"The Convenient Season" Acts 24:25 I. Introduction. A. Do you wonder why people are difficult to change? 1. Consider the ordinary affairs of life. 2. Do most people like change? 3. Requires decisions, efforts, and determination. B. Or--how difficult it is to get someone to change in religion. 1. Not confined to world or denominations. 2. Some brethren become adamant about remaining where they are and believing what they want to believe--even if the New Testament shows otherwise. C. In reality--we change some every day. 1. You are not the same person you were yesterday. 2. You will be different tomorrow. II. Body. A. One who was hesitant to change: Acts 24:25. 1. Convenient: Well-timed, to be fitting. 2. Felix had an ulterior motive: Acts 24:26. a. Money will bring changes in people. b. If we offered a sum of money to people to attend services--would they? c. Other forms of materialism influence people parties, entertainment, etc. 3. Do not know if Felix ever obeyed the gospel. 4. Lots of folks do not find religion convenient. B. Agrippa indicated he was close to changing: Acts 26:28. 1. Paul wanted him to--as well as all who heard the truth: Acts 26:29. 2. Paul desired all to become as he was(w/o bonds). 3. Have you experience this with someone? 4. Worked with a disciple--thought a change occurred --only to discover otherwise. 5. "Almost" is a giant cavern in the minds of men. a. How close one is to some ambition: but not quite! b. "Almost" in religion is no better than being the one farthest from God(when judgment day comes). 6. Cause for rejoicing: Acts 15:3. C. One changes in becoming a Christian: Matthew 18:3. 1. Converted: Acts 3:19. a. Conversion: to turn; to turn about; turning around(Greek). b. English: To change, to undergo change. 2. One changes after becoming a Christian. a. Grows, progresses, and becomes stronger. b. And yet--can stumble and need to change. (1 Peter did: Luke 22:32. (2 To help others: James 5:19-20. c. Can be difficult in persuading one to change and return to the Lord(but needs to be rescued). D. People do not find a "convenient season" for changing because: 1. Change can be difficult! a. Give up cherished beliefs and practices. b. Something new may seem strange. c. Change demands sacrifice. d. Conversion involves one going from the "old" man to the "new" man: Colossians 3:9-10. e. Habits are hard to break. 2. Pressure from others causes hesitation. a. Often: Family relationships. (1 Considered a "traitor." (2 Our family has been.... b. Many times friends ridicule any change. (1 Why would you want to be involved with that "sect?" (2 Will isolate because one is now different. c. Others may talk about you, criticize you, and ignore you. d. Imagine what it must have been like in apostolic days. 3. Changing requires sacrifice. a. Not easy! b. May have to give up habits, associates, and "enjoyable" activities. c. One's life now belongs to Christ: not self: Galatians 2:20. d. You may be isolated from family and former friends. 4. Traditions interfere. a. "Old" habits--handed down. b. Proper traditions are not wrong. c. How many do not obey the truth because of ancestral ties? d. Tradition interferes only where the person wants such to do so! e. Heed: Galatians 1:14. f. The proper: II Thessalonians 2:15. 5. Lack of sense of proper values. a. Being a Christian not considered important. b. Complacent about soul(self-satisfaction). (1 Might do something--someday! (2 Not persuaded of: Mark 8:36. c. Materialism hard to give up. d. Occupation, wealth, security, etc., more important. e. Remember Matthew 6:33-34. f. Solomon asked: Eccesiastes 1:3. 6. Satan is too strong an influence in a person's life. a. Power of the world and love for sin keeps from righteousness. b. Satan is god of this world: II Corinthians 4:4. c. One must learn to: I John 2:15-17. d. Observation: I John 5:19. e. Perhaps influence not to change because of the approval of the majority of the people. III. Conclusion. A. What is the most important thing in your life? B. what would you change(sacrifice) to go to Heaven? C. Is this a "convenient" season?-jy