Lessons from Felix

1
Lessons from Felix

• Acts 2422-27

2
Felix, Governor of Judea

• Paul was accused before him
• More accurate knowledge, Acts 2422
• Delayed sentencing Paul, 2422,26-27
• Politically and personally convenient
• He his brother were former slaves
• With every kind of cruelty lust, he exercised
  the authority of a king with the temper of a
  slave. (Tacitus) Prov. 1910

3
Felix, Governor of Judea

• Drusilla, wife of Felix, Acts 2424
• Daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12)
• Sister of Herod Agrippa II Bernice (Acts 26)
• She is now about 20 years old
• Felix lured her away from her husband Azizus
  (king of Emesa)

4
Felix, Governor of Judea

• Felix means happy, fortunate
• He had an opportunity to truly be happy (in
  Christ)
• He rejected it for a more convenient time and
  happiness
• He died lost in his sins

5
Universal need of the gospel

• Felix Drusilla needed it, Acts 2424
• Everybody does, Mk. 1615 Col. 123
• Sin problem, Rom. 323 116 Ac 1730
• Reaction of Felix Drusilla was not prejudged by
  Paul, cf. Matt. 910-13

6
The gospel is reasonable

• Words of truth reason, Acts 2624-26
• Not devised by man, Isa. 558-9
• Wisdom power of God, 1 Cor. 118-25

7
Must reason from the gospel

• To persuade sinners, Acts 2425 2 Cor. 511
• From the scriptures, Acts 172-3
• Every opportunity, Acts 184
• Be ready, 1 Pet. 315

8
Address needs of audience

• Courage to speak, Eph. 619-20
• Souls are at stake, Acts 2020, 26-27
• Preacher, 1 Cor. 916
• All of us, Gal. 610
• Resistance comes, 2 Tim. 18

9
Address needs of audience

• Righteousness, Jno. 168-11
• Integrity, virtue, purity of life
• Exposed sin, Rom. 117-18
• Spoke of faith in Christ in order to obtain
  righteousness, Rom. 321-22

10
Address needs of audience

• Self-control, 1 Cor. 925
• The virtue of one who masters his
  desires and passions, esp. his sensual
  appetites. (Thayer, 167)
• With knowledge, we need self-control to do right
  thing, 2 Pet. 16 (Jas. 417)
• Repentance applied (Acts 2620)

11
Address needs of audience

• Judgment to come, Acts 1730-31
• We also face that day, Rom. 1412
• Fearful thing to be unprepared, Heb.
  1031

12
Gods truth terrifies sinners

• A point of decision that has eternal results,
  Acts 2425
• Thrown into fear (Thayer, 209)
• Fear leading to obedience, Acts 1035
• Fear leading to denial rejection of truthlost,
  John 319-21

13
Urgency of the gospel call

• Gospel invitation calls for action!
• If anyone has a need assumes
• Lost know they have a need
• Lost know what it is they need
• Lost know they need to do something
• Lost know what they need to do
• Lost do not need to be told what to do
• Lost do not need any persuasion to do what
  they should do to be saved

14
Urgency of the gospel call

• Convenience is sought by those who are unwilling
  to put God first in their lives,
  Matthew 418-22
• Opportune, a personal
  advantage, Acts 2426
• Following Jesus will
  always take sacrifice,
  2 Cor. 62 Luke 1425-27
• Delay hardens heart, Acts 2426-27

15
Lessons from Felix

• Will we learn them?
• Gospel is universalAll need it
• Gospel is reasonableReason with it
• Courageously speak what people need
• Truth should terrify the lost
• Urgency of the gospelObey now!