Sermon Details
Refining Our Time For God-zh
Refining Our Time For God
Acts 24:24-27 (NIV)
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about 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.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
- “I’ll do that later, when I find the time. Right now, I’ve got too heavy of a schedule.”
- “As soon as the semester is over, I’ll find time for God.”
- “As soon as I get through the current pressured time at work, I’ll make time for God.”
- “As soon as the kids get into school, I’ll make time for God.”
- “When I’m older, after I’ve had some fun in life, then I’ll make time for God.”
1. We must seize present opportunities.
PAUL
- Prisoner, falsely charged
- 1 Corinthians 9:23
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
- Present the gospel, spoke the truth boldly
Acts 24:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come,
- make us think
- convicting our consciences
- leading to a rational decision to trust in Christ
- not just have an emotional impact
FELIX
- From slave to governor
- Convicted but chose to send Paul away with an excuse
- Ignored the gospel, in denial
- Get up and spend time with the Lord
Sack in and miss that opportunity
- Read some spiritually enriching Christian books
Be a couch potato
- Good steward
Squanderer
- Meet with other believers
Forsake assembling together
- Talk to a lost person about the Savior
Busy with less important things
- Is there something in you that stops you from seizing present opportunities to find time for God?
- Are we with Paul in seizing present opportunities for God or, with Felix in making up excuses and miss those opportunities?
2. We must deal with our sin.
PAUL
- Acts 24:16
16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
- Man of integrity
FELIX
- Acts 24:22
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings.
- Acts 24:25-26
25Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now!...hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe
- Man of Pride & Greed
- Worldly perspective:
- Don’t trouble yourself with God until you’re at death’s door
- Godly perspective:
- Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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