PAUL GAVE A GREAT SERIES OF SERMONS IN HIS DEFENSE - AND THEY ALL GAVE THE GOSPEL

• When a man is giving his own defense he can get mighty impassioned - but some forget the message.
• In the midst of Paul's defense he never forgot to tell the message of the Gospel-
• In this one Paul is interrupted, heard the second time, and put off for a more convenient time.

I wonder how many today interrupt the gospel, and put it off for a more convenient time?

PAUL BEFORE THE HIGHEST COURT OF HIS LAND

Christians have not been exempt from bearing testimony in strife and court

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE TO A HIGHER COURT - ACTS 23:12-34

• The military governor of Jerusalem heard of a plot to kill Paul, and sent him to Felix
• You can read the letter e sent with Paul - and see the armed guard - and the rapid trip, in 23-33
• Five days later the enemy came up against Paul- 24:1 to accuse him

TERTULLUS THE LAWYER WITH SMOOTH WORDS BEGAN TO ACCUSE PAUL (2-4) SOFT SOAP

• Tertullus accused Paul of three charges - (5,6)
• a. A mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world - Treason to Rome
• b. Being a ringleader of the sects of the Nazarenes - Religious Heresy
• c. Of profaning the temple - a Jewish crime also against the Roman law

PAUL'S DEFENSE AGAINST HIS ACCUSERS (10-21) WITHOUT SWELLING WORDS - IN SIMPLE TRUTH!

PAUL DISMISSES THEIR CHARGES AGAINST HIMSELF (10-13)

• Paul accepted Felix's judgeship over himself - did not rail against him, but gave his defense.
• Paul reminds Felix that it has been but 12 days since he went up in peace to worship from this town, and witnesses are available.
• He dares his enemies to prove what they have charged.

PAUL CONFESSESS HIS ACTUAL CONDITION AND STATES THE REASON FOR HIS COMING TO JERUSALEM

• 14- Though they call it heresy - I believe all things in Law and Prophets-
• 15- A hope toward God of Resurrection - which they allow-
• 16-20 - I have good conscience - came to Jerusalem with alms and offerings - any witnesses otherwise?

PAUL CONFESSES ONE FURTHER OFFENSE AGAINST HIS ACCUSERS

• Except -1- in the council I cried - re: resurrection - He may have done so in defense
• But it sure caused an uproar in the council (cf Acts 23:6)
• 2 - Perhaps the I Cor 15 would have been Paul's further remarks, but they were never given!

FELIX INTERRPUTED PAUL WAITING FOR THE CHIEF CAPTAIN TO COME FROM JERUSALIEM (22-23)

• What does "having more perfect knowledge of that way" mean - many of Felix's household were saved.
• He wanted to hear all of the charge- but not about the Resurrection - some don't want it today
• Paul was placed under military arrest, with liberty - but always guarded by a Roman soldier

And so two years of an apostle's life was wasted - or was it?  He witnessed, protected by a Roman soldier!

PAUL'S PERSONAL MESSAGE TO FELIX AND DRUSILLA - THE GOVERNOR AND HIS WIFE - LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST

There is much concerning this imprisonment similar to John's imprisonment before Herod!

FELIX CAME WITH HIS WIFE DRUSILLA (24)

• What a combination- Felix - cruel, corrupt, incompetent- able to rule because of his brother in Rome who was a favorite of Caesar.
• Drusilla- with her third husband - from Herod's household - immoral but Jewish
• These two heard Paul concerning his faith in Christ - and what a message Paul must have given.

PAUL'S MESSAGE TO THESE TWO - (25) - PAUL REASONED WITH THEM

• Righteousness - practical obedience to the Laws of God - These two needed it - and we do, too
• Temperance - Control of the Physical appetites- by the Spirit - our affluent society needs it.
• Judgment to come - v.15 - resurrection of just and unjust - a corrupt Judge needed this- and so do all of us today!

A MORE CONVENIENT TIME?

• Felix never had it - he was carted away to Rome because of his incompetence - down hill.
• Drusilla also went down a lonesome trail - Josephus places their son - other historians seem to place her there too - a beautiful mountain city - Pompeii - 17 years later, Vesuvius.
• Some here might need to face the reality of Christ - will you have a more convenient time?
  • World situation not good - Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, war, famine
  • Churches going down hill- Arizona Council Subsidiary - 1/4 million dollars - Judson Memorial Church NY - Nude dancers
  • People's interests - Dog track, TV, but not the Lord 

YOUR MOST CONVENIENT TIME TO ACCEPT CHRIST IS RIGHT NOW!

• So also is your most convenient time to be obedient in Baptism, Membership, Service, Etc.

• Invitation