How the Gospel Moves You Beyond Procrastination
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Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Procrastination is my sin. It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it. In fact, I will… tomorrow. ^° % Gloria Pitzer has written this clever little poem:
Intro: First Order Things, Second, thrid, fourth order things. Game of backgemon - wining battle …
Intro: First Order Things, Second, thrid, fourth order things. Game of backgammon - wining battle …
The Gospel of Jesus is not something we can triffle with. When it comes and when we present it through our lives and witness - not to be dabbling in “spiritual or eternal questions” - that can be left to more convient time, nor are we to be sided-tracked by all sorts of implications of the gospel - churchy ceremnonies, rituals, , or the the plitical implications of the gopsel, or even its moral imoplications. All have a part but not the bulls eye - periphphial that will never call people to come to Christ, as Saviour and as Lord!
Key Truth: Neither politics, culture, nor our own comfort, should dull the urgency of the gospel with people we witness
with people we witness
While God’s Word speaks to issues political and moral,
A. While God’s Word speaks to issues political and moral,
A. The Heart of the Gospel is not political or moral, but spiritual
Do you ever notice that when you start to talk religion - very quickly lumped into radical political group - Conspiracy of Evangelical Christians with Donald Trump - narrow mindedly wreck the world! Do you ever notice how it is easier to talk to people about Kathleen Wynne Liberal Government or Doug Ford than it is about your faith in Jesus?
It wasn’t only the Apostle Paul who faced a similar threat to his witness - to have it bent in oplitical direction. It was also the whole early church - constantly presented by Rome as being against Caesar and order and peace, and by Jewish Leadership as apostasizing from OT faith .
But while at times that may be a great entry point to present the clams of Jeuss, more often it is how our witness gets derailed from presenting the Person and work and our reltionship with Christ, , and then dismissed as mere politics, or radical fanatical ...
But Luke writes both his gopsel and his history of Jesus Acts from haven, of the Spirits works through us, in order to show that Christainity isn’t against Rome. SO important to him, as finishess book , though Clauidus Emperor when Felix made governor, Now as Paul 2 years later will going to Rome - it’s Nero - made sense as Sencae his tutor, model - Rome no threat to Christianity. But pretty soon Nero is going to lose it - intense persecutions - Paul is estanblishing Christniaty not a threat to good order! As Christain citizen s we will press the claims of Christ , but te church is not against good order and for it!
It is interesting that like with Christ in these pre-trial and now upcoming three trial scenes, Lycius by Sanhedrin, now Festus with a fe of High Priest friends, then Festus and finally Agrippa - that like Jesus - Paul is declared innocent by these judges:
Only official Roman letter in NT just before our text from that chiliarch Claudius Lycius - bends the facts to protect himself, but his conclusion is:
I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
Paul himself declares he has done nothing against God or against Jews or Romans, lvies conscientiously before them. Paul when he realized he had rebuked the high priest in dimly lit chamber - he apologizes and repents - respecting God-ordained authority even when occupied by ungdoly man. , - obey God appoitned authority - call it to really be a servant for good,
But not free to ignore or work against the government - just because qa leader is a bad leader.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
So too here though not with the same flattery, Paul in hthis trial, gives the typical legal greeting before a judge - I recnognize and acknwledge - been governor for many years. Do you get the point - the Gospel is not some opinion about politics or just amoral crusade for certain values!
The main Jewish charge is a political one, just as it was with Jesus - ie Other King. Listen these Jewish leaders part of the Sanhedirn, so worried to to stop Christians from disturbing their status quo, hire a a Greek named and speaking lawyer, Tertulus to represent them to Felix. He presents their main charge to the Roman Governor of Judea.
For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
How would you respond to being called a PEST< A PLAGUE , aring leader - as if Paul had replaced Jesus as the Nazarene. So interestin ghta that didn’t happen like all the other revultionary , zealot groups, always appionted a successor. But Chrsitainty not a pltiical movment, leader not dead.
Even when they lay the charge that is tricky to prove, not that he defiled the temple, but that he attempted to. The Sanhedrin is making a plitical claim:
He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.
And if you read the v.7 tht some manuscripts have in the footnote in our ESV - see the focus is on the Jews rightfully seizing Paul on their terf. Big claim Caeasar in Rome gave the Jews the right to be in charge of their own temple, even kill a Gentiel overstepping bounds. And they are claiming plticially this rebel rouser, should be returned to our jusrisdiction - so we can deal with him.
B. But look at Paul’s gospel-focused reply.
He says only there for 12 days - 3 of those in custody. No were was I disputing, or stirring up a crowd - anywhere, in temple in synagogues, or in the city. Remarkable claim - Paul who single handedly went to the heart Athens - came to Jerusalem knowing all the rumours, plitical strife - and he keeps his mouth shut here in that way. He chose to quietly meet with church, , he left Greek speaking behind, he assured Jews Christianty isn’t end of him being a Jew or aphrisee but fullifliment - even agrees to pay a purification right, goes to temple.
Why does Paul restrain himsel fin Jerusalem, it is for the sake of that Christain church in Jersuaelm - give no undo cause for disrespect or reproach.
Paul a well trained Roman citizen appeals to principlae of Roman Law, influence our ssytem too. You have a right to stand before your accussers, it was the Asiatic Jews, from EPhesus - stirred up all the trouble, and if they have a claim that defiling the temple, borught. Trophomius in, they should be here theye are not.
And the Sanhedrin - completely unable to establish a legal charge against Paul, and Claudius Lysicus concluded.
And the Sanhedrin - completely unable to establish a legal charge against Paul, and Claudius Lysicus concluded.
So now politically this Governor Felix has quite problem on his hands. Felix already brutally put down several nationalistic Jewish revolts, crucified the ring leaders.
But knows Roman citizen done nothing wrong, already arrested without charges, ought to let go , , but ruling this land, he must also keep the public happy, see at the end of the chapter keep in jail , as a favour to the Jews.
But it is what happens in the middle of the trial that is most surprising. Paul answers the three charges -
B. Give a hope-filled, gospel reply to moral & political questions.
In addition to defending against the 3 charges, Paul volunteers two things that he says must be at the heart of this witness - and they actually put his accusers and his judge on trial: Look at it
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
In a sense, this is like what Paul did in Athens. Do you remember : you know God as Creator and Provider - -I know that God too, Unknown God but now He has come into this World in His Son Jesus Christ, By His resurrection - new salvation at lose in this world - you can take hold of it.
Paul says - the God that he used to know only from the Law and Propehts, the God the Jews should know form their - that God who said send a Messiah and He will bring a resurrection- well that is the Way - completely predicted, and sketched out in the OT - IN Jesus Christ - THE WAY, what both Jews and Gentiles now calling the Nazarenes. And Felix knew what he was talking about, spread so far East, more numerous than the Ph or Sadducee party now. And Paul says, that’s because it isn’t a sect or little political religious group - it is the WAY Of God - that Abraham and faith … but now fulfilled in Christ.
Paul says - the God that he used to kno wonly fom the Law and Propehts, the God the Jews shoudl knw form their - that God who said send a Messiah and He will bring a resurrection- well that is the Way - completely predi ted, and sketched out in the OT - IN Jesus Christ - THE WAY, what both Jews and Gentiles now calling the Nazarenes. And Felix knew what he was talkingabout, spread so far East, more numerous than the Ph or Saducee party now. And Paul says, that’s because it isn’t a sect or little pltoical relkgioua group - it is the WAY Of God - taht Abrhaam anad faith … but now fulfilled in Christ.
THIS IS The Ultimate Hope , Hope of Israel and the world. Not only that God would send Messiah, but that He would bring Resurrection. No wonder in his short remarks - he says not only clear conscience , but cheerfully make a defense. Christ resurrection , My Risen Savior is the proof and the goal and the seed of resurrection you need. Christi’s resurrection is the proof of God accepting sacrifice for forgiveness of sin, its the proof of Real Life of Jesus by His Holy Spirit shared with you. It ‘s the only guarantee of of life, instead of eternal death and punishment after your physical death here. Surely, we can testify of that good news!
Paul then concludes saying, that’s why I was in Jerusalem , I was worshiping , but even more I was bringing real help - alms, What Paul in
calls an offering to God. Well pleasing - from the Gentile show they are thankful to be ingrafted in vine of Israel, For Jewish believers to knowledge work of grace help them - UNITY
So often rabbit trails lea us away from actually speaking about Jesus and simply showing that our good works - joyful response to what he is doing n his church in people’s lives!
I wonder if next time you are side tracked - just poltics, anrrow minded rules - to speak of your hope in Jesus, to point to good work Jesus starts working for others good in them.. That’s not bragging or holier than thou … that’s Jesus sayingin
people will notice your good works - sacrificial love, real compassion, and they will PRAISE YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
They will see your hope - - ask what reason do you have to think that foriven, clear consicence, - that after you die heaven! That more importnat than Nero being King, or FElix being governeor, or Agrippa … Jesus is really King of Kings and his laws his promises his kingdom is what matters most!
And that brings us to the the final point of why we must not
C. Let nothing dull the urgency of our witness to Christ!
And here I don’t want you to misunderstand me. Just like when I say saved to serve, doesn’t mean - if you are not serving every where you are a bad Christian. So too with witnessing - I am not saying unless you are walking around with a sandwich board everywhere - that's says Flee from the Wrath to Come, Unless you are bringing sin and repentance and God’s justice and heaven and hell into every single conversation you’ve betrayed the urgency of the gospel. No, even Paul in this stage of life unable to freely go around. Just like your duties before God, each a little different no ne all of them -, so too with our witness, got near neighbours family, close neighbour live beside you, got bro and sisters in this church, workplace of work, 3rd places like sports team, hangout , curling club, cards in your apartment…
Be faithful in TALK BUT ALSO YOUR WALK to represent Christ, and like with Paul, situations will come When they ASK.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Know some of you like me, family member's feel responsible for, may even walk around with guilt - but urgency is’t sharing it no stop until they are so annoyed they avoid you. An urgency is when you have opportunity to authentically - from the heart speak of life, your God, and His ways, and Christ. Learn from Paul how it happened with Fleix, And learn from Felix why this kind of witness is so important!
Learn from Paul how it happened with Fleix, And learn from Felix why this kind of witness is so important!
Felix, like Lycusis, knows there is no case here, and yet he knows it will cause more trouble to him if he were to let Paul go with the Sanhedrin breathing down his throat. So he has liberty in something like house arrest. His 7 friends had accompanied him to Jerusalem with that gift with him. Including Luke, probably catching up in writing this book. Never think lack of opportunity, or bad circumstances not used by God.
But then it happens, one day there is a knock on his comfy prison door, Your are to appear before Felix.. but not the judgment hall, private quarter and there is the famous Drucilla. Wow, rumored beauty was true.here was a fiercely Jewish princess - engaged to royalty before 16 but she broke it off when that Syrian prince refused to become a proelytete Jew. And then she married another Middle Eastern prince. But wow - look who she is with now. This Felix, the guy who like his brother born a slave. Brother worked for wife of Emperor Claudius, made a freeman and actually ruled the civil service of Rome.
And Felix in 52AD made Governor - On his third wife , and he had seduced, some say with the help a magician this twenty year old beauty from her second husband. Like a soap-opera The Young and the Restless. And they know a bit about this Way - they know his testimony was all about JESUS. And they’re friendly! Tell us about your faith in Jesus!
And what woud you say? Born, Died, Rose Again Believe - that and pray this prayer - and you got heaven? And they are like don’t really get it, but promise me heaven OK I’ll ask Jesus into my heart. Done. Would you tone down the gospel as if its’ not a change of life? Think of Paul’s opportunity - could use their friendliness to tone down gospel and use this time to plead his case -to show how false charges are, how in the right he is. But his love for them and their well-being trumps all that. Does it for you and me? NO look what Paul does:
NO look what Paul does:
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.”
Understand something here. Would you believe in Jesus, would you follow God’s Son and trust him, if there were no heaven? If you got no eternal reward? The point isn’t just to get heaven, to get a reward, I would follow Jesus because of who He is and because His way is of ultimate love, it is right and good I turn to Him because what He does give same eternal life in my soul now,… and so glad in my body and this whole earth renewed too.
Paul’s goal is that, these two who many would scorn, but he doesn’t same cheerfulness - he pulls no punches but speaks the gospel right were these two particular people have particular need for it. It is not just gospel but also the law - no one becomes a Christian without the Word and the Holy Spirit working together - convincing them of their need for Jesus, for forgiveness, for a righteousness not there own. Paul speak not only of self-control that Felix didn’t have but Christ by gospel embraced brings - new power to live new life - He also speaks of the judgment to come - Reality of hell and suffering after this life, that is worst than any suffering ever seen here.
Neighbour said to me - That experience Put the fear of God into me - people need wake up calls - Paul urgently gives one. But so interesting that just like this in the rare time Paul speak of the resurrection of the wicked , the focus of Paul’s talk on resurrection everywhere else is on the resurrection of the righteous not to eternal death but eternal life, to felicity - which is what Felix name means, and what he promised Drucila.. Paul says everywhere that judgment day can be a wonderful day, - he looks forward to it, not because perfect , but in Christ - condemnation of every sin happened on Cross, penalty of death expired only way out of the penalty box.
D. Ask & Pray for a Response to Jesus
But learn now from Felix’s response: why it is so urgent when we get opportunity to ask for a response. This could be as simple as asking: Well what do you think. Someone asked me that your church believe in Cremation - Conversation going - well what does your church believe, what do you believe!
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.”
As Paul spoke God awakened Felix’s conscience as He may someone you talk to. But awakened consciences that fail to make good their resolve to find peace with God discover that before they realize it, they have fallen even deeper into the mire of sin. Thinking that they can turn to God “at any time,” they discover that they are unable to do so. This Felix’s father-in law, Druscilla’s Father - Herod Agrippa I, boasted and God struck him down after he had killed.
Souls are lost by reason of procrastination. Awakened consciences that fail to make good their resolve to find peace with God discover that before they realize it, they have fallen even deeper into the mire of sin. Thinking that they can turn to God “at any time,” they discover that they are unable to do so. This Felix’s father-inlaw, Druscilla’s Father - Herod Agrippa I, boasted and God struck him down after he had killed.
The Bible speaks of a sorrow for sin that just ends in grief, when our family members feel it, when we are ourselves, we must push on to sorrow that leads to repentance, though I fall, I turn to Jesus my only hope!
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
From what we know Felix only had a mild spiritual interest about these things, and never turned to Jesus. He had the one who knew the law best and the eternal life in Christ best, but he closed up the gospel and stuffed in his pocket, probably until it was too late!
LIke Colonel Rahl in 1776 - put the note in his pocket, Ill finish my game of cards.
Procrastination results in loss of time and opportunity in earhtly things. But Souls are lost by reason of procrastination. Eternity is lost.
God may awaken your consience like he did FElix’s
The Bible speaks of a sorrow for sin that just ends in grief, when our family meembers feel it, when we are ourselves, must push on to sorrow that leads to repentnece, though I fall I turn to Jesus my only hope!
The Bible speaks of a sorrow for sin that just ends in grief, when our family meembers feel it, when we are ourselves, must push on to sorrow that leads to repentnece, though I fall I turn to Jesus my only hope!
Souls are lost by reason of procrastination. Awakened consciences that fail to make good their resolve to find peace with God discover that before they realize it, they have fallen even deeper into the mire of sin. Thinking that they can turn to God “at any time,” they discover that they are unable to do so. T
From what we know Felix only had amild spiritual interest aboutthese things, and never turned to Jesus. He had the one who knew the law best and the eternal life in Christ best, but he closed up the gospel and stuffed in his pocket, probablly until it was too late!
From what we know Felix only had amild spiritual interest aboutthese things, and never turned to Jesus. He had the one who knew the law best and the eternal life in Christ best, but he closed up the gospel and stuffed in his pocket, probablly until it was too late!
J. C. Ryle, in a book entitled Thoughts for Youn^ Men, warned the error of putting off consideration of the certainty of our death and future judgment:
J. C. Ryle, in a book entitled Thoughts for Youn^ Men, warned the error of putting off consideration of the certainty of our death and future judgment:
Do you think that you will have a more convenient time to think about these things? So thought Felix and the Athenians to whom Paul preached, but it never came. The road to hell is paved with such ideas. Better make sure to work while you can. Leave nothing unsettled that is eternal. Run no risk when your soul is at staked”” - J.C. Ryle
When opportunity comes we must warn against putting it off “for a more convenient season”. We need to ensure that we are in a right relationship with God. That “season” may never come. Our sinful hearts will always find something more important to focus come.
When we are able to apply the gospel to a person s life - the invitation should be there:
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
We just have a brief description of what Paul talked about, but when King Agrippa, comes and Paul concludes saying, I know you believe the Law and the prptoehts - make a choice to come to Jesus as King, and Agrippa would youpersuade me in so short a time to become a Christian!? Paul says:
And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
heed the advice of William Jay, the great preacher of Bath: ‘Bless God if you tremble at his word; but remember, conviction is not conversion. Depend not on excitement in religion, without principle. Pray that you may tremble to purpose. Let your fear induce you to flee for refuge, to lay hold of the hope set before you. Beware of losing your burden on the wrong side of the hill. Lay it down nowhere but at the feet of him who cries: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and leam of me; for I am meek and lowlv in b^ort • and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is Ught.”’”
Willia “As for you, heed the advice of William Jay, the great preacher of Bath: ‘Bless God if you tremble at his word; but remember, conviction is not conversion. Depend not on excitement in religion, without principle. Pray that you may tremble to purpose. Let your fear induce you to flee for refuge, to lay hold of the hope set before you. Beware of losing your burden on the wrong side of the hill. Lay it down nowhere but at the feet of him who cries: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and leam of me; for I am meek and lowlv in b^ort • and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is Ught.”’”
Heed the advice of William Jay, the great preacher of Bath:
‘Bless God if you tremble at his word; but remember, conviction is not conversion. Don’t depend on excitement in religion, without principle. Pray that you may tremble for purpose. Let your fear induce you to flee for refuge, to lay hold of the hope set before you. Beware of losing your burden on the wrong side of the hill. William Jay
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Lay it down nowhere but at the feet of him who cries:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
We are not just to present information, as enter lives - we are to guide and invite to respond! Have you ever prayer? Do you want to now? Read this for yourself, and let’s have coffee, why not come to church with us. Maybe you need to deal with that sin right-now. Hope of heaven lies open to you…
We are not just to present informatiion, as enter lives - we are to guide and invite to resppond! Have you ever prayer? Do you want to now? Read this for yourself, and let’s have coffee, whynot come to church with us. Maybe you need to deal with that sin rightnow. Hope of heaven lies open to you…
It is our great privilege when we speak of our hope of jesus, of resurrection, to ask and pray for not just conviction of our need, but for response of turning to this Jesus - died for our sins, who carried our suffering, who is raised up to make us right with God, lead us in eternal in an eternal kingdom!