The Fear of God in a Roman Ruler

Text: Acts 24:25

I. Introduction.

a. Paul – an apostle of Jesus Christ who was called on the Road to Damascus

b. Led of the Lord to go to Jerusalem after his third missionary Journey to report to the church and elders there and worship at the temple.

c. Confronted by Jewish authorities, which results in a near riot. Roman authorities intervene, take him into custody – due to death threats, he is secretly transferred to Caesarea to the custody of the Roman governor, Felix.

d. Felix’ role – judge Paul under Roman law.

e. Paul’s Trial (Acts 24)

ii. Tertullus accuses Paul before Felix

1. Praises Felix (critique)

2. Suggests that Paul is a continuing threat to the peace unless convicted/imprisoned/executed.

3. Sect of Nazarenes

4. Seditious – undermine Jewish and Roman law and order

iii. Paul summarizes his defense

1. Not disputing

2. Following the law

3. They cannot prove what they allege

4. Regarding “the Way” it is consistent with what was written in the Law and the prophets.

5. (which they call a sect)

iv. Felix defers judgment until Lysias, the Chief Captain and arresting officer, can come and testify.

1. Cornelius, the Roman Centurion (who sought out Peter in Acts 10), is from Caesarea – Felix likely knows something of the Christian “way”- Jews called heresy

2. Knows it is not what the Jews make it out to be.

3. Does not trust Tertullus account of Paul’s actions in Jerusalem

4. Knows the Jewish authorities and how they treat those whom they cannot control.

5. May believe the Jewish authorities responsible for the incident

II. Paul’s Appeal (Acts 24:24,25)

a. Felix summons Paul to private discussion with him and his wife. This was not a public hearing.

b. Drusilla a Jewess –

i. probably wanted to hear Paul more than Felix.

ii. Daughter of Agrippa – Eaten by worms

iii. She had been betrothed to Epiphanus, son of Antiochus, then married king Azizus(Emesenes), but left him and married Felix, an uncircumcised gentile.

iv. An adulteress, shamed before her fellow Jews.

c. vv 14, 15 are why Drusilla wanted to hear him.

III. Paul proclaims the Gospel

a. “Faith” – Explained the Gospel-Christ was crucified for the sins of His people, He was buried and on the third day he was rose from the dead and is seated at at the right hand of the Father.

b. “reasoned” –

i. Spoke with no fear – as one having authority

ii. no concern for his own safety

iii. No respect of persons – spoke openly and directly to Felix and Drusilla

iv. Explained why God did this; God’s love for fallen man, need of a a Saviour, plan of redemption, Christ as mediator.

c. “righteousness” – explain man’s natural sinful and depraved condition in comparison to God/God’s Son – real righteousness as represented by Jesus.

d. “temperance”/self-control: explains the state man should be in if in a right relationship with God – glorifies God, obedient to Him, submissive, humble, kind, loving.

e. “judgment” for the fallen/unredeemed –

i. “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrew 9:27

ii. All will be judged by a thrice holy God for all their actions.

iii. All sins will be brought to light – called to account

iv. Just sentences will be meted out - punishment with flaming fire, everlasting destruction (2 Thes 1:7)

v. Hell, then the Lake of fire – the punishment for the wicked would never end

f. set in order the terrors of the Lord.

IV. Felix’ Reaction (Acts 24:25-27)

a. The power of the Holy Spirit, through Paul’s preaching, pierced the heart of a tyrant.

b. Trembled with fear/terror – absolutely alarmed and affrighted by this message.

c. What kind of man was Felix? What was Paul up against?

i. Proud

ii. Powerful – A Roman Governor

iii. Ruthless and tyrannical -

iv. Successful in his career

v. On his way up – connected in Rome - Claudius

vi. Utilitarian – Means justifies the ends

vii. Immoral –

1. Three wives

2. Drusilla – Jewish divorcee, married to a gentile…

3. Traditional Roman vices – drink, debauchery, gluttony

viii. Corrupt – greedy and avaricious

1. seeking bribes

2. Sicarii thrive under his tenure (end up being the precipitant for the destruction of Jerusalem)

3. holds Paul to satisfy the Jews

4. hopeful of financial gain

d. Fearsome, ruthless, murderous cruel ruler from Rome, for a moment, realized where he stood before God, perhaps realized he was an enemy of almighty God and caught a glimpse of his future. He became momentarily terrified of the future that awaited him.

i. Has anything like that ever happened to you, where you had a frightening premonition of the future? What caused that premonition?

V. Felix’ Response. What did Felix do when he heard God’s Word?

i. He sent Paul away – he hid

ii. He did not repent, nor was he broken.

iii. Then he hardened his heart

1. pride, lust, idolatry, ambition, power

2. Couldn’t let his wife, staff, subjects perceive weakness

iv. Occupied himself with worldly pursuits to distract himself.

VI. What became of Felix?

a. He never had “a convenient season”.

b. Recalled to Rome, replaced by Festus

c. Felix and Drusilla were without excuse – heard the Gospel and rejected it.

d. Faced death, the reality of Paul’s teaching: eternal destruction and damnation.

e. No one escapes death and judgment.

VII. What kind of person are you?

a. Proud

b. Self-starter

c. Whatever it takes

d. Don’t need anyone’s help

e. Sin

i. is pleasant for a season

ii. bad habits are hard to break

iii. In common with circle of friends

iv. Enslaves us all

f. How different are any of us from Felix or Drusilla?

VIII. Judgment –

a. Death is coming and we cannot run from it

b. Cannot know the time of death’s coming

c. All will be judged

d. What will you say at the Judgment Seat? Will you be like Felix and Drusilla? We are all without excuse.

IX. Appeal/Exhortation:

a. What about that faith in Christ? (Acts 24:24)

b. What could Felix have done? Compare to Acts 2:37

c. Eze 33:11 - As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

IX. How does God save us?

i. Holy Spirit convicts of sin

ii. Our human spirit is broken – we realize our need – where we stand before holy God

iii. We understand that we are the reason the Son of God was crucified.

iv. We repent of our sin and turn to Christ in faith.

e. God loves His people

f. Sent His Son as propitiation for their sins – The Great Exchange

g. Requires repentance and faith

h. Repent and turn to Christ in faith.