Question
The Judgment to Come
Acts 24:1-27
Key Verse 24:25
As Paul discoursed on 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."
Read verses 1-9. Compare this passage with Acts 9:15-16. What does this comparison indicate about the hardship facing the Apostle Paul? What can we learn about the difficulties coming the way of a believer?
Read verses 10-21 and think about the hope Paul shared with his audience, that is, “There will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” How did this hope affect Paul’s life? (16,21)
Read verses 22-27. How close did Felix come to being saved? Yet, what kept him from being saved?
Read verse 25 again and think about Paul’s discourse on “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come”. How are they related?
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Message
THE JUDGMENT TO COME
Acts 24:1-27
Key Verse 24:25
As Paul discoursed on 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."
Today we would like to think about how by his amazing grace and mercy the Lord brings the rich gospel to the poor Felix, and yet, how he ended up rejecting the blessed the gospel.
Part I. They brought Paul before the governor (1-8)
Let us read verses 1-8.
Chapter 24 reveals that Felix was a pauper of all paupers: in fact he was so poor that he had to beg some money from Paul, a poor disciple of the poor Jesus. When we see a man becoming extremely materialistic we can rest assured that he is in need of the gospel which alone can make an otherwise poor person to be truly rich.
Felix was a governor. Imagine a poor beggar seated on a king’s chair, begging food (or anything) all the time from his subjects. What will happen to people ruled by such a poor guy? God is always mindful of the leaders, for under their leadership people come to receive what they need for life, such as loving kindness, generosity, mercy, benevolent spirits, etc. So in each generation God always rushes the rich gospel to the leaders.
In the passage the Lord did the same thing for Felix. The previous chapters tell us that to get the gospel to Felix the Lord orchestrated people and events. So we realize that God is the God of love. He is the God of true mercy. In love and mercy he goes extra miles to get the gospel to the souls that are lost. The distance from Jerusalem to Caesarea is about 120 km. With modern day transportation such as an automobile, it might take less than two hours to travel from Jerusalem to Caesarea. But in those days, it must have taken a lot longer, like two or three days, or even a whole week, with so many soldiers and horses, moving at a snail’s pace.
From a human point, the journey was made in order for the Roman government to try the case between the Jews and the Apostle Paul. But from a God's standpoint, it is to get the gospel to the souls that are lost, and in the case before us, it was to bring the gospel to a man named Felix and perhaps his wife, as well as many more who in the course of participating in the episodes, might have had the opportunity to hear the Apostle Paul speaking.
One thing that amazes us is that God loves terrible sinners such as Felix. He loves sinners so much that he went through all the troubles to get the gospel to them. Korea has a more than five thousand years of history. But during the long period of time, Koreans made God sorrowful, due to their idol worship, mutual hatred, etc. Yet, God loved them so much that he sent missionaries such as Mother Barry. Two weeks ago, I went to Korea and attended a seminar. There I learned of one Australian missionary named Dr. Joseph Henry Davies (1857-1890). [Picture] At the age of 33, he received 5 months of language training at Scots' church in Melbourne, Australia. It took him 40 days to come to Korea by boat. Arriving at Seoul, he stayed at one of the American missionaries' house for about a week. He then carried on Korean Jigae [picture] gospel booklets. He then moved to Busan and it took him 20 days. On this way he became sick. One day after he arrived at Busan he died of dysentery. But his death was not in vain. The news stirred up the spirit. Eventually 126 missionaries came to Korea - mostly women nurses.
To this very date God's efforts to save souls continue. He raises his servants and sends them to the souls that need to be saved. UBF is not the only ministry sending shepherds, evangelists, or missionaries. In UBF through we are breaking the record, for at the age of 15 Eli went out to the Philippines as a short term missionary. I also pray that sooner than later, I would go out to pioneer a new mission field.
Part II. He spoke about faith in Christ Jesus (9-25a)
What then is the gospel message? What is the message that saves man?
Close examination of the passage in verses 9-25a tells us the Lord gave Felix the opportunity to learn of the gospel message in a public session and in private settings.
In public trial session, Paul shared with Felix the worship of the God of our fathers (such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.) Felix did not know God as the true object of worship, so he remained poor. But Abraham was different. When he came to worship God, he could overcome his poor condition. He became the source of blessing for all peoples on earth. The same goes true with Isaac. As he worshiped God no matter where he went, he came to live a life that is giving to his neighbors and giving more. In case of Jacob, before he came to worship God, he ended up deceiving others. He tried to move money from others’ pocket to his own. But as he worshiped God, he became his materialistic attitude. He gave others what they needed. He lived as the spiritual Israel rich to God.
Paul preached to the Felix the Prophets who testified about the hope of resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In the history of the Israelites the Lord revealed himself and the hope of resurrection through prophets such as Enoch, Noah, Elijah, and Daniel. Think about Enoch. Since he had the hope of resurrection as the reality to come he walked with God for 365 years, and he went to heaven. Consider Noah. His day was extremely evil, especially in terms of sexual immorality. But thanks to the hope of resurrection he kept himself from sinning. He lived the life of obedience, and thereby became the source of comfort for many. Elijah lived in a generation steeped in idol worship. But since he had the hope of resurrection for the righteous and for the wicked, he kept himself from idol worship; by faith he fought against the idolatry. The Lord rewarded him with a glorious life, that is, being lifted up into God’s presence on a fiery horse. Daniel was a young man brought to a foreign nation as a slave. Yet, thanks to the hope of resurrection of the righteous and for fear of judgment of the dead, he kept himself pure. He kept his faith even as he went through fiery ordeals.
In vs. 22 and beyond we see the Felix two years of the opportunities to have Bible studies with Paul in private settings. Most likely the Bible study was done either at his private office or residence. In coming to the first meeting, Paul must have prayed a lot for his Bible student, Felix. So on seeing him, he grasped the opportunity and began to speak about the "Faith in Christ Jesus". What does faith in Jesus all about? We find the answer to the question in the word “Way”, for in two places we see the expression “the Way” (14,22). Faith in Christ Jesus represents the Way for all sinners to overcome the terror of sin, and come back to God for life.
When Jesus came he described himself as "the Way". According to Psalm 36:8,9 those who love God feast on the abundance of his house, for God gives them drink from his river of delights, for with Him is the fountain of life; in His light we all see light. Similarly King David says in Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." So God King David believed in, the God who sent Jesus the Savior is the source of salvation. He is the creator of life, and the sustainer of life.
Yet, as Romans 3:23 states, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” They all came to live like flowers cut from the root. But thank God. In order to restore lost souls back to God, He sent His one and only Son Jesus and thereby provided us with "the Way" for all lost souls to have all of their sins forgiven, and live in His presence for good. Speaking of this blessed transaction the Apostle Paul began to speak about the [salvation] through faith in Christ Jesus. (Read John 3:16; 14:6)
Specifically how does the faith in Jesus Christ save the one who believes? How does the faith work?
On three accounts faith helps the believer to earn perfect scores before God: righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come.
Righteousness refers to a righteous standing (or position) before God. No sinners can live in the presence of the holy God. God is so holy that he has to punish, destroy, and thereby remove from his presence any hint of evil. This is why upon sinning, God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden. He denied them access to it. But through faith in Jesus, the Son, who died for the sins of the world, can all believers regain the righteous standing before God. By faith in the Son they regain the access to God’s presence. This is truly the good news of good news.
Faith in Christ (or Savior) Jesus also enables a believer to earn perfect scores on the account of self-control. Self control is not just a matter of controlling weight or getting in shape. While the righteousness takes care of our position before God, self-control goes to getting one’s self healed up inside out, perform before God and thereby bear good fruit and render glory to God. In the Bible we see tons of examples showing that faith produces performance all to God’s glory. Through faith in the Lord, Jesus’ disciples received healings from their innermost beings. By faith in Jesus they overcame the world, and preached the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Of all the powerful examples gaining self-control through faith in the Lord, the example of the Apostle Paul stands as supreme. While he tried to do what is right, he could not do what he wanted to do; rather he ended up doing what he did not want to do. Despite his super human efforts to be good, he ended up becoming a wounding machine, all against his will. But by God’s grace, he met Jesus, the author of faith. By faith in Jesus he came to live as an ambassador of God’s love bearing good fruit all over the world. He received so much grace from Jesus that he said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Further in Ephesians 3:20 he states, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen! Eph 3:20-21
Again, faith in Jesus empowers man to fulfill God’s purpose of creation, that is, to rule over the creation, be fruitful, and grow in number. Genesis 1:26-28
Next, faith in Christ Jesus insulates (or protects) a believer from getting exposed to the judgment of the wicked, but rather qualifies him to participate in the resurrection of the righteous. There are two categories of resurrections: the resurrection of the righteous (or believer) and the resurrection of the wicked (or unbeliever). Speaking of the two resurrections, Daniel says, "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." in Daniel 12:2 In the same way, in Revelation 20:11-15, the Apostle John saw two categories of people rising: the righteous and the dead. Let us read this passage. Here, John mentions 'books' and 'the book of life'.
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:15
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
If your name is written in the book or books mentioned in v. 12, you are in a big trouble. If your name is found written in the book of life, blessed are you!
But what makes the difference? Faith in Christ Jesus makes the difference, not your own merits but the merit of Jesus. This is why we say salvation is by His grace, not by mans' work. We do not earn our salvation through human efforts. All human efforts, isms, philosophies, ideas, religions that attempt to reach God and be like God, and thereby get saved without going through Christ Jesus, will prove unfulfilling. They are all fakes; they will all turn out to be unavailing, as far as salvation goes.
Part III. Poor Felix rejected the Rich Gospel (25b-27)
Felix had the golden chance to be saved for in God's mercy God went extra miles, all the way to set up a Bible study appointment between him and the Apostle Paul, the best possible Bible teacher he could get. But how did he respond to the message?
Let us read verses 25-27.
Most likely Felix who was well acquainted with the Way, was afraid [or KJV 'trembled'] of the judgment to come. It is interesting to note that a judge is afraid of judgment. In fact this is what happens to every one who does not believe in Jesus. How can we overcome the fear of judgment (or condemnation)?
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 In addition, we are told that there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1Jo 4:18) Felix was yet to be made perfect in love. He could have reached the perfection in love, through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith is a choice, just as love is a choice.
What did Felix choose? Again, look at v. 25b. "Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." He chose not to believe. He said, "When I find it convenient, I will send for you." But he never found any time convenient for making the decision to believe. Of course he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him, NOT to listen to the gospel of salvation, but hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. Paul could have offered a bribe, but Paul never did. Paul knew that money does not save man. After all Felix had lots of money. Felix believed in money. He did not believe in Christ Jesus. The Bible is correct in saying, "You cannot serve both God and money."
V. 27 adds an interesting note: "Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, [so] he left Paul in prison [for two years]!" He stood on the side of the Jews who rejected Paul who stood on the side of the gospel! Why did Felix stand on the side of the Jews who opposed Pau's message of salvation? Popularity! He wanted to gain popularity among the unbelieving Jews, and he did this out of his self-seeking desire. For his job security, he locked up Paul for two long years.
For two long years, so to speak he held on his hand "three" cards: "love of money", "love of self", and "love of Jesus". But eventually he discarded the love of Jesus, the Way of salvation. Festus replaced him. He had no more chance to have the fellowship with the Apostle Paul, the best Bible teacher he could get.
In conclusion, let us read the key verse. Even today we are prompted to make a decision of faith. What keeps us from making a decision of faith and following Jesus? What makes you to live like Felix, rather than like the Apostle Paul? On whose side are you standing? And why are you standing on the side you are on and with what consequences?
One word: the judgment to come