The Enemy of Now | Acts 24

Intro

Significance of the Moment

How do I respond to kairos in my life?

Kairos is a particular moment in time that is so significant, it defines everything that comes after it.

Do I seize significant moments or run from them?

Setup

This account is really about kairos between the Apostle Paul and the Governor Felix.

“Law was the most characteristic and lasting expression of the Roman spirit.”

Will Durant

New Living Translation (Chapter 23)

Acts 23:26-30 “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28 Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 29 I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”

Layout

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Tertullus: False Accusations (Acts 24:1–9)

The Prosecution of Paul

New Living Translation Chapter 24

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.* 8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

But the prosecutor’s accusations against Paul were no more truthful than his flattery. He brought three charges: a personal charge (“he is a pestilent fellow”), a political charge (sedition and leading an illegal religion), and a doctrinal charge (profaning the temple).

Three charges against Paul: Personal Charge (pest), Doctrinal Charge (profaning the temple), and a Political Charge (leading an illegal religion).

Wherever Paul went, there was either a riot or a revival.

The political charge was the most concerning for Paul because it affected the Romans.

Rome did not want a rival religion creating problems.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Paul: Faithful Answers (Acts 24:10–21)

Response to Personal Charge

Response to Doctrinal Charge

Response to Political Charge

When pressed with a significant moment, we must stay on mission.

Paul’s Defense

New Living Translation Chapter 24

13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18

The fact that Paul was a Christian did not mean that he worshiped a different God, but it meant he worshiped the same God in a different way.

New Living Translation Chapter 5

23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.

Paul’s Closing Statement

New Living Translation Chapter 24

20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council* found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’ ”

“If I have done anything evil, it is probably this: I reminded the Jewish council of our great Jewish doctrine of the Resurrection.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Felix: Foolish Attitudes (Acts 24:22–27)

Main Text

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Felix: Foolish Attitudes (Acts 24:22–27)

New Living Translation Chapter 24

22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer* to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

Felix saw the light, but he preferred to live in the darkness.

Knowledge about Jesus and obedience to Jesus are not the same.

Claudius Lysias never shows up. Paul is left waiting.

New Living Translation Chapter 24

24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

Drusilla likely prompted the meeting with Paul because of her family’s history with Christianity.

Drusilla’s Great-Grandfather

Matthew 2:3-4 “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?””

Drusilla’s Great-Uncle

Luke 23:11 “Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.”

Drusilla’s Father

Acts 12:1-2 “About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.”

New Living Translation Chapter 24

25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

Felix’s mind was informed, his heart was moved by fear, but he would not obey the truth.

Paul seized the moment and preached: righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

Paul speaks to the couple about yesterday’s sin, today’s temptations, and tomorrow’s judgment.

Righteousness

Romans 3:21-24 “But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

God provides us with the righteousness that He demands.

We have peace with God by the righteousness of Christ, and peace of conscience by the fruits of righteousness in ourselves.

Thomas Manton

Self-Control

We can control almost everything but ourselves.

Paul speaks to the core of Drusilla and Felix.

Drusilla, Felix’s third wife, is a Jewish woman who assumes a Roman persona.

Felix, in his quest for advancement, resorts to deceit and murder.

Judgment

Acts 24:25 “As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.””

Procrastination is the thief of time.

Unknown; Edward Joseph Young; Charles Spurgeon

Procrastination is not only the thief of time, it is also the grave of opportunity.

Anonymous

2 Corinthians 6:2 “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

The most convenient time to give more of yourself to Jesus is today.

The reason some people don’t go very far in life is because they sidestep opportunity and shake hands with procrastination.

Unknown

Felix chose to respond to kairos with procrastination and comfort.

Felix’s Response

Acts 24:26-27 “He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.”

Closing

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Dr. Clarence Macartney told a story about a meeting in hell. Satan called his four leading demons together and commanded them to think up a new lie that would trap more souls.

“I have it!” one demon said. “I’ll go to earth and tell people there is no God.”

“It will never work,” said Satan. “People can look around them and see that there is a God.”

“I’ll go and tell them there is no heaven!” suggested a second demon, but Satan rejected that idea. “Everybody knows there is life after death and they want to go to heaven.”

“Let’s tell them there is no hell!” said a third demon.

“No, conscience tells them their sins will be judged,” said the devil. “We need a better lie than that.”

Quietly, the fourth demon spoke. “I think I’ve solved your problem,” he said. “I’ll go to earth and tell everybody there is no hurry.”

The best time to trust Jesus Christ is—now!

And the best time to tell others the Good News of the Gospel is—now!

The enemy of now is the perceived abundance of time.

Jesus gives us significant moments to reflect His glory and tell His story.