Grace Church
Paul's Odyssey #9 - Felix the Procrastinator
The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey which lasted about 5 years and covered over 2,500 miles.
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey which lasted about 5 years and covered over 2,500 miles.
This study from the book of Acts challenges us to move from information to transformation.
The life of Paul is a fantastic role model for each of us.
We have so many opportunities in the summer to minister to people. Pray that the Lord would give you opportunities to build relationships, open doors of conversations, help others when you become aware of needs and share the story...God's story of Jesus and your story with Jesus!
The life of Paul is a fantastic role model for each of us.
We have so many opportunities in the summer to minister to people. Pray that the Lord would give you opportunities to build relationships, open doors of conversations, help others when you become aware of needs and share the story...God's story of Jesus and your story with Jesus!
Last week, in Acts 23, we left Paul in Jerusalem where he was again the center of a big controversy stirred up by the Jewish authorities.
Paul was taken to the center of Roman government, the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima.
Remember that God has ordained government for the good of mankind. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to ensure that our laws and legislators represent God's will. If we compromise or become passive, then we'll be at the mercy of a pagan society.
Paul was taken to the center of Roman government, the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima.
Remember that God has ordained government for the good of mankind. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to ensure that our laws and legislators represent God's will. If we compromise or become passive, then we'll be at the mercy of a pagan society.
The next three chapters of our study in Acts (chapters 24, 25, 26) deal with Paul's interactions with three Roman officials: Governors Felix, Festus, and Herod Agrippa II, a Roman-appointed king.
Today we'll look at the first of our Roman governors, a man we will refer to as Felix the Procrastinator.
Today we'll look at the first of our Roman governors, a man we will refer to as Felix the Procrastinator.
As we look at this chapter, keep in mind that God often will allow things to take place in our lives for His greater purpose. Many times we view these as obstacles when in reality they are opportunities for growth and service.
Paul didn't have a emotional meltdown because of his circumstances, but kept trusting in God's character, plan for his life, and revealed truth in Scripture.
Paul didn't have a emotional meltdown because of his circumstances, but kept trusting in God's character, plan for his life, and revealed truth in Scripture.
First: The Enemy's DECEIT.
Acts 24:1-9
Our spiritual enemy is Satan, also known as the Devil.
John 8:44 and Revelation 12:9 describe him.
Deceit is defined as, "the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth."
Paul's response or example is Biblical and one we would be wise to follow...Proverbs 26:4; Matthew 5:44-45a.
Acts 24:1-9
Our spiritual enemy is Satan, also known as the Devil.
John 8:44 and Revelation 12:9 describe him.
Deceit is defined as, "the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth."
Paul's response or example is Biblical and one we would be wise to follow...Proverbs 26:4; Matthew 5:44-45a.
Second: The Apostle's DEFENSE.
Acts 24:10-21
Paul didn't react negatively in the face of accusation, slander, and injustice. Instead he responded positively. The difference lies in our motivation. Paul wasn't obsessed with making a point but in pointing people toward the Lord.
Acts 24:10-21
Paul didn't react negatively in the face of accusation, slander, and injustice. Instead he responded positively. The difference lies in our motivation. Paul wasn't obsessed with making a point but in pointing people toward the Lord.
Third: The Governor's DECISION.
Acts 24:22-27
When confronted with truth and character, people are moved to make a decision. This passage reveals that Felix and his wife made a number of unhealthy decisions and chose to stay in the shadows, rejecting the light. The worse decision was that of no decision...which in itself is still a decision of no.
Felix, while frightened, lived for this world and believed he had more time.
Acts 24:22-27
When confronted with truth and character, people are moved to make a decision. This passage reveals that Felix and his wife made a number of unhealthy decisions and chose to stay in the shadows, rejecting the light. The worse decision was that of no decision...which in itself is still a decision of no.
Felix, while frightened, lived for this world and believed he had more time.
Felix was a procrastinator. A procrastinator is a person who voluntarily delays making critical decisions or completing important tasks, despite knowing it may cause them negative consequences.
People like Felix are the guiltiest of those who reject Jesus Christ. They know what is right and what God requires but refuse to do so.
People like Felix are the guiltiest of those who reject Jesus Christ. They know what is right and what God requires but refuse to do so.
Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/r/dashboardCJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/pages/cjs-orderMeet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be Sunday, September 28th, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
Read the Bible this year
Grace Church encourages you to read through the Bible this year by using the Bible Project plan "One Story that leads to Jesus" on the YouVersion Bible app. You can find this plan at the link below. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) if you have questions.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22273Grace Church App
Access messages, prayer posts, news & events, Breeze login, and more!
Use the link below to download the Grace Church app through Tithely.
This is an easy way to access all of the most important things found on our website or even get to the website itself.
Once you download the app it will ask what topics you would like notifications for so that you won't miss out
on any information that is shared.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) or Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org).
https://tithely.app.link/gc3Just Walk Across the Room - Grace U Class
Just Walk Across the Room: Sundays at 6:30 pm beginning August 31st with Pastor Don. Sign-up using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/grace_uDisc Golf Course Work Days
Did you know that Grace Church is developing a Disc Golf course on the back property?
It's nearing completion and just needs some hands to get things finished up.
There will be work days happening on Saturdays, September 6th and 13th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give.
Bring work gloves for cleaning up brush. If you are able to bring a chain saw, that will be helpful for clearing larger trees and brush.
Contact Gary Nelson (icemanthegrey@yahoo.com) if you have questions.
https://gc3.org/events/disc-golf-course-work-day/2025-09-06Join a H.O.M.E. Group today!
Life is better lived in community with one another. As Christ followers, we know that being in community helps us tremendously as we learn and grow in our faith. Grace Church offers H.O.M.E. Groups that help us do just that! These groups meet from September to May in homes throughout our 4 county region. H.O.M.E. Groups guide us in four key areas: Hospitality, Obedience, Ministry, and Evangelism. It is our hope that everyone be able to experience life lived in community through a H.O.M.E. Group!
If you have questions or want help finding a group that is right for you, contact the church office (grace@gc3.org).
You can learn more and sign-up using the link below.
https://gc3.org/pages/h-o-m-e-groupsBirthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, August 31st - Grace Conklin
Monday, September 1st - Steve Hester
Wednesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Thursday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Friday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Saturday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel
Monday, September 1st - Steve Hester
Wednesday, September 3rd - Colleen Burke, Schylar & Alexis Orton
Thursday, September 4th - Sandy Schilz, Kelly Adrianson, Andrew & Sarah Hoxie
Friday, September 5th - Diana Reid
Saturday, September 6th - Cass Ramey, Amanda Zalewski, Nick & Jacki Van De Moortel