Compare To Paul’s Opening Statement In Verse 10 “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: ”

The Charges 1. Exciting the Jews to sedition. (v. 5) 2. Being the ringleader of a sect called the Nazarenes. (v. 5) 3. Profaning the temple. (v. 6) The Defense 1. Hadn’t been there long enough. (v. 11) Wasn’t arguing with anyone. (v. 12) No Proof. (v. 13) 2. Agrees (v. 14) but their conclusion is faulty in that he believes the law and prophets. 3. No disrespect (v. 17). His very reason for being there was to bring alms to the people.

(22) And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. (23) And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. (24) And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. ”

(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. (26) He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. (27) But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. ”

The Audience F Felix “Tacitus says of him that he “exercised the authority of a king with the spirit of a slave; ” and that, by reason of the powerful influence at his command, “he supposed he might perpetrate with impunity every kind of villany. ” He had persuaded his wife Drusilla to forsake her husband marry him. He had employed assassins to murder the high-priest Jonathan, and might well tremble at the preaching of the judgment to come. ” (Vincent Word Studies) Studies

The Audience FDrusilla - “Paul's being left in bonds on the retirement of Felix was due to the desire of the latter to please Drusilla” (ISBE) FGreat granddaughter of Herod the Great who murdered the Bethlehem infants. FGreat niece of Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Immerser. FDaughter of Herod Agrippa I who when she was about 6 years old murdered James.

Drusilla FShe was seduced away from her husband, King Aziz of Emesa, by Felix when she was 16 years old. FShe was said to be physically beautiful. FWhat about her spiritual beauty? FFelix & Drusilla had a son who died in Pompeii at the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 70.

The Sermon The responsibility of every preacher is great! 1. To proclaim the truth – Gal. 1: 6 -9; Romans 1: 16 2. We may never get to preach again – II Timothy 4: 6 -8 3. You may never hear me or any other preacher again – James 4: 14

The Sermon Paul did not deal with marginal or unimportant matters. 1. He didn’t try to tone it down or tickle ears. 2. He did not talk in vague generalities. 3. He did not talk to them about how to make more money or feel better about their physical appearance. 4. He didn’t engage in flattery.

The Sermon FHe “reasoned” -"to think different things with oneself, to ponder, " F 3 main points, quite plain & personal 1. Righteousness – “was previously spelled ‘rightwiseness’” (Vine’s) – We might very well and properly call it “justice. ” 2. Temperance – “Self control” 3. Judgment to come

The Effect of the Sermon Drusilla- no comment recorded. • A seared conscience? • “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; ” I Timothy 4: 2 καυτηρια ζω kaute riazo Thayer – to mark by branding; in a medical sense, to cauterize

The Effect of the Sermon FFelix • “Emphobos” - To become frightened • Same word in Luke 24: 5 “afraid”– Speaking of the reaction of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James to the angels.

The Effect of the Sermon FFelix 1. Trembled 2. Procrastinated – “Go thy way for this time” 3. “He hoped…” for money v. 26

Conclusion “A convenient season” F“metalambano” - to change, to take part in. FLit. “the changing of an unfavorable time for a favorable one. ” FConvenient – “suited to personal comfort or ease” (Webster) F“When I get an opportunity” (ESV) F“When I have time” (CEV) F“When I find time” (GW)

Conclusion The devil’s best sermon. FNo God FNo Jesus FNo Heaven FNo Hell FNo hurry! FSome things we must take the time to do.

The Simple Plan FHEAR – Rom. 10: 17; Jno. 20: 30, 31 FBELIEVE – John 8: 24; Hebrews 11: 6 FREPENT – Luke 13: 3; Acts 17: 30, 31 FCONFESS – Rom. 10: 10; Acts 8: 37 FBE BAPTIZED – Mk. 16: 16; Acts 22: 16 FADDED TO CHURCH (Acts 2: 41, 47) F LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE (Rev. 2: 10)