A L M O S T But Lost

I’m a multi-tasking procrastinator… I can put off all kinds of things at once

Now I never get anything done!! Mama once told me to put off ‘til tomorrow what I could get done today. Now I never get anything done!!

Review The “Bridge of Life” Three main characters in Paul’s encounter Paul’s appearances before three officials

Reflect on implications Non-Christian Christian

The “Bridge of Life”

God’s Love and Plan

Three main characters in Paul’s encounter

The Roman procurator of Judaea Province Marcus Antonius Felix  The Roman procurator of Judaea Province 52-58

His brother Pallas was a favourite in the court at Rome Wielded unlimited power and influence Ambitious, passionate, wrathful, wicked, intemperate, solicitor of bribes, murderer

His practices led to increases in crimes across the province He put down resistance mercilessly His wife, Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa

The Roman procurator of Judaea Province Porcius Festus  The Roman procurator of Judaea Province 59-62

Plagued by a decision of King Agrippa to build a wall between the temple and Agrippa’s palace Festus extended (for a price) privileges to religious leaders Increasing hostility to Rome lead to uprisings

Marcus Julius Agrippa Herod Agrippa II

King Herod Agrippa II was the last of the Herodian Kings Impulsive, unpredictable, avaricious Appointed and deposed high priests at whim Expelled by the people (along with his sister Berenice) in 66 AD

In Rome, he was treated as a returning hero Named praetor and given additional territories judicial officer who had broad authority Financial priorities production of the public games extensive authority in the government.

Paul’s appearances before three officials

Developing Your Testimony Before How After

Before Felix and Drusilla

14 …this I confess to you, that according to Acts 24 14 …this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 

both of the just and the unjust. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead,  both of the just and the unjust. 

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning King James Version 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,

and immediately all the doors were opened, Acts 16 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Felix trembled, and answered, “Go your way for this time; 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, “Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you…”

T R A G E D Y!!

He was going to be all that a mortal should be Tomorrow. No one would ever be better than he  Tomorrow.  Each morning he stacks up the letters he’d write

Each evening he’d recount the battles he’d fight Tomorrow.  He was a man who’d work like a fiend The world would have known him had he ever seen  Tomorrow.

Tomorrow. But the fact is, he died and faded from view, And all that was left when living was through Was a mountain of things he intended to do Tomorrow.  [Adapted from "Tomorrow"; Edgar Albert Guest]

“In an acceptable time I have heard you, 2 Corinthians 6 2 [God] says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Drusilla, Marcus Antonius Agrippa, her son and countless others from Pompeii and Herculaneum perished in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Before Festus

To the Jews I have done no wrong, Acts 25 10…Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 

…if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Before King Agrippa

14 When they had been there many days, Acts 26 13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.  14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,

I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 11…I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,  18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,  20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles,

…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.  21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 

25…[Paul] said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.  26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things;

…for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.  27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

might become both almost and altogether 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

T R A G E D Y!!

Mark 12 28 Then one of the scribes… asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him,  “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” 

T R A G E D Y!!

Roy Halliday (1977 – 2017) So close to safety, but crashed

What Next? Reflect on implications Non-Christian Christian

What Next? Implication for the Non-Christian 2 Corinthians 6 …Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

What Next? Implication for the Christian Hebrews 9  27…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,  28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.

the unsaved in our sphere of influence! What Next? Implication for the Christian There is an urgency to our witnessing to the unsaved in our sphere of influence!

(May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted Eph. 3:17-19 (May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints

may be filled with all the fullness of God. …what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

A L M O S T But Lost