Congregational Pulpit Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time… I. A GUILTY REJECTION. "Go thy way." 1. Its reason. (1) Because of faithful preaching. (2) An accusing conscience — which many feel like Ahab and Herodias. 2. Its guilt. (1) Because God sent the preacher. (2) It was rejecting Christ. (3) Resisting the Holy Ghost. (4) Cleaving to Satan. II. A PREVAILING TEMPTATION. "When I have a convenient season." 1. It supposes a more suitable time than the present. Though surrounded by religious privileges, numbers are ensnared. 2. It estimates religion as a secondary matter. Dreadful thought that religion should be set aside for earthly pleasures and profits — the poor trifles of a day! III. A FATAL DELUSION. "I will call for thee." But did he? The delusion is apparent, inasmuch as — 1. Those who have stifled convictions are the most hardened — Noah's hearers, Sodom, and the Jews in our Lord's day. 2. No sinner will call for light unvisited by the Holy Spirit. 3. It is not certain that a future "call" will prevail. (1) Means may not be at hand. (2) Fear alone may rule in the heart. (3) The insulted Spirit may have fled (Proverbs 1:28). (Congregational Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. |
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