Trembling Like Felix (Acts 24:25)

Introduction

I want to look briefly as we begin this morning at a biblical character that we know just little about in the text. His name is Felix. He was a Roman procurator or official whose reign and tenure in Judea lasted about seven years. He was unqualified for the job, history attests. His brother had the ear of the Emperor Claudius, and thus he received the appointment. He was an unscrupulous ruler. Feuds and disturbances characterized his time, and he was known to put down such conflict with great severity. He was married three times. One of his wives is mentioned in the text, Drusilla. It is reported that she died in the destruction of Vesuvius, the volcano, along with Pliny the Elder, those being the two most notable casualties that were reported.

He felt he was above the law. He considered himself incapable of committing a crime, and because he controlled the courts, really could get away with almost anything. But he was in somewhat of a pickle. In the story that we read about in Acts chapter 24, because there were some notable Jews that he would like to have appeased, but at the same time, their charges that he knew were trumped up were brought against a Roman citizen. So he had to be very careful in his dealings with the apostle Paul. Some days later, Acts 24 and verse 24, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. We could spend the rest of our time talking about just that phrase.

Faith in Christ Jesus. The necessary response of everyone of accountable age in our audience today, our trust and confidence that Jesus was who and what he claimed that he was the Christ. He was the promised Messiah. And that your trust in him and his will for you means absolutely everything. And as he spoke about the faith in Christ Jesus, and as he was discussing righteousness, self control, and the judgment to come. Felix trembled. Felix became frightened and said, Go away for the present. And when I find time, I will summon you. At the same time, too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul. Therefore, he also used to sin for him quite often and converse with him. Man, I would like to have been the fly on the wall for those discussions.

1. An Honest Evaluation of His Spiritual Condition

But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. I want to make three observations right at the beginning about these verses that would be worthy of the rest of our time and worthy of your consideration, and if you considered them carefully, and beyond just these moments as we spoke of them, this sermon would be a success. That’s how important I think they are. Point number one. I can admire this about Felix. First, there was an honest evaluation of his spiritual condition. He would not have responded to Paul’s message about faith in Christ and Jesus the way he did, unless he had not honestly evaluated where he stood. If only we could get people to honestly evaluate where they are in relation to the things that relate to Christ.

2. He Silenced His Conscience

But here’s the problem, and this is so often the problem. Despite the obvious conviction that he had in regard to the message, he sent Paul away. He silenced his conscience that was telling him that action was necessary for the saving of his soul. And so often people walk away from the moment of conviction and do nothing and silence how they felt in that moment because that means. Because of the nature of the response that is necessary in order to please God. Don’t silence that moment. And three, he failed to weigh immediate concerns against ultimate concerns. Because if he had weighed the ultimate concerns of which Paul spoke against his immediate situation and circumstances, he would have logically concluded that he should respond favorably to the instruction that Paul had given.

3. He Failed to Weigh Immediate Against Ultimate Concerns

But so often it is the immediate concerns. What accepting this message means in my circumstances that is so often the huge hurdle and obstacle that keeps people from responding to their soul salvation? What is it with you, perhaps that you’re not willing to give up? What does submitting to Jesus mean in your circumstances that might cause you to say, not right now. Maybe someday when I have older grown, as the song goes, time enough yet. Lost, loss. Oh, what a cry from souls along the shore. Was Felix one of those souls who had the momentous opportunity to hear the greatest message that’s ever been told, the message of love from the great apostle Paul, and to send it away. Never to embrace it. Again, these three thoughts are worthy of our consideration.

4. Tremble Over the Judgment to Come

But I do want to focus on that intriguing aspect of the story. When he heard Paul preach about those things, it says he became very frightened. He trembled.

And in fact, I did a research of that Greek word and found the half a dozen times that has used this word in Acts 24, is actually used more frequently to simply speak of fear. But regardless, the point is the same. I had then leave, were you there? Because I love that baseball. Where we sing tremble three times. But how long has it been? Since when we contemplated the seriousness of the message of Jesus and what was sacrificed for us, that we tremble. Are we working out our salvation with fear and trembling? I just wish sometimes we would get more people to tremble at the story. Like Felix said. But even then, his response was not adequate to what he heard. What made him tremble? Perhaps there’s someone here today who needs to tremble like Felix.

To shudder. To maybe even literally shake. Shake in your boots, we say. Over the prospect of the judgment to come.

That’s the third thing that’s listed, but they’re all interrelated. But I wanted to go here first. Why tremble? Why be frightened unless you believe the prospect of being on the wrong side of the judgment of God, and then that’s in play for you. If that’s the case for any one of us here today, if it could well be that we find ourselves on the wrong side of the judgment of God, if that’s in play for you, then you would be advised to tremble as Felix did, and then not silence your conscience as he did, but to tremble over the prospect of that. Again, if we can just get more people to tremble. The sobering words of 2 Thessalonians 1 come to bind here about this judgment that’s coming.

I think it is interesting to note that Paul, in writing 2 Thessalonians, is writing to the church in Thessalonica who apparently are being afflicted for their faith. I don’t know what all that involved, but it doesn’t sound pleasant. And he said, There is relief that is coming. Now, unfortunately for them, the relief that he talks about has not yet occurred, but it is coming. A day in which the angels will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, there’s so much there. Whatever we might say about how faith saves, there Paul talks about an obedient response to the gospel, and those who do not obey the gospel will receive this fiery indignation of wrath that comes from God.

This vengeance will be meted out to those who do not know him, who have not come to know him intimately, and his desires for them, and who do not obey him. And they will deal out retribution on that day. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction. How horrible. Away from the presence of the Lord. How horrible. And the glory of his power. How horrible. But he will be glorified in his saints. Yes, the afflicted. Now afflicted, but he will be glorified in his saints on that day and marvel at among all who believed. Life’s inescapable. Conclusion. The judgment of God. Felix knew it. Do you? He was terrified. Are you? A judgment based on righteousness. That’s the first thing that’s listed in the verse.

5. Righteousness: There's a Standard

When Paul spoke to Felix about faith in Jesus Christ, he spoke to him about righteousness. That is, there’s a standard. He points to a standard of conduct to which the Savior calls us, the things that are right. Too often, men make a declaration about such things and say, they are not right. God’s ways are not right. In fact, we’re about to study that on one night of our 13th lesson study in Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 33, when they say, It’s the Lord’s ways that are not right. That is so often, I don’t know if they actually verbalize those words. I mean, can you hear yourself saying that? Lord, your ways are not right. I would not verbalize those words to God. But apparently that was in essence what they were saying.

God’s not done right here. God always does right. All his ways are right, all his words are right, and we will judge on the basis of those right words. The right ways that are in Christ.

God linked that, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. That is to line up with the standard of righteousness. Commands all men everywhere to repent, and he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world. You know what follows, right? In righteousness. On the basis of this standard.

He was the one who was raised from the dead, having furnished proof to all men and raising them from the dead. And what is interesting about that occasion in Acts 17, as some did what Felix did, said, Go thy way. We’ll hear you again concerning this matter. But some belief. It says in Acts 17.

God expects a serious attempt in achieving his righteous standard. He understands we will not do that completely perfect. We’ve talked about that many times. Or completely perfectly. But unless your righteousness succeeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. I mean, you’re going to have to give it a more serious attempt than those first century covenant people that we’ve had so much discussion about in our Sunday morning class. You’re going to have to give it a stronger, more diligent attempt than they have, or you will not inherit. And that’s an interesting word. I noticed it in John’s reading in 1 Corinthians 6 two times, inheriting the kingdom. I think the sermon has to come from that very soon.

6. Self-Control: The Nuts and Bolts of His Terror

But here’s the thing. As we talk about the judgment to God, I want to spend the rest of our time here. As we talk about the judgment of God that is coming, that is unavoidable, and the standard by which we will be judged, a very real standard to which God calls us and expects effort toward, and that is the practicing of what is right in our lives in order to achieve that standard. That’s where the second word in Acts 24 and verse 25 comes in. He spoke to Felix about self-control. Felix was frightened because he knew that he was not exercising the kind of control of self that involves repentance, I might say. The kind of control of a self that brings one to the righteous standard by which one is going to be judged.

Here is the nuts and bolts of his terror. Self-control.

Felix must have seen his behavior as not in conformity. But I’ll tell you what Felix also saw. That is, he had a lot to lose.

You see, the potential for loss is always something that becomes the consideration. If I choose the Lord’s ways, then that means this. And there’s a potential for loss. Here’s the thing. What Felix cared so much about his position, his power, his place of rule. He only lasts two more years. Two years. That’s it. Two years goes by like that. Have you ever noticed? Some of these kids, they’ve grown up so fast, they’re going, our babies are going to college. Two years. He’s done. In fact, if it were not for his brother, he might have been executed back in Rome. Did I say he wasn’t a very good ruler? Yes. This position that he had. And by the way, Pilate lasted roughly a dozen years. He just happened to be the unfortunate fellow that got stuck with having to rule about Jesus.

But he was only in power for about a dozen years. It’s not that long. People think, I’ve got to hold on to this. Let’s ask the rich young ruler about his decision to not choose the ways of the Lord because he went away sorrowful, having much possession. How do you feel about those possessions now? How do you feel about those possessions even 40 years from then? There is so much more to be gained. I’ll never forget Tom talking about this as the people were standing there at the Red Sea saying, why’d you bring us out here to die in the wilderness as they were so often doing? Things would have been so much better. Just let us go back and serve the Egyptians. So often, I noticed Tom said their people reason from what they have to lose rather than what they have to gain.

As did Felix. Listen to this. Whatever we must lose to choose the Lord, whatever it is. Whatever it is that might cause you to do what Felix did and silence the conscience and to walk away from the message of salvation and not embrace it and turn so that you might live. Whatever it is that you must lose in choosing the Lord will more than adequately be compensated. More than adequately. I promise you. And I can give you one verse to prove it. He who confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. Boom. That’s the only one you need. You get Jesus to confess you before the Father, you win. Period.

He who denies me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. You lose. No matter what you held on to. No matter what you weren’t willing to surrender in order to serve the Lord. Let me tell you where the sermon came from. I hadn’t got there yet.

Had the occasion to drive all the way to Lindale and play around the golf last week. Boy, was that crazy. 200 miles coming and going to play. Oh, we played 27 holes. Who made it worth our while? But I went with Brent Moody. And I don’t know if you know Brent, preachers at Climb, but he’s a talker. I guess I am too, but he’s more of a talker than I am. And so I gotta tell you what we did for the 200 miles coming and going. We talked and we talked and we talked and we talked. And one of the things we talked about was some marriage scenarios. And I’m just going to throw this out there. This is a Mary scenario, and I’m not really giving the answer here, but we talked about what if immorality takes place and one mate is putting away the offending mate for immorality.

And prior to the divorce occurring, this innocent party begins a relationship and commits adultery. Have they forfeited their right to put away it? And so we debated that for a little while, and one of the thoughts was that this person is still putting away, this marriage is still ending because of the immorality, and therefore there’s still a putting away for immorality, and perhaps they’re free. And my question about that, even if that’s your argumentation, my question and concern about that is, but could you be sure? And I would want to be sure if it was me. But perhaps you would still be put, maybe this marriage is still ending because of immorality. Perhaps you could still do that scripturally before God. Though in the process of this divorce, you have been unfaithful yourself, in a sense, by committing adultery.

But that’s not what I’m talking about. Okay, you think about that and get back with me on the answer. Okay, but here’s what I want to talk about. What’s that person doing? That’s what I want to talk about. Why are we so quick to commit adultery ourselves with someone else? What’s going on here? Couldn’t we wait a couple of months? That’s my question. And that gets to the point that I want to talk about. That is that every show nearly that talks about a relationship occurring, we’ve got fornication happening on the first day. Have you noticed that on television? It’s like we can’t restrain ourselves. First day, oh, there’s some there’s some connection here. Well, we’ve got to consummate the connection, right? First day, first night.

Maybe it’s because TV seasons only last 20 episodes, and they’ve got to get right to the heart of it right away. I don’t know. But I wonder if our society. That’s just a mirror of our society. Everything’s a hookup. It’s hard for our young people to date in this culture because of that kind of pressure. Sorry. Wasn’t that way when I was a kid? I know it’s hard. Child. But here’s the thing. We had better be learning to exercise self-control.

I was involved in another debate this week about gambling. Which is probably one of the better discussions that I’ve ever been involved in, I threw in a two cents about it. Probably one of the better discussions on the subject I’d ever heard. Made me think of some things. It’s hard to reason everything consistently from beginning to end. There’s some things about gambling, about wagering that kind of gambling. Because you know, the point always gets made, well, all of life is a gamble. And it is. But there’s something about games of wagering and chance that I really believe the Christian needs to think twice about involving him or herself in, and how those are unique from other forms of gamble and risk in life. But that’s again a sermon for another time.

But I just thought of something in the midst of this discussion, in the midst of so many other discussions about morality, and people say, Well, I don’t believe it’s wrong to take a single drink. Well, in that regard, let me just tell you, let me just warn you. The judgment of God may not be so favorable with that. But if you can somehow argue that taking a single glass of wine with dinner is okay, and people will argue that. And when it comes to all that kind of behavior, again, my question is, can we not exercise some self-control? Because these behaviors inevitably lead to violations of the righteousness of God. Always.

Might should cause us to tremble. How are we doing? In the exercise of self-control. Because the judgment of God comes upon the disobedient. Are we seriously pursuing God’s righteousness for our lives? And if not, maybe we need to tremble. Like Video.

Conclusion

We have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, because the people of God let us serve acceptably with reverence and all. Because there is a terrifying expectation of judgment. If we go on sinning willfully after receiving a knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. How much severe punishment do you think he will receive? Who is considered unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified and has insulted the spirit of grace? It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Are you ready for the last great thing? Let’s stand and sing.