LISTEN AND CALL ON HIS NAME!
LISTEN AND CALL ON HIS NAME!
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. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. —Acts 24:5-6
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. —Acts 24:24-27
Paul spent much time seeking to impact the Jewish community. His strategy seemed to be to go to the Synagogue in any town first and share the message about Jesus. If they did not receive the message, then he would leave for another place— either speaking with others who were open in that town or going to a different town. He shared the gospel with the Jewish community first and when rejected, would reach out to the non-Jewish community.
In Jerusalem he was falsely accused by the religious community of being “a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple.” That is how the unbelieving Jewish community attacked Paul.
Paul was escorted to Caesarea because the tribune was told that “more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” Many, but not all, of the Jewish community hated Paul because of the message about Jesus that he was proclaiming.
Felix, the governor, “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.” What did Paul speak to him about? —
- Faith in Jesus
- Righteousness
- Self-control
- The coming judgment
How did Felix respond?
- Go away for the present
- I will summon you when I have opportunity
- He sent for Paul often
- He conversed with Paul often
- Two years went by
- Felix was succeeded by Festus
- Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor
- Felix left Paul in prison after he left office
What was the outcome of all those conversations Felix had with Paul? It is not recorded that Felix called on Jesus. Hopefully he came to repent, coming to a knowledge of the truth, coming to his senses and escaped from the trap of the devil, who had taken him captive to do his will (II Timothy 2:25-26).
But what about you? Have you come to your senses, turning from your ways to follow God’s ways as revealed in His Word— escaping from the devil who had taken you captive to do his will? If not, why not? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=7s Dear Father, if any are reading this who do not know You, may they call on Jesus now by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus Your Son. So may it be all for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWYSyDZYIg
If you have heard the message, you are responsible to call on Him! Otherwise, you will be condemned… forever… Revelation 20:11-15! Please call on Him! You’re deciding on your eternal destiny!