TEXT: Acts 23:32-24:27

SUBJECT: Acts 28

Today, with God's blessing, we'll continue our study of Acts, looking for what Jesus Christ did long ago--and what it means to us in the present.

The events of our chapter were prophesied long before. At his conversion, Paul found out he "was a chosen vessel, to bear Christ's] name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel". Now, he's doing just that. The Word of God never fails; every prophecy comes to pass in the Lord's good time.

PRELIMINARIES

The story takes place in Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea, about sixty miles north of Jerusalem. Paul was brought there a few days before by Claudius Lysias who rescued him from an angry mob who were trying to kill him.

What they were so mad about, Claudius couldn't find out. So he turns him over to Felix the Governor for further investigation.

Now, Felix is a bad guy! Even by the low standards of the day, he is rotten to the core. Tacitus, the Roman historian, says he ruled,

In other words, he was ignorant, petty, corrupt, and brutal. The Jewish historian, Josephus, said the same thing, adding that he was also an adulterer, having stolen his gorgeous wife from another man.

Felix is the Judge.

THE INDICTMENT

The Prosecutor is a man named Tertullus. He works for the Sanhedrin, and hopes to have Paul remanded to their custody--so they can assassinate him.

Tertullus opens his case by flattering the judge,

Not a word he said is true. Both he and Felix know that, in fact, Felix is the most hated man in Israel. Yet he hopes to win a verdict by buttering up the Judge.

Having done that, he goes on to present the charges against Paul. He is

The word, "pest" is just name-calling, of course. But everything else is deadly serious. Paul is being charged with inciting riots, profaning Temples, and being a member of an illegal cult. All of which are capital crimes.

As for evidence, Tertullus points to the most respected men in Israel, who confirm everything he's said.

THE DEFENSE

Paul is in grave danger. But he's not scared. A few nights before, the Lord came to him, with the promise,

Knowing that Christ cannot lie gives Paul the courage and clarity and wisdom to speak in his own defense. And more.

The first two charges are unproven. Did Paul incite a riot in Jerusalem and try to profane the Temple? If he did, why didn't the Jews bring an eye-witness to that effect? The men who testified in court were not there at the time; those who were there, never came to court. Their testimony, therefore, is worthless.

But what about the other charge? Is Paul the leader of a Cult? If he is, he's in big trouble. For Rome had no freedom of religion. It tolerated many faiths; but not all. And every group had to be formally recognized by the government.

Is Paul a David Koresh? Or, a Jim Jones? Or, a Sun Yung Moon? Or a Joseph Smith? Is he some nut-job who just invented a religion?

No he isn't. Paul's God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This God has revealed Himself and His will for us in the "Law and in the Prophets". This God has made one thing crystal clear: The dead will one day rise and face Him in the Judgment.

Paul didn't dream this up. He got it out of the Bible. Many verses could be cited, but Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 must do for now,

THE VERDICT

That's the trial. What's the verdict? There is none. Felix is a torn man. He's not torn by good and evil, though, but by two evils. On one hand, he wants to increase his popularity with the Jews (by condemning Paul). On the other hand, he hopes Paul will bribe him (to let him go). So, instead of acting decisively, he does nothing. Paul remains in custody...for two years.

THE PRIVATE INTERVIEW

During that time, Felix and his wife, Drusilla, have some interviews with Paul. Felix is an expert on the Church; his wife is Jewish. They want to know more about the Christian "Way".

Paul is happy to oblige them. But, not quite in the way they want him to. They want a class in Comparative Religion. But he won't give them one! He doesn't just inform them--he calls them to repentance!

What Drusilla made of it, we don't know. But it terrified Felix. He knew he was a sinner and exposed to the Judgment of God.

What did he do about it? Nothing.

Did a "convenient time" ever come for him? Of course not! There is no convenient time to repent--except for right now. God promises to forgive nobody tomorrow. But he does promise that for today.

If you'd like to get yourself in terrible trouble, let me tell you how to do it: Ignore the knowledge of God's will you have; put off repenting until tomorrow; forget your guilt--for now. Get back to God...later.

If you do that, Acts 28, Romans 1 and II Thessalonians 2 make you a promise: God will harden you in your sin. And if He does that, how are you going to repent then? If the Lord hardens your heart, who's going to soften it? If He sends you a strong delusion, how are you going to find the truth?

It's better to mock at God's warnings, than to believe them--and not act on them.

THE MESSAGE

That's the story our chapter tells. Now, what does it mean? Here's what: Jesus Christ calls us on our sins.

Physically, Felix was behind the bench and Paul was in the dock. But, in fact, it was Felix who was on trial! And it was Christ who sat in Judgment over him.

And not only him. But over you and me too. The Bible says God,

The Resurrection of Christ makes Him your judge. Whether you accept His jurisdiction or not. This is not a Christian thing--but a universal thing. Every human--and angel--will one day stand before the Lord to answer for himself.

Now, what are you going to say? Ignorance is no defense. Because you know. Good work look pretty good now, but they'll look pretty anemic in the Presence of Absolute and Infinite Holiness.

On that Day, He'll demand a Perfect Righteousness. Is that just? Yes it is. Because He offers you one in the Gospel. Paul was a good man, but his goodness was not good enough. That's why he longed,

That's what you've got to have when you face the Trial. You've got to have a righteousness that is perfect. Which you can only have if you take it from Christ. You do that by faith.

That's the big idea of our story: Jesus Christ calls us on our sins. Make no mistake about it. The Judgment may be long in coming--oh so long! But it's coming.

That's the folly of most people. They know they're guilty, but...Nothing happens.

The second thing is taken from the first: Jesus Christ uses us to call people on their sins.

Who called Felix and Drusilla to repentance? It was Christ, of course. But who's voice did He use? He spoke through Paul. We are to testify against the World. Ephesians 5:11 says,

We should do it as Paul did.

Observe his attitude--respect. There's no name-calling or abuse of any kind. He spoke to him politely. We should do the same. I Peter 3:15 says we're to witness with "Meekness". Sinners often are turned off--not so much by the Gospel--but by the way we present it.

His method--reasoned. Again, he didn't just denounce and quote verses at him, he spoke to him intelligently. God's Word is not stupid. We shouldn't present it as though it were.

His patience--two years. He could have easily given up. But he didn't. He kept on pressing the Word on the man's conscience.

His content--suited to Felix. If you read the whole Book of Acts, you'll see no two sermons are alike. Each one is tailored to fit the person or people listening to it. The message is the same, but the emphases are different. Get to know the person and you'll be better able to reach him for Christ.

CLOSE

Jesus Christ calls us on our sins. Are you listening? If not, maybe you should shut off the noises they keep you from hearing His voice. If you are listening, what are you doing about it? Listening with Felix, trembling with the Judge--and nothing more? If you are, may God make you a "Doer of the Word and not a hearer only". For Christ's sake. Amen.