Acts 24:24-25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul… I. THE PREACHER. "Paul." Faithful, fearless, sympathetic, uncompromising, heroic. A man unsurpassed in native and acquired ability, and a match for the proudest philosopher of his day. Here he stands before us with the enemy at bay, and the world beneath his feet; a conqueror, not a captive. Though his limbs were manacled, his spirit revelled in a liberty which no prison walls could circumscribe. II. THE HEARERS. "Felix and Drusilla." 1. Officially high. Felix was governor of Judaea. 2. Socially great. In those days, as well as now, money or office cleared a man's social standing ground, and without inquest for character, or intelligence, he was admitted into the best society. 3. Morally corrupt. There are few crimes of which Felix had not been guilty. Drusilla was no better. 4. In reputation bad. With the stains of cruelty, robbery, adultery and murder upon them, their reputation grew worse and worse, until driven from the country into exile and disgrace. III. THE SERMON. 1. Its style. "He reasoned." Christianity thrives best in the unclouded light of reason, and has nothing to fear from the merciless rigours of logic. 2. Its divisions. (1) Righteousness. Justice, in the broad sense of rendering to all their due. Right with God above, and fellowman below; right everywhere and always. (2) "Temperance" — not merely total abstinence from intoxicants, but the right control of the whole man, with special reference to chastity. (3) "Judgment." That great day when Felix shall be like Paul; when all earthly distinctions shall vanish, and only moral character shall avail. What a mere child Felix must have felt himself to be in the grip of this iron-bound free man! It will be seen that this discourse was — (a) comprehensive; (b) sublime; (c) practical; (d) exhaustive. IV. THE EFFECT. "Felix trembled." Gospel preaching is Divinely intended to — 1. Convince the intellect; 2. Stir the sensibilities; 3. Affect the will.There is in every man the instinct of retribution, and ever and anon the imagination comes flying back from the future pale with the tidings it brings; and from before these spectres the mind recoils and the knees smite together. V. THE FAILURE. "Go thy way." He was powerfully moved; he felt a great crisis was upon him. Why did he not yield? Indisposition to stop sinning was the cause. So is it always. Drusilla was the stumbling block. (T. Kelly.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. |
    |