The Dangers of Procrastination (Chantilly Sermon)

Acts 24:14 CSB – But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way,…believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.

Acts 24:16-21 CSB – I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.
19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. …
…other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

Acts 24:22-23 CSB – Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.

Acts 24:24 CSB – Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 23:25-26 CSB – Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

Righteousness

Romans 3:10-12 CSB – There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away;
all alike have become worthless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one

Romans 3:10 CSB – There is no one righteous, not even one.

James 2:10 CSB – For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.

John 14:10 CSB – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Self-Control

Jeremiah 13:23 NIV – Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.

Judgement

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Hebrews 9:27 CSB – …it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—

2 Peter 3:9 CSB – The Lord …is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 CSB – This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

“Heaven offers nothing that a mercenary soul can desire. It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to.”  – C.S. Lewis

Felix’s Response: Fear

Acts 24:25 CSB – …Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.”

4 Choices That Defeat Procrastination

1. Action–not merely conviction

2 Corinthians 7:10 describes genuine repentance:
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

Acts 24:25 CSB – Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.”

2 Corinthians 6:1,2 CSB – “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 For he says:
At an acceptable time I listened to you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.
See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!

Isaiah 55:6,7 CSB – Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call to him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked one abandon his way
and the sinful one his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
so he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will freely forgive.

2. Commitment over ambivalence

Deuteronomy 30:19 CSB – I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,

Joshua 24:14-15 CSB – fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth.
Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped…. 15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today:…As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

1 Kings 18:21 CSB – Elijah asks, “How long will you waver between two opinions?
If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word.

Psalm 86:11 NIV – …give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

3. Decide What Matters Most

Acts 24:26,27 CSB – At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.
After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix,

Matthew 6:33 CSB – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

4. Choose to Please God, not People

Acts 24:27 CSB – After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ