Acts 23:11-24:27
Opportunity is Knocking

I. Have You Ever Had Opportunity Come Knocking?

1. “The Proximity Principle”: to get the opportunity be around “the right people and in the right places.”

2. But it can be that you’re in the wrong place, seemingly, but still opportunity comes to find you.

3. Our modern Christmas is from businesses looking for an opportunity to sell you stuff.

4. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” about a poor couple wanted to get the perfect gift for each other.

II. Providence (23:11-22)

1. Providence is God directing the created things in every action to fulfill His purposes.

2. In Acts, God’s purpose is that the gospel get to “the end of the earth.” It depends on God’s providence.

3. Jesus has told Paul to “Take courage,” because “you must testify also in Rome.” So, don’t worry.

4. God provided for Paul’s nephew — the right person — to be at the right place and the right time.

5. Over 40 men plotted to ambush Paul and kill him. They’ve pledged not to eat or drink until they do it.

6. Paul’s nephew was in proximity of the plot. He goes to Paul to inform him and then the tribune.

7. God has promised Paul that he will go to Rome and so He protected him from the band of over 40 men.

III. Protection (23:22-35)

1. The Lord provides for his protection, courtesy of the Roman Empire. The tribune guards Paul.

2. Paul is escorted safely back to Caesarea, by about half the garrison, even provided a horse to ride on.

3. The tribune doesn’t know that he is an instrument in the hand of God to fulfill Jesus’ promise to Paul.

4. The tribune is Claudius Lysias. The governor is Felix. His wife is Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa.

5. Lysias’ letter says that Paul was charged “with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.”

6. Paul arrives back in Caesarea, where before he had stayed before with Philip. Now he’s in custody.

7. Their two years waiting in Caesarea is an opportunity. Paul writes letters and Luke researches.

IV. Prosecution (24:1-9)

1. Paul’s enemies see an opportunity to prosecute him. Ananias came to Caesarea with a Roman lawyer.

2. Tertullus begins by flattering the judge, “most excellent Felix.” It’s to make a good first impression.

3. They accuse Paul of being a plague, a trouble-maker, a disturber of the Pax Romana (the Roman peace).
4. Paul is accused of being a “ringleader of the heretical sect of the Nazarenes,” a false religion.

5. He is accused of trying to profane the temple. The Jews had authority over the temple.

V. Profession (24:10-21)
1. He can’t flatter since that’s lying. He says they can’t show he was rousing any rabbles in Jerusalem.

2. “This I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call an heretical cult I worship God.”

3. What Jesus brought, the Way, wasn’t a break from the Old Testament. The way of Jesus is based on it.

4. Because of the faith based on the Old Testament, he has a hope in God that there will be a resurrection.

5. Contrary to some Roman philosophy that this life is all there is, everyone will be raised up and judged.

6. If you know that you will have to give an account to God for everything you do, you will live right.

7. While he was purified in the temple, causing no trouble, some Jews stirred up the mob, caused the riot.

8. Romans 4:25, Jesus was crucified for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

VI. Procrastination (24:22-27)

1. He keeps procrastinating, hoping for a bribe, for a reason to let Paul go, other than it’s right.

2. He brought his wife Drusilla, only 20 years old, described as surpassing “all other women in beauty.”

3. Felix lure her away from her prior husband. So he was an immoral, conniving man.

4. Paul spoke to him about faith in Jesus. He “reasoned”, or dialogued, with Felix about:
5. Felix was alarmed. He had to make a decision about himself, his own soul. He has the opportunity.

6. He is procrastinating like the rich man in the parable of the barns (Luke 12:13-21). Puts God off.

7. So Jesus says about him, “You fool, tonight your soul will be required of you.”

8. Felix is a picture of procrastination. He had opportunities to believe. But he wouldn’t decide.

9. Drusilla was later killed, along with their son Agrippa, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried Pompeii.

10. As one of his last acts, he procrastinates to curry favor and just leaves Paul in prison.

VII. Invitation: Some of the same people who never miss an opportunity to please people, build bigger barns, invest in property, expand their business, make more money, always miss the opportunities to believe in Jesus, to be right with God, to have the power of the Spirit to be self-controlled, to be ready for judgment. God says, don’t procrastinate. Now is the acceptable time. Today is the day of salvation. You aren’t promised another opportunity. Seize the opportunity you have now and believe.