Paul Speaking Before Felix And Drusilla

1. INTRODUCTION:
   
   
1. SCRIPTURE READING:

Acts 24:24-27 = "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. 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. 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. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

2. BACKGROUND OF PAUL’S SPEECH:
1. Felix had put off further hearing of Paul until Lysias, the chief captain, could come down and he would have more knowledge of Paul’s situation.

Acts 24:22 = "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."

2. Paul has been guarded by a Roman centurion to keep Paul in the meantime and to allow Paul
1. To have liberty
2. To be permitted to have his acquaintances to minister and come to him.

Acts 24:23 = "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."

3. Felix what unique:
1. He was the governor of the territory.
2. Josephus, a Jewish historian, said that Felix was "the worse ruler that ever swayed the destiny of Judea."
3. He was a slave by birth, and was set free by the mother of the Emperor.
4. He was a libertine.
5. He recognized no moral law.

 

2. DISCUSSION:
   
   
1. PAUL’S ADDRESS WAS VERY APPROPRIATE FOR HIS AUDIENCE.

Comment: The contents of the speech was most certainly unexpected by Felix and Druscilla. Saying what Paul did took great skill and courage. What Paul consisted of three things. Acts 24:25 = "And he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, …"

1. Righteousness:
1. This was in direct opposition to the cruelty and injustice of Felix.
2. We do not know what Paul actually said, but we do know from the word use by Paul what he was talking about.
1. The Greek word is dikaiosune, pronounced (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay); equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:
2. It is used to speak of the state in which one should be that is doing that which is right in God’s sight.

Comment: It has to do with one’s integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, correctness in thinking and in doing.

3. This was in contrast to the conduct of Felix:
1. He had murdered a high priest.
2. He had taken bribes.
3. He was ruthless in his dealings with others.
2. Self-control:
1. A virtue that what was unknown to both Felix and Druscilla.
2. We still do not know exactly what Paul said but we can gain some insight about what he said from the Greek Word.
1. Egkrateia, pronounced(eng-krat'-i-ah); self-control or temperance (continence and chastity.
2. Felix was known for his unbridled passions and harsh judgments.
3. Judgment to come -- The time when all unrighteousness and intemperance will be judged.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 = "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

2 Corinthians 5:10 = "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Galatians 5:19-21 = "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

2. THE RESULTS WERE DISAPPOINTING.
1. On Druscilla:
1. Luke does not give us a minute hint of any results on her.
2. In all probability she was not affected at all by what Paul said.
2. On Felix:
1. He was "terrified".
2. Though terrified he lacked the courage to confess Christ.
3. He was conscience stricken but was impenitent due to two possibilities:
1. The love of money.

Acts 24:26 = "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."

1 Timothy 6:10 = "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

2. The love of praise and popularity.

Acts 24:27 = "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

Galatians 1:10 = "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

3. CONCLUSION:
   
   
1. PAUL FIRMLY STOOD BEFORE FELIX AND DRISCULA AND POINTED OUT:
1. The certainty of judgment upon all mankind and that they would not escape this judgment of God.
2. Felix and Druscilla had lived as though they would never have to give an account for their deeds to anyone.
3. They are brought face to face with the consequences of their wicked deeds.
2. FELIX’S CONSCIENCE WAS AWAKENED BY WHAT PAUL SAID, AND THE ONLY REPLY WAS:

"Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" [Acts 24:25]

3. HOW MANY OF US ARE AWAITING A CONVENIENT SEASON?

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