Too Close For Comfort

Acts 24:22-27

May 31, 1998

 

Introduction:  Where has God placed you?

 

Background:

    - Felix and Drusilla

    - Fairness toward Paul

    - Gospel "headquarters" for 2 years in Caesarea

    - A confrontation - The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not leave a hearer in neutral.  You cannot be totally on 

       the fence when you see what the Scripture speaks

 

I. Gospel Content - Approach 

 

1. Faith in Christ Jesus

Here with their background, no defense of Godhead as in Acts 17. 

Galatians 2-3

Person of Christ

Work of Christ

Failure of works righteousness

Necessity of faith alone

 

2. Application of the law

Stott:  justification, sanctification, glorification

 

     a. Righteousness - need before God

     b. Self-control - pointed application to their lifestyles

     c. Judgment to come - Felix was in position as Paul's judge; day of reckoning ahead.

Quote Calvin, p. 2.

 

e.g. Montpellier - Christ "bore my sins" - what is sin...?

 

II. Gospel Intent

 

1. Paul had distinct aim

Speak about faith in Christ

 

2. Confrontation with claims of gospel

 

3. Call to repentance and faith 

Acts 20:21

 

III. Gospel Response

 

1. Frightened

The Word hit its target!  Terror but no repentance.

 

Calvin:  "And it is a sign of true success (i.e. true repentance) when a sinner seeks for medicine from the place at which he was wounded."

 

"Men are examined to the root of their being only when their faults about which they are troubled are brought out into the open, and their consciences are recalled to the judgment that is to come."

 

2. Presumptuous

Go away...

No record of conversion

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