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Acts 24:24-25
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. 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.”
New International Version (NIV)
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If you had a chance to speak to truly powerful people, what would you say? Years ago after a Governor’s prayer breakfast in Austin, a good friend offered me the opportunity to lead a Bible Study with State Senators and Representatives. I had never thought about talking to government officials, but this was my big chance. Which text would I teach? How would I apply it to these powerful people? I taught the story of a Moabite immigrant named Ruth and reminded them that her son became the grandfather of King David. Then I told them about David’s descendant Jesus. People of all religions were in the room. It didn’t occur to me that I might offend them, but I was determined not to offend God.
After Paul’s preliminary trial, Felix the Procurator brought his wife Drusilla to hear his message about the Way. Did Paul flatter him or appease him as the Roman ruler of the region? Paul spoke about faith in Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus was his favorite subject. How did Paul apply it? He talked to the judge of his own case about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.
How did it affect Felix? He was terrified. Paul told the judge that he would someday stand before the Judge and give an account for his life. His only hope as a sinner was to place his trust in Jesus Christ. That was about all Felix could take for one day. Felix, whose name means happy, was not very happy. He dismissed Paul with a wave promising to bring him back when it was convenient. It never did become convenient.
Talk about speaking truth to power! If we as preachers could speak to the really powerful people what should we talk about? Jesus. I think of Joe T. Grizzle the West Texas Baptist preacher who was asked to preach the funeral of a United States Senator. Joe weighed 140 pounds soaking wet. He preached in high gear all the time. He spoke 200 words a minute with gusts up to 300 words a minute when the unction came on him. He was fearless. People came from all over the country and from the highest offices in the land to hear what Joe would say about the Senator. Joe stood up and said, “Two weeks ago I asked the Senator if he had placed his trust in Jesus as his Savior. He said he had not because was not aware that he had any quarrel with God. If he did not change his mind he is in hell right now.” Grizzle sat down. People were appalled. How dare the preacher say such a thing? It was downright embarrassing. But the following Sunday dozens of adults in his town came to his church and turned from sin to find Jesus as their Savior.
Someday, you may get the chance to meet somebody really powerful, famous, wealthy and important. In that moment, you will be tempted to be in awe of their power and their position. Decide now what you will do. No matter who they are, we can be sure of this, they need Jesus more than they need our fawning praise. If we don’t tell them the truth, who will? And if we don’t speak the truth, we become like the mealy-mouthed court prophets of the Old Testament who told the Kings, “Do whatever you want. You are the King. Who can question you?” In my lifetime I have seen preachers so hungry for power that they would not speak the truth to rulers. On the great Judgment day every ruler who ever presided over anything as great as a city council up to emperors and leaders of great masses of people will uniformly bend their knees and audibly articulate, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Even as they say it they will know with all of us that Jesus Christ alone is God and we are not.
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Pray with me:
Father, remind us today that we live our whole lives before an audience of one. Great people have risen and fallen for millennia, but Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Let us stand in awe of no person. Help us not to be afraid to speak the truth to all who will listen. We pray that when we stand before you someday, we will look unashamed at our Savior and know that when we had the chance, we spoke the truth in love. In the name of our only King, King Jesus we pray. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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