ACTS 24:22-2722 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discou...
ACTS 24:22-27
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on 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 Two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but Felix because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
FROM THE LESSON
Felix the Governor:
The Roman historian, Tacitus wrote about Felix that he “practiced every kind of cruelty and lust, wielding the power of a king with all the instincts of a slave.”
Drusilla the Jewess:
Her mother was a Jew, however her father was Herod Agrippa, the one who killed the apostle James, the brother of John in Acts 12. Her great-uncle was the one who had John the Baptist beheaded, and her great-grandfather was the one who had tried to kill Jesus in Bethlehem.
Three Reasons for Faith in Christ Jesus:
1 Because of righteousness
What are you going to do about yesterday's sin?
The answer is to have faith in Christ Jesus as your Savior.
The answer is to trust Him with your past.
2 Because of self-control
What are you going to do about today's struggles?
The answer is to have faith in Christ Jesus as your Lord.
The answer is to trust Him with your present.
3 Because of the judgment to come
What are you going to do about tomorrow's scenarios?
The answer is to have faith in Christ Jesus as your Judge.
The answer is to trust Him with your future.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 If someone had asked you last week to give them a compelling reason as to why you have faith in Christ Jesus, how would you have answered the question?
2 Discuss with your group the deal of eternity: the exchange of your sin for His righteousness. How does the reality of this exchange transform the way you live?
3 The only way to have self-control is to be under His control. Discuss the importance of relying on the Lord through the Holy Spirit when life seems out of control.
Are you going through any struggles today that the group can be praying about? Share with the group.
4 Do you worry or get anxious about the future? What kinds of things do you worry about? We often talk about having faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, but what do you think about having faith in Him as your Judge?
5 The answer to all three faith questions is to have faith in the person of Jesus Christ. Which of the three do you find most difficult: to trust Him with your past, your present, or your future? Why?
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