By: Cecil Lovelace
Title: Is That Your Final Answer
Scripture: Acts 24:24-26
Introduction:
(1) A few years back, a brand new TV show swept onto the scene that took the industry by storm. It was called, "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Several things made it popular:[a] The Host: Regis Philbin. Popular TV host of Live With Regis and Kathy Lee.
[b] The Money: EVERYBODY wants to be a millionaire.
[c] The Final Question: It was mandatory that Regis ask, "Is that your final answer?" If the contestant said YES, that was it. He had to go with the answer he had given.
(2) Everyone started going around using that line. It became a house whole phrase.
(3) Here in Acts 24, Paul was challenging the Governor Felix to give his "Final Answer" to the question of his salvation. Paul had been allowed to stand before the governor and give account of the charges brought against him. He had used that opportunity to share Jesus and what he had done in his life. Felix later sent for Paul to come and tell him about Jesus. But then, he had to give his answer to the question.
(4) I want to speak to you today on that subject: Is that your final answer????
Notice three things that stand out in this short passage today:
I. NOTICE THE CONVICTION THAT WAS EVIDENT. V 24-25
A. It’s evident from his talking with Paul. V-24 "...he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ."
(1) He didn’t have to send for him.
(2) He had heard something he wanted to know more about. It was "bugging him."
B. It’s evident from his trembling before Paul. V-25 Paul had "..reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come..,"
(1) "Felix trembled...," Real conviction of the Holy Spirit has an effect on the nervous system.
(2) I have seen this work so many times. I saw it last Wednesday Night here in the service as a lady jumped up and wanted to be saved.
So we see the Conviction that was evident.
II. NOTICE THE REJECTION THAT WAS EXPRESSED. V-25
A. Listen to his final answer: "..Go thy way for this time...;"
(1) He never meant that to be final. But it is a good possibility he was never convicted just like that (to the point of trembling) again.
(2) No one expects to say no to the call of God and that be their "final answer."
B. Look at his faulty assumption: V-25-26
It was really two-fold:
(1) He assumed he would have many chances. V-25 "...and when I have a convenient season, I’ll call for thee..." Everyone assumes that.
(2) He assumed he would receive monetary compensation. V-26 "He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him."
Even his motive was wrong on the last: "He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him." He did talk to him time and again but with the wrong motive, not because he was under conviction and wanted to be saved.
So we see the Conviction that was evident, the rejection that was expressed; now:
III. NOTICE THE INTENTION THAT EXPIRED. V-26-27 "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."
As far as that "convenient season" he was waiting on to deal with his spiritual life between him and God, it never came.
A. We see the end of his term. V-27 His term as governor came to an end and someone else took his place.
(1) Time ran out on him.
(2) He sinned away his day of grace. It happens all the time.
B. We see the end of his trembling.
(1) No more conviction. No more Holy Spirit calling in his heart. No more invitations; no more preaching... it was all over. He had given his final answer.
(2) He had his chance. He made a very wrong decision that was final but worse than that, it was fatal.
CONCLUSION:
(1) Felix’s final answer was: "Go thy way for now, and when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
(2) As far as we know, that "convenient season" never came. As far as I know, Felix is screaming in hell this morning.
(3) God is dealing with some of you this morning. For some it is because you are lost and need to come and give your life to Jesus. For others it is because God is trying to do a great work in your life. What is your final answer going to be?
You see, Felix came under powerful conviction by the Holy Spirit that he was lost and on his way to hell and was going to have to make a decision on what to do with his life. He was at a cross roads. He had to choose. You cannot be saved apart from conviction of sin. What will YOUR choice be?