How should we respond when others delay decisions about faith, like Felix did? Setting the Scene: Felix’s Delay • Acts 24:22 records, “Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing. ‘When Lysias the commander comes,’ he said, ‘I will decide your case.’” • Felix had enough truth to move forward but chose postponement. His stall reminds us that head knowledge does not guarantee heart surrender. Recognize the Heart Issue behind Delay • Spiritual hesitation is not primarily intellectual—it is moral and spiritual (John 3:19–20). • People often defer because the gospel confronts sin, demands repentance, and promises judgment (Acts 24:25). • Remember Ephesians 2:1–3: apart from Christ, people are “dead in trespasses.” Only God awakens. Our First Response: Persistent Patience • 2 Peter 3:9—“The Lord is not slow… but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.” • Galatians 6:9—“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.” Practical outworking: – Maintain regular contact without nagging. – Keep relationships warm; delay today may become decision tomorrow. Our Second Response: Clear Proclamation • Paul continued speaking “about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment” (Acts 24:25). • 2 Timothy 4:2—“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.” Checklist: – Present the whole gospel—sin, cross, resurrection, response. – Use plain language; avoid softening hard truths. – Explain urgency: 2 Corinthians 6:2—“Now is the day of salvation.” Our Third Response: Prayerful Dependence • 1 Timothy 2:1–4 urges prayers “for all people… that they may be saved.” • Only the Spirit convicts (John 16:8). • Pray specifically: conviction of sin, clarity of truth, courage to act. Our Fourth Response: Urgent Invitation without Pressure Balance to strike: – Urgency (Hebrews 3:15—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”). – No coercion (2 Corinthians 4:2—“We have renounced secret and shameful ways”). Ways to model this: • Give opportunities to respond (in conversation, after a service). • Respect freedom; trust God with the outcome. Our Fifth Response: Personal Integrity • Paul’s life under scrutiny remained blameless (Acts 24:16). • Titus 2:10—“…showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the doctrine of God.” Application: – Live what you share; hypocrisy fuels delay. – Serve, love, and demonstrate gospel transformation. Encouraging Verses When Patience Gets Hard • Isaiah 55:11—God’s word “will not return void.” • 1 Corinthians 3:6–7—one plants, another waters, “but God gave the growth.” • Romans 1:16—“I am not ashamed of the gospel… it is the power of God for salvation.” Putting It into Practice Today 1. Identify someone lingering like Felix. 2. Commit to steady prayer. 3. Offer clear, gracious gospel conversations. 4. Keep living faithfully; leave results to the Lord. |
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