November 13 & 17

Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.

—2 Corinthians 6:2b NLT

But now is the time. Never forget the warning, “Today if you hear God’s voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against him …”

—Hebrews 3:15b LB

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

—Acts 24:22-27 NIV

1. The OBSTACLE of Inoculation

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way…

—Acts 24:22a NIV

…so he [Felix] sent for him frequently and talked with him.

—Acts 24:26b NIV

POINT: The more you hear it, the less it has impact.

2. The OBSTACLE of Indifference

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

—Acts 24:24 NIV

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

—John 20:30-31 NIV

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

—Ephesians 4:18 NIV

As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come …

—Acts 24:25a NIV

Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

—Acts 24:25b NIV

POINT: The longer there is no response, the easier it is to reject.

3. The OBSTACLE of Illusion

When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

—Acts 24:27 NIV

24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie.

—Romans 1:24-25b NLT

10 He (the lawless one) will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

—2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NLT

24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord.
30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them.
31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.

—Proverbs 1:24-26, 28-31 NLT

POINT: The wait is a risk, that gamble is not worth it.

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For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

—Romans 1:20 NIV

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