Righteousness, Temperance, and the Call to Repentance
Summary
In the passage from Acts 24, we encounter a dramatic scene involving three key figures: Felix, the Roman governor; Drusilla, his wife; and the Apostle Paul. This narrative is not just a historical account but a vivid illustration of the Christian Church's message to the world. Felix and Drusilla, seated in comfort and power, represent the world, while Paul, a prisoner in chains, embodies the Christian witness. Despite his unjust imprisonment, Paul does not seize the opportunity to protest his situation or make political statements. Instead, he focuses on the core message of Christianity: righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come.
Righteousness, as Paul explains, is an attribute of God and a standard for humanity, created in God's image. It signifies uprightness and purity, contrasting with the world's chaos and moral decay. Paul emphasizes that humanity's ignorance of righteousness leads to societal disorder. Temperance, or self-control, is the practical application of righteousness in daily life. Paul addresses the personal lives of Felix and Drusilla, highlighting their intemperance and the need for self-discipline.
The concept of judgment to come is a sobering reminder of human responsibility and accountability before God. Paul stresses that life is not merely about seeking pleasure but about preparing for the inevitable judgment. This message is crucial because it underscores the need for repentance and faith in Christ, who offers forgiveness and salvation.
Despite the compelling message, Felix and Drusilla reject it, illustrating the tragic reality of unbelief. Their story serves as a warning against prioritizing worldly pleasures over eternal truths. The narrative concludes with a historical epilogue, revealing the eventual downfall of Felix and the tragic end of Drusilla, emphasizing the consequences of rejecting the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- Righteousness as God's Standard: Righteousness is a fundamental attribute of God, and humanity, created in His image, is called to reflect this uprightness. The world's chaos stems from a lack of understanding and adherence to this divine standard. Recognizing our need for righteousness is the first step toward aligning with God's will. [13:52]
- The Importance of Temperance: Temperance, or self-control, is essential for living out righteousness in daily life. It involves disciplining our desires and impulses, distinguishing us from animals. True freedom is found in self-control, not in the permissive indulgence of every desire. [19:16]
- Judgment to Come: The reality of judgment is a central theme in the Christian message. It reminds us of our responsibility before God and the need to live in light of eternity. This awareness should drive us to repentance and faith in Christ, who offers salvation from the coming judgment. [26:51]
- The Tragedy of Unbelief: Unbelief is not a result of reason but a refusal to think and face the truth. Rejecting the gospel is a violation of conscience and resistance to the Holy Spirit's convicting work. It leads to a life of degradation and ultimately to eternal separation from God. [38:26]
- The Urgency of the Gospel: The gospel offers hope and salvation through faith in Christ. Despite our sinfulness, God extends mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and believe. The story of Felix and Drusilla serves as a warning to seize the opportunity for salvation before it's too late. [32:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Acts 24
- [01:12] - The Dramatic Scene
- [03:11] - Characters: Felix and Drusilla
- [05:35] - Felix's Background
- [06:23] - Drusilla's Story
- [09:14] - Apostle Paul Before Felix
- [10:23] - The Christian Message
- [13:20] - Righteousness Explained
- [18:45] - Temperance and Self-Control
- [26:51] - Judgment to Come
- [32:03] - Faith in Christ
- [35:02] - Felix's Rejection
- [42:36] - Lessons from Felix and Drusilla
- [47:02] - Call to Repentance and Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 24:24-27
- Romans 14:17
- Galatians 5:22-23
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the main topics Paul discussed with Felix and Drusilla, and how did Felix react to them? [00:32]
2. How does the sermon describe the positions and backgrounds of Felix and Drusilla, and what significance do these details add to the narrative? [03:11]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of righteousness and its importance in the Christian message? [13:52]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "judgment to come," and what is its significance in the Christian faith? [26:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between righteousness and societal chaos? What implications does this have for individuals and communities? [18:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that temperance, or self-control, distinguishes humans from animals? How does this relate to living a righteous life? [19:16]
3. What does the sermon imply about the consequences of rejecting the gospel, as seen in the lives of Felix and Drusilla? How does this serve as a warning for contemporary believers? [42:36]
4. How does the sermon portray the urgency of the gospel message, and what role does repentance play in this context? [32:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of righteousness. How can you align your daily actions with God's standard of righteousness? [13:52]
2. Consider an area in your life where self-control is challenging. What practical steps can you take to exercise temperance in that area this week? [19:16]
3. How does the concept of "judgment to come" influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might you need to make to live in light of eternity? [26:51]
4. Have you ever found yourself prioritizing worldly pleasures over spiritual truths? How can you refocus your life to prioritize eternal values? [42:36]
5. Think of a time when you resisted a message or conviction from the Holy Spirit. What can you do to be more receptive to the Spirit's guidance in the future? [39:57]
6. How can you share the urgency of the gospel with someone in your life who may be indifferent or resistant to it? What approach might be most effective? [32:03]
7. Reflect on the story of Felix and Drusilla. How can their story serve as a reminder to seize opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation before it's too late? [42:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting God's Righteousness
Righteousness is a fundamental attribute of God, and humanity, created in His image, is called to reflect this uprightness. The world's chaos stems from a lack of understanding and adherence to this divine standard. Recognizing our need for righteousness is the first step toward aligning with God's will. Paul, in his discourse with Felix and Drusilla, emphasizes that righteousness is not just a moral guideline but a divine expectation. It is a call to live in a way that mirrors God's purity and justice, standing in stark contrast to the moral decay prevalent in the world. [13:52]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue righteousness in your daily interactions and decisions today?
Day 2: Embracing Temperance
Temperance, or self-control, is essential for living out righteousness in daily life. It involves disciplining our desires and impulses, distinguishing us from animals. True freedom is found in self-control, not in the permissive indulgence of every desire. Paul addresses the personal lives of Felix and Drusilla, highlighting their intemperance and the need for self-discipline. This call to temperance is a reminder that self-control is not about restriction but about living in a way that honors God and reflects His character. [19:16]
"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." (Proverbs 25:28, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with self-control. What practical steps can you take today to exercise temperance in that area?
Day 3: Living in Light of Judgment
The reality of judgment is a central theme in the Christian message. It reminds us of our responsibility before God and the need to live in light of eternity. This awareness should drive us to repentance and faith in Christ, who offers salvation from the coming judgment. Paul’s message to Felix and Drusilla serves as a sobering reminder that life is not just about seeking pleasure but about preparing for the inevitable judgment. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our actions have consequences beyond this life. [26:51]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of future judgment influence your priorities and decisions today?
Day 4: Overcoming the Tragedy of Unbelief
Unbelief is not a result of reason but a refusal to think and face the truth. Rejecting the gospel is a violation of conscience and resistance to the Holy Spirit's convicting work. It leads to a life of degradation and ultimately to eternal separation from God. The story of Felix and Drusilla illustrates the tragic reality of unbelief, serving as a warning against prioritizing worldly pleasures over eternal truths. It is a call to open our hearts to the truth of the gospel and to respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting. [38:26]
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are resisting the truth of the gospel? How can you open your heart to God's truth today?
Day 5: Seizing the Urgency of the Gospel
The gospel offers hope and salvation through faith in Christ. Despite our sinfulness, God extends mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and believe. The story of Felix and Drusilla serves as a warning to seize the opportunity for salvation before it's too late. It is a reminder of the urgency of the gospel message and the need to respond to God's offer of grace. This urgency calls us to not only embrace the gospel for ourselves but also to share it with others who have yet to experience its transformative power. [32:03]
"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the gospel? How can you share the hope of Christ with them today?
Quotes
"Righteousness ultimately is an attribute of God. God is righteous, God is just, God is also holy, and God is love. But let's never forget that God is righteous. A statement in the Bible puts it like this: God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. That's a good definition of righteousness." [00:14:08]
"Paul began to reason with them and to discuss with them this question of righteousness. Why? Well, you see, he's preaching to them. He's talking to them about themselves. And remember what I've told you about them. So he's reminding them that men and women made in the image of God were meant to be like God." [00:15:36]
"Temperance is a much bigger word than that, much bigger. It really means self-control. It means discipline. It means that you order your life. Now someone may say, well, why did he bother to talk about temperance having spoken about righteousness? Doesn't righteousness include temperance? And it does, it's quite true." [00:19:22]
"Paul in addition to speaking about righteousness also speaks about temperance. Ah, here you see is the important point. He knew the people he was addressing, and he was preaching to them. So often, as I say, these great ecclesiastics today, they're always talking about what people are doing in South Africa." [00:19:49]
"Man is not an animal. The difference between an animal and a man is this: an animal obeys his instincts—desire for food, desire for drink, desire for sex. It's all right. These are instincts in an animal, and the animal behaves them, and everything's all right. But a man is not only an animal." [00:23:31]
"Judgment to come. What's this? Well, I sometimes think that of all the teachings of the Bible that we neglect today, this is the one that we neglect most of all. Do you know, my friend, the gospel message is not simply 'come to Jesus.' It doesn't simply come to Jesus and have a good time and forget your troubles." [00:26:47]
"God has made us and not we ourselves, and he's given men a great dignity. He's made him in his own image and likeness. He's made him the Lord of creation, and he's a responsible being. This is the thing that is so tragically neglected today. It's a wrong view of man that causes all our troubles." [00:27:21]
"Judgment to come. This is what Paul preached. This is what our Lord himself preached. John the Baptist had already preached it—baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Our Lord said, 'Time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent.' Judgment. Now it's because the world knows nothing about this." [00:29:41]
"Paul was talking to them concerning faith in Christ. Thank God for this. We'd all be hopelessly condemned but for this. What's it mean? Well, this is the gospel. I can hear Paul putting it to Felix and Drusilla. He said, 'Look here, though you've lived in sin for so long, though you've spat upon the sanctities.'" [00:32:03]
"Felix trembled and answered, 'Go thy way for this time. When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.' He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might lose it. Wherefore he sent for him the offer and communed with him, but after two years, Festus came into Felix's room." [00:35:02]
"Unbelief is not a result of reason but a refusal to think and face the truth. Rejecting the gospel is a violation of conscience and resistance to the Holy Spirit's convicting work. It leads to a life of degradation and ultimately to eternal separation from God." [00:38:26]
"The gospel offers hope and salvation through faith in Christ. Despite our sinfulness, God extends mercy and forgiveness to those who repent and believe. The story of Felix and Drusilla serves as a warning to seize the opportunity for salvation before it's too late." [00:32:03]
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