Day of Decision
Text: Acts 24:24-25
Intro: Salvation and Ministry of the Apostle Paul, and the response by Governor Felix of Caesarea.
The Apostle Paul, saved by the grace of God, Acts 9, joined himself to a local church at Antioch in Syria. In Acts 13: 1-2 we read that while the Apostle Paul was with Prophets and Teachers in that church, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Barnabas and Saul being called by the Holy Ghost, Commended by the Local Church, took their journey from Antioch in Syria to Antioch in Pisidia (Asia Minor). After preaching and establishing churches in Asia Minor Acts. 13,14,16,the Apostle while at Troas, Acts 16.9 A vision appeared to him in the night ; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying ,come over into Macedonia and help us. the Apostle in obedience to the call of God, went to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, his ministry there resulted in in the conversion of the Philippian Jailor Acts. 16.31.
From Philippi the Apostle went to Thessalonica, preached the gospel, as the people responded by their work of faith, they turned to God from Idols, their labor of love, they served the living and true God, and their anticipation on return of Christ, as they waited for God's Son from heaven. 1 Thess. 1: 9-10. From Thessalonica to Berea to Athens to Corinth and back to Ephesus in Asia Minor, local churches were formed by the preaching of the Apostle. From Ephesus back to Jerusalem where the Apostle was seized in the temple and would have been killed by 40 men
who bound themselves with an oat, that they would not eat or drink till they have killed Paul, but God was with Paul that the Chief Captain of the city rescued and him into the castle for questioning, the questioning revealed that Paul was from Caesarea, so he was sent there to Governor Felix who had jurisdiction over him.
Now to our text: Acts. 24: 24-25.
And after certain days when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent of 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. Felix did not say go thy way forever, but Go thy way for this time, but we never read of such an encounter again.
As Felix, his wife and Paul sat together to discussed the subject "Faith in Christ", Paul presented the matter on three levels, Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgment to come. Paul did not argue, he reasoned difference) Reasoned on Righteousness, meaning to be made right with God, to be justified before a holy God, Paul recognized that
Felix was not right, but what had made him not being right with God, the same by which we all have been made not right with God, which is the result of Adam's transgression. Rom. 5: 12 , A question was asked by one of Job's friends, "How then can man be justified with God"? Job 25.4, but the Apostle Paul said at Antioch in Pisidia " Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. An by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by
the law of Moses, Acts.13.38-39. Therefore, that we be justified or be made right with God, we must believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our sins.
Temperance:
This meaning self-control, discipline. Felix must discipline his mind from wandering to focus on the person and work of Christ for him. There are many voices and sights that can cause a failure to see Calvary, so it is an act of the mind and will to have a single eye of faith and focus our attention on the death of Christ for our sins.
Isaiah 45.22, John 3.14-15.
Judgment to come:
There are five judgments that can be considered.
1-The Judgment for our sins. John 12.31-33 Christ took the Judgment that we deserve for our sins upon Himself that we might go free.
"Jehovah bade His sword awake, O Christ it fell on Thee" 2-The Judgment by the believer: 1 Cor.31-32
This is called the self-judgment of the believer when one examine him or her self with regard to fellowship with God. this include confession of sins of commission or omission to God, that the Spirit of God may have more of us, and also avoid chastisement or judgment from God.
3-The Judgment Seat of Christ: 2nd Cor 5:10
This is a judgment of reckoning regarding how we live our Christian Lives since we have been saved to when we leave this world. It is according to our faithfulness or carelessness. This judgment occurs at the return of Christ. It's a judgment for reward or loss Cf.1 Cor3:12-15
4-The Judgment of the nations: Matthew 25:31-46
This judgment is referred to as the test of Gentile nations according to their treatment to the Jewish Remnant who will have preached the Gospel of the Kingdom during the Tribulation period, which is after the rapture of the church and will be to live people on the earth. Rom 11.5
5- The Great White Throne Judgment: Rev. 20:11-15
This is the most frightening of all. For everyone who have had the opportunity to hear and understand the love of God in the person of Christ, How that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, He was buried and rose again according to the scriptures.1 Cor.15:1-3 That one who have rejected this offer of God's mercy and grace, or fail to accept Christ as Savior when there was an opportunity to do so, and physically died in his or her sins or left behind when Christ comes in the air for those who believe in Him, 1 Thess. 4.13-16., that one will surely come into this judgment. To think when the book of life is opened and your name is not there, and to know its all too late to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, we can only say with the hymn writer "Sad, Sad the bitter wail, Almost but lost." Do not say like governor Felix. Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season I will call for thee, that time may never come. Behold now is the accepted time, Behold now is the Day of Salvation.2nd Cor 6.2.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved. Acts. 16:31