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Four Verses, Two Years

(Acts 24:24-27, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 28, 2013)

[24] After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. [25] And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

In the prior chapter (Acts 23:11) we were given an inspired record of an experience that the Apostle Paul had when he was confined in the Roman barracks in the city of Jerusalem. At night, the Lord Jesus Christ stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

This was the promise of the One who had been given all power and authority in heaven and on earth, and who bid His church to make disciples of all nations. Paul was not able to baptize or to travel around and teach when he was in jail. He was in the custody of the Romans. Yet the Lord promised Paul that he would testify about Christ in the capital of the empire.

Paul had been transferred from Jerusalem to the city of Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. But Rome was far away. How would the promise of God be fulfilled, and when would it take place? Prior to Paul's arrival in Rome, he would spend two years right where he was. During that time, the governor, Felix, and his wife Drusilla, sent for Paul from time to time. He spoke to them about faith in Christ.

Faith in Christ Jesus is of utmost importance to our lives in every way. Our religion is not just a matter of answering our curiosities about questions like where we came from or what our purpose in life might be? Paul writes in Romans 3 that “all are under sin.” He goes on to say that “by works of the law no human being will be justified.” This is our condition, we are under sin, and we will not get out from under sin by our works. This is a horrifying reality, but thankfully it is not the only truth of our faith. The problem IS insurmountable but for the grace of God. His gift to us is our only hope. This is the only way we can come out from under the load of sin, pain, and death that we have. It only happens “by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, … to be received by faith.” This is the content of our faith.

We need perfect righteousness, and we cannot achieve that by law. Paul talked to Festus and Drusilla about righteousness and self-control, because they were lacking in it. They may have wanted to imagine that they were pretty good, but when Paul talked about real righteousness and real self-control, Felix's conscience accused him. History tells us more about Felix's marriages and the events that led Felix to disrupt Drusilla's marriage to another man and to entice her to become his wife. Paul was talking to Felix about right and wrong, about self-control in our relationships, and about the fact that we all have to stand before God in the coming judgment.

The word Luke (Paul) used which is translated “self-control” appears two other times in the New Testament. One is Galatians 5:23 as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The other is 2 Peter 1:6 which speaks of it as a Christian virtue that is built upon our faith in Christ. This “self-control” is the virtue of empowerment, the will and discipline to say “no” to what is wrong. This is a great need, and is a gift that comes from God as we grow in faith. Felix needed something that could only come from God. He was alarmed by Paul's message, but he put off God's messenger.

[26] At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. [27] When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Yet he often sent for the apostle. His motive was greed, expecting that Paul would eventually participate in bribery. These two men talked together for two years about very important matters, but when it came time for Felix to be recalled to Rome, Felix left Paul in prison.

Felix went to Rome, but Paul stayed in Caesarea.

Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul had faith in Jesus Christ, not only for the ultimate salvation of the new heavens and the new earth, but for the life that may be lived now, even during two years of an unjust imprisonment. Paul believed what he had written a little earlier in Romans 5:1-5.

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Jesus had promised Paul that he would be able to testify about the truths of the faith in Rome. This Jesus was now in charge of everything. Why did Paul have to spend two years in prison speaking to a very unlikely possible convert? There was no obvious answer.

When it was time for Jesus to come into Jerusalem, he needed to ride in on a colt in order to fulfill a prophecy. He had a need and it was done. He told the disciples where to go and what to say and everything happened according to the power and faithfulness of God. That's how we like things to happen in our lives. Sometimes we get the two-years-in-prison option instead.

We want the immediate-colt method of God's goodness, but we forget where that little ride on the foal of a donkey was heading. God provided not only a colt for Jesus but also a cross. Our Savior received both the colt and the cross. The only thing they have in common is that they both came from His Father for the accomplishment of His eternal purposes.

In this life here below we face many mysteries of the providence of God. Some of these can take longer to reach fruition than we would have imagined. Days turn to months and years. What are we to do during what feels to us like a very painful delay? (Years of loneliness, financial hardship, or pain; spiritual and moral struggles, or desires for more fruitful service are some examples of possible applications for this teaching.)

First, it is more than OK to tell God the truth and to cast your cares upon Him. It is a commandment. Talk with the Lord.

Second, we need to trust in God. Stay in the Word, and remember the Lord's steadfast love. Believe in His careful attention to every detail. He will do what He has promised.

Paul would testify in Rome. Christ would take Him there. We will be brought everywhere that God intends for us to testify. Look for it, and when the day comes, speak a faithful Word.

Finally, if you are a Felix, remember that this religion is not just a matter of curiosity and good conversation. We have a sin problem. Only Christ answers that great need. Do not put him off.

Old Testament Passage: Psalm 13 – How long, O Lord, … I have trusted in Your steadfast love

Gospel Passage: Mark 11:1-6 – You will find a colt … The Lord has need of it

Sermon Text: Acts 24:24-27 – Paul's testimony before Felix and the governor's abandonment of Paul

Sermon Point: We can trust in God's steadfast love, His attention to every detail, and His faithfulness to His own Word.