1. The Power Couple (verse 24)
2. The Preaching Prisoner (verse 25)
3. The Constant Conversations (verse 26)
4. The Political Correctness (verse 27)

For the last two and a half years, I have been preaching through the book of Acts. The single application that I have pressed upon you week after week after week is simple. It’s this: Be My Witnesses. These words come from Jesus in Acts 1:8, when Jesus said to his disciples. “You will be my witnesses.” What God promised to the apostles, he commands to us, that we bear witness about him.

A witness in court gives testimony of what he has seen and heard and experienced. That is what Jesus is calling us to do. He is calling us to give testimony to others of what we have experienced of Jesus in our own lives. Throughout the book of Acts, we have mostly seen the apostles giving witness to others by speaking in front of crowds of people.

Take Peter on the day of Pentecost. He spoke to thousands of people on the temple mount (Acts 2:21). Or take Paul in any of the synagogues where he spoke, whether it was in Psidian Antioch (Acts 13:15) or in Thessalonica (Acts 17:2), or in Corinth (Acts 18:4ff). We can figure that each of these places were filled with a hundred or so people. When Paul was in Athens, he spoke to the scholars in the Areopagus (Acts 17:22). His talk was similar to a weekly lecture, where there were maybe a hundred or so there. When Stephen was speaking to the Sanhedrin, there were at least 70 leaders to whom he was speaking, as this was how many men served on the council (Acts 6:12). When Peter when to the house of Cornelius, Cornelius had gathered together “his relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24). That’s a crowd of say, 20-30-40 people? We don’t know. When Paul came to Phillippi, he went down to the riverside , where there was “a place of prayer.” Some women showed up and Paul spoke with them. Perhaps that was 5-10-15 women? We don’t know.

Rarely do you see the apostles witnessing to individuals. It seems that they are always speaking to crowds of people. Now, of course, we know that this wasn’t always the case, as they spoke on the Sabbath to the synagogues, the rest of the week, they were speaking to individuals, who were following after them. But it is true that the book of Acts emphasizes this “group evangelism.” where one person is speaking to a crowd. Yet, very few of you ever have such an opportunity to be a witness on a larger scale. Most of your opportunities for being a witness for Jesus comes in the smaller setting, the one on one conversations that you might have.

Well, this morning, as we come to our text, we will see Paul being a witness to a smaller setting. Particularly, we see Paul sharing the gospel with a married couple, Felix and Drusilla. This, you have opportunity to do. You can witness to a married couple. You can invite them to your house for dessert. You can go out to coffee with them. Let’s listen to Paul’s witnessing opportunity with this couple.

Acts 24:24-27
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

The title of my message this morning is, “Speak about faith in Christ Jesus.” It comes straight from verse 24.

Acts 24:24
[Felix] sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

What Paul did in this text is exactly what Jesus is calling all of us to do. We are all called to “speak about faith in Christ Jesus.” Are you? Are you talking with others about faith in Christ Jesus? If not, are you praying about opportunities to talk about faith in Christ Jesus?

Every Monday night when I play pool, I pray beforehand for opportunities to speak about Christ Jesus. I have tried to share my opportunities with you as an encouragement, that I’m not calling you to do what I’m not doing, myself. There are many times when I go when gospel opportunities don’t open up. That’s OK with me. But I’m open and willing and desirous to talk, when God provides the opportunity.

Well, a few weeks ago, a gentleman was talking with me about another pool player in the league. Recently, he has been wearing a giant cross necklace. My friend said, “I didn’t know that he was religious.” He then proceeded to pull out his own cross necklace from underneath his shirt, a bit ashamed that he wasn’t as bold about his religious as this other guy was. Later in the evening, I beat the guy with the big cross around his neck. He doesn’t lose often. He doesn’t like to lose. So, when I won a game that we were playing against each other, he was not happy. He threw the balls around the table hard. He kicked a chair that was in his way back to his seat and he began swearing. I sat down with my friend and said, “Someone who’s genuine in their faith doesn’t blaspheme God with their mouth.” He said, “Good point.”

Later, I was able to talk with him about how our righteousness doesn’t come from wearing crosses or attending religious services. But it comes through faith in Christ Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins, who rose again from the dead. When we believe in Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and he gives us new desires to follow after him! This is what Paul spoke with Felix and Drusilla about. He spoke “about faith in Christ Jesus” (verse 24). This is the action step, the application, if you will of our text: Speak about faith in Christ Jesus. So, let’s open the text.

1. The Power Couple (verse 24)

Acts 24:24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

The “Power Couple” here is Felix and Drusilla. They are a “Power Couple.” I might compare them today to Prince Harry and Meghan Merkle Bill and Hillary Clinton Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Felix and Drusilla had is all. First of all, Felix. He was the governor of Judea, appointed governor in A. D. 52. He wasn’t the Roman Emperor, but he was the governor. He was like the governor of Illinois. not head of the United States. but top dog in his land. Felix answered to the emperor, but everybody in the region answered to him. Drusilla had her own status in society. She came from a political family. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. We read about him in Acts, chapter 12. Her brother was Herod Agrippa II, who we will read about Acts, chapters 25 and 26. Her grandfather was Herod the Great. We read about him in Matthew, chapter 2. Her uncle was Herod Antipas. We read about him in Matthew 14. So, Drusilla had a fair bit of political clout.

Now, with most power couples, there’s a back story. It’s ugly, but Drusilla was not. In fact, Drusilla was a beautiful woman. She was a beauty queen. When she was a toddler, her father, Agrippa I, had betrothed her to a man named Epiphanes. That is, when she came of age, she would marry this man for political reasons. But when she was 6 years old, her father, AgrippaI I, died before the marriage could take place. and with the death of the king, violence erupted, and, according to Josephus, the populace “went to his house, and carried [Drusilla and her sister] into the brothels, and abused them to the utmost of their power, and did such things to them as are too indecent to be related.”

When Drusilla’s brother (Herod Agrippa II) rose to power, she was given in marriage to a man named Azizus. She was 14 years-old. Again, this was a political marriage, as he had some political power. Think of him as a mayor of a city. But that marriage didn’t last long, as Felix fell in love with Drusilla. Felix was struck by her great beauty. So, Felix sent a long-time friend of his named Simon to Drusilla. Simon pretended to be a magician. Simon told Drusilla that she should forsake her present husband, and marry the governor, Felix, “He would make her a happy woman."^[1]

Against all cultural norms, for Drusilla was a Jew, after a year or so of marriage she divorced her husband and married Felix and she became his second wife. Now, you need to know that she was about 20 years-old when she married Felix. Felix was about 50 years-old. This is the same story that we could write about many power couples today. They are filled with immorality and greed and lust and power, seeking fame and pleasure!

From what we know of Felix, seducing another man’s wife, convincing her to “divorce him and marry me” is not outside of his character. It is totally consistent with his character. Felix ruled the people with an iron fist. He was known for his cruelty. He responded to political problems with military force. This is the couple that Paul came to speak with in our text this morning. A powerful man in his early fifties, who was driven by lust for power and pleasure. A beautiful woman, who was 22 years-old at the time, in the prime of her beauty.

Acts 24:24
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

You can only imagine how this came about. Perhaps Felix and Drusilla were in their palace talking about plans for the evening. Felix said, “Drusilla, what do you want to do tonight?” They couldn’t order Uber Eats and turn on Netflix to watch a movie. So, they did the next best thing. They brought in their own entertainment: the apostle Paul. Paul came to their lodgings, and began to speak with them about “faith in Christ.” So, what do you suppose that he said? Do you think that he brought a gospel tract to share with them? Mr. Good Guy tract?

Do you think that he strung together some Bible verses? Perhaps sharing the Romans Road with them? “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Do you think that he shared some spiritual laws with them, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life”? Do you think that he asked them the penetrating question, “If you would die tonight and stand before God and he asked you why you should enter into heaven, what would you say?” Do you think that he took to the Ten Commandments to show them their sin, then when convicted of their sin, he showed them the Savior? Do you think that he told them of how Jesus will make their life so much better, so believe in Jesus? Do you think that he put forth some theology? “God is Holy” “We are sinful!” “We need a Savior” “So believe in Jesus” Or, maybe Paul said it with some memorable words. Life is short. Death is sure. Sin is the cause. Christ is the cure. Do you think that he told them that the gospel “Is as easy as A, B, C. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe in the savior. Commit your life to him!” Oh, how I wish that we knew what Paul told them about “faith in Christ Jesus.” Oh, wait, we do know, because we read it verse 25.

Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

2. The Preaching Prisoner (verse 25)

Paul was housed in the prison in the basement of the palace. He came and he preached to them. Actually, verse 25 says that he “reasoned” with them. The NIV says that Paul “talked” with them. The NASB says that he “discussed” with them. Literally, the word is “dialogued.” This is what you do with a small group of people. You dialogue. You go back and forth. You ask questions. You give answers. You discern the level of understanding and awareness, and talk about what is most important.

As a pastor, I find that I do this all of the time with people. Whether that’s people inside the church or those outside the faith. As I talk with people, I ask questions. If I discern that people are aware and understand, I won’t bore them with repetition of things they already know. Rather, I will seek to understand what others don’t know, what others need to know and speak to them about this or that. This, I believe, is exactly what Paul was doing with Felix and Drusilla. I don’t think that Paul spent much of his time in prison thinking about what he might say to Felix and Drusilla, if ever they called on him to talk with them. Rather, it was in the moment.

Surely, Paul knew some things about them. He knew of how Felix ruled with an iron fist. In Acts 24:10 he acknowledged the length of his rule. I’m sure that Paul knew that Drusilla was Jewish. Yet, surely he knew of how scandalous their marriage was, you are looking at a 50 year old who’s married to a 22 year old. But, I believe that is was his dialogue with them that brought out the issues that Paul spoke to them about.

Paul discerned that needed to know about three things. 1 righteousness, 2 self-control, and 3 the coming judgment. So, Paul spoke to them about these things. He spoke about righteousness, the need to be righteous before a holy God. He told them the consequences of not being righteous. He spoke about self-control and the ability to govern yourself in your behavior. To “hold yourself in.” He spoke about the coming judgment. How we all will need to give an account for our sin. How this judgment is sooner than we might think. Do you think that these things were pertinent to their lives? For sure they were! Any power couple of our world today needs to hear this!

First, Paul spoke of Righteousness. People today need to hear about righteousness. Today, we live in a relative culture, especially when it comes to morality. We live in a culture that doesn’t believe in absolute right and wrong. We live in a culture that thinks that each of us are in a quest for our own truth. But nothing could be further from the truth. Righteousness is what God is. "For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face" (Psalm 11:7). God is righteous. You need to be righteous to see him.

Too often today, people think that you can live however you want, and God will accept you. Such is not the case! Because the Lord is righteous, we too need to be righteous! "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:1-2). God is righteous, perfect in all of his ways. To stand before him, we too need to be blameless.

I mentioned before how I’m working to memorize the New City Catechism this year. The seventh question says this, “What does the law of God require?” Here’ the answer: “Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.” That’s what righteousness means.

Down in your heart, you know that you don’t keep “personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience to the Lord. you know that you fail to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. you know that you don’t love your neighbor as yourself. you know that you often do many things that God forbids. you know that you often don’t do many things that God commands.

In light of the righteousness of God, we all stand condemned. This is where “faith in Christ Jesus” comes in. Jesus came to fulfill God’s righteousness for us. He died on the cross in our place. That we simply believe in him, and God counts our faith as righteousness. Just as we read of Abraham: "[Abraham] he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). That’s what “faith in Christ Jesus” does for us. It gives us the righteousness that we all need so deeply.

That’s not all thatPaul talked to Felix and Drusilla about. He also talked about Self-Control. Righteousness is a general way to talk about God’s requirements of us. Self-control is a but one example of the righteousness that God requires. Self-control (as the word suggests) is the ability to control yourself. Literally, the Greek word here means “to hold yourself in.” Self-control regulates your speech and conduct. Self-control keeps your emotions in check, so that you don’t erupt in anger, with sinful outbursts from your mouth. Self-control tempers your passions. so that you live your life honorably before God and others.

As Paul spoke of self-control, I’m sure that Felix and Drusilla were squirming in their seats. Because they were not living lives of self-control. They were controlled by their passions and lusts and desires. The foundation of the marriage was based on a lack of self-control. Felix was so obsessed and controlled by Drusilla’s beauty, that he seduced her to divorce her husband and come and live with him. Drusilla was a willing participant. She was driven by the lust for power to be more prominent! So, against principle and against the law of God, she jettisoned her husband to marry Felix, a man 30 years older than she is! Beyond his marriage, Felix governed the nation with little self-control. Whenever there was an uprising, he would fume and lash out with his military power. No negotiations. No reasonings. Just fury lashed out upon the people.

People today need to hear about self-control. You think about the rich and famous. Their lives are usually governed by their own passions. You think about yourself, and how you can’t control your eating habits. How you can’t control your tongue. How you can’t control your attitudes toward others, and how you can’t control your social media addiction. How you can’t control where you click on the internet.

Again, this is where faith in Christ Jesus comes in. The only hope that you have of overcoming your lack of self-control is the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. When you believe in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You are able to control your passions. rather than them controlling you.

But finally, Paul also spoke to Felix and Drusilla about The Coming Judgment. Jesus talked about the coming judgment. The apostles talked about the coming judgment. Moses talked about the coming judgment. Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel and Daniel, they all talked about the coming judgment. In fact, I believe that every book in the Bible talks about the coming judgment. This is no fringe doctrine. This is at the heart of our faith. God has created us a responsible beings. We will be judged by the Lord someday. Whether upon our death, or when he comes. Either of these things may happen sooner than you think.

Over the past few weeks, I have shared with you of the untimely deaths, of young people that have touched the lives in the Brandon family. I have told you about Ryan Sherman. He and Stephanie played “Jane and Michael Banks” in a performance of Mary Poppins. This picture was taken 8 years ago or so. Although Stephie didn’t talk much with Ryan, being brother and sister in this play formed a special bond between them. Ryan was killed a few weeks ago while driving on his way to school. His judgment came sooner than he expected.

I have told you about these people. Salomon Correa, Andrea Prime, Maggie Franco, Ava Luplow, and Suzy Prime. Hanna and Stephanie knew three of young people very well. They knew each other from Jackson Hole Bible College. They were killed in a car accident less than a week ago (last Sunday evening), when they crashed head-on with a semi-truck heading the opposite direction. Their judgment came sooner than they expected.

What took place with these young people in recent days, could happen to any of us. There is nothing that keeps us from a soon death, other than the sustaining hand of God. All of us need to be ready for a soon judgment. The only chance you have of coming out of that judgment unscathed is to trust in Christ Jesus. Have faith in Jesus, and you will conquer the judgment. Not because of your righteousness, but because of his righteousness.

Now, you say, “Steve, you are pretty strong this morning. Why are you talking about such things?” Because Paul spoke about these things with Felix and Drusilla. He discerned these issues in their lives: Righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. Look at how they responded.

Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Felix didn’t like what this prisoner was saying to him. He sent him back to the barracks, with the promise that he might call him back again.

Felix and Drusilla needed to hear this message. About twenty years after Paul spoke these things to Felix and Drusilla, Drusilla was traveling with their son to Pompeii. A vacation spot to enjoy some rest and relaxation. While they were they were there (AD 79), Mount Vesuvius erupted, engulfing the city, killing almost everyone in the city including Drusilla and her son. She was in her early 40’s when this happened. We would consider that a tragedy, that one so young would die so young. Especially one so beautiful as Drusilla.

Felix and Drusilla needed to hear Paul’s message to them, that they would give an account to the Lord for the life that they lived. That God’s judgment was coming upon them. That they needed to turn from their life of wickedness, to follow after the ways of the Lord, before they die, or before the Lord comes again to judge them. Sadly, from everything that we know about history, neither Felix nor Drusilla responded to the preaching of this prisoner.

Though Felix had “a rather accurate knowledge of “Christ and his plan of salvation (Acts 24:22), he didn’t take heed. Though Drusilla was Jewish, and was knowledgeable of the Scriptures, she too didn’t take heed to Paul’s warnings. Paul didn’t merely visit Felix and Drusilla this once, no, from verse 26, it seems as if Paul spoke with them on many occasions.

Acts 24:26
At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

3. The Constant Conversations (verse 26)

Paul was no stranger to the palace. For some reason, Felix took a liking to Paul. He summoned him often to “converse” with him. The King James translates this, “commune.” Paul “communed” with him. That is, Paul was a constant companion of Felix. Talking often with familiarity with each other. I don’t think that Paul ever backed down from his message of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. I say this because, verse 27 says that Paul and Felix spoke often for two years about these things. Paul was never let go.

In verse 26, we see that Felix had another motive for bringing Paul to speak with him. He was looking for a bribe. Felix knew Paul as a leader in the church, one who had many contacts, and could have raised a large sum of money to work as a bribe.

Acts 24:26
At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.

I suspect that Felix would talk with Paul about raising money to purchase his release from prison. I suspect that Paul would talk with Felix about the dangers of his soul! I’m not sure that Felix so minded hearing these things. I’m guessing that he appreciated the boldness and conviction of Paul and that he really believed these things.

I’m reminded of the story of Benjamin Franklin, who listened to George Whitefield preach. He listened to him so often that he could tell the difference between sermons that Whitefield wrote and those that he had preached over and over and over again as he traveled about as an evangelist. I remember the story of Benjamin Franklin being confronted. “Why do you listen to him? You don’t believe the things that he is saying!” to which Franklin replied, “But he does.”

I fear that there are many across this land who come week in and week out to church, not because they believe, but because they can discern that the preacher really believes these things. That can be very interesting (and entertaining). If that’s you this morning, I’m honored that you can discern any faith in me, but you need to believe for yourself! My faith can’t replace your faith. You must have “faith in Christ Jesus!” Do you believe? Do you have faith?

So let’s step back from this story. I have a few closing observations.

1. Felix talked with Paul for two years! What an opportunity! The man who changed the world, able to talk with him on a regular basis for several years! How accountable will Felix be in the judgment!

2. Paul didn’t have the power to convert Felix. After two years of constant dialogue, it still wasn’t enough to see Felix bow the knee top Christ. So, be encouraged with the long-term evangelistic relationships that you have with those in your social circle. Paul spoke often with Felix about faith in Christ Jesus, and he never believed. So, don’t be discourages when people around you don’t believe. It’s only God who can change the heart.

3. Paul submitted himself to the will of God. Can you imagine the struggles that Paul had with Felix? If Paul had merely gathered together a bit of money, he could have bribed Felix and be freed from prison. Can you imagine Paul thinking about all of the good that he could do out of prison? He could go on missions journeys! He could share the gospel again to crowds! Yet, he believed that in the jail was God’s plan for him. This was best for him. He could have compromised his message, but Paul never seemed to have backed down from these sorts of topics: righteousness, self-control, the coming judgment. Neither should we. So keep “speaking about faith in Christ Jesus” to your friends and loved ones. This is God’s plan for you. It is best.

4. The Political Correctness (verse 27)

Things never change.

Acts 24:27
When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

This is raw political correctness. Felix wasn’t wanting to rock the boat. He knew Paul was innocent. But to take him out of prison might stir the boat so to make it the easiest it could be, he left Paul in prison until he was out of power. Even when power was transferred to Porcius Festus, he just left him there. Times don't change. There's always political pressure around what people say and what they do.

Acts 24:24-27 shows us Paul, speaking about faith in Christ Jesus.

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on January 29, 2023 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1] Josephus see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drusilla_(daughter_of_Herod_Agrippa)