Waiting, "Convenient" Christianity, and the Way
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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interview with Dan and Cindy Tolan...
We have been supporting Dan and Cindy Tolan as missionaries for several years. Cindy is the daughter of Dr. Ernie and Sue Steury who were missionaries in Kenya and Tenwek Hospital; lots of connections to this church. Jon and Very Steury (Cindy and Jon are brother and sister)
they live in Johnson City, TN.
Daniel is a physician and is now serving in various ways in consulting, advising, mentoring through World Gospel Mission and CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Associations) and with “Pre-Field Orientation” of new medical missionaries. Daniel and Cindy also do college ministry of mentoring and helping mobilize students.
and just found out about a week and a half ago you would be in Berne!
Tell us a quick update about your ministry and how we can be praying for you.
(shoulder surgery)
Let’s pray.
Please turn to Acts 24. Acts 24...
We are following the Apostle Paul--as He follows in the footsteps of Jesus.… (on screen)
My hope through the rest of Acts is that you would be spurred on to follow Jesus more closely--wherever He leads you.
and as part of this series, we have been asking this question: “How can you grow more closely with Jesus?” Take a moment; don’t overthink it.
maybe it involves intentional time with Jesus everyday in his Word, silence and pray, Sabbath, confession...maybe meeting with someone else, being a part of a Bible study or a Sunday morning group.
Let me start reading at verse 1.
(save this below?)
The Apostle Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem at the Temple.
He has already given a couple of speeches:
one before an angry mob in chapter 22 (in Jerusalem)
one before the Jewish religious leaders in chapter 23 (in Jerusalem)
and now he is in the city of Caesarea testifying before Romans governors… (map)
(Save this above?)
and one of the really neat things about this...is that God’s Word has come true in Paul’s life.
Back in Acts 9:15-16 God had declared this about the Apostle Paul...
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man (Paul) is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
let me start reading -
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
so do you see the scene? Paul is under arrest--on trial...the Jewish high priest and some of the Jewish leaders are bringing charges against him represented by a lawyer Tertullus before the Roman governor in Caesarea.
You can see the high profile Paul had --b/c the Jewish High Priest came to bring the charges...
2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
so Tertullus is buttering up the Roman governor Felix - some things never change about human behavior...
5 “We have found this man (Paul) to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
so look at the charges against Paul:
vs. 5 He is a troublemaker--stirring up riots… that’s a political charge - it was illegal to do this
vs. 5 is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect - because Jesus is from Nazareth - this was also illegal because religious groups had to be authorized under Roman law to meet, and it may be a way of putting down Christians--Nazareth was such an insignificant place. can anything good come from Nazareth....
vs. 6 and desecrating the temple - also illegal
so 3 charges...
BTW— now you may notice there is no vs. 7. not to get too sidetracked by that detail (I have a footnote here)...but that’s found the in the King James Version.
not to get off on a tangent--but sometimes people ask me why is that not included in this version--the NIV. and I think it’s because verse 7 and following are not found in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts.
remember--the NT was written in Greek (not English), and remember we actually don’t have the original copies of the NT
and we have over 5000 Greek manuscripts--some have only part of the NT, some the whole, and we have special scholars who study these--it’s a whole field called Textual Criticism...and who compare all the manuscripts to make sure we are getting at the best, most reliable text.
even if you don’t like my answer--if you read the footnote like in the NIV or ESV, it doesn’t change the reading too much.
let’s keep going.
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.
11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. (so Paul is saying I am not desecrating a temple...)
12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. (I am not disturbing the peace or rioting)
13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.
14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, (that is the OT)
15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
see what Paul is doing...
Christianity doesn’t cause trouble...in fact--it is the fulfillment of all the OT, Jewish longings...Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of those! it’s a not a sect--but the fulfillment of all that the Jews and the OT were hoping for...
and I love how Christianity is known as the Way--it’s a particular way of life--following the ways of Jesus that just stood out. (more on that later)
Paul continues his defense:
17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. (back in chapter 21)
19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. (his accusers who started all this aren’t even present!!
20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—
21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”
23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
now I won’t read all the next section. but we learn that Paul now stands trial before the next Roman Governor of Caesarea named Festus (who took over after Felix). We learn the Jews still want Paul killed and are plotting to kill him.
and we learn what’s going to happen to Paul
10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
Paul is marching the Gospel of Jesus Christ toward Rome!
I want us to think about these main characters--Paul, Felix and Drusilla, and Festus...what do we learn from them....
From Paul’s life...Don’t underestimate how God can use periods of waiting! (24:27)
remember vs. 27--said 2 years had passed...2 years! while Paul was under some type of arrest. just waiting.
remember Paul felt called to go to Jerusalem--he said that in chapters 20-21. he felt called to eventually go to Rome. and he would!
but man...it seemed awfully slow to get there.
Isn’t this a good reminder that if God calls you to something--it may not go as quickly as you want or desire! It doesn’t go on the same timetable as you want? God’s timing is often extremely different than ours so much so that 2 Peter famously says this:
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
e. and don’t forget that God has a purpose in your waiting? what might be his purpose:
we get some clues in our text...
for Paul here, we learn in verses 22-27 that Paul has many chances to share about Jesus. look at 24:24
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
several conversations with the most powerful couple in Caesarea. it’s a good reminder that if God calls you to do something, don’t be so focused on the future that you miss the opportunities God may have right in front of you RIGHT NOW. open your eyes to see how God might be slowing things down because He has a purpose in your waiting.
I think this is very relevant to a lot of seasons in our life.
isn’t it true we often look forward to the next season...and miss what’s in front of us?
I know as a parent--my wife Jamie and I have talked about this— “oh we can’t wait until...our kids sleep through the night the entire night....” we can’t wait until our kids are no longer in diapers and they can take showers themselves and go the bathroom themselves.
now for me, I am looking forward to the day for even some more independence for them--they can drive themselves; work themselves.
but I dare not look too far forward and miss the opportunity I have right now to help them, to shape them, to love them.
you may feel called to start a ministry, volunteer in a ministry, help with something and have big plans for what it should look like--but don’t miss what God may have right in front of you to do...along the way...it could be that God has an even greater purpose in that season of waiting and slowness....
one of the interesting things about Paul’s life--during Acts 21-28...sometime in the midst of being in prison or house arrest for several years...he writes at least 4 of his 13 NT letters....do you know which books he writes....
Ephesians...
Philippians...
Colossians...
Philemon
some of the most encouraging books ever....some of the books that highlight the incredible cosmic power of Jesus Christ--ruling over all things!
it’s a just a reminder that your timeline may look different--and don’t miss what God wants you to do right now.
so I mentioned how can you grow closer with Jesus in 2025...one area--that you constantly have to be in tune with is God’s timing. surrendering to God’s timing. some of us are such a hurry---but what if you took your plans and said “Here you go good...” and better yet… “Don’t just bless my plans...rearrange them.” “Is this what you even want?”
someone who is closely following the Way of Jesus is in life with His plans. (reminds me of James 4.13-17)
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
so God’s timing---waiting...waiting is so important...it may even be more important than the destination God has you to get to.
From Felix (Drusilla and Festus) Watch out that your relationship with Jesus is not merely for the sake of convenience. (24:24-26)
Look at Paul’s interactions with Felix and Drusilla again
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
Felix is well acquainted with the Way (vs. 22). He knows of Jesus; He knows His ways. He is extremely curious about Jesus and his teachings, so much so that He invites Paul in to talk.
about 3 subjects--righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. It’s possible that Paul is doing 2 things here:
one is showing that our salvation is past, present, and future.
we have been saved (past), we are being saved (present), we will be saved (future).
We have been saved--righteousness---that is the right standing God gives us--He declares us not guilty or just or righteous in His sight because Jesus paid for our sins. so when I believe in Jesus--my sin is put on Him--His righteousness is put on me. it is the mercy and grace of God.it’s good news!
and we then in response--self-control--fruit of the Spirit--we live a life out of that grace to life like Jesus. a life that is no longer out of control--subject to various passions and pleasure--but is under the control of Jesus. discipleship.
and then one day we will stand before the Judgment seat of God...all will. and if God says— “why should I let you in...to heaven...” we can say “we can point to Jesus.”
so that’s one thing Paul is doing.
another thing is he is probably challenging their relationship---Felix married Drusilla--he convinced her to leave her husband and marry him when she was only 16 years old. this is Felix’s 3rd wife. so Paul’s conversation was probably convicting to him--uncomfortable. Felix knew he had messed up.
application — so as I apply that to us--I see a lot of Felix in us as times, especially as American Christians. we need to watch out that our relationship with Jesus Christ--is not merely for convenience, curiosity, “blessing.” what do I mean by that?
while Felix was not a follower of Jesus...some of us have a little Felix in us...
what I call “Convenient Christianity?”
Some Signs of Convenient Christianity:
Sign #1: Jesus can have all my life BUT...my __________. (Fill in the blank) Jesus can have all my life but my money. That belongs to me--I earned it. but who gave you the ability to earn it, the gifts, knowledge, skills and opportunities?
Or Jesus can have all my life BUT my sexuality. What I do in the privacy of my home is my life. What I watch is my life? but who created sex and sexuality? Are these not good gifts from God given in the design of a marriage between 1 man and 1 woman? for our good?
so in other words....If you say, “I will surrender to Jesus part of my life, but not the whole. I will give him 50% of my life but not the other.” or I will give Jesus 99% but there’s that 1% I hold back.
we all have areas like this? What are you holding back from Jesus? it could be even things like our children or family. “God don’t call my kids to be missionaries in Africa...”
Sign #2: I will follow Jesus until it gets difficult or costly. I will follow Jesus as long as it benefits me. but as soon as there is suffering or if Jesus doesn’t answer my prayer like I think He should....if he doesn’t heal me, or doesn’t get me the job I deserve, or doesn’t bless my family. As long as it is convenient.
this is true in ministry and leadership....leadership is hard and difficult. If God calls you to lead something--whether a ministry or business or a family, it’s challenging...there will be a cost to following Jesus and leading
i think this one is very much American Christianity--I follow God for the blessings...bless my life, my family, my job, my house, my vacation. or sprinkle Jesus--I want to sprinkle Jesus in...
Sign #3: Compartmentalization — I will live for God at church or in a Bible Study but it won’t affect my work life, my family life, my friendships, my online life...my party life...my social life.
Sign #4 (if time) if you never disagree with the Bible...in other words--the Bible is not always comforting to read. It should convict us; it should challenge us; the danger is if it doesn’t--either we aren’t reading it--or we are making God into our image--rather than allowing God to be who He is--all in all. our quiet times with the Lord--should sometimes be disturbing times--they should shake us up!
Sign #5 — do you only pray when you are in trouble? and otherwise just ignore him because you are busy. if you only pray when you are in trouble--you don’t really have a relationship with Jesus. We are called to love Him, delight in Him, to know Him--to be in relationship with Him. Jesus says “My sheep know me and hear my voice.
the final lesson we learn from Paul...
Be distinct for Jesus’ sake.… (vs. 14)
look at vs. 14 and what Paul admits...
14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
what’s interesting is that back in chapter 22 before Paul becomes a Christian and he is giving his testimony, he says:
4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,
the Way...Christianity is called the Way...for a couple reasons:
Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6) no one comes to the Father except thru me...
but also because they had a particular way of life...they followed the Way of Jesus--which was so different and distinct than the culture. they stood out not because they wanted to weird or different but for Jesus’ sake.
I mentioned earlier how Paul was trying to convince them that Jesus and Christianity is the fulfillment of all the OT Jewish longings....but it was hard for them to accept. because the new Way was so different.
Tim Keller in his book on the gospel of Mark...
“In a sermon Dick Lucas once preached, he recounted an imaginary conversation between an early Christian and her neighbor in Rome.
“Ah,” the neighbor says. “I hear you are religious! Great! Religion is a good thing. Where is your temple or holy place?”
“We don’t have a temple,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our temple.”
“No temple? But where do your priests work and do their ritual?”
“We don’t have priests to mediate the presence of God,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our priest.”
“No priests? But where do you offer your sacrifices to acquire the favor of your God?”
“We don’t need a sacrifice,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our sacrifice.”
“What kind of religion is this?” sputters the pagan neighbor.
Christianity was different...a totally different Way
not to mention...in some of the early church history writings...Christians were accused of being:
cannibals? why? b/c in communion, they were celebrating the body and blood of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. Christians always talking about the blood of Jesus.
they were accused of incest--because they called each other brother and sister--they had a new family bond that the outside world didn’t understand. they greeting one another with a holy kiss.
they were also accused of being superstitious as Christians--why? because they deviated from Roman norms and cultural practices--they wouldn’t participate in common Roman religious rites and ceremonies. and in that they were concerned that Christians were plotting to overtake Rome.
4. they met on Sundays
they were different....they lived a different Way...the Way of Jesus...
We called this part of Acts — following in the footsteps of Jesus (Follow Jesus)...b/c Paul was following Jesus.
Just like Paul had to testify before many different groups of people--so did Jesus Christ as he was on trial before the religious leaders, before the Roman governor Pilate, before King Herod.
Just like Paul’s innocence was shown--so was Jesus’. both trials were unjust.
Paul is following in the footsteps of Jesus--b/c He loved Jesus Christ--and Christ called Him there.
both were faithful to the end of their life...
Do you have that kind of intimacy with Jesus? Do you believe it is worth it to follow Jesus no matter where? Is your passion and priority Jesus Christ? Or something else?
It may seem like Paul has no power--he is under arrest and on trial. and Felix and Festus have all the power--Rome has all the power. and religious leaders have all the power.
yet we see through all this--God is actually in control....Paul is resting in the hope of Jesus Christ.
He is showing a steadiness, faithfulness (despite the 2 years waiting), He is so secure in contrast to everyone else around him who feels insecure, threatened, defensive, chaotic.
Are you growing with Jesus so much--Loving Him so much--being distinct because you are following a different Way than the world?
Acts is showing us it’s worth it.
(Jr. Quizzers - Philippians--one of the most joyful books ever)
