Tag: Acts 24:24-27
Mixed motives, opportunity missed!
Scripture reading for June 6: Acts 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. 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.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. . “ Acts 24:24-27
Paul was kept in the jail at Caesarea under Roman governors. Felix, the current governor, had a good understanding of the “Way”, or the early church. God had been working on him through other witnesses and now would send him Paul to more accurately share the Gospel message. As Felix and his wife sent for Paul, they received a strong Gospel message and a reasoned message about righteousness and self-control and God’s coming judgment of all men. This message brought alarm to Felix and he sent Paul away, limiting the conviction of his own sinful life view.
But Felix was captivated with a fleshly world view. He loved money and looked at Paul as a source of possible bribes. He possibly thought the Jews might also bring him money to keep Paul in custody. He sent for him and conversed with him for about two full years. God’s patience was on display and Felix and his wife were given great grace. But time passes and so does opportunity to hear the Good News and be saved. Another leader replaced them and another mission field was opened.
Did God give you a season or special opportunity through someone he sent to minister the Gospel to you? Did you respond to the opportunity or did you have mixed motives and miss the opportunity? Do you seize every opportunity to share about righteousness, self control and coming judgment?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending several persons to offer me the Gospel message and receive salvation. Thank You for granting me repentance leading to eternal life. Use me in whatever circumstances You desire to give others the opportunity to find salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Alarming the judge!
Scripture reading for May 17th: 1st Chronicles 14-16, Acts 24
Acts 24:24-27 “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. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”
God’s ways are often beyond our ways! In this chapter of Acts, Paul was taken down to Ceasarea and placed in custody that lasted over two years. He had been told by Jesus that he would testify in Rome, but the journey took longer than he probably anticipated. Paul did testify before Felix and his Jewish wife about Jesus, righteousness and the coming judgment. As Paul talked, Felix was alarmed! The conviction of the Holy Spirit was resisted and Paul was sent away. But other opportunities to testify came regularly for Paul. Felix had a motive of obtaining a bribe. The love of money is a root of evil and unbelief. God used Paul to accomplish His purposes in His time and provided for him and protected him!
2nd Chronicles 16:21-24 “. . He (God) allowed no one to oppress them (Israel); He rebuked kings on their account, saying, “Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm!” Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your plans and purposes! I am sometimes concerned by how slowly Your plans unfold and I get impatient. Help me to patiently preach and teach Your Word and the Gospel to all You bring in my path and to leave the timing to You. Thank You for Your provision and protection! I declare Your glory among the nations and Your marvelous works of salvation day after day!
2nd Chronicles 16:36 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.”
Alarmed but no repentance
Scripture reading for May 7th: Acts 24
Key Scriptures: Acts 24:24-27 “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. 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.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”
For two years, Paul was under house arrest in Caesarea, the Roman government center of Israel and safe from the murderous Jews. There he had opportunity to share Jesus with guards and the head of the Roman government, Felix and his Jewish wife. Paul shared the Gospel message and warned them of God’s judgment on sin and His requirement and provision for righteousness through faith in Jesus. This alarmed Felix and he sent Paul away for a time. He kept calling him back, under the guise of hearing more but all he really wanted was a bribe of money. Hard soil finds no room for the Word of God and love of money is a snare of the soul. God’s mercy waits a long time that repentance will break the hardness.
Mark 4:3-4 “”Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to remember that Your timing is not always mine. Help me to patiently sow Your Word and water it with prayer, seeking You for repentance and a harvest.
1st Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Declare His salvation day to day!
Scripture reading for May 15th: 1st Chronicles 14-16, Acts 24
Key Scriptures: Acts 24:24-27 “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. 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.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”
Paul was always sharing the Gospel. God put Paul in prison but the Gospel went forth, even to the Roman official in charge of him. As Paul shared, reasoning with Felix and his wife, about the coming judgment, they fell under conviction and became uncomfortable. Their real motive for talking with Paul was to obtain a bribe, not to listen to him preach! But God left Paul there for two years, for more opportunities to share with those He wanted to hear. Paul must be faithful and trust God for His plans to be worked out.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes it is hard to understand Your timing and my need for faith and patience and faithfulness in a hard field You put us in. Fill me daily with Your Holy Spirit and joy and give me grace and patience to share with those whose motives may be contrary.
1st Chronicles 16:23-24 “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!”